notorious offenders, could not venture to frequent the licensed houses, in reference more immediately to Mr. Keswick's question, he must still inform the Council that none of the money received under the license could be considered available for public per; poses. He would not deny that his reason told him that inasmuch as this money had really acerned accidentally, in consequence of a mea. sure which was introduced solely for police purposes, it was unwise not to use it. Still he could not help a certain sympathy with those who oried out, however wildly, against the ac- quisition of a revenue from such a source as this, and the Council must not expect that he would exert himself personally to obtain the use of that money for the colony. Never- theless that point was one of detail, and not of principle. If it were the only difficulty the inonoy could be thrown into the sea, and the question be this disembarrassed of this inci- dental difficulty. The amount ebarged which had already fallen to about $14.000 a month, he thought wight eventually be reduced to $10,000. That sum might possibly be sufficient to secure the zealous co-operation on the part of the license holders essential to ensure fair profits, and render their establishments more efficient for police purposes. On the whole he was fully convinced that the system had dimit- ished crime, while there was no room at all for doubt that it had increased the efficiency of the police, by ruining the chit ele- mext of corruption. That, moreover. WILS the opinion of the Chinese theinselves. When he bad lately received a number of respectable Chinese residents to confer with him as to the Kidnapping Ordinance, the subject of gambling had then arisen, and they all ad- mitted the general diminution of crime, neverthe- less some of them had declared themselves desirous that the recent legislation should be done away with. It was some time before he could reconcile this work with the admission they had previously made till, be found that they shrank from the responsibility thrown upon them by the Registration Ordinance, which compelled them to take care that the houses of which they were owners should not be couverted into gambling houses or houses of ill-fame. He had told them that they certainly must not ex- pect to see that arrangement modified in any Case These discursive remarks, however, the Governor said, had better come to an end. though the statement which he had been led by Mr. Keswick's question into making would pro- bably be not without interest to the community. The CHIEF JUSTICE asked what was the total amount of the sums which had accumulated under the gambling licenses.
The GOVERNOR said about $135,000. Mr. RYRIE asked if the Governor thought it likely that the keepers of the houses really would exclude respectable persons.
The GOVERNOR thought that very likely persons of such respectability, as, for instance, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, would be able to gain admittance, but the upper class of Chinese servants would certainly find it nevessary to go to their own clubs.
Mr. RYRIE said these measures were not found necessary in other lurge Eastern cities.
JUDGE BALL said that there could be to doubt about the fact that crime had diminished in this colony.
The CHIEF JUSTICE corroborated this. Mr. RYRIE asked whether it could not be at- tributed to something else than the gambling- houses.
The CHIEF JUSTICE said that the depression of trade would naturally have the effect of in- creasing crime. What did Mr. Ryrie allude to ? Mr. RYRIE would not pretend to find an ex- planation himself.
The GOVERNOR said that if anyone liked to bring forward a motion to test the opinion of the Council on this subject, he would have no objection, if it could be done consistently with the Rules which governed their proceedings as & Legislative body. The Council he was sure was not a body which would form an opinion hastily without taking trouble and ascertaining facts.
Mr. RYRIE thought there nuust be some other means of stopping crime; other Governments did not find it necessary to resort to this ex- pedient.
The GOVERNON said that the circumstatices of Hongkong were altogether peculiar. We must adapt ourselves to circumstances, if we cannot bend them to our will, and nost nu. questionably such a policy would in Europe be wholly unjustifiable.
THE JURY ORDINANCE.
On the motion of the Chief-Justice, after a debate and division, a clause was introduced to inpower the Chief-Justice to allow juries, in all but trials for capital offences, to Petire for re- freshment. The Ordinance was then passed.
TREASON FELONY ORDINANCE. This Ordinance was also passed after a fow words of explanation from the Governor, who read a circular on the subject from the Secre- tary of State.
POLICE PENSIONS.
The GOVERNOR made some remarks on this Ordinanses, to the same effect as those which he made on its introduction. By some oversight police were exempted from the restrictions in respect to their pensions which operated against other members of the Civil Service. If they could struggle through their period of service without being positively dismissed, they seemed to establish an indefeasible claim to their pen- sions.
The Ordinance was passed after a short con- versation, and the Council adjourned.
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