CO129-131 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [6-7] — Page 229

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APPENDIX B.

225

HARBOR MASTER'S OFFICE, 24th June, 1868.

MY DEAR DEANE,

In answer to your inquiry I must tell you that I can perfectly recollect the Gambling Houses all shutting up for the space of Ten Days or a fortnight about this time of the Year 1866.

The fact was reported to me and I made special inquiries on the subject as it seemed rather a strange circumstance for them to shut up when there was no ap- pearance of extra vigilance on the part of the Authorities. I was informed that there was a rumor Hying about among the Chinese that His Excellency the Governor was about to License Gambling on condition that, then and there all Unlicensed Houses were shut up; and that tenders would be shortly invited for the monopoly. The owners of Unlicensed Gambling Houses shut up their Houses instantly, and, while some busied themselves about corresponding with their Canton and Macao friends, and endeavouring to raise money for the purchase of the monopoly, others, the owners of the lowest Houses, were in a state of alarm at the prospect of the speedy stoppage of their nefarious trade, knowing that however easy it might be to evade the vigilance of foreigners, they could not escape the spies of the native Gambling farmer. During this time every House as far as I could ascertain was shut up; the panic, for I can call it nothing else, lasted for about Ten days, when the Chinese, seeing that no tender was invited, fell back on their old system. During this time Two or Three Chinamen came to me with inquiries in regard to the intentious of Government as to Gambling.

Yours truly,

Το

W. M. DEASE, Esq.,

Acting Superintendent of Police.

(Signed,)

M. S. TONNOCHY.