CO129-156 - Sir MacDonnell - 1872 [1-3] — Page 195

transmitted to Your Lordship

absence. In reference

during my to them I felt, for obvious reasons,

likely to that inquiring by others was be more beneficial than by myself; but at the same time, I did not think such inquiring

could be usefully or fairly defined.

I have the honor to be;

My Lord

Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant

Richard Graves MacDonnell Governor

The Daily Advertiser.

HONGKONG, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1872.

EARL KIMBERLEY'S REPLY TO THE PUBLIC MEMORIAL.

The following, received from the Committee, is the Reply vouchsafed by the Home Govern- ment to the Memorial passed at the Indignation Meeting held on September 25th of last year. It is as satisfactory as could have been hoped for:-- Hongkong, No. 43.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

22nd January, 1872. GENTLEMEN,~With reference to the Memorial, addressed to the Secretary of State requesting Appointment of a Commission of Inquiry into the Police, I am directed by the Governor to ac- quaint you for the information of the gentlemen who signed the Document, that by the last mail His Excellency received a despatch of the 1st December from the Right Honorable the Earl of Kimberley, who desires His Excellency to inform the Memorialists that the condition of the Police Force has for considerable time been a source of anxiety to His Lordship, and that he had had frequent communication with the Governor on the subject. His Lordship has further instructed His Excellency in connection with the suppression of the Gambling Houses to strengthen the Police Force, and to spend on it a considerable portion of the Special Fund. His Lordship has been enabled to secure in England a certain number of well trained Police of good character, young, and physically strong, and trusts to be able to obtain more men of the same stamp, and con- fidently hopes that the Governor's experience will enable him to establish an improved condition of affairs. His Lordship fears, however, that the complete reorganization of the Police System, to which the Memorialists point, and which may perhaps prove to be necessary, cannot well be undertaken by Sir Richard MacDonnell, as the termination of his tenure of office is so near at hand. He is, however, authorized to inform the petitioners that his Successor will, before pro- ceeding to the Colony, be made fully acquainted with the condition of affairs, and with the views of the Memorialists, and it will be his first duty to enquire thoroughly into the matter.

After giving the Memorial careful consideration His Lordship is of opinion that the appoint- ment at the present moment of the proposed Commission would not be opportune, and that it would be better for the Governor's Successor to enter on so important a question without find- ing any points prejudged, or any recommenda- tions formally placed on record. He will have the advantage of hearing the opinions of the Legislative Council, and consulting them freely

in all matters of principle or detail connected with the Police Force. But although for these reasons Lord Kimberley has not thought it ex- pedient to advise Her Majesty to comply with the prayer of the Memorialists, His Lordship feels it unnecessary to commend the subject to the Governor's most serious attention, and re- quests him to take whatever steps he may deem practicable for effecting an immediate improve- ment in the efficiency of the Force.

I am further directed to acquaint you that, previous to the receipt of the Despatch above referred to, His Excellency had received a Telegram from the Earl of Kimberley approving of the Commission which he had decided on appointing.

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most Obedient Servant,

J. GARDINER AUSTIN,

Colonial Secretary.

To Messrs. GREIG, McNEIL, BUXTON, and FRANCIS.

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