CO129-156 - Sir MacDonnell - 1872 [1-3] — Page 251

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

haves, which must cease to exist on

next Saturday, the 20th Instant.

2. As explained to the Council, the object now is to save the

Police from the corruption, which formerly prevailed, when Gambling being declared illegal

and yet being almost universally prevalent, the connivance of the Police was secured

by a wide spread system of Bribery.

In fact it was well known that a great part of the Force was in receipt of regular weekly or monthly pay from the Gamblers. Under the license system the licensees and their native Agents acted so energetically in their own interests to suppress rival gaming establishments, that finally almost none such existed. Consequently the Police could threaten none with exposure, or the alternative of purchasing their secret connivance. The members of Force, on the whole, therefore, remained free from corruption because they could not get themselves corrupted.

3. We are now thrown back on the old law of 1844 and the powers conferred by Section 20 of Ordinance No 9 of 1867. Every Constable, however, has under the latter most extensive powers, which he might indulge most mischievously and corruptly, though it may hereafter be necessary to apply for fresh

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haves, which must cease to exist on next Saturday, the 20th Instant. my M 2. As explained to the Council, the object now is to save the Police from the corruption, which formerly prevailed, when Gambling being declared illegal and yet being almost universally prevalent, the connivance of the Police was secured by a wide spread system of Bribery. In fact it was well known that a great part of the Force was in receipt of regular weekly or monthly pay from the Gamblers. Under the license system the licensees and their native Agents acted so energetically in their own interests to suppress rival gaming establishments, that finally almost none such existed. Consequently the Police could threaten none with exposure, or the alternative of purchasing their secret connivance. The members of Force, on the whole, therefore, remained free from corruption because they could not get themselves corrupted. 3. We are now thrown back on the old law of 1844 and the powers conferred by Section 20 of Ordinance No 9 of 1867. Every Constable, however, has under the latter most extensive powers, which he might indulge most mischievously and corruptly, though it may hereafter be necessary to apply for fresh

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haves, which must cease to exist on next Saturday, the 20th Instant. my M 2. As explained to the Comeil nam object now is to save the Police from the corruption, which -formaly prevailed, when_Gambling being declared illegal and yet being almost universally prevalent, the Camivance of the Police was secured by a wide spread system of Bribery. In fact it Avas well known that a great part of the Pore was m receipt of regular wuscly or marchly pay from the Cramblers. Under the licause system the licensees and their native Agents acted so their own interests to suppress in energetically rival 230 gaming establishments, that ifinally almost now such existed. Consequently the Police could threaten none with eicher. exposure, or the alternative of purchasing their secret comivance. The members of Force, the Tone, therefore, remained free from corruption of because they could not get themselves corrupted. ow 3. We are now thrown back the old law of 1844 and the porvers confured by Section 20 of Ordinance No 9 of 1867. Every Contable, havever, has under the latter most which he might ind extensive frowers, most mischievenly and corruptly Neverchelif, though it may hereafter be necessary to apply for fresh

2026-05-20 14:58:24 · Baseline

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haves, which must cease to exist on

next Saturday, the 20th Instant.

2. As explained to the Comeil nam object

now is to save the

Police from the corruption, which

-formaly prevailed, when_Gambling being declared illegal

and

yet being

almost universally prevalent, the

Camivance

of the Police was

secured

by a wide spread system of Bribery.

In fact

Avas

well known that a

great part of the Pore

was

receipt of regular wuscly or marchly pay from the Cramblers. Under the licause system the licensees and their native Agents acted so

their own interests to suppress

energetically

rival

230

gaming establishments, that

ifinally almost now such existed. Consequently the Police could threaten none with

eicher.

exposure, or the alternative of purchasing

their secret comivance. The members of Force,

the Tone, therefore, remained free from corruption of because they could not get themselves corrupted.

3. We are now thrown back

the old law of 1844 and the

porvers confured by Section 20 of Ordinance No 9 of 1867. Every Contable, havever, has under the latter most

which he might ind

extensive

frowers,

most mischievenly and corruptly Neverchelif, though it may hereafter be necessary to apply for fresh

CO129-156 - Sir MacDonnell - 1872 [1-3] — Page 251

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