261
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disgust, and not least that of public ridicule. They have a horror of being deprived of their queues and of exposure in the public stocks. There are, therefore, strong arguments for resorting to these penalties. Transportation also presents singular terrors to them, but the want of any penal settlement for our convicts deprives the Colony of that mode of disposing of its worst characters. It is to be hoped that some place may be found for the purpose, and evidence on this subject worthy of consideration is recorded at pages 63 and 64.
80. A subject intimately connected with the working of the Police force is Gambling. that of Gambling. The current of popular opinion both here and at home has set so strongly against the licensing system which was in operation a short time ago within the Colony, that it may be looked upon as abandoned once and for all. But Any discussion of the principle of that system would be, therefore, useless. the problem of how to deal in any satisfactory manner with the inveterate taste of the Chinese for gambling still remains open, and the magnitude of the question has been fully revealed by the working of the licensing system, and the enormous sum paid monthly into the Treasury for the grant of the Government privilege. This monthly sum, viz., $15,000, may be taken to represent approximately the bribing power of the gambling fraternity, and it need scarcely be pointed out that a distribution of but a comparatively small portion of it amongst the Police would totally demoralise any force, especially if composed mainly of Asiatics. It does not fall within the province of this Commission to suggest what laws should be enacted for the future suppression of Gambling, but, whatever the nature of these, the Commission earnestly trust that the general body of the Police may not be con- cerned in any way with their administration.
Secretary.
Dissentients.
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82. It is also the pleasing duty of the Commission to acknowledge the ability and indefatigable zeal of their Secretary, Mr. LISTER, whose knowledge and very valuable and willing aid have been most instrumental in lightening and turning to account the labours of the Commission. Mr. LISTER is recommended to the favourable attention of the Government.
83. The Honourable H. LowcOCK, Mr. LEMANN, and Mr. STEWART differ from the rest of the Commission as to the material of which the rank and file of the Police force should be composed. Their views on these particulars are embodied in separate reports sent herewith.
(Signed)
ALFRED LISTER.
Secretary.
(Signed)
T. C. HAYLLAR.
W. KESWICK.
}
F. W. MITCHELL.
H. LOWCOCK.
W. LEMANN.
31
F. STEWART.
M
81. It only remains to add that there will be found among the notes evidence Conclusion. on subjects, especially on those connected with crime, which have not received special notice in this Report, by reason of their not having fallen strictly within the field of enquiry for which the Commission were constituted. The excellent Index compiled by Mr. LISTER makes reference to all such matters easy. The Commission would call attention to the evidence of both Messrs. DEANE and DOUGLAS as to the character and composition of the criminal classes, the sources whence they spring, their habits, haunts, and hiding places. Some valuable remarks as to the difficulties in the way of efficient Police supervision presented by the nature, paving, and lighting of many parts of the town, especially in Tai-ping Shan, and suggestions for impro- vement in some respects will be found at page 6. A return containing practical sug- gestions for improvements in lighting, from Mr. NewTON, the manager of the Gasworks, is appended in manuscript and merits consideration. Some views expressed by Mr. DOUGLAS with reference to the establishment of a reformatory in connection with the Gaol deserve attention (p. 60); and valuable remarks from this gentleman on gaol discipline will be found at pages 55 and 64. To Mr. DIXWELL, recently Chairman of the Municipal Council at Shanghai, the Commission are indebted for much useful information respecting the working of the Police at that Port, and to the Honourable J. W. BIRCH for a complete description of the Singapore system.
Hon. 11. Lowcock.
As I am not able altogether to agree with the opinions of the majority of the Police Commission expressed in their Report with reference to the future organisation of the force, more especially as regards the employment of Chinese, I take the opportunity of expressing my views on the subject.
Originally there were considerable objections to employing Chinese in the Police at all for very good reasons, and I contend that all or most of them exist if not in the opinion of all the members of the Commission certainly in that of the larger portion of the Community.
TLOW,
When first formned, it was necessary that the force should be in a measure protective and it was therefore obviously desirable that an antagonistic, though not necessarily an oppressive element should be introduced, hence the employ-
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