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portunity of clearing themselves of, while if remarked at his farewell banquet, that there the suspicion is well founded the public must are some Englishmen ready to advocate and necessarily entertain an opinion that their promote its retrocession. Any encroachment, interests have not been sufficiently vindicated therefore, by the Chinese on British juris- in the inadequate punishment meted out to diction, or any interference with the trade of the culprits. Instant dismissal from the the Colony ought to be promptly resisted. For force, supposing the offence to be as grave the maintenance of the Cap-shui-moon Cus. as we have been led to understand, would toms Station there may be some slight ex- not have been too harsh a measure.
cuse, as to a certain extent, but not wholly,
The
will be found most economical to recruit the force here from the home police, though the immediate outlay is much greater.
We are pleased to note that, since the affray in Wing Lok Street, measures have been taken to counteract the injurious impres- sion which Mr. HENNESSY's" acts of lenity to criminals has created in the minds of the dangerous classes. The night pass sys- tem is now being enforced, TAM ATAX pays the penalty of his dreadful crime this any case of emergency or danger has been but for the other stations at Ly-ee-moon; The inefficiency of the Chinese police in the passage leads into Chinese waters morning, stenta launches are to be hired by amply demonstrated. They are, almost with-Chung Chow, and the Lammas there can be the Water Police, and the GOVERNOR has in out exception, actuated by an exaggerated one, as they simply guard the approach his minute on the police duties expressed a sense of the value of their own skins, and from this colony to the open maiu. wish to exercise a close supervision over the generally contrive to arrive at the scene of a place to collect the duties is the port of entry; police by having weekly reports sent to him. fray or a burglary when everything is safely the Customs stations cannot be considered It is to be hoped that this piratical raid will over. prove the means of inaugurating a new and can scatter balf a dozen of these lukongs, but the smuggling of opium, as we are assured A single obstreperous foreign seaman ports in any sense. The greater portion of inore vigorous régime, in which humanitarian it is rarely that he gets the chance, as they by well informed natives, is carried on from ideas will be avoided, and a decisive policy manage to throw all this rough duty on the the opposite side of the harbour, across the pealing with criminals. We have European and Sikh constables. The lukougs mountain passes, to Mirs Bay and so into rever found fault with the change in the seem, in some inscrutable manner, to scent the Kwai Shin, Sua On, Wei Chow, and mode of flogging suggested by His Excellency danger from afar, for wherever there are any Hoi Fung districts, or after Dr. ATRES's report on the effects of the knocks being exchanged there the native near
over the pass lash when applied to the back, and we are of members of the force are conspicuous by about Deer Bay to Sam Chân, and so Chin Wan through the villages opinion that no good end is served by the their absence. The Chinese contingent has into the Tang-koon district as far as Shek- punishment being administered in public. its uses, and there are some members of it loong. This smuggling is carried on without Only let the rattan be freely applied in the who have shown most praiseworthy zeal and any organisation, and chiefly by passengers precincts of the gaol and callous-bearted courage in the discharge of their duties. For who visit Hongkong on ordinary business, but rascals, who feel no disgrace and care for no other punishment, made to smart for their they are of great service in apprehending their persons a few taels of prepared drug. detective purposes they are invaluable, and who take the opportunity to conceal about ocences. Above all things we trust that Mr. those numerous offenders against the law In the aggregate this amounts, of course, to a HENNESSY will commute no more sentences belonging to the bawker class. But the considerable quantity owing to the number passed on murderers without some good canse. Chinese lukongs should not be numerically of persons who thus cheat the revenue. The The author of the Shek O tragedy was, if superior to the other coutingents, for it is smuggling by sea, which is on a less exten- there be a difference where the two cases idle to suppose that for general purposes sive seale, stands on pretty much the same are so nearly parallel, less deserving of mercy three lukougs are worth one good Sikh. 1f footing; the crews of ordinary trading junks than the wretched man who suffers death this, additions be made to the force they should sometinies endeavour to secrete a ball or two morning. If there are any grounds at all not be natives. for the reprieve of CHEUNG ASH, they signed by "Coloured Individuals," has been voyage. Opium smugglers are not, however, A rather novel proposal of opium to augment the profits of their ought certainly, in justice to the (OVERNOR, handed to us for publication. This was brought by any means the desperate characters" Old to be made public.--September 30th. with a request for publication by a stal- Resident" seeks to make out. They are wart and respectable-looking West Indian, generally timid and sneaking, and rarely a British subject, who stated that there were show fight. about a dozen of his countrymen in the service in the Police Force. If they be meet and they are always fully armed and ready Colony who would he only too glad to takn sungglers. Theirs is a desperate enterprise, of good character, we see no reason why they to fight on any occasion. The junks engaged should not be enrolled, for they speak, as a in this traffic get their cargo up the coast rile, fairly good English, are powerfully generally sell part of it in Hougkong, and built fellows, and would no doubt prove thus lightened, proceed on their voyage, effective guardians of the peace. They would This Colony cannot in any way be considered certainly be preferable to any increase of the Chinese force.---October 5th.
COWARDICE OF CHINESE POLICE.
it will ha ́ abersa in connection with Wing Lok-street affair that the steam launch in which a portion of the pirates made their escapo was sighted by two Police boats, and that shots were exchanged with one of them. A statement now reaches us to the effect that the two European constables in tike boat fired upon wished to do their ty, ascertain the character of the craft, and, if necessary, to arrest it. The Chi- nese lukougs, however, who were at the ars, upon the first firing immediately refused to row any farther, although, the launch being a slow one, they could have kept up with her and intercepted her retreat. For this gross and cowardly refusal of duty it is said that the men have been subjected to the paltry penalty of a forfeiture of half their month's wages. We give the state ment subject to correction, but as the men
SOME FACTS ABOUT SMUGGLING.
been revived and an endeavour made to As the question of opium smuggling has throw odima on the Colony in this matter,
Very differant, ha.
responsible for this contraband trade, as it has gone on for centuries and Hongkong has only been made a port of call since a market has been found here. This being a free port they have, of course, a perfect right to enter and
and the Chinese Customs officials hold them leave here without interference. As we have sad, these smugglers are desperate characters,
it may be as well to say something further great dread. Not less desperate and
on the subject. We have before attempted scarcely less lawless are the men engaged in to show that Mr. BERDON'S estimate of the the suppression of the traffic. Indeed, it is drug smuggled from this port is greatly confidently stated by the natives that they in excess of the real figure. Unfortunately alternately engage in smuggling and in its
ve not been charged at the Police Court. there are no returns available which place the repression, probably taking service in the for misconduct as constables, as they ought natter beyond doubt. Mr. BERTON's figures Salt Commissioner's steam launches in order to have been, it seems probable that the case are merely the result of an estimate, and it is
to glean information useful to their con- has been dealt with privately, which is much to be regretted a man in Mr. NrOLSON's federates. The Chinese themselves look upon to be regretted. As to the inadequacy of their position should have so readily adopted a upon these guard-boats and cruisers of the punishment, if their offence has not been Chinese Customs estimate. "Old Resident',
Salt Commissioner as but one remove from exgerated, there cannot be two opinions, in his letter published on Monday endea- Their situation was no doubt a trying one, voured to trace a connection between opinn
pirates. and had they had a smart brush with the smuggling and the present lawless state of tified in endeavouring to suppress smuggling The Chinese Authorities are perfectly jus pirates the public would have been ready to this Colony. The opium smuggling has been in their own waters, but have no right to block appland their courage, and some reward immensely exaggerated, and the large fleet of our exits to the open main by the Customs might properly have been bestowed upon revenue cruisers employed in the blockade Stations which they have established at various them by the Government. It must not be of this island are designed not so much points of vantage and the large fleet of cruisers forgotten, however, that these men are paid to for the suppression of contraband trails they maintain to worry the trade of Hong- protect the peace of the harbour, that they did as for harassing the legitimate trade of kong. If their only desire was to prevent not know the character or number of the men the Colony, and promoting an idea among smuggling they would guard Mirs Bay, Deep in the launch, and they had no right to retreat the native population that China still Bay, and the passes from Chin Wan to the until they had satisfied themselves on these has jurisdiction over the commerce to and inland districts. But as it is, while foreign points. If the matter has been disposed of from Hongkong. The Chinese Government Powers have to polico their coasts for them privately it is alike unfair to the men them-has never been reconciled to the cession of and put down the piracy recently rampant selves and to the public. The lukongs are this island, and there is only too good ground from Kwangtung to Chihli, they maintain a under a suspicion which they have no op- for believing, as Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY fleet of armed cruisers to blockade and in-
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jure an English Colony. The Chinese Go- justification of our assertion that the natives fairly be considered to have his full concur- vernment is ready to claim all the rights of who attended the meeting had been deceived rence. How different those opiuions are from a civilized Power without conferring any of us to its real purpose, we need only state, the views entertained by His Excellency the what many at the time noticed, that when GOVERNOR, for whom Mr. HAYLLAR appeared the benefits of civilization.-October 2nd.
the proposal that Mr. H. B. GIBB should as an apologist on Monday, will be seen by occupy the chair was carried by acclamation, a few extracts from the report in question. THE PUBLIC MEETING.
one of the champions of the governmental First as to Hogging, the Commission say:-- It is in its deterrent aspect that the Commission party having thoughtlessly raised his hand The public meeting held yesterday, on
in accord, the mass of Chinese present held regard our system of punishment as altogether failing. A sentiment of hanity, very much misplaced when the requisition of sixty-four leading re-
wo come to deal with a race that misunderstand it. and unqualified up their hands as if in acquiescence with a great sidents, was
Never in the history of the formal proposition; the alacrity with which and regard it as a sign of weakness, has always stood in the way of the free infliction of the penalty which the lasi. success. Colony has a larger or more influential the show of hands followed what was evi-
Its inexorable application to one class of offences ex- meeting assembled; never has one been charge dently mistaken for a preconcerted signal, the Chinaman particularly dreads, that of
revealed the deep-laid plot, and raised at ceedingly common in former years, that of wrenching terised by more thorough ananimity. Nearly once a storm of indignation and derision ornaments from women's cars, has caused that crime every mercantile firm, every store, and every from the popular party. The best laid to disappear almost entirely from the criminal le
dar, and highway robberies with violence have under profession was represented. The meeting was schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley, one marked dimination from the same canse The the most emphatic expression of opinion tha could have been given. The utmost loyalty and the energetic and subtle supporters of Commission can see no reason why this useful pude
hey do not the governmental party felt the truth of the of punishment should not be extended indefinitely,
and they
hesitato to recommend that rower was shown to constitutional principles and spirit of fair play exhibited to the apologists proverb when the Chairman adjourned should be entrusted to the hands of the residin the meeting to the open air, where the post-judge at any Criminal Sessions to order a fogging For His Excellency which was only to he ex-
circumstances to deserve it, in addition to the panish- ment already imposed by law. Experience shows Lo pected from such an intelligent and orderly tion was reversed; the foreigners occupying every case of felony which in his opinion disclosest assemblage, though it must be admitted that the interior of a circle, while the natives re- their patience was sorely tried by the official mained on its outskirts. It is a matter to reason to fair that such a power would be abused, be deplored that the opponents of the meet- while, even if sparingly exercised, the fact of its exist.
ence could not but have a salutary deterrent effect. who so far forgot bimself that he was com-
Comment upon this is unnecessary. Nothing and one of the speakers. The resolutions bare electioneering dodge of packing. Success could be more in accord with the sentiments pelled to make apologies to the Chairman ing condescended to attempt the old thread- were passed with acclamation, and there is would have been but an inglorious victory expressed at the public meeting on Monday. while failure could but add contumely to defeat. Such an attempt to gag a free and independent discussion and expression of opinion by the commanity upon a vital ques- tion reflects the greatest discredit upon those responsible for it, while it meets with the profoundest contempt of every lover of fair play in the Colouy.
80
}
the GOVERNOR
With regard to brauding and deportation,
the following clear and forcible manner: — the opinion of the Commission is expressed in
Many difficulties exist in the way of a ready iden tification of thieves who have been alreally convicted. It not infrequently happens that a few desperato characters, whose education in villainy has received the completion given by one or more terms of incar ceration, come out of gnol and terrorise the Colony for a long time before they are again captured. It also happens that men who have been disebarged fres an imprisonment for anne heavy offence leave the Colony only to return when the finctaations to their recognition altogether improbable,
which the Police force is subject have
no possible doubt that, with less than some half-dozen exceptions, every British and fo- reign resident in the colony most fully an dorses them. Though slow to act and difficult to rouse, owing partly to the cosmopolitan nature of the community and partly to
im the fact that its members are mersed in business that they have little
The attempt, however, to thus nullify the ime to devote to politics, yet, when the necessity arises, Hongkong can speak out, objects of the meeting resulted in au utter While collapse, as ull such unworthy schemes deserve and very much to the purpose.
adered there was every disposition yesterday toto do; for Buding that they were powerless to
would allow full and free discussion, the residents accomplish their intended project, at a given
men as these conspicuously worked, the Ych doubtless be compelled to seek their livelihoo present were little inclined to sanction half signal from the native barrister who acted as measures or to accept any compromise. The fugleman, the Chinese trooped off in a body elsewhere, or their career of evil would probably be A large number of those collected in the City cat short here. The Comunission think that the bene. laws of the pramunity were expressed so Hall remained on the vorandah apathetically ficial nature of the scheme of branding which was devised and carried out by Sir Richard Graves Ma- definitely as to leave no room for doubt as to what they considered the causes which led watching the proceedings, while many others Tonnell was unquestionable, to that is abajoga up to the present deplorable state of affairs went straight home. Those who found out ment may, in some degree, be frasad the gaten
early in the day the deception that had been violent crimes which agitated the Colong in the ear in regard to the security of the Colony,
during his late brief administration after his return to That the meeting did not prove a failure practised upon them stayed away from the mer and autumu of 1871. They are glad to note that was not due to any want of enterprise on meeting altogether. The community, both the Colony, Sir Ricard caused an Ordinance on this hoped will obtain, the sanction of the Secretary of the part of its opponents, for it was shame. foreign and native, are to be congratulated subject to be passed which now awaits, and it is to be that this attempt to set one class of the state. The Commission have given auch thought to fully and glaringly evident that some un- scrupulous individuals had influenced the community against another, and thus inau- this measure and bare duly weighed the argummis respect, they cannot coincide with the motives of Chinese portion of the community, who gurate a strife of vnces, has failed, owing to of the opponents of its principles. But whilst they
The good semper and moderation of both. philanthropy in which this opposition has its origin. were led to believe, as We are credibly informed, that the meeting was directed The mere intelligent and respectable of the The Commission had little faith in the pos- Chinese present will soon come to understand sible reformation of criminals from the against His Excellency personally, its ultimate object being to that they were being used for a purpose mainland, but as showing that they looked effect his removal from the administra inimical to their own true interests, and
of view, they proceed :— tion of this Colony. To this impression the will recognise the fact that the conveners of upon the matter from a most impartial point the meeting were actuated simply by a de- Tung Wab Hospital Committee, as we yesire to promote the common weal. tarday remarked, tended in no slight degree Chinese residents have an equal right to be to contribute. Repeatedly, usque ad nauseam, have we proteste against the position which present at a meeting with foreigners, but it cannot be conceded that any one member of this body has assumed in our midst of an
the community, be he foreign or native, has imperium in imperio; constantly have we pointed out that the Committee, if confined any right to pack a building until it is to its legitimate purposes, would be the scarcely safe, in order that the unanimous means of beuent to the native population of the voice of the foreign community and that of the most influential natives should be colony, but that naught but evil could result from an extension of its powers and influence drowned by the vote of a mob entirely igno- to matters alien to its proper functions. The rant of what was passing. The attempts
signally frustrated-will never, we trust, numbers of the Chinese who thronged to the meeting surprised all save the few ini- repeated in Hongkong.-October 8th. tiated who pulled the strings; and malicious and confident must have been the smile which those same few enjoyed within their sleeves when the large ball-room was, half an hour before the appointed time for the meet- ing, packed full of the obedient, and docile sheep who had been gathered thither by the subterranean influence of the supporters of the GOVERNOR. The object intended wes suflicicutly ovident, inasmuch as when the foreign portion of the community arrived the room was found filled to overflowing with a native congregation, the status of the vast majority of whom was very inferior. In
The
MR. HAYLLAR AND THE PUNISH-
MENT OF CRIMINALS.
Of course branding should be resorted to only in the cases of those men whose career, or the nature of whose crime makes it evident that no reasonable hope be supposed, however, that the effect of fixing a stigmt. of their reformation can be entertainal. It wust not of this kind would be the same here as in England. within the Colony it might, and in all probability would deprive the branded man of the chance of hones suppose it would have inch weight of any kind o employment. But there seems no good reason t
the foreigner the mainland, except to arouse sympathy with th sufferer from the punishment of There are only too many, at any time, within th
For the
the
walls of the gual, to whom, the Commission believe. it is illo to offer any inges panitention. most part, snch ard migratory strangers who only tie to this or any place is the opportunity planer. It is not to our laws or mismanagement that these radians owe their criminal education. Many of them before they come here are too probably
May deeply statued with crime, and it Beous, to least of it, somewhat hard that the honest industry and enterprise of the Colony should, in deference to an overstrained sentiment, be heavily burdened to keep up enormous Police and Gaol establishments, to look after and provide board and lodging for immi- Severity might afford reasonable means of getting rid grants of this description, when a little more judicions of them altogether. Branding would, beyond doubt, greatly assist this dosirable object.
It is interesting and also important at this juncture, when humanitarian ideas seera to rule the Governmental policy, to refer to the very able Report of the Police Commission which sat in 1872 and see what is there said with regard to the punishment of The expressions contained in this quotation criminals. The Hon. T. C. HAYLLAR, Q.C., I will be heartily endorsed by the coinmuuity was Chairman of that Commission, and, if we now, as they apply equally well to the state are not mistaken, drafted the report. The of the Colony at the present moment as they opinions therein expressed, consequently, may did when first penned by the learned Queen's
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