Enclosure No 2
xiii
9
253
I desire to make some reference to offences peculiarly Chinese, for the punishment of which power
the hands of the Magistrates to impose Public Flogging. These are:-
1. Assaults at or in connection with riotous assemblages.
2. Assaults Indecent.
3. Assaults in brothels.
4. Assaults with intent to rob.
5. Indecent exposure of person by bathing or otherwise.
6. Malicious injuries to property.
7. Nuisances ("Obeying calls of nature on any way or in any public exposed or other improper
place to the annoyance of others.")
8. Trees Cutting and destroying.
9. Mendicaney.
10. Fire-Not aiding at.
to crave reference to letters written by me to the Honourable the Colonial Secretary on the subject these and other offences, on the 20th August, 1862, No. 17, and 4th February, 1863, No. 4, copies of hich I respectfully enclose. The opinions therein expressed have in no degree been altered as regards e policy at that period of leaving an unusual power in the hands of the Magistrates for summarily pressing offences which were great evils to the Colony and difficult to cope with, from the peculiarity manners and customs of the people, and especially developed in the earlier days of Hongkong being British Colony, because of the turbulence on the mainland arising from internal disorders of rebellion, acy and smuggling by armed force, (the latter only in a small degree remote from piracy); but ere is demanded from me an expression of opinion that the evils which called for this summary wer have become materially reduced, although not altogether removed from the greater knowledge of English law possessed by the native community, the improved and stronger Police force and system, improvement of sanitary necessities, and the comparative peaceful condition of the mainland. These mbined have almost removed both the propriety and need for the maintenance of the law, and the mfortable and peaceful habitation of the Chinese community to call for the extremity of Publie logging.
A statistical return has been prepared from the records of the Department, which exhibits very early the decadence in the necessity of enforcing the law in these particular points by Public Flogging, din my opinion the total cessation of Public Flogging in the preceding six months ending the 30th me has in no degree increased crime.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, Your most obedient Servant,
C. MAY, First Police Magistrate.
NOTE. I have seen the minute on report of Mr. CREAGH calling for a return in a different form for a longer period, this will be duly prepared and forwarded in a few days.
Return of Public Floggings ordered by the Magistrates, from 1st January, 1875, to 30th June, 1878.
1875.
1876.
1877.
* 1877.
1878.
1st Jan, to 20th June 1st Jan. to 20th June.
ENCES FOR WHICH FLOGGING
CAN BE LEGALLY ORDERED.
Total Number
brought before
the Magistrates.
Total Number
Flogged Publicly.
Total Number
brought before
the Magistrates.
Total Number
Flogged Publicly.
Total Number
brought before
the Magistrates,
Total Number
Flogged Publicly,
Total Number
brought before
the Magistrates.
Total Number
Flogged Publicly.
Total Number
brought before
the Magistrates.
Total Number
Flogged Publicly.
REMARKS.
Cutting and destroying,
egy, or any offence punishable as
Bryst
airs at or in connection with rio-7
teas assemblages,
t-Indecent,
its in brothels..
ults with intent to rob,
ent exposure of person by bathing
er otherwise,....
cians injuries to property,
aces. ("Obeying calls of nature"
ou any way or in any publio ex-
posed or other improper place to
the annoyance of others.")
dicancy,
for not aiding at,*
Nuple Larceny, committed by
36
2
22
8
4
24
34
15
26
26
19
5
25
I
25
7
13
8
i
37
2
37
22
48
9(a) 103
300)
56
15
40
(a) 1 Boy. (6.) 1 Boy.
ri
:.
114
Totals,......
169
17
240
6
216
1
96
1
02
No Flogging has been inflicted for these offences.
+ Private Flogging only is authorised by Ordinance 16 of 1875,
C. MAY,
First Police Magistrate.
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