CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882 — Page 166

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"Extract from "Darly hews" of 31 July 18822)

عليكم

163

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Tuz deputation of Chinese merchants and traders which waited upon Sir JOHN POPE HEN- NESSY a day or two ago, to thank him for the just policy that he had pursued towards their fellow-countrymen in Hong Kong, complained that since his departure from the colony matters were not going on so well as during his presence. Such a statement emanating from a respectable body of Chinese ought not to pass without in- quiry. One member of the deputation, it appears, asked whether the only Chinese police inspector in Hong Kong had been lately reduced to the grade of sergeant, and Sir JoN POPE HENNESSY appears to have been unable to contradict the report. Such a question put by a Chinese resident in London shows with what keen interest the experiment which the Governor has made in Hong Kong is being watched from a distance by those who have the greatest right to be interested in it, and how ansions they are to obtain for it fair play. It appears that the man to whom Sir JOHN POPE HENNESSY gave the temporary rank of inspector was a protégé of Colonel GORDON, who found him as an infant in the ditch of oue of the towns which the Chinese had deserted. Colonel GORDON with characteristic humanity rescued the boy from death, and became respon- sible for bringing him up. The latter, who is in constant correspondence with his benofactor, is said to bear un excellent character. It is there- fore natural that the Chinese should wish to know the reason why, during the absence of the Governor, their countryman should have been deprived of bis promotion, and relegated to an inferior position. Sir JOHN POPE HENNESSY, in his reply to the deputation, referred to the unique fact that at the recent dinner of the Cobden Club a member of the Government had proposed the health of a Chinese mer- chant; and he also dwelt upon the bene- fits which would accrue to both nations if auch incidents were multiplied, and if the Chinese were to visit this country in larger numbers.

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