CO129-293 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [8-9] — Page 160

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

I think it should be modified. I do not think that there should be restrictions on this special punishment in Hongkong, which is a resort of dangerous Chinese Criminals. I should make the number of strokes 24 - as is prescribed in our circular to the colonies - instead of 20.

As to the instrument, in spite of the minutes on 1979 and Sir R. Meade's amusing comments, I do not think it is right to take away from those responsible for keeping order in the Hongkong prison and from the H[ong]kong judges the power of punishing dangerous ruffians with the same instrument that is used in this country & in other colonies.

A birch is not an inadequate punishment; it may cause a wound, but not to death. I should not allow the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent to use any weapon except the birch; a limit has been put on the number of strokes - 12 for an adult and 6 for a juvenile.

But in the case of the Visiting Justices, I should adopt the rules which we sent out with our circular of 25 May 1897, allowing 24 strokes with an instrument approved by the Governor. The new rules (June 15, 1897) allow up to 30 strokes, and this change has been made without any authority beyond what the law allows. However, the Governor is not always following the extension of flogging as provided by the rules pending Mr Chamberlain's authority, which I submit might with advantage be given to the modification suggested above.

C.Pd. I agree with the views expressed on 18 Dec. One practical object is expressly stated.

19/12/67 Keff.

I have expressed my sound view in April without additions. I allow authorities such powers as are consistent with the provisions which obviate objections. This is the effect, W. Lucas prefers.

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I think it should be modified. I do not think that there should be restrictions on this special punishment in Hongkong, which is a resort of dangerous Chinese Criminals. I should make the number of strokes 24 - as is prescribed in our circular to the colonies - instead of 20. As to the instrument, in spite of the minutes on 1979 and Sir R. Meade's amusing comments, I do not think it is right to take away from those responsible for keeping order in the Hongkong prison and from the H[ong]kong judges the power of punishing dangerous ruffians with the same instrument that is used in this country & in other colonies. A birch is not an inadequate punishment; it may cause a wound, but not to death. I should not allow the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent to use any weapon except the birch; a limit has been put on the number of strokes - 12 for an adult and 6 for a juvenile. But in the case of the Visiting Justices, I should adopt the rules which we sent out with our circular of 25 May 1897, allowing 24 strokes with an instrument approved by the Governor. The new rules (June 15, 1897) allow up to 30 strokes, and this change has been made without any authority beyond what the law allows. However, the Governor is not always following the extension of flogging as provided by the rules pending Mr Chamberlain's authority, which I submit might with advantage be given to the modification suggested above. C.Pd. I agree with the views expressed on 18 Dec. One practical object is expressly stated. 19/12/67 Keff. I have expressed my sound view in April without additions. I allow authorities such powers as are consistent with the provisions which obviate objections. This is the effect, W. Lucas prefers. Page 7.0. A29/0 7
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inhould be modified. I do not think that there should be restrictions on this special parnishment in Hongthong, which is a resort of dangerous Chinese Criminals. Jshould make the number g Strothes 24- as is prescribed in our circular to the colonies- instead 220 As to the instrument, in spite of minutes on 1979 the and Sir R. Meade's amusing comments think it is not to take I do not away from those responsible for Heeping order in the Hongkong prison and from the Hoyting judges the power of Munishing dangeron Ruffians with the same instrument that is used in this country & in other colonice A birch is not an a a man who for may a wouder to death. de adequate punishment have nearly braten I should not allow the Superintendent or assistant superintendent to use any weapon except the birch a limit has Number of strokes b 12 for and -6.1 for a juvenile Ifor an aduit but in the care of the risiting Justices I should adopt the rules which we sent out with our circular of 25 May with an instrument 97. allowing 24 Strokes * approved by the governor. The crito new rules Jun 157 to 30 strokes up to circular & this change has been made without any authority of beyond what the allows. However the governor 97 is not allas. -ing the extension of flogging as praided by the rules pending Mi Chambalain's authority, which I submit subject Might with adocautage be given to the modification Suggested above C.Pd. I afree 18 Dec with bee Texas One put object is espreity. S 19/12 67 Keff $ brew I have expressed my sound view is the dayer oplossing in 4 ap withat auditions. Hat oject 4ject. I allow authoriti sous powers ti Anything the Etnies similarly sistented wils, the sous provisions quinch obens. this is the effect, W. Lucos preferats [P.7.0.] A29/0 7
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inhould be modified. I do not think that

there should be

restrictions

on

this

special parnishment in Hongthong, which is a resort of dangerous Chinese Criminals. Jshould make the number

g

Strothes

24- as is prescribed in our circular

to the colonies- instead

220

As to the instrument, in spite of

minutes on

1979

the

and Sir R.

Meade's amusing comments

think it is not to take

I do not

away from those responsible for Heeping order in the Hongkong prison and from the Hoyting judges the power of Munishing dangeron Ruffians

with the same instrument that

is used in this country & in other colonice

A birch is not an a

a man who

for

may

a wouder to death.

de

adequate punishment have nearly

braten

I should not allow the Superintendent or assistant superintendent to use any weapon except the birch a limit has

Number of strokes

b

12 for

and -6.1 for a juvenile

Ifor

an aduit

but in the care of the risiting Justices I should adopt the rules which we sent out with our circular of 25 May

with an instrument 97. allowing 24 Strokes

*

approved by the governor.

The crito new rules Jun

157

to 30 strokes

up to

circular

& this change has been made without any authority of beyond what the allows. However the governor

97

is not allas.

-ing the extension of flogging as praided

by the rules pending Mi Chambalain's

authority, which I submit

subject

Might

with

adocautage be given to the modification Suggested above

C.Pd.

I

afree

18 Dec

with bee Texas

One put object

is espreity.

S

19/12

67 Keff

$

brew

I have expressed my

sound view is the dayer oplossing

in 4 ap

withat auditions. Hat

oject

4ject. I allow authoriti

sous powers

ti Anything the

Etnies similarly

sistented wils, the

sous provisions quinch obens.

this is the effect, W. Lucos preferats

[P.7.0.] A29/0

7

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