CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 648

lam pent

4.3

641

Hon. 6ol. Sec.

If the coolies were behaving in the disorderly manner

described by the constable he should have arrested them and

brought them before the police magistrate. As to the assault

upon the coolie and what took place when Sir Cyprian Bridge

landed either the Admiral is telling an untruth, or the

constable. I believe His Excelleney. What punishment can be

inflicted upon this man? I do not like to dismiss him if I

can suitably punish him otherwise, but I look upon his offence

as very serious. The Admital's statements in the 7th paragraph

of his letter only repeats what I regret to say that I have

heard from many sources British and Foreign as to the violence

of the Hongkong polies, whose duty it is to be the protectors

of the public, not its tyrants.

(So.)

H. A. B. 28/3

Your Excellency.

Under section 24 of Ordinance 33 of 1900 "the Governor

shall have power upon the representation of the C. S. P. to

dismiss any subordinate officer or constable for misconduct or

neglect of duty, or to approve of the reduction of any

sergeant, lance sergeant or constable to a lower grade or class in the force" Under section 23 of same Ordinance the

C. S. P. has power to fine up to $25 or to imprison for 7 days.

The C. S. P. does not seem to take a serious view of this

case. My own experience is that European constables in this

Colony have a tendency to become very uncivil. The only course

open to your Excellency do far as I can see is to refer the

case back to the C. S. P. to deal with, saying that your

Excellency takes a serious view of the case and with an

J.