Bonham, Governor of Hong Kong in 1848, was criticized for his handling of a scandal involving bribery and corruption. In 1858, a European police officer, Mr. May, arrested a Chinese detective who was in possession of a book containing a designation and a one-dollar note, which the detective claimed was a bribe.
The Chinese detective had been previously locked up in gaol with other Chinese detectives and was threatened with banishment if they did not provide evidence to incriminate the European Police. Most of the Chinese detectives were banished, but this particular detective was allowed to continue his duties.
Some time before this incident, Mr. May had offered his services as Superintendent of the Gaol and Fire Brigade without remuneration, which gave him facilities to exert influence. The Honourable H. A. Blake, a member of the Legislative Council, and several other government officials were accused of having received bribes, but the charges were allowed to pass without question.
It was also alleged that the Customs authorities in England were willing to take advantage of the situation to "pinch" the Colony of Hong Kong, but it was not clear why the charges were not brought to trial or why the Colony was not allowed to prove that the charges were false.
Page 82
}
Bon
L
82
but who had in his possession when arrested by Mr May. in book in Chin-
ме
with
a
dirignation.
one dollar
which bishery which the they said refered to me and a chinese thickong.
who had been locked
up
in Gadl with other Chiere delectives and brea
ned with banishment if they did not give widence which would incriminate the European Police the majority of Chimers directives were banished, this one
hukong
was allow.
ed to continue his duter, some lime previous to this recurence Mr May has oppered himself as supeitendent of In Gool and Fire Brigade superintend
ant, and was accepted without
Inr
renumeration, giving These facilities for exerting
may
wilma
The Explain Supertendant of
Folier. The Stonourable Hotei a mim.
ber
of
book as have
the tregialative Council, and sever al other members & Government off. icals, designations where in this
having received bribes, which was allowed to passevithout quiction
also that dam perfectually
to be put on trial, either
or the Colony of Hongkong to parove that the charge brought agains
false, and that the Customs
willing
in England
me was
of the Cineer, was taken advantage of to pinch us, or
why
was not all
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.