CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12] — Page 446

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attracted by this offer, which undoubtedly forms a powerful inducement to the Chinese by reason of the fact that the interest of the individual is identified with that of his family.

Rewards for Arrest of Agitators.

34. On the 22nd June the Government offered a reward of $250 for information leading to the arrest of agitators, and a few weeks afterwards doubled the sum. Though in few cases was this reward claimed, the deterrent effect must have been con- siderable. Harmful and seditious talk, as well as serious agita- tion; is necessarily checked by the knowledge that the audience has substantial financial inducement to report such words and deeds. And this effect is almost independent of the audience's actual intentions, since they are unknown in any case. The rewards should be offered on any similar occasion, but graduated from $250 to $1,000, according to the police estimate of the importance of the information.

Guarding of Reservoirs.

35. As usual in such cases of civil disturbance the reservoirs were guarded; and this precaution, whatever its practical value in preventing damage, had a very quieting effect on the Chinese community which is exceedingly sensitive to rumours about poisoning of the water supply, or wrecking of the reservoirs.

Military Demonstrations.

36. On account of persistent rumours of coming rioting, wholesale murders, &c., Mr. Chow Shou-son and I found it necessary to ask the Government to

to order military route- marches. The Military Authorities at once complied with our request; and this form of military demonstration had a most steadying effect on the populace, showing the enemy our real strength, and convincing our friends that there was sufficient force to protect them. These marches continued until they were considered to be unnecessary. The Chinese are particularly grateful to His Excellency the General Officer Commanding for the readiness with which he acceded to our request.

Flogging for Crime under the Arms Ordinance.

37. On the 6th July the following Regulation was made by the Governor-in-Council:.

Two Magistrates sitting together shall have power to inflict summarily the following punishments for any crime made punishable under Section 4 of the Arms and Ammuni- tion Ordinance, 1900, namely:

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(1) Imprisonment with hard labour for any term not exceeding ten years; and

(2) Flogging.

The Magistrates in awarding any punishment of flogging for any such crime shall have the same power as the Supreme Court has in regard to flogging for any such crime under the provisions of the Flogging Ordinance, 1903."

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