CO129-590-12 Places of Public Entertainment Regulation Amendment Ordinance 1941 21-2-1941 - 15-4-1941 — Page 8

54088/41

No.50.

Enclosure No.1.

Enclosure No.2.

3 MAY 1941

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG HỒNG.

25th February, 1941.

My Lord,

With reference to Sir R..Stubb's despatch

No.355 of 5th November, 1919, I have the honour to

submit for the signification of His Majesty's

pleasure the following Ordinance intituled:-

2.

"An Ordinance to amend the Places of Public

Entertainment Regulation Ordinance, 1919."

The enclosed report by the Attorney General

explains the objects and reasons of the Ordinance.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,

M. Smit

Colonial Secretary,

for Officer Administering the Government.

THE RIGHT HONCURABLE

LORD MOYNE OF BURY ST. EDMUNDS, D.S.O.

&C.

&cc

• "

&C.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS,

Hong Kong, 20th. February.,....1941.

REPORT ON ORDINANCE No. ............. of 1941.

1.

I have examined the accompanying Ordinance intituled

an Ordinance to amend the Places of Public Enter-

tainment Regulation Ordinance, 1919.

2. A print of the memorandum of Objects and Reasons

of the Bill for this Ordinance is attached.

3. I am of opinion that this Ordinance is not

contrary to the Governor's instructions and that

it is one to which His Excellency the Officer

Administering the Government may properly assent

in the name of His Majesty and on His behalf.

そ

Ala

Attorney General.

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Objects and Reasons.

1. The object of the proposed new section in the Places of Public Entertainment Regulation Ordinance is to put an end to a ticket-selling racket which has grown into an intoler- able nuisance.

2. Briefly, the trouble is that touts, acting for individuals or gangs who have bought quantities of tickets in advance, stand about in the streets adjoining and the entrance halls of and approaches to, cinemas, theatres and sports grounds, sometimes even obstructing the entrances, box-offices or turn- stiles, importuning would-be entrants to buy their tickets from them, and often representing that all other seats are fully booked.

3. Not only have complaints against this nuisance been received from entertainment organizers and the public, but there is cause to believe that the operations of gangs or roughs, interested in the sale at their own prices of these tickets, have resulted in several assaults on members of the public and even in a street murder outside a theatre.

December, 1940.

C. G. ALABASTER,

Attorney General.

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