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    {
        "id": 282230,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-145 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [6-9]",
        "page_number": 357,
        "title": "CO129-145 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [6-9]",
        "content_text": "Small-pox was not met with during the past year much more frequently than in 1868, only one admission having taken place at the Government Civil Hospital, although there were 10 cases admitted at the Seamen's Hospital, but most of the latter were from vessels. No epidemic of any kind visited the Colony during the year.\n\n## 1. THE POLICE\n\nBoth the rate of sickness and the rate of mortality of this Force have diminished during the past year, and the Returns are therefore very satisfactory.\n\n| Table | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| Table I. | shows the number of admissions into, and deaths in, the Hospital, of members of the Police Force, during every month of 1869. |\n| Table II. | shows the rate per cent of sickness and mortality of the Force during the same year to be lower than that recorded for many years. |\n\nThe greatest number of admissions took place in September, but the greatest number of Europeans were admitted in May. Two deaths, however, are not included in Table II, one of a Sergeant murdered at Sowkewan and the second of a Constable who died suddenly in his quarters.\n\nTable III. is compiled from the monthly Returns sent in to the Government by the Military Authorities. It shows that the health of the Troops serving in Hongkong is steadily improving—the ratio of sickness being below that of the Police Force and the death rate lower than that of the civil population.\n\nTable XV. shows the number of cases of contagious disease occurring among the Police, during the past nine years, with a classification of the special nature of the disease. The result, if not quite as satisfactory as might be desired, shows a decided improvement amongst the Europeans, in comparison with the previous year.\n\n## II. THE GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL\n\nThe amount of space provided for the treatment of the sick remains unchanged, and although the Board of Trade patients have been transferred to the Seamen's Hospital, the numbers treated in the Civil Hospital during the past year have only been 62 less than those treated in 1868. I regret to report that the mortality has been greater among all classes of patients than it was since 1866, that among Colored Persons alone excepted.\n\n| Table | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| Table V. | gives the rate of mortality during the last eleven years, distinguishing that of Europeans from Colored Persons and Chinese. |\n\nBy a further examination of Table IV, which gives the number of admissions into, and the mortality in this Hospital during the year 1869, it will be seen that the admissions have increased under the heading of Remittent Fever, Insanity, Neuralgia, Colic, Jaundice, Rheumatism, Poisoning, all forms of Wounds, Contagious Diseases, Drunkenness, and Moribund. The increased mortality resulted from Fever, diseases of the Liver, from Phthisis, Destitution, and various forms of Wounds. Where there has been any improvement, the diminution in both admissions and mortality has come under the head of Diarrhea and Dysentery, Ulcers, Delirium Tremens, and Chest affections other than Phthisis. Carbolic acid, as recommended by Dr. J. Lamprey, has been found very effectual in the treatment of Buboes.\n\nTable IX. shows the number of admissions into and deaths in the Government Civil Hospital during every month of 1869.\n\nDuring the year, 7 invalids were sent home by the Harbor Master, and I understand they all arrived in safety at their destination.\n\nTable VI. A, B, and C, kindly sent to me by the Resident Surgeon, Dr. Adams, gives similar information in reference to the Seamen's Hospital, as the preceding tables give for the Civil Hospital. These Tables are very satisfactory and show a marked improvement in the rate of mortality during the past year.\n\nI cannot omit to note here the great loss sustained by this Department of the Public Service, in the death of Dr. Cochran, who, for four years, performed the duties of Superintendent of the Government Civil Hospital, with zeal and ability.\n\n## III. THE GAOL\n\nTable VII. shows the number of admissions into the Gaol Hospital, and the deaths there during 1869.\n\nTable VII. shows the rate of sickness and mortality in the Gaol Hospital, as compared with the total number of prisoners, and with the number treated during the year 1869. By this table it will be seen that the total number of prisoners has diminished, that the rate of serious sickness was only one third, and the rate of mortality one half, of what it was in 1868, the total number of cases (trifling) actually treated, being one third less than in the previous year.\n\nThis probably arises from the fact that many trifling patients were received from the \"E-tez.\"\n\nThe numbers imprisoned in Victoria Gaol, during the past year, were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans | 351 |\n| Indians | 708 |\n| Chinese | 2,012 |\n| Total | 3,071 |\n\nThe daily average was 465, of which number only 5 died. In 1868 the total number of prisoners was 4,982, the daily average 532, and the deaths 10.\n\nThe greatest number in Gaol on any one day in 1868 was on the 8th September, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans | 61 |\n| Indians | 21 |\n| Chinese | 513 |\n| Total | 620 |\n\nThe smallest number in prison was on the 31st December 1868, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans | 47 |\n| Indians | 10 |\n| Chinese | 382 |\n| Total | 439 |\n\nDuring the past year, both the maximum and minimum number of prisoners have been greatly below that of the previous year. Thus the greatest number confined on any one day in 1869 was on the 10th February, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans | 85 |\n| Indians | 18 |\n| Chinese | 461 |\n| Total | 564 |\n\nThe smallest number in Gaol during the same year was on the 3rd December, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans | 70 |\n| Indians | 18 |\n| Chinese | 304 |\n| Total | 392 |\n\nThe greatest amount of sickness occurred on the 28th May, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Hospital Cases | 19 |\n| Trifling Cases | 27 |\n| Total | 46 |\n\nThe smallest amount of sickness was recorded on the 27th November, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Hospital Cases | 8 |\n| Trifling Cases | 14 |\n| Total | 22 |\n\nPerhaps the most remarkable change during the past year in the health of the prisoners which deserves notice, is the great diminution of Ulcers—only 1 having been so bad as to require Hospital treatment, against 86 cases in 1868.\n\nWith the exception of two deaths from Dysentery, it is impossible to trace the mortality of the past year to any climatic disease; the only other deaths which occurred in 1869, three in number, may be considered as accidental: Dropsy, Insanity, and Apoplexy, are the headings under which they are recorded.\n\nThe wonderfully deterrent effect of public flogging continues to be visible in the less and less recurrence of its employment, and the plan I proposed, some time since, of dismissing a prisoner from the flogging post, so as to be able to impress upon his fellow criminals its actual severity, instead of receiving him first back into Hospital to be cured before dismissal, has worked well.\n\nGreat improvement has been made in the building itself, by increasing the accommodation for Turnkeys and Gaol guard. To note that it is kept a model of cleanliness and good-discipline, under the able superintendence of Mr. Douglas, becomes almost unnecessary.\n\n## IV. THE LOCK HOSPITAL\n\nLately the Contagious Diseases Acts have been brought somewhat prominently before public notice, singularly enough by an association of \"earnest and pertinacious ladies who are banded together with the avowed object of procuring the repeal of these Acts.\" It therefore behoves those who are, like myself, greatly in favor of their extension, and who possess unusual opportunities of judging of their working, to come forward and express their convictions—and I need not therefore hesitate to record, in this Official Report, the result of about twelve years' daily supervision of the system of Inspection and Control, as carried on in this Colony.",
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    {
        "id": 282288,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-145 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [6-9]",
        "page_number": 415,
        "title": "CO129-145 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [6-9]",
        "content_text": "# I. THE POLICE\n\nSmall-pox was not met with during the past year much more frequently than in 1868, only one admission having taken place at the Government Civil Hospital, although there were 10 cases admitted at the Seamen's Hospital, but most of the latter were from vessels.\n\nNo epidemic of any kind visited the Colony during the year.\n\nBoth the rate of sickness and the rate of mortality of this Force have diminished during the past year, and the Returns are therefore very satisfactory.\n\n| Month | Admissions | Deaths |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| ... | ... | ... |\n\nTable I. shows the number of admissions into, and deaths in, the Hospital, of members of the Police Force, during every month of 1869. The greatest number of admissions took place in September, but the greatest number of Europeans were admitted in May.\n\nTable II. shows the rate per cent of sickness and mortality of the Force during the same year to be lower than that recorded for many years. Two deaths, however, are not included in the Table, one of a Sergeant murdered at Sowkewan and the second of a Constable who died suddenly in his quarters.\n\nTable III. is compiled from the monthly Returns sent in to the Government by the Military Authorities. It shows that the health of the Troops serving in Hongkong is steadily improving; the ratio of sickness being below that of the Police Force and the death rate lower than that of the civil population (according to the Table).\n\nTable XV. shows the number of cases of contagious disease occurring among the Police, during the past nine years, with a classification of the special nature of the disease. The result, if not quite as satisfactory as might be desired, shows a decided improvement amongst the Europeans, in comparison with the previous year.\n\n## II. THE GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL\n\nThe amount of space provided for the treatment of the sick remains unchanged, and although the Board of Trade patients have been transferred to the Seamen's Hospital, the numbers treated in the Civil Hospital during the past year have only been 62 less than those treated in 1868. I regret to report that the mortality has been greater among all classes of patients than it was since 1866, that among Colored Persons alone excepted.\n\n| Year | Mortality Rate |\n| --- | --- |\n| ... | ... |\n\nTable V, which gives the rate of mortality during the last eleven years, distinguishing that of Europeans from Colored Persons and Chinese, shows at a glance that the general mortality has not reached the average except in the case of Chinese; that the rate of mortality has been nearly doubled among Europeans in 1869, while among Colored Persons it was little more than half that of 1868, and that the Chinese mortality is slightly in excess of the average.*\n\nBy a further examination of Table IV, which gives the number of admissions into, and the mortality in this Hospital during the year 1869, it will be seen that the admissions have increased under the heading of Remittent Fever, Insanity, Neuralgia, Colic, Jaundice, Rheumatism, Poisoning, all forms of Wounds, Contagious Diseases, Drunkenness and Moribund. The increased mortality resulted from Fever, diseases of the Liver, from Phthisis, Destitution and various forms of Wounds. Where there has been any improvement, the diminution in both admissions and mortality has come under the head of Diarrhoea and Dysentery, Ulcers, Delirium Tremens, and Chest affections other than Phthisis. Carbolic acid, as recommended by Dr. J. Lamprey, has been found very effectual in the treatment of Buboes.\n\nTable IX. shows the number of admissions into and deaths in the Government Civil Hospital during every month of 1869.\n\nDuring the year, 7 invalids were sent home by the Harbor Master, and I understand they all arrived in safety at their destination.\n\nTable VI., A, B and C, kindly sent to me by the Resident Surgeon, Dr. Adams, gives similar information in reference to the Seamen's Hospital, as the preceding tables give for the Civil Hospital. These Tables are very satisfactory and show a marked improvement in the rate of mortality during the past year.\n\nI cannot omit to note here the great loss sustained by this Department of the Public Service, in the death of Dr. Cochran, who, for four years, performed the duties of Superintendent of the Government Civil Hospital, with zeal and ability.\n\n### III. THE GAOL\n\nTable VII. shows the number of admissions into the Gaol Hospital, and the deaths there during the year 1869.\n\nTable VIII. shows the rate of sickness and mortality in the Gaol Hospital, as compared with the total number of prisoners, and with the number treated during the year 1869. By this table it will be seen that the total number of prisoners has diminished, that the rate of serious sickness was only one third, and the rate of mortality one half, of what it was in 1868, the total number of cases (trifling) actually treated, being one third less than in the previous year.\n\n* This probably arises from the fact that many moribund patients were received from the \"I-tsz.\"\n\nThe numbers imprisoned in Victoria Gaol, during the past year, were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans, Indians, Chinese | 408, 708, 253 |\n| Total | 3,071, 4,122 (daily average: 465) |\n\nThe daily average was 465, of which number only 5 died. In 1868 the total number of prisoners was 4,982, the daily average 532, and the deaths 10.\n\nIn 1868, the greatest number any one day in Gaol, was on the 8th September, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans, Indians, Chinese | 91, 22, 513 |\n| Total | 626 |\n\nThe smallest number in prison was on the 31st December, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans, Indians, Chinese | 47, 10, 382 |\n| Total | 439 |\n\nDuring the past year, both the maximum and minimum number of prisoners have been greatly below that of the previous year. Thus the greatest number confined on any one day in 1869 was on the 10th February, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans, Indians, Chinese | 85, 18, 161, 564 (Total) |\n\nThe smallest number in Gaol during the same year, was on the 3rd December, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Europeans, Indians, Chinese | 70, 18, 304 |\n| Total | 392 |\n\nThe greatest amount of sickness occurred on the 28th May, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Hospital Cases | 8 |\n| Trifling Cases | 19 |\n| Total | 27 |\n\nThe smallest amount of sickness was recorded on the 27th November, when there were:\n| Category | Number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Hospital Cases | 6 |\n| Trifling Cases | 8 |\n| Total | 14 |\n\nPerhaps the most remarkable change during the past year in the health of the prisoners which deserves notice, is the great diminution of Ulcers - only 1 having been so bad as to require Hospital treatment, against 86 cases in 1868.\n\nWith the exception of two deaths from Dysentery, it is impossible to trace the mortality of the past year to any climatic disease; the only other deaths which occurred in 1869, three in number, may be considered as accidental: Dropsy, Insanity, and Apoplexy, are the headings under which they are recorded.\n\nThe wonderfully deterrent effect of public flogging continues to be visible in the less and less recurrence of its employment, and the plan I proposed, some time since, of dismissing a prisoner from the flogging post, so as to be able to impress upon his fellow criminals its actual severity, instead of receiving him first back into Hospital to be cured before dismissal, has worked well.\n\nGreat improvement has been made in the building itself, by increasing the accommodation for Turnkeys and Gaol guard. To note that it is kept a model of cleanliness and good discipline, under the able superintendence of Mr. Douglas, becomes almost unnecessary.\n\n### IV. THE LOCK HOSPITAL\n\nLately the Contagious Diseases Acts have been brought somewhat prominently before public notice, singularly enough by an association of \"earnest and pertinacious ladies who are banded together with the avowed object of procuring the repeal of these Acts.\" It therefore behoves those who are, like myself, greatly in favor of their extension, and who possess unusual opportunities of judging of their working, to come forward and express their convictions - and I need not therefore hesitate to record, in this Official Report, the result of about twelve years daily supervision of the system of Inspection and Control, as carried out in this Colony,",
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        "id": 285830,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-153 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [11-12]",
        "page_number": 33,
        "title": "CO129-153 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [11-12]",
        "content_text": "## Council Meeting Minutes\n\nRead a Letter from Mr. J. M. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, First Clerk in the Colonial Secretary's Office, applying for an increase of £100 to his present salary.\n\nWhereupon, it is moved by the Honorable the Acting Treasurer, and seconded by the Honorable RICHARD ROWETT, that, in consideration of his long service,—namely, 31 years,—an increase of £100 per annum be made to the salary of Mr. J. M. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, to take effect from the 1st of January last.\n\nQuestion put, and carried unanimously.\n\nConsideration is given to a Petition of Mrs. DOUGLAS, widow of the Late Police Constable DOUGLAS, praying for a charitable allowance.\n\nResolved, that a gratuity at the rate of one month's pay for each year of her husband's service be granted to the Petitioner.\n\nRead a first time, a Bill \"to amend An Ordinance to regulate the Jurisdiction of the Civil Courts of the Colony of Hongkong in certain cases.”\n\nThe Honorable the Acting Attorney General, by desire of His Excellency, explains the provisions of the Bill.\n\nHis Excellency adjourns the Council at 10 Minutes past 4 P.M. till Wednesday, the 1st of November next, at 2.30 P.M.\n\nRead, and confirmed, this 1st Day of November, 1871.\n\nJ. M. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, \nfor the Clerk of Council.\n\nHENRY WASE WHITFEILD, Major-General, and Lieutenant-Governor\n\n## Memorial to the Emperor\n\n(Copy)\n\nPrince Yix of the Foreign Office and others humbly present a respectful memorial to His Imperial Majesty on the question of establishing stations in places within the jurisdiction of Krung Sham and Sun On in the Province of Kwang Tung for the collection of the regular duty on opium; and they pray that the Governor General of the Kwang Provinces, and the Hoppo of Canton may be instructed to take the matter in hand, with a view to the prevention of smuggling, and the increase of the mercantile... \n\nPage 32",
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    {
        "id": 288359,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]",
        "page_number": 304,
        "title": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "292\n\n(4)\n\n7. During the course of their enquiries, the Commission inspected the transactions, Police barracks, stores, books, offices, and arms, and made preliminary reports on matters which, although of minor importance, struck them as being of a pressing nature.\n\n8. The Commission regret to say that, owing to business engagements, Mr. G. B. FALCONER was compelled to leave for England before the conclusion of the evidence, and that they have lost the benefit of his valuable co-operation and assistance.\n\n9. The subjects on which the Commission have been required to report have presented in many instances an aspect of unusual difficulty, the evidence both documentary and oral having been of a perplexingly conflicting nature on points of the most vital importance. This statement holds good even in regard to witnesses who, from their position and experience, have had the best opportunities of arriving at a correct conclusion.\n\nadmitted.\n\n10. There is one point, however, on which there has been a very general unanimity, viz., that the difficulties in the way of successfully policing the Colony arising from its geographical position, climate, language, and the peculiarities of the Chinese national character are all but insuperable. After listening to this concurrent testimony, the Commission can scarcely hesitate to agree with SIR EDMUND HORNEY, who in giving his evidence expressed himself thus; \"Providing a Police for Hongkong, is, I take it, a choice of evils and of inefficiency.\"\n\n11. In pursuing their investigations, the Commission found it impracticable to adhere rigidly to the order of the points of enquiry laid down by SIR RICHARD MACDONNELL, and the same difficulty presents itself in framing their Report. They consider that it will be the most convenient plan, in the first place, to deal collectively with points C. to I. (both inclusive), which obviously refer but to one subject, under the two main heads, \"Present Organisation of the Police,\" \"Future Organisation of the Police;\" and finally with the question of Crime generally.\n\nPRESENT ORGANISATION.\n\n12. Whilst, as will presently appear, there are many and serious faults in the organisation and material of the Police, there is strong concurrent testimony on the part of those capable of forming a trustworthy judgment that the force has been undergoing, on the whole, a process of gradual improvement. For instance, Mr. DOUGLAS says (p. 65*):\n\n\"The Police Force in material is very much superior to what I found here in 1863. The Inspectors now are gentlemen compared to what they were then; I think all of them are better as policemen......I think there has been a great improvement in the honesty of the force.\"\n\nAnd again the same witness says (p. 73):\n\n\"There has been a great improvement in the honesty of the force. I think the whole force is now strictly honest,\"\n\nInspector HORSPOOL, who has been an Inspector for five years, and previously was a first-class constable in the Metropolitan Police force, says (p. 105):\n\n\"I think the Police has much improved lately, owing to drafts from England, and getting rid of bad characters,\"\n\n* References by page are to the Secretary's minutes.\n\nMr. Deane,\n\nand (p. 106):\n\n(5)\n\n\"The general discipline of the force is certainly better than when I came here.\"\n\nInspector GRIMES, who was more than eight years Sergeant in the Irish Constabulary, says (p. 116):\n\n\"The present state of the force is very good indeed. I believe it at present to be the best Police force in the East as far as I can get to know.\"\n\nThe Honourable C. C. SMITH says (p. 103):\n\n\"The Police hitherto has always been in an experimental state. It is certainly better now than it was, but I cannot even now say that we have got what we ought to have.\"\n\nThe Honourable JOHN GARDINER AUSTIN, whilst admitting in general terms that the force had been allowed to fall into a state approaching disorganisation, says (p. 50);\n\n\"There was an immense change for the better after his (Mr. DEANE's) return from leave. I observed that the Police was far better in hand than under either Mr. CREAGH or Mr. RICE.\"\n\nThe Rev. JAMES LEGGE, D.D., who for twenty-nine years has been a resident in the Colony, and to use his own words, \"closely connected with the Chinese,\" says (pp. 113, 114):\n\n\"The subject of Police has necessarily often come before me, one continual cry against the Police and their corruption, I think the Sikhs have been the honestest men we have had. Ever since I have been in the Colony there has been 'On the whole, we have gone forward.'\"\n\nThe Honourable C. MAY, whilst expressing himself as being strongly opposed to the system of licensed gambling in general, says (p. 85):\n\n\"I do think that Police corruption was stopped. I was mistaken about licensing not stopping Police bribery. I did not think it would.\"\n\nThe Commission, while agreeing generally with the foregoing conclusions, cannot forget that such improvement as there has been has been purchased by an enormously increased expenditure, and they regret they are unable to report that cost and efficiency have kept pace with each other.\n\n13. In dealing with the present position of the force, it is obvious that attention must be directed in the first place to its Captain Superintendent. The Commission cannot shut their eyes to the fact that complaints, in many instances only too well founded, have frequently been made public with respect to this officer. The Commission are not prepared, and do not consider it to fall within their functions, to deal in detail with many of the disputes and almost personal differences which abound in the evidence, especially the documentary evidence, that has been placed before them. At the same time, they feel they would not be fitly discharging the duty which has been entrusted to them, did they altogether omit to notice some matters connected with Mr. DEANE which have been pressed upon their notice.\n\n14. The evidence, in the first place, points very strongly to the mistake which was originally made in placing at the head of a large and important corps any gentleman with so little previous Police training as Mr. DEANE had had, and whose experience, even limited as it was, was chiefly gained from books. Many of the mistakes into which Mr. DEANE has fallen have been the natural results of inexperience, but the Commission cannot overlook the fact that other serious errors have had their origin in a want of ordinary care and discretion on his part.",
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        "page_number": 308,
        "title": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "296\n\n(12)\n\nAccordingly the Commission are not surprised to find that Mr. DEANE records the following opinion (p. 15): \"I do not think the Chinese force has so far had fair play.\" Under these circumstances the majority of the Commission believe that the experience hitherto acquired of Chinese as policemen forms no real criterion of their capacities, and that the question of their employment as constables remains nearly an open one.\n\n33. In opposition then to the judgment of Mr. MAY the Commission refer to Evidence of Dr. Legge. The evidence of Dr. LEGGE, whose opportunities of forming an estimate of the Chinese character are probably unequalled, and whose personal character, completely impartial position, and singular learning in all matters connected with China give to his testimony a weight almost unique. He says (p. 113):\n\n\"I have been here 20 years, and I have been all the time very closely connected with the Chinese, whose language I speak.\n\n\"The subject of Police has necessarily often come before me. I have always been impressed with the thought that the body of the Police to be effective must be Chinese. There must also be a European element.\n\n\"First of all, it seems absurd to think that foreigners, ignorant of Chinese habits and language, can form an efficient Police. The difficulty is want of fidelity on the part of a Chinese Police. But I think no foreign Police can be efficient here, and I think this is especially applicable to the foreigners we have had, viz., East and West Indians, because the Chinese have a thorough contempt for all coloured races.\n\n\"The question then becomes-how is it possible to get a faithful Chinese Police? I believe that there is in the Colony, especially now, a large body of respectable Chinese, wealthy and having a great stake in the prosperity of the place. A faithful Chinese Police can only be had by having a good understanding between the Government and these.\n\n\"Fifteen years ago, under this idea, I urged on the Government the advisability of bringing out Cadets from home. My idea was that the Cadets, becoming well acquainted with the Chinese language and people, should then, in such positions as the Registrar Generalship, the Superintendency of Police, and the Magistracy, form links between the Government and the respectable Chinese. I do not think the thing can be done without the Government's putting its shoulder to the wheel. I think that a very considerable improvement has taken place since the introduction of the Cadets.\n\n\"Suppose my premises to be admitted, I would then have the Chinese town divided into wards. I would have a headman, but I do not think we can introduce the principle of vicarious responsibility. Chinese admitted into the Police except on the recommendation of a headman.\n\n\"Over each ward I would have ...\n\n\"Chinese are much afraid of our Police system and the attendances at Courts which it involves. It is very much the loss of time which makes them so apathetic about the law. I think the appointment of a headman who should be the organ of the Chinese (in his district) would do away with a good deal of this. I do not think there would be danger of extortion and other evils. Before I went home I could have picked out eight men who would have taken charge of eight wards.\n\n\"I think the system I propose would give great protection to property. It would not prevent violent crimes. The Chinese Police system is very good in prevention and detection, but is not efficient against violence.\n\n\"The question is-What can be done to get the best Police, though it may not be very good? And I am convinced it must consist for the most part of Chinese. If we carry out the principles I have indicated I have no doubt we could make a far better Police than the Chinese Government can. I think there is no people in the world so amenable to moral influences and rules as the Chinese.\n\n\"I would give Chinese rank and pay from $8 to $10 a month. I do not think we should recruit in other provinces. I think the organisation of the Chinese Police might be proceeded with at once. The only way to stop bribery would be to punish severely when it was found out. The efficiency of the Police would depend very greatly on the efficiency of the Head. It would depend very much on the Chinese liking their Head, but they would like him none the less for making them do their duty.\"\n\n34. The Commission may also refer to the evidence of SIR EDMUND HORNBY, whose opportunities of obtaining an insight into the working of the Chinese Police system at Shanghai must have been very considerable. SIR EDMUND says (pp. 129, 130):\n\n\"I find the Chinese Police at Shanghai plucky, and as much to be relied on, even against their own countrymen, as any other nation. I would not use one set of Chinese against another, any more than I would police Englishmen with French, or vice versa. But I would use the Chinese system against themselves, and it is my experience that Chinese can be held faithful to European masters by a proper system of rewards and punishments. Our Chinese detectives have been very successful. The whole Police system of China, in the North at least, is that of the responsibility of the elders, and this plan works very successfully. I don't know why this system should not work in Hongkong. A system of vicarious responsibility would purify even the Thieves' Quarter. I expect the criminals congregate in the solely Chinese part of the town.\n\n\"Other evidence.\n\n\"Conclusions.\n\n(13)\n\n\"Chinese are very sensible of honourable employment, and, if once placed in a post of honour by Europeans, would be careful not to lose it. Chinese always arrest their criminals through the Ti-po, he through the elders. If left more to themselves, they would co-operate. The European Police system only creates antagonism. There would be abuses no doubt in the Ti-pò system, but they would be abuses tending to order. The Chinese are used to their own tyranny, and it may be said that the Police system leads to nearly as much of a legalised kind!\n\n\"Cantonese are both cleverer and braver than Northerners. I have seen a Chinese constable tackle an English sailor, be knocked down half a dozen times, and bring him off after all. The great difficulty in such a scheme as the Commission proposes would be to establish a rapport between the Chinese and their immediate superiors.\n\n\"I have no faith in governing one race by another. I have had great experience in Turkey, and after trying many nationalities found nothing would do but Turks. But by the mere imposition of a large body of constables, of whatever class, you will never obtain order. What is wanted is, to gain the co-operation of the respectable Chinese, and utilise it.\"\n\n35. Inspector GRIMES also thus expresses himself (p. 117):\n\n\"I think the force should consist of Europeans and Chinese. The Chinese should be respectable and well paid, getting from $15 to $18 a month.\"\n\nSimilar views may be found in the evidence of the Honourable C. C. SMITH, and of Messrs. DIXWELL, DOUGLAS, and RICE. It should also be mentioned that Dr. DONS, Acting Colonial Surgeon, and Dr. YOUNG, Superintendent of the Civil Hospital, see nothing in the physical constitution and powers of endurance of Chinese to prevent their undertaking the severest Police duties likely to be required of them.\n\n36. After a most careful consideration of the above conflicting testimony the majority of the Commission have arrived at the following conclusions:\n\n(a) That the reasons which dictated the employment of a large number of Indians no longer exist, and that their disproportionate costliness, and the other drawbacks connected with them already detailed (see paragraph 25) render it essential that a substitute for them should be found.\n\n(b) That, as to recruiting the bulk of the force from Chinese, many of the most forcible arguments against such a course no longer exist, and others would seem not to have a sound basis.\n\n(c) That, whilst admitting the great force of many of Mr. May's objections, the majority of the Commission do not deem them insuperable, or of such a character as to outweigh what they think the paramount necessity of policing the Colony with men who understand the habits and language of the people among whom their duties mainly lie.\n\n(d) That, in all callings which bring them into close relations with foreigners, many of them of a highly fiduciary character, the Chinese, where they have been well selected and looked after, have shown themselves capable, adaptive, and open to educational influences, frequently in a very high degree; and there seems to be no reason to suppose that the ordinary duties of constables are different in their essence from those which Chinese have proved themselves in so many ways well fitted to perform.\n\n(e) That one of the drawbacks most forcibly urged upon the Commission to account for the want of success in our Police system and the administration of criminal law, has been the apathy of the Chinese and their want of sympathy with the cause of order. That, in the employment of alien races as a Police force, who in ...",
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        "id": 288365,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]",
        "page_number": 310,
        "title": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "298\n\n(16)\n\nto the very practical plan detailed by Dr. LEGGE in paragraph 30. The city has already been divided into wards for the purpose of registration, and subsequently for the selection of District Watchmen, and the Chinese community have thoroughly accepted the resulting nomenclature. Moreover, the inhabitants of these wards have shown themselves not insensible to considerations of public interest, and therefore much of the needful machinery for carrying out a satisfactory scheme of enlistment already exists. The majority of the Commission, therefore, advise that steps should be taken to consult the leading inhabitants of these wards as to the best means of obtaining men in whom confidence can be reposed and they have no doubt that much valuable assistance will be secured by these means. They recommend that, in addition, great care should be taken in the selection of the men, none being accepted whose characters are not well known, and for whom some respectable security cannot be found. To men thus enlisted inducements should be held out, and opportunities afforded to learn English.\n\nChinese.\n\n46. The numerical standard of the Chinese force should perhaps be kept at about 400; and as to their scale of pay and promotion the majority of the Commission suggest that they should enter as third-class constables upon a salary of about $10 a month: upon promotion to second-class constables their pay should rise to say $12 a month. As time goes on, a first class should be framed of long service English-speaking men, who should receive not less than $20 a month. This scale of pay should not include good conduct or special service allowances, or allowances for proficiency in English, which should be held out as inducements to diligence and extra merit; but the first class with these allowances should be the limit of the promotion obtainable by Chinese.\n\n47. As before mentioned, the force should be officered throughout by Europeans, and the great aim should be that the Chinese be subject to entire European supervision and control. With regard to the percentage of officers to men, time and experience alone can show what scale is most advantageous. The office of corporal, which seems to have but little fitness in a Police force, should be abolished, and the proportion of sergeants to privates should be fixed on some intelligible principle, it being borne in mind that efficiency in the force can only be hoped for when each sergeant has sufficient men to employ his time, and yet only such a number as to allow him to take a personal interest in them and to prove his capacity by the way they are taught to perform their duties.\n\n48. Much has been said in the evidence both for and against the use of Detectives. Chinese detectives, the opinions expressed being of the most opposite nature. The Honourable CHARLES MAY has a feeling with regard to these which it is no exaggeration to describe as a horror of them (p. 84), and it is impossible to deny that there is much justice in his views. Mr. DEANE, on the other hand, is in favour of a cautious and limited use of them (p. 42 and passim), while Mr. DOUGLAS is even sanguine as to their great utility when carefully supervised (pp. 61, 62).\n\n49. The Commission strongly hold that the efforts of the Police should be mainly applied to the prevention of crime rather than to its detection, which is and always will be surrounded with extraordinary difficulties. But at the same time they consider that it would be nothing less than weakness on the part of the Police, even in view of these great difficulties, to abdicate their detective functions. Three outlines of detective systems have been laid before the Commission, one by Mr. DEANE (p. 42), one by Mr. DOUGLAS (pp. 61, 62), and one by Inspector GRIMES (p. 119). The Commission have not sufficient practical knowledge, nor do they think it within their functions, to decide on the merits of these schemes, a task which must be left to the Police authorities. The majority, however, are fully prepared to advise that some well-considered detective system should be set on foot without delay and that no pains should be spared in its organisation. As part of such system they have no hesitation in recommending that, as urged by both Messrs. DEANE and DOUGLAS, a vigilant watch should be kept upon the passengers who land from river steamers and fast-boats, and that occasionally detectives should travel upon these, so that, to quote the words of Mr. DOUGLAS (p. 61), \"a known thief should never have five minutes' rest in the Colony.\"\n\n(17)\n\n50. The instruction of the Police as to their duties seems to have been hitherto singularly neglected. The Commission have learnt, with some degree of pain, that men of all nationalities have been sent out on patrol duties with no more preparation than that of being furnished with a suit of uniform and a staff! From the enquiries which the Commission have been enabled to make into the working of other Police forces, where success has been attained, it has been much through a laborious system of instruction. For instance, the Irish constabulary go through a six months' course of instruction in Police duties, tested by periodical examinations at a depôt, before they are told off to active service at all. The Colony probably could not afford the expense which would be entailed by a system so elaborate as this, but some modification of it might be introduced. Without going into further details, the Commission think that, after his enlistment, each man should be sent out on a beat, not as a Policeman, but as a learner under some experienced officer; that, in addition, indoor instruction in Police duties should be provided for him; and that he should not be allowed to act until he has shown by an examination that he has acquired at least the rudiments of Police knowledge. In the case of men enlisted at home from other forces this rule might be modified, as only local knowledge would remain to be acquired. The Commission take this opportunity of referring to the excellent draft of Police Rules prepared by Mr. DEANE, which, if thoroughly got up and made a subject of examination, would in themselves do much to banish at least theoretical ignorance. Amongst the many causes contributing to the stagnation of improvement in the Police force have been the state of practical abeyance into which the old Rules of the force were allowed to fall; the want of the new ones in question, which ought to have been compiled much earlier; and finally, the great length of time allowed to elapse whilst they awaited, as they do even now, the sanction of the Executive. The Commission trust there will be no further delay in their confirmation, and in enforcing them both in letter and in spirit.\n\n51. With respect to the general education of the force, a great deal has been done and is being done by the Police schools introduced by Sir R. G. MACDONNELL. The attention of the Commission has been drawn to the scheme of the school committee (hereto appended, marked B), which was drawn up in 1870, and forwarded to the Government in the same year; and they venture to hope that no further delay will be allowed in bringing it into operation. They also approve of the suggestion of Mr. DEANE (p. 25) that promotion should, as a general rule, be withheld from every constable who has not acquired at least some proficiency in a language other than his own, that is to say, English by a Chinese and colloquial Chinese by an Englishman. While upon this subject, the Commission would",
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "page_number": 385,
        "title": "CO129-158 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "6\n\nSUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES-HONGKONG, 1871.\n\nROADS, STREETS, AND BRIDGES:-\n\nRepairs to Praya, (R. & E. Nos. 20 and 26 of 1871).\n\n  \n    AMOUNT SANCTIONED\nBY THE COUNCIL.\n    ACTUALLY EX-\nPENDED.\n  \n  \n    $\n£ s. d.\n    $\n£ s. d.\n  \n\nSUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES-HONGKONG, 1871.\n\nABSTRACT OF SUPPLEMENTARY SUMS REQUIRED.\n\n  \n    AMOUNT.\n  \n  \n    $373\n£ s. d.\n  \n\n7\n\n  \n    Amount voted in Colonial Estimates,\nActual Expenditure in 1871,\nExcess,\n    $5,000.00\n14,755.37\n$9,755.37\n    £1,041.13.4\n£3,073.12.0\n£2,032.7.4\n  \n  \n    Drains in Victoria, (R. & E. Nos. 15 and 23 of 1871).\n    \n    \n  \n  \n    Amount voted in Colonial Estimates,\nActual Expenditure in 1871,\nExcess,\n    $10,000.00\n12,223.88\n$2,223.88\n    £2,083.6.8\n£2,463.6.2\n£463.6.2\n  \n  \n    SURVEYOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT,\nWORKS AND BUILDINGS,\n    \n    \n  \n  \n    EDUCATIONAL\n    \n    \n  \n  \n    Amount voted in Colonial Estimates,\nActual Expenditure in 1871,\nExcess,\n    $6,000.00\n$8,679.12\n$2,679.12\n    £1,250.0.0\n£1,808.1.6\n£558.4.3\n  \n  \n    MEDICAL\n    \n    \n  \n  \n    Repairs to Roads out of Victoria, (R. & E. Nos. 17, 27, 30 & 31 of 1871),\nAmount voted in Colonial Estimates,\nActual Expenditure in 1871,\nExcess,\n    $6,000.00\n$17,453.41\n$11,453.41\n    £1,250.0.0\n£3,636.2.6\n£2,386.2.6\n  \n  \n    Typhoon Repairs, (R. & E. No. 84 of 1871), (her with Works}\nand Builders),\n    \n    \n  \n  \n    Amount voted in Colonial Estimates,\nActual Expenditure in 1871,\nExcess,\n    $38,770.45\n$51,213.63\n$12,443.18\n    £8,078.4.4\n£10,670.10.11\n£2,592.6.7\n  \n  \n    ROADS, STREETS AND BRIDGES,.\n    $32,717.13\n$32,717.14\n    £6,816.1.4\n£6,816.3.4\n  \n  \n    MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES,.\n    $15,052.00\n$44,052.00\n    £3,185.16.8\n£9,177.10.0\n  \n  \n    MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES:-\n    \n    \n  \n  \n    Amount voted in Colonial Estimates,\nActual Expenditure in 1871,\nExcesses, viz.\n    $20,000.00\n$44,052.00\n    £4,166.13.4\n£9,177.10.0\n  \n  \n    Grant for the new Chancel at the Cathedral,\nDo. (additional)\ndo..\nDo. for the Chapel at Sailors' Home,..\nDo. for the new Roman Catholic Chapel,\nDo. for the Mahomedan Cemetery,\nDo. to the Widow of Mr. HAZELAND,\nDo. to the Widow of Mr. DONALDSON,\nDo. to the Widow of Inspector ANNINGSON,-\nDo. to the Widow of Police Constable DouGLAS,\n    $3,500.00\n$750.00\n$2,500.00\n$2,500.00\n$2,000.00\n$3,000.00\n$1,500.00\n$150.00\n$110.00\n    £729.3.4\n£156.5.0\n£520.16.8\n£520.16.8\n£416.13.4\n£625.0.0\n£312.10.0\n£31.5.0\n£22.18.4\n  \n  \n    Actual Excess,\n    $16,010.00\n$15,052.00\n    £3,335.8.4\n£3,135.16.8\n  \n  \n    LAND & HOUSES PURCHASED:---\n    \n    \n  \n  \n    Purchase of Inland Lots 55 and 56 at Shau-ki Wån for Police Station,..\nAmount paid in England for legal services rendered in connection\nwith the purchase of Duddell's lots,\n    $1,100.00\n$254.47\n    £229.3.4\n£53.0.31\n  \n  \n    \n    $1,354.47\n    £282.3.7\n  \n  \n    LAND AND HOUSES PURCHASED,\n    $1,354.47\n    £282.3.7\n  \n  \n    \n    $98,249.49\n    £20,467.3.5",
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        "id": 291573,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-164 - Sir Kennedy - 1873 [7-9]",
        "page_number": 252,
        "title": "CO129-164 - Sir Kennedy - 1873 [7-9]",
        "content_text": "# \n\n(4) \n\n7. During the course of their enquiries, the Commission inspected the Inspector Police barracks, stores, books, offices, and arms, and made preliminary reports on matters which, although of minor importance, struck them as being of a pressing nature. \n\n8. The Commission regret to say that, owing to business engagements, Mr. G. B. FALCONER was compelled to leave for England before the conclusion of the evidence, and that they have lost the benefit of his valuable co-operation and assistance. \n\n9. The subjects on which the Commission have been required to report have presented in many instances an aspect of unusual difficulty, the evidence both documentary and oral having been of a perplexingly conflicting nature on points of the most vital importance. This statement holds good even in regard to witnesses who, from their position and experience, have had the best opportunities of arriving at a correct conclusion. \n\n## Difficulties of policing \n\n10. There is one point, however, on which there has been a very general unanimity, viz., that the difficulties in the way of successfully policing the Colony arising from its geographical position, climate, language, and the peculiarities of the Chinese national character are all but insuperable. After listening to this concurrent testimony, the Commission can scarcely hesitate to agree with **SIR Edmund Hornby**, who in giving his evidence expressed himself thus; \"Providing a Police for Hongkong, is, I take it, a choice of evils and of inefficiency.\" \n\n11. In pursuing their investigations, the Commission found it impracticable to adhere rigidly to the order of the points of enquiry laid down by **SIR RICHARD MACDONNELL**, and the same difficulty presents itself in framing their Report. They consider that it will be the most convenient plan, in the first place, to deal collectively with points C. to I. (both inclusive), which obviously refer but to one subject, under the two main heads, \"**Present Organisation of the Police**,\" and \"**Future Organisation of the Police**;\" and finally with the question of Crime generally. \n\n## PRESENT ORGANISATION \n\n12. Whilst, as will presently appear, there are many and serious faults in the organisation and material of the Police, there is strong concurrent testimony on the part of those capable of forming a trustworthy judgment that the force has been undergoing, on the whole, a process of gradual improvement. For instance, **Mr. DOUGLAS** says (p. 65*); \n\n\"The Police Force in material is very much superior to what I found here in 1863. The Inspectors now are gentlemen compared to what they were then; I think all of them are better as policemen......I think there has been a great improvement in the honesty of the force,\" \n\nAnd again the same witness says (p. 78): \n\n\"There has been a great improvement in the honesty of the force. I think the whole force is now strictly honest,\" \n\n**Inspector HORSpool**, who has been an Inspector for five years, and previously was a first class constable in the Metropolitan Police force, says (p. 105): \n\n\"I think the Police has much improved lately, owing to draughts from England, and getting rid of bad characters.” \n\n* References by page are to the Secretary's minutes. \n\n**Mr. Deane** \n\nand (p. 106): \n\n( 5 ) \n\n\"The general discipline of the force is certainly better than when I came here.\" \n\n**Inspector GRIMES**, who was more than eight years Sergeant in the Irish Constabulary, says (p. 116): \n\n\"The present state of the force is very good indeed. I believe it at present to be the best Police force in the East as far as I can get to know.\" \n\nThe Honourable **C. C. SMITH** says (p. 103); \n\n\"The Police hitherto has always been in an experimental state. It is certainly better now than it was, but I cannot even now say that we have got what we ought to have.\" \n\nThe Honourable **JOHN GARDINER AUSTIN**, whilst admitting in general terms that the force had been allowed to fall into a state approaching disorganisation, says (p. 50): \n\n\"There was an immense change for the better after his (Mr. DEANE'S) return from leave. I observed that the Police was far better in hand than under either Mr. CAEAGH or Mr. RICE.\" \n\nThe Rev. **JAMES LEGGE**, D.D., who for twenty-nine years has been a resident in the Colony, and to use his own words, \"closely connected with the Chinese,\" says (pp. 113, 114): \n\n\"The subject of Police has necessarily often come before me. Ever since I have been in the Colony there has been one continual cry against the Police and their corruption. I think the Sikhs have been the honestest men we have had. On the whole, we have gone forward.\" \n\nThe Honourable **C. MAY**, whilst expressing himself as being strongly opposed to the system of licensed gambling in general, says (p. 85): \n\n\"I do think that Police corruption was stopped. I was mistaken about licensing not stopping Police bribery. I did not think it would.\" \n\nThe Commission, while agreeing generally with the foregoing conclusions, cannot forget that such improvement as there has been has been purchased by an enormously increased expenditure, and they regret they are unable to report that cost and efficiency have kept pace with each other. \n\n13. In dealing with the present position of the force, it is obvious that attention must be directed in the first place to its Captain Superintendent. The Commission cannot shut their eyes to the fact that complaints, in many instances only too well founded, have frequently been made public with respect to this officer. The Commission are not prepared, and do not consider it to fall within their functions, to deal in detail with many of the disputes and almost personal differences which abound in the evidence, especially the documentary evidence, that has been placed before them. At the same time, they feel they would not be fitly discharging the duty which has been entrusted to them, did they altogether omit to notice some matters connected with **Mr. DEANE** which have been pressed upon their notice. \n\n14. The evidence, in the first place, points very strongly to the mistake which was originally made in placing at the head of a large and important corps any gentleman with so little previous Police training as **Mr. DEANE** had had, and whose experience, even limited as it was, was chiefly gained from books. Many of the mistakes into which **Mr. DEANE** has fallen have been the natural results of inexperience, but the Commission cannot overlook the fact that other serious errors have had their origin in a want of ordinary care and discretion on his part.",
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        "title": "CO129-164 - Sir Kennedy - 1873 [7-9]",
        "content_text": "## 254 \n\n(12) \n\nAccordingly the Commission are not surprised to find that Mr. DEANE records the following opinion (p. 15): \"I do not think the Chinese force has so far had fair play.\" Under these circumstances the majority of the Commission believe that the experience hitherto acquired of Chinese as policemen forms no real criterion of their capacities, and that the question of their employment as constables remains nearly an open one. \n\n33. In opposition then to the judgment of Mr. MAY, the Commission refer to evidence of Dr. Legge. The evidence of Dr. LEGGE, whose opportunities of forming an estimate of the Chinese character are probably unequalled, and whose personal character, completely impartial position, and singular learning in all matters connected with China give to his testimony a weight almost unique. He says (p. 113): \n\n\"I have been here 20 years, and I have been all the time very closely connected with the Chinese, whose language I speak. \n\n\"The subject of Police has necessarily often come before me. I have always been impressed with the thought that the body of the Police to be effective must be Chinese. There must also be a European element. \n\n\"First of all, it seems absurd to think that foreigners, ignorant of Chinese habits and language, can form an efficient Police. The difficulty is want of fidelity on the part of a Chinese Police. But I think no foreign Police can be efficient here, and I think this is especially applicable to the foreigners we have had, viz., East and West Indians, because the Chinese have a thorough contempt for all coloured races. \n\n\"I believe that there is in the Colony, especially now, a large body of respectable Chinese, wealthy and having a great stake in the prosperity of the place. A faithful Chinese Police can only be had by having a good understanding between the Government and these. \n\n\"Fifteen years ago, under this idea, I urged on the Government the advisability of bringing out Cadets from home. My idea was that the Cadets, becoming well acquainted with the Chinese language and people, should then, in such positions as the Registrar Generalship, the Superintendency of Police, and the Magistracy, form links between the Government and the respectable Chinese. I do not think the thing can be done without the Government's putting its shoulder to the wheel. I think that a very considerable improvement has taken place since the introduction of the Cadets. \n\n\"Suppose my premises to be admitted, I would then have the Chinese town divided into wards. I would have a headman, but I do not think we can introduce the principle of vicarious responsibility. I would have no Chinese admitted into the Police except on the recommendation of a headman. \n\n\"Over each ward I... Chinese are much afraid of our Police system and the attendances at Courts which it involves. It is very much the loss of time which makes them so apathetic about the law. I think the appointment of a headman who should be the organ of the Chinese (in his district) would do away with a good deal of this. I do not think there would be danger of extortion and other evils. Before I went home I could have picked out eight men who would have taken charge of eight wards. \n\n\"I think the system I propose would give great protection to property. It would not prevent violent crimes. The Chinese Police system is very good in prevention and detection, but is not efficient against violence. \n\n\"The question is--What can be done to get the best Police, though it may not be very good? And I am convinced it must consist for the most part of Chinese. If we carry out the principles I have indicated I have no doubt we could make a far better Police than the Chinese Government can. I think there is no people in the world so amenable to moral influences and rules as the Chinese. \n\n\"I would give Chinese rank and file from $3 to $9 a month. I do not think we should recruit in other provinces. I think the organisation of the Chinese Police might be proceeded with at once. The only way to stop bribery would be to punish severely when it was found out. The efficiency of the Police would depend very greatly on the efficiency of the Head. It would depend very much on the Chinese liking their lead, but they would like him none the less for making them do their duty.” \n\n34. The Commission may also refer to the evidence of Sir EDMUND HORNBY, whose opportunities of obtaining an insight into the working of the Chinese Police system at Shanghai must have been very considerable. Sir EDMUND says (pp. 129, 130): \n\n\"I find the Chinese Police at Shanghai plucky, and as much to be relied on, even against their own countrymen, as any other nation. I would not use one set of Chinese against another, any more than I would police Englishmen with French, or vice versa. But I would use the Chinese system against themselves, and it is my experience that Chinese can be held faithful to European masters by a proper system of rewards and punishments. Our Chinese detectives have been very successful. The whole Police system of China, in the North at least, is that of the responsibility of the elders, and this plan works very successfully. I don't know why this system should not work in Hongkong. A system of vicarious responsibility would purify even the Thieves' Quarter. I expect the criminals congregate in the solely Chinese part of the town. \n\n\"Other evidence... Conclusions... \n\n\"Chinese are very sensible of honourable employment, and, if once placed in a post of honour by Europeans, would be careful not to lose it. Chinese always arrest their criminals through the Ti-po, he through the elders. If Chinese here were left more to themselves, they would co-operate. The European Police system only creates antagonism. There would be abuses no doubt in the Ti-po system, but they would be abuses tending to order. The Chinese are used to their own tyranny, and it may be said that the Police system leads to nearly as much, of a legalised kind! \n\n\"Cantonese are both cleverer and braver than Northerners. I have seen a Chinese constable tackle an English sailor, be knocked down half a dozen times, and bring him off after all. The great difficulty in such a scheme as the Commission proposes would be to establish a rapport between the Chinese and their immediate superiors. \n\n\"I have no faith in governing one race by another. I have had great experience in Turkey, and after trying many nationalities found nothing would do but Turks. But by the mere imposition of a large body of constables, of whatever class, you will never obtain order. What is wanted is, to gain the co-operation of the respectable Chinese, and utilise it.\" \n\n35. Inspector GRIMES also thus expresses himself (p. 117): \n\n\"I think the force should consist of Europeans and Chinese. The Chinese should be respectable and well paid, getting from $15 to $18 a month.\" \n\nSimilar views may be found in the evidence of the Honourable C. C. SMITH, and of Messrs. DIXWELL, DOUGLAS, and RICE. It should also be mentioned that Dr. Dobs, Acting Colonial Surgeon, and Dr. YOUNG, Superintendent of the Civil Hospital, see nothing in the physical constitution and powers of endurance of Chinese to prevent their undertaking the severest Police duties likely to be required of them. \n\n36. After a most careful consideration of the above conflicting testimony the majority of the Commission have arrived at the following conclusions:— \n\n(a) That the reasons which dictated the employment of a large number of Indians no longer exist, and that their disproportionate costliness, and the other drawbacks connected with them already detailed (see paragraph 25) render it essential that a substitute for them should be found. \n\n(b) That, as to recruiting the bulk of the force from Chinese, many of the most forcible arguments against such a course no longer exist, and others would seem not to have a sound basis. \n\n(c) That, whilst admitting the great force of many of Mr. MAY'S objections, the majority of the Commission do not deem them insuperable, or of such a character as to outweigh what they think the paramount necessity of policing the Colony with men who understand the habits and language of the people among whom their duties mainly lie. \n\n(d) That, in all callings which bring them into close relations with foreigners, many of them of a highly fiduciary character, the Chinese, where they have been well selected and looked after, have shown themselves capable, adaptive, and open to educational influences, frequently in a very high degree; and there seems to be no reason to suppose that the ordinary duties of constables are different in their essence from those which Chinese have proved themselves in so many ways well fitted to perform. \n\n(e) That one of the drawbacks most forcibly urged upon the Commission to account for the want of success in our Police system and the administration of criminal law, has been the apathy of the Chinese and their want of sympathy with the cause of order. That, in the employment of alien races as a Police force, who in...",
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        "id": 291579,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-164 - Sir Kennedy - 1873 [7-9]",
        "page_number": 258,
        "title": "CO129-164 - Sir Kennedy - 1873 [7-9]",
        "content_text": "# \n256 \n\n(10) \n\nto the very practical plan detailed by Dr. LEGGE in paragraph 30. The city has already been divided into wards for the purpose of registration, and subsequently for the selection of District Watchmen, and the Chinese community have thoroughly accepted the resulting nomenclature. Moreover, the inhabitants of these wards have shown themselves not insensible to considerations of public interest, and therefore much of the needful machinery for carrying out a satisfactory scheme of enlistment already exists. The majority of the Commission, therefore, advise that steps should be taken to consult the leading inhabitants of these wards as to the best means of obtaining men in whom confidence can be reposed and they have no doubt that much valuable assistance will be secured by these means. They recommend that, in addition, great care should be taken in the selection of the men, none being accepted whose characters are not well known, and for whom some respectable security cannot be found. Inducements should be held out, and opportunities afforded to learn English.\n\n## Chinese\n\n46. The numerical standard of the Chinese force should perhaps be kept at about 400; and as to their scale of pay and promotion the majority of the Commission suggest that they should enter as third-class constables upon a salary of about $10 a month: upon promotion to second-class constables their pay should rise to say $12 a month. As time goes on, a first class should be framed of long service English-speaking men, who should receive not less than $20 a month. The scale of pay should not include good conduct or special service allowances, or allowances for proficiency in English, which should be held out as inducements to diligence and extra merit; but the first class with these allowances should be the limit of the promotion obtainable by Chinese men.\n\n47. As before mentioned, the force should be officered throughout by Europeans, and the great aim should be that the Chinese be subject to entire European supervision and control. With regard to the percentage of officers to men, time and experience alone can show what scale is most advantageous. The office of corporal, which seems to have but little fitness in a Police force, should be abolished, and the proportion of sergeants to privates should be fixed on some intelligible principle, it being borne in mind that efficiency in the force can only be hoped for when each sergeant has sufficient men to employ his time, and yet only such a number as to allow him to take a personal interest in them and prove his capacity by the way they are taught to perform their duties.\n\n48. Much has been said in the evidence both for and against the use of Detectives. Chinese detectives, the opinions expressed being of the most opposite nature. The Honourable CHARLES MAY has a feeling with regard to these which it is no exaggeration to describe as a horror of them (p. 84), and it is impossible to deny that there is much justice in his views. Mr. DEANE, on the other hand, is in favour of a cautious and limited use of them (p. 42 and passim), while Mr. DOUGLAS is even sanguine as to their great utility when carefully supervised (pp. 61, 62).\n\n49. The Commission strongly hold that the efforts of the Police should be mainly applied to the prevention of crime rather than to its detection, which is and always will be surrounded with extraordinary difficulties. But at the same time they consider that it would be nothing less than weakness on the part of the Police, even in view of these great difficulties, to abdicate their detective functions. Three outlines of detective systems have been laid before the Commission, one by Mr. DEANE (p. 42), one by Mr. DOUGLAS (pp. 61, 62), and one by Inspector GRIMES (p. 119). The Commission have not sufficient practical knowledge, nor do they think it within their functions, to decide on the merits of these schemes, a task which must be left to the Police authorities. The majority, however, are fully prepared to advise that some well-considered detective system should be set on foot without delay and that no pains should be spared in its organisation. As part of such system they have no hesitation in recommending that, as urged by both Messrs. DEANE and DOUGLAS, a vigilant watch should be kept upon the passengers who land from river steamers and fast-boats, and that occasionally detectives should travel upon these, so that, to quote the words of Mr. DOUGLAS (p. 61), \"a known thief should never have five minutes' rest in the Colony.\"\n\n## Instruction of Police\n\n50. The instruction of the Police as to their duties seems to have been hitherto singularly neglected. The Commission have learnt, with some degree of pain, that men of all nationalities have been sent out on patrol duties with no more preparation than that of being furnished with a suit of uniform and a staff! From the enquiries which the Commission have been enabled to make into the working of other Police forces, where success has been attained, has been much through a laborious system of instruction. For instance, the Irish constabulary go through a six months' course of instruction in Police duties, tested by periodical examinations at a depôt, before they are told off to active service at all. The Colony probably could not afford the expense which would be entailed by a system so elaborate as this, but some modification of it might be introduced. Without going into further details, the Commission think that, after his enlistment, each man should be sent out on a beat, not as a Policeman, but as a learner under some experienced officer; that, in addition, indoor instruction in Police duties should be provided for him; and that he should not be allowed to act until he has shown by an examination that he has acquired at least the rudiments of Police knowledge. In the case of men enlisted at home from other forces this rule might be modified, as only local knowledge would remain to be acquired. The Commission take this opportunity of referring to the excellent draft of Police Rules prepared by Mr. DEANE, which, if thoroughly got up and made a subject of examination, would in themselves do much to banish at least theoretical ignorance. Amongst the many causes contributing to the stagnation of improvement in the Police force have been the state of practical abeyance into which the old Rules of the force were allowed to fall; the want of the new ones in question, which ought to have been compiled much earlier; and finally, the great length of time allowed to elapse whilst they awaited, as they do even now, the sanction of the Executive. The Commission trust there will be no further delay in their confirmation, and in enforcing them both in letter and in spirit.\n\n## Education of Force\n\n51. With respect to the general education of the force, a great deal has been done and is being done by the Police schools introduced by SIR R. G. MACDONNELL. The attention of the Commission has been drawn to the scheme of the school committee (hereto appended, marked B), which was drawn up in 1870, and forwarded to the Government in the same year; and they venture to hope that no further delay will be allowed in bringing it into operation. They also approve of the suggestion of Mr. DEANE (p. 25) that promotion should, as a general rule, be withheld from every constable who has not acquired at least some proficiency in a language other than his own, that is to say, English by a Chinese and colloquial Chinese by an Englishman. While upon this subject, the Commission would...",
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        "id": 302614,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-182 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [9-12]",
        "page_number": 135,
        "title": "CO129-182 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [9-12]",
        "content_text": "## 414 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 1877.\n\nHe had with prison discipline. The principles I have laid down are well-established principles; they have been proved almost with the accuracy of a proposition in Euclid, and it is no wonder when those principles were not acted upon, that you have an overflowing gaol, and prison offences increasing in this rapid ratio for the last three years,—426, 1,085, and 2,726.\n\nIt has been asserted that the number of prisoners at present in our gaol is actually greater than in prison; his mind as well as his body is affected: he may be physically altered by prison treatment. There is nothing an Executive can so thoroughly make a greater mistake in than in assuming medical knowledge they cannot be expected to have. The Colonial Surgeon of Hongkong has had experience in other parts of the East, and in his first conversation with me, he told me in connection with his Indian experience that there was not a doctor in India who would for a moment countenance the flogging of Orientals on the back with the cat as was in 1876. Here is a return from the Acting Superintendent, Captain Ducat; I find, according to this return, the total number of Chinese and Coloured prisoners in Hongkong Gaol to-day is 382. What was the number of Chinese and Coloured prisoners at this time last year in the prison? It was 430. That is, however, a matter of small importance. The fact that we have fewer criminals in the gaol to-day than on the 17th of September, 1876, is of itself of little moment, for in the first place, the regulations which I hope ultimately to introduce are, except in some urgent but minor points, not yet in force, and the slight changes I have made are trivial compared to those I will have ultimately to propose.\n\nDr. Ayres made a report of great gravity to me with respect to flogging the Chinese on the back in this Colony. In the gaol hospital, I saw one man, an old man, who had been a long time in prison. This man was pointed out to me by Dr. Ayres as being in hospital for incurable lung disease. I attach no great significance, therefore, to the fact that at this date there happen to be fewer criminals in the gaol than at this time last year. The incurable hæmorrhage of the lungs from which this prisoner suffers is entirely due to those floggings. The Colonial Surgeon assured me that this prisoner had been a tall, strong man when he came into prison; now he is on the edge of the grave. He had been punished twenty-three times, including three floggings.\n\nI have mentioned Captain Ducat, and I had not the honour of his acquaintance beyond that of any other gentleman who may do me the favour of coming to Government House occasionally, but I sent to His Excellency the General commanding the troops and asked him to select from the officers under his command a strict disciplinarian, for I wanted a man of the kind to deal with the gaol until Mr. Tonnochy came out. Dr. Ayres gave it as his professional opinion that in every case where a Chinaman is flogged on the back with the cat, symptoms of congestion of the lungs follow, and he says he is never surprised when that congestion passes away and the man is apparently cured at the time from the effects of the flogging that the same man in a few months comes back to the hospital spitting blood. He drew my attention also to the fact of the scars remaining on their backs for the remainder of their lives, so that when liberated from prison and working on a day like this, their backs are seen, and they are branded amongst whatever honest men they may be among. The prisoner carries such punishment with him to the end of his life. The law never intended that.\n\nWith regard to the branding and deportation of prisoners, such as the branding of fifty prisoners in January last, it is not only opposed to all sound principles of dealing with criminals, but Mr. Douglas, a former Superintendent of the Gaol, had pointed out in a minute to one of my predecessors that the branding of a prisoner on the cheek or the neck had a bad effect, because the Hongkong brand is well known at Canton and at Macao. They know the meaning of that mark; and the consequence is that the branded man is hunted away by all honest people; he cannot get employment; he is rendered for life ineligible as an Emigrant, and he is driven back again to prey on the property of this Colony, because he has no other means of getting a livelihood.\n\nSince I assumed this Government of this Colony, the Visiting Justices have sometimes sentenced prisoners to be flogged for prison offences; in every case, I have approved that flogging, and upon the whole, I have approved, I say it with regret, of something over twenty floggings since my arrival; I say it with regret, because on my left (the Acting Colonial Secretary, Mr. Cecil Smith) drew my attention to what a Secretary of State had written to one of my predecessors. He said an indelible mark on the cheek of a criminal is evidently objectionable as fastening on the delinquent a stigma from which he could never be rescued; it consigns him to permanent infamy. Well, I think it must be admitted there is a good deal in what that Secretary of State—it was the late Lord Derby—said. The views Lord Derby expressed to the Governor of Hongkong were subsequently confirmed by the practical experience of Mr. Douglas, the Superintendent of the Gaol.\n\nMy perusal of the prison archives of this Colony—for not a month has passed for many years without its quota of branded prisoners being deported to the mainland—has convinced me that Lord Derby was right. I think the Chief Justice and others will agree with me that the time has come when we may fairly re-consider this odious part of our prison discipline. Mr. Keswick's views and those of the Police Commission have been carried out, and we have a Police force chiefly of Chinese. Not a deported man comes back now but he is very soon known. Formerly, we had all Europeans and Indians, but they could not distinguish the Chinese prisoners one from another; now the Chinese constables could detect without the branding; and if even in a small number of cases we are to be convinced that it prevents men from obtaining honest employment and drives them back to petty crimes, I think we might give up the branding system.\n\nWithin the last few months, I have received some printed despatches in which reference is made incidentally to the gaol system in the Bahamas. The previous Governor differed with me and thought that the negroes could only be influenced by the lash. He said Europeans, Chinese, or Hindoos might deal with in another way, but not negroes. When I went there, Lord Kimberley said to me, \"I am giving you a troublesome post; owing perhaps to wrecking, crime is excessive.\" I endeavoured to see what could be done, and while I applied with strict severity the laws for the protection of life and property, I endeavoured to rectify the prison discipline. I endeavoured to give the prisoners useful labour and had them informed that the only way in which they could regain their liberty before their full sentence expired was by steady good conduct and hard work. That system was carried out, not my system, but the system of the British Government, the system laid down by the Secretary of State, that you must combine the two things, severe punishment with reformatory training.\n\nWhen I visited the gaol for the first time, I found three, five, and seven prisoners in the same sleeping cells, overcrowded in every way. On making inquiry from Mr. Tomlin, I found that it had been even worse in 1876, when the number of prisoners was larger; during the greater part of that year, the Chinese prisoners had only 190 cubic feet of air allowed for each person in the sleeping cells; the Government having over and over again laid it down that only each prisoner ought not to have less than 600 cubic feet of sleeping space. It might be asked, how comes it to pass that the Government have not noticed this, that you had 190 feet only instead of 600 feet?\n\nIn the Blue Book for 1876, in answer to the usual printed question, which comes out from the Colonial Office, \"How many cubic feet of space are there for each prisoner during the hours of sleep?\"—there is this answer: \"The daily average number of prisoners during 1876 was 432, as against 374 in the previous year; the cubic space for each person was 86·4 feet as against 982 feet in the preceding year.\" But it is not only that. Certain gentlemen excel in explaining that the space of passages and corridors had been included in the estimate.\n\n## 415\n\nGentlemen, I have said that Her Majesty's Government have an extensive experience, and there is no doubt whatever that no greater mistake can be made than to imagine the local knowledge of any place can outweigh the universal experience of Her Majesty's Government in dealing with such matters.\n\nGentlemen, ... \n\nI have not gone into full particulars with respect to what was the result? Not a single lash was applied in the Bahamas from that time, and crime declines, and he adds, I am very happy to say that I have not allowed a single case of flogging. That able Governor has carried out, not my system, but the system laid down by the Secretary of State.\n\nThe best attempt at reformation is to keep the prisoners employed at useful labour and let them understand that remission of imprisonment will depend upon that labour and on steady good conduct. Unfortunately, the opposite experiment was tried here; the gentlemen who framed the Gaol Report laid down that reformation was impossible, but also gave up the idea in toto of anything useful. Has he the opportunity of practising that for the good of the State and himself? No; he leaves this prison probably ignorant of the little he knew before going in.\n\nI made the Labuan prison pay all its expenses; and with this, as I have just said, there was no flogging, and crime declined in the Colony. Within the last few months, I have received some printed despatches... It was only the other day a man was brought up before my honourable friend here (Mr. May), or Mr. Russell, for returning from deportation. The constable said, “I knew the man perfectly well without the branding.” \n\nHaving administered Governments in other parts of the world, I can recollect the fact that during the four years I had to deal with the worst classes of Singapore and Hongkong convicts at Labuan, not a single lash was applied. The sixty Chinese convicts that were sent from Hongkong to Labuan, and the hundred Chinese convicts I got from the Straits Settlement enabled me to study for four years the mode of treating Chinese prisoners. I visited the prison every week. I substituted Chinese Turnkeys for Malay Warders. I made your very worst Hongkong criminals amenable to strict discipline. I found that Chinamen could be made to conduct themselves properly and that it was not hopeless to attempt to improve their moral condition. By the aid of your convict labour...",
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    {
        "id": 368643,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]",
        "page_number": 464,
        "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]",
        "content_text": "## No. 8368\n**(Subject.)** Individual.\n\nCaputo  \n1898  \n15 Apr  \n11  \n(Cagents)\n\n**DOMESTIC**  \n457  \n446  \n8568  \nConstable & Ritchie  \n\nSende reportaty  \nIn D madayan  \nprevious Paper.  \nStates practice  \nregards complaints.  \n105. 26 Apr & C\n\n| 17-346-10000-32 87 |\n\nSvi W. Hamilton  \n**(Minutes.)**  \nSir Douglas Macchagan  \nanything calmly admits that he does not think he would probably have detected specially wrong with the eyesight. I do not know what he means by saying how much he regrets that he did not make a special examination of his eyes. I am inclined to infer from the tone of his letter that he either did not examine the man's eyesight at all, or was content with a very cursory inspection. Meanwhile I suppose for a great many years we have to pay for a fully inefficient Police Constable. Very unsatisfactory, as we can do with any defect of eye the more.\n\n1. Put  \nby A.F-14/4  \n18/4",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12].txt",
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    {
        "id": 368644,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]",
        "page_number": 465,
        "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]",
        "content_text": "**ALL COMMUNICATIONS**\n## TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE\n### CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES.\n6319\nApril 1898.\n458\n447\nIC 59\n\nDOWNING STREET, LONDON.\n15th April 1898.\n\nHong Kong Regn 799 Appts.\n\nSir,\n\nWith reference to your letter No 6319 of the 28th March respecting the medical examination of Police Constable James Ritchie, I have the honour to enclose a copy of a report by Sir Douglas Maclagan, to whom we sent your letter and its enclosure.\n\n2. With reference to the second paragraph of your letter, our practice is, on the rare occasions on which complaints are made as to the medical examination of officers, to forward the complaint to the doctor concerned for his observations, and we think that this should be sufficient to ensure the requisite degree of strictness.\n\nI return the original enclosures to your letter.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nSir,\nYour Obedient Servant,\ne Under Secretary of State,\n&c\n&c\nColonial Office.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12].txt",
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    {
        "id": 368645,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]",
        "page_number": 466,
        "title": "CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12]",
        "content_text": "## Gentlemen,\n\nSir Douglas Maclagan to Crown Agents.\n\nEdinburgh,  \n6th April 1898.\n\nI was favoured the day before yesterday with your letter of 2nd April relative to the case of James Ritchie, Police Constable of Hong Kong, and in reply thereto, for the information of the Secretary for the Colonies, I have to state as follows. I need not say how much I regret to learn Ritchie's present condition and how much I regret that I did not make a special examination of his eyes. I have looked up my rough notes as to his case, but do not find therein anything suggestive of mischief about the eye, when I examined him on 30th October when he appeared to be a most healthy man and quite fitted for the work of a Police Constable. Whilst I express this regret, I have to say I do not think that I probably would have detected anything specially wrong with the eyesight.\n\nWith regard to the questions put by the Hon. Capt.-Superintendent of Police, I have to state that, in my opinion, there is no special likelihood of the right eye becoming affected, although the left eye is not likely to improve of itself. Undoubtedly the eye might be operated upon, but in my opinion the chances of a good result are very remote.\n\nI am &c.,  \n**(Sga) Douglas Maclagan, Knt. M.D.**",
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    {
        "id": 369424,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-288 - Public Offices & Others - 1898",
        "page_number": 12,
        "title": "CO129-288 - Public Offices & Others - 1898",
        "content_text": "## THE LANDING\n\nIt was nearly 11.15 when Meugens crept out round the point as close in to the rocks in the shadow as he dared in the `Lun On`, with all lights screened and a bag kept constantly wet about a foot above the mouth of the funnel to choke the sparks. Creeping round, the three vessels were found to be moored head and stern broadside on to the beach, about five cables inside the island, not 400 yards from the shore. Derricks were rigged and on both sides pontoons, guns and troop-boats were being hoisted out. Boats from the davits had been lowered and were being rapidly filled with men. The most admirable order was maintained, and almost perfect silence observed; only very occasionally gleams of light were visible.\n\nThe `Lun On`, which had approached to about 300 yards, was then backed, but whilst turning was perceived and chased by a small pinnace that shot out from under the bows of the Saratoff, the most westerly of the enemy's troopers. The `Lun On` was driven full speed for the Aberdeen passage, expecting every moment to be fired on. The enemy, however, evidently desired to capture her. Morrison (who had been recalled from the Water Police gig), accompanied McNab and the two remaining Indian Constables by road to Deep Water Bay, orders being left with Findlay that when the other two Indians arrived they were to be sent on after them.\n\n11\n\nwhich afterwards proved to be the Saratoff, of 3,458 tons, Capt. Stromsky, the Yaroslav, 2871 tons, Capt. Ostolopoff, and the Moskou, 2245 tons, Capt. Andrief—headed in for Deep Water Bay (where we have had many a jolly afternoon's golf together, but never shall again). A large junk that was hovering off the entrance to the Bay suddenly showed a green flash to seaward, which was immediately answered by two short red flashes from the forecastle of the Saratoff, the leading ship. The junk immediately turned Northwards and preceded the strangers in towards Deep Water Bay. The whole proceedings were so suspicious that Meugens and Hazeland, who had lifted their anchor, and paddled so in softly towards the bay at the approach of the vessels on seeing the exchange of signals, at once sheered off to the N.W. for Aberdeen, pulling as hard as they could. At the first splash of their oars they were hailed from the Saratoff in Chinese (which Hazeland spoke fluently), and bidden to come alongside, being promised a good price for their fish. Disregarding the hail, however, they pulled hard for Aberdeen, and on landing rushed up to the Police Station where they only found one Scotch Constable—Robert Findlay—who, after some demur, consented to telephone to the Central Police Station in Victoria.\n\nThere being no rockets or other fireworks at the Station that could be used for signalling, it was arranged that two or more rifle shots would signify \"Enemy landing,\" which was to be at once telephoned to the Central. Two blasts of the steam-whistle in quick succession was to convey the same meaning. Though there were stables, there were no Police horses at Aberdeen, so Mr Kerr, the Superintendent of the Aberdeen Dock (then not in use), and the only other European in the place (Duncan, the clerk, being absent), volunteered to carry information by the Pokfolum Road, travelling on his bicycle. Kerr had been roused by McNab's orders. A telephone had been received from Cuthbert at Pokfolum Station, stating that nothing was in sight in Telegraph or Sandy Bays, in reply to one from Aberdeen. After that nothing more came from Pokfolum—the wire had been cut, and it is impossible to doubt in the light of after events, but that French agents, who had represented themselves as Destitutes and been cared for by the Fathers at Douglas Castle, destroyed the line.\n\nBy midnight all the telephone wires throughout the island were cut. Being Government lines the mere non-working would under ordinary circumstances have aroused no suspicion—interruption of communications being very frequent. All the cables had, however, ceased to work, and the land lines to Canton were found to be interrupted. It was very easy to fish up the shore ends of the cable from junks in Telegraph and Deep Water Bays. It was subsequently discovered that the Gap Rock had been taken possession of at 7 P.M. The light was of course kept going.\n\nBut for the accident of the premature discovery by Hazeland and Meugens, in another hour or so no communication by telephone could have been made. Findlay was left at the Aberdeen Police Station with five Chinese Water Police Constables armed with cutlasses, and two of the land force, the latter having been dispatched the preconcerted message \"Enemy landing,\" the last from Aberdeen, no almost immediately afterwards, before Meugens landed, telephonic communication ceased.\n\nAfter the whistle had been blown Meugens rushed the launch in amongst the sampans, in the bight between the Docks and Aberdeen village, till she grounded; whilst doing so a lamp capsized in one of the boats rushed past, immediately setting fire to the matting in her—giving Meugens the idea of firing the launch, which was done by Morrison breaking the engine room lamps over an old awning aft and a pile of bedding in the cabin forward. The pinnace did not pursue the launch amongst the boats, being too slight, but stopped outside firing at her, killing one of the Chinese crew who was crouching down forward, and hitting Meugens twice at the wheel, once in the neck, once in the left shoulder.\n\nOn jumping overboard Morrison continued setting fire to the sampans, turning out the occupants into the shallow water, and firing the boats with their own lamps, the roofs burning brightly, until he was shot through the head from the pinnace, not, however, till the boats over a large...",
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        "id": 503166,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8]",
        "page_number": 241,
        "title": "CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "240\n\n24 HOURS.\n\nJuly 16.\n\nMr. John Melville Anderson, master mariner, was the plaintiff in a Supreme Court action this morning in which he claimed $1,515 damages from the Man Wing Steamship Company, this consisting of three months' salary in lieu of notice.\n\nMr. H. G. Sheldon, instructed by Mr. J. A. Gordon Leask, was for the plaintiff and Mr. F. C. Jenkin, instructed by Mr. D. McCallum, was for the defendants.\n\nMr. Sheldon said that Mr. Anderson joined the employ of the chief officer of the company \"Haitan\" in December, 1923, and in January of the following year was appointed master, continuing in that capacity until November of that year. His appointment as master followed the proceeding home of Capt. Jones and it was on Capt. Jones's recommendation that Mr. Anderson was appointed.\n\nThe interview at which the appointment was made took place in the presence of Mr. Chang, the managing director of the Company, and Mr. Ho, an interpreter. Capt. Jones and Mr. Anderson being the only others present.\n\nAt that interview, Mr. Anderson would tell the Court that there was no question of notice discussed at all.\n\nThere was no written agreement but it was verbally agreed that Mr. Anderson should take over at the same wages and emoluments as Capt. Jones.\n\nNo Reason Given.\n\nIn November 1924 when the ship returned to Hongkong, said Mr. Sheldon, Mr. Ho came on board and handed Mr. Anderson a letter terminating his engagement. No reason was given and Mr. Ho said he could give none. It was not his doing but the decision of the owners.\n\nMr. Ho offered Mr. Anderson a month's wages which Mr. Anderson refused. Mr. Anderson had an interview with the Harbour Master also with the secretary of the China Coast Officers' Guild as a result of which he saw solicitors.\n\nMr. Anderson had not been able to get employment after his dismissal until January of the following year when he accepted a position as third officer on one of Jardine Matheson's coastal boats.\n\nMr. Anderson then went into the witness box and bore out counsel's opening remarks. He had had twenty years' experience of the China coast, he stated, eleven of which had been with Messrs. Butterfield and Swire as second and chief officer.\n\nCross-examined by Mr. Jenkin, witness said that his salary with the employ of defendants worked out to about $237 a month. He joined Jardine Matheson's after he left the defendants on January 17, 1925.\n\nMr. Jenkin: So you were employed for 37 days of the three months in respect of which you make your claim.\n\nWitness: Yes.\n\nMr. Jenkin: That reduces your claim to $1,234.48.\n\nIn answer to further questions, witness said that as chief officer with the defendant company he had been on a 24 hours' agreement.\n\nAn Old Friend.\n\nMr. Jenkin: Capt. Jones was a very old friend of yours?\n\nWitness: Yes.\n\nMr. Jenkin: And do you mean to tell us that he neither mentioned to you nor did you know of your own knowledge that he was on a 24 hours' notice agreement?\n\nWitness: Yes. It was not until his return that I found that out. He said he forgot to tell me.\n\nMr. Jenkin: The question of the period of your service and of possible length of notice is one of the most important points to consider when entering into an engagement, is it not?\n\nWitness would not commit himself in reply to this question.\n\nThe evidence of Mr. Anderson having concluded the case for the plaintiffs, Mr. Jenkin briefly addressed the court before calling Mr. E. Chang to give evidence. He spoke of the practice followed by the defendant company in engaging masters on 24 hours' notice and said that it was incomprehensible that this very important factor would have been entirely omitted from the interview, as a result of which Mr. Anderson was appointed.\n\nMr. Jenkin put it to Mr. Anderson that what had taken place at the interview was that he had been engaged \"on the same agreement\" or \"on the same terms\" as Capt. Jones.\n\nThis witness denied and said that only the question of wages and emoluments was discussed. The interview only lasted a few minutes, Mr. Chang could not speak English and Mr. Ho interpreted and told witness that Mr. Chang was agreeable to his being engaged on the same wages and emoluments as Capt. Jones.\n\n\"Allee Same Agreement.\"\n\nMr. Jenkin: I put it to you that Mr. Chang said to you and Capt. Jones in broken English \"allee same agreement. Capt. Jones: 24 hours notice,\" and that you, or at any rate Capt. Jones, said \"Yes.\"\n\nWitness: No, that is not so.\n\nMr. Chang did not speak even in pidgin English.\n\nMr. Jenkin: Would you have taken the position if it had been offered you on those terms?\n\nWitness: No.\n\nMr. Jenkin: Why not?\n\nWitness: I would not consider it a proper agreement for a master.\n\nAsked what ships other than the \"Haitan\" he had been master of on the China coast, Mr. Anderson replied that he had been master of the \"Chuen Chow,\" a river boat, and of vessels in Australia.\n\nThe whole question hinged on the interview at which Mr. Anderson was appointed, said Mr. Sheldon. Mr. Anderson had no knowledge as to what notice Capt. Jones was on. It was not until after his dismissal that Mr. Anderson found out that Capt. Jones had been on a written agreement under which he was liable to 24 hours' notice.\n\nMr. Jenkin: Were you not under a 24 hours' notice agreement as master of the \"Chuen Chow\"?\n\nWitness: No.\n\nMr. Jenkin: Were you on a 24 hours' notice agreement as junior officer?\n\nWitness: Yes.\n\nJuly 16.\n\nIn his final address on behalf of the owners at yesterday afternoon's hearing of the case in which Mr. J. M. Anderson, master mariner, claimed $1,515 from the Man Wing Steamship Company as wages in lieu of notice of termination of a verbal agreement for his captaincy of the s.s. \"Haitan,\" Mr. F. C. Jenkin dealt with the element of hardship which might appear on the face of things. He would like to point out, though, he said, that Mr. Anderson by the fortuitous fact that Capt. Jones went home on private affairs in 1924 stepped into a job whereby his salary was doubled for a period of ten months.\n\nMr. Jenkin said it was inconceivable that, although Mr. Anderson was working on the same ship as Capt. Jones and was a very great personal friend of his, he was not aware of the conditions of Capt. Jones's employment whereby he could be dismissed at 24 hours' notice.\n\n[No. 2998-July 22, 1926]\n\nIt was thought that there would have been discussion of terms of employment. It was also remarkable that in handing Captain Anderson a letter dismissing him at 24 hours' notice, Ho should have offered him a month's salary in lieu of notice. In the first correspondence between the solicitors, there was no mention of this.\n\nThe first letter from the plaintiffs was to the effect that the claim was for wrongful dismissal and that Captain Anderson was entitled to three months' notice. It was remarkable if the solicitors had known of this that they should not have mentioned it in their letters. Had they done so, it would have strengthened plaintiff's case.\n\nCaptain Jones, whose place plaintiff took, was in fact on an agreement determinable at 24 hours' notice and he found it difficult to understand how, when the four men met, Captain Anderson was not in possession of this information.\n\nIt was to him a matter of regret that neither side had called Captain Jones.\n\nThe question of 24 hours' notice was evidently present in the mind of Chan and it appeared reasonable to suppose that this important matter was mentioned at the interview.\n\nHe came to that conclusion without finding that Captain Anderson had deliberately attempted to deceive the court, because the meeting seemed to have been short and informal and it was possible that the plaintiff did not fully apprehend all that took place.\n\nHe entered judgment for defendants, with costs.\n\nCAPT. MACINTOSH.\n\nJuly 16.\n\nCapt. W. MacIntosh of the pirated s.s. \"Tungchow,\" (seized in January last by Cantonese pirates near Weihaiwei, taken to Bias Bay and then abandoned) is leaving for Home.\n\nCapt. MacIntosh is one of the China Navigation Co.'s best-known skippers, and he left Shanghai last week for England on the P. & O. He had to have a foot amputated, as a result of the wound he received when the ship was seized.\n\nThe pirates tried to compel Capt. MacIntosh to surrender. As a consequence, he refused to do so. The pirates shot at him, and Capt. MacIntosh was wounded.\n\nThere was evidence before the court that he was on a practically ever 24 hours' agreement with the same company.\n\nThree men arrested on a sampan were identified as members of the pirate gang and were put to death recently before a firing squad in the native city at Shung-shan.\n\n\"Remarkable Version.\"\n\nHis Lordship in delivering judgment said Captain Anderson's version of the interview was remarkable, notice being three months.\n\n[No. 2998-July 22, 1926]\n\nTHOUGHT FEELING.\n\nJuly 16.\n\nProfessor Maximilian Langsner, a Pole who has devoted his life to the study of telepathy (\"thought feeling,\" as he prefers to call it) and hypnotism is at present in Hongkong in the course of a world tour.\n\nThe practice adopted by Prof. Langsner is to make a prolonged stay in each country for the purpose of carrying out observations which will enable him to perfect his art. He realises that this cannot be accomplished in the space of a few weeks such as might enable a novelist to write a passably good novel with certain local colour.\n\nHis study of the psychology of the peoples of the various countries included in his itinerary is extended over a considerable period. He has been on his travels for some years and intends to devote another two or three to life in China and Japan.\n\nThe countries he has visited in the course of the present tour are Greece, Egypt, Persia, India, and Indo-China.\n\nProf. Langsner has given demonstrations in Telepathy in some of the places he has visited. Such demonstrations are not, however, the main purpose of his visit.\n\nHe emphasises that his feats are not illusions, in fact he prefers to have a sceptical audience. If it should be practicable for a local demonstration to be given, Hongkong people will have the opportunity of witnessing the remarkable powers which Prof. Langsner undoubtedly possesses.\n\nIn Indo-China, according to the Press, \"his claim to read the mind of another was genuinely proved. It was the most convincing demonstration of telepathy yet given to a theatre audience.\"\n\nConfirmed By Reuters.\n\nSimilar appreciation is reported from the other places he has visited, glowing accounts being given of his almost incredible demonstrations, sceptics who challenged him being reported as entirely convinced of the genuineness of his claims and subsequently becoming his friends and advocates.\n\nIn Calcutta, where he was challenged to make a long-distance telepathic communication, he detailed what was happening in certain streets in Paris and London, events which were confirmed by the manager of Reuters in Calcutta.\n\nIn Cairo, before a packed audience, five lions placed in an arena were mesmerised and, in the words of one of the newspapers, \"became as quiet as the docile cats of Angora.\"\n\nWhilst in Persia, the Professor was awarded the order of the \"Sun and Lion\" by the Shah and presented with a pair of Persian carpets.\n\nAnother test to which he was subjected in Indo-China was to drive a car blindfolded for a long distance, the occupants of the car being French officials.\n\nKIDNAPPING CASE.\n\nJuly 16.\n\nFurther evidence of a railway porter from Taipo and a woman occupier of a house at Second Street was called at the Central Magistracy this morning in the case in which a Chinese woman was charged with alleged kidnapping of an eleven-year-old boy.\n\nMr. E. S. C. Brooks appeared for the defence.\n\nEvidence was given by the constable of firing four shots with the intention of stopping the man who escaped after discarding his coat.\n\nPrevious to that, the detective had carried out a KIDNAPPING CASE.\n\nAfter hearing evidence, Mr. Lindsell considered that the charge could hardly be maintained, as the defendant had made no secret that the boy accompanied her on the train and in fact had told the principal tenant about it.\n\nOne very strong corroborating point was the evidence regarding the character of the deceased. No one had come forward to identify him.\n\nDealing with the use of firearms, Mr. Lindsell said that shooting was permissible in certain circumstances such as in chasing a man who is suspected of having committed a felony.\n\nIf it be believed the constable's story that the dagger was found on the man, then it was not an unreasonable assumption that the man was a felon, although the police had not been able to prove that a felony had been committed.\n\nIf the constable was justified in firing to stop him, and further, if he killed the man, then the killing was in law justifiable.\n\nThe Verdict.\n\nThe following were the questions to the jury and their answers:-\n\nHad the constable during the pursuit reasonable cause to suspect that the man had committed a felony? Yes.\n\nIf so, could he have effected an arrest by any other means short of firing? No.\n\nMr. Lindsell: On those answers, I return a verdict of justifiable homicide.\n\nPUPILS WORK.\n\nJuly 16.\n\nThe end of the term at Victoria British School (East Point) was made the occasion of an open day, parents and friends visiting the premises this morning and taking advantage of the opportunity of seeing the work done by the young pupils during the term and of observing the excellent system on which the school is run.\n\nThe basis on which the methods of instruction are founded is that the pupils should actively co-operate with the teachers as much as possible.\n\nIn this particular, the representation of material particulars which are under study by means of tableaux constructed by the pupils themselves is worthy of mention.\n\nThe pupils are encouraged to cut out from picture books the several ingredients to the scenes, the idea being that, pictorially represented, they convey a deeper meaning than mere words can do.\n\nSpecimens of the work of the scholars in needlework, designing, stencilling, etc., were on display, also some of the examination papers. These were the object of much interest by the parents and other friends who were welcomed by Mrs. E. M. Clark, Headmistress, and conducted over the premises by the staff and pupils.\n\nMrs. Clark, in welcoming those present, thanked the parents for their co-operation in the conduct of the school and the training of the children and expressed the hope that they would continue working together to the ends. Mrs. Clark also mentioned that she was always willing to co-operate in with a caution training for pupils particularly gifted along certain lines.\n\nA very pleasing programme of dances was then gone through, \"The Pipes of Pan\" to the accompaniment of the gramophone and \"Sleep Fairies\" and \"Bubbles\" to the pianoforte accompaniment of Miss A. E. Hendry, in charge of classes 6 and 7.\n\nThe younger scholars gave \"The Pierrots\" and the older pupils gave \"The Big Chief\" to the pianoforte accompaniment of Miss Hendry.\n\nThe pupils taking part were:-\n\nClass 6: Marie Clarke and Sidney Fowler.\n\nClass 7: Douglas Mackay, Douglas Taylor, James Clark, Alex MacFarlane and Albert Moss, William MacFarlane.\n\nClass 8: Mary Taylor, Ernie Fowler and Alison Mackay.\n\nInfants (\"B\"): Florry Fowler, Stella Stevenson, Eric Stone,\n\nInfants (\"A\"): Jean Clark, Robert Glen and Billy Gegg.\n\nFATAL WOUNDING.\n\nJuly 16.\n\nThe inquiry into the death of a Chinese who was shot by a detective was resumed before Mr. R. E. Lindsell and a jury at the Central Magistracy to-day.\n\nIn his summing up to the jury, Mr. Lindsell said he saw no reason to doubt the evidence of the constable which was corroborated in material particulars.\n\nHe held that the boy accompanied the woman of his own accord and he did not believe the story that he was dragged into the train.\n\nThe defendant was discharged with a warning and the boy's brother, who was present in court, was ordered to look after him in future.\n\nDEEP-SEA FISHING.\n\nJuly 16.\n\nA local deep-sea fishing competition will be held towards the end of this month for members of the Hongkong Angling Club if the weather permits. Particulars as to conditions will be announced later.\n\nMembers wishing to take part are requested to send their names in, as soon as possible, to the hon. secretary, Mr. E. B. C. Hornell, c/o Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd.\n\nA Chinese push cyclist was charged at the Kowloon Magistracy on July 15 with using a motor horn on his machine. Defendant pleaded ignorance and was discharged with a caution.\n\nA Chinese, charged with the murder of his wife gave evidence at the Central Magistracy on July 15, stating that the woman accidentally plunged a chisel into her throat. He was committed for trial at the Sessions.\n\nThe practice adopted by Prof. Langsner is to make a prolonged stay in each country for the purpose of carrying out observations which will enable him to perfect his art. He realises that this cannot be accomplished in the space of a few weeks such as might enable a novelist to write a passably good novel with certain local colour.\n\nProf. Langsner is a gifted linguist, speaking no less than six languages. He was a personal friend of the late Enrico Caruso who was also a student of the occult.\n\nWriting to him on one occasion the great singer said \"You hypnotise the world with your eyes. I hypnotise the world with my voice. We are both hypnotisers.\"",
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    {
        "id": 508342,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-501-6 Sweepstakes and Lotteries 3-1-1927 - 3-1-1927",
        "page_number": 14,
        "title": "CO129-501-6 Sweepstakes and Lotteries 3-1-1927 - 3-1-1927",
        "content_text": "# \n\n## 31. The application should be made by the Chief Constable, and should be in the following form:— \n\nSIR, \n\n**PRISON ACT, 1898, S. 11.** \n\n**APPLICATION FOR PRODUCTION OF A PRISONER.** \n\nI hereby make application for the production of a prisoner, as follows:-- \n\n* Name of prisoner (i.e., name under which he is now in prison).\n* Prison in which confined.\n* Particulars of the commitment to prison, showing Court, date, offence, sentence or order of Court. If the committal is for trial, state also Court of trial and probable date.\n* Place, Court, date and time at which production is desired.\n* Name under which prisoner will be charged, etc.\n* Particulars of case in connection with which production is desired.\n* Reasons for asking that prisoner may be produced specially during present imprisonment instead of being dealt with later.\n* Witnesses for the Defence.\n\n## 32. Prison Governors are instructed to ask all undefended prisoners awaiting trial, at a reasonable interval beforehand, whether they wish to obtain any witnesses for their defence, and are also instructed to forward at once any letters which prisoners wish to send with this object in view. The Governors are prepared to inform the Court that this information has been given and to name any witnesses the accused has desired to be present at his trial.\n\n## 33. The Police should assist in obtaining the attendance of a witness whose presence may be desired by a prisoner, by informing him of the prisoner's request, and of the time and place of trial, and by giving such further assistance as may be possible in order to meet the prisoner's wishes.\n\n## 34. Should it be found impossible in any case to communicate with a person named as a witness, the Prison Governor should be informed as soon as possible.\n\n## 35. Care should be taken to avoid giving prisoners the impression that the Police are in any way responsible for the attendance of witnesses who have not been summoned to attend and give evidence.\n\n## 36. The Police have no power to enforce the attendance of such witnesses or to pay the expenses that may be incurred, and they should not be taken from their ordinary duties for the purpose of tracing and attempting to bring into Court witnesses who have disappeared or who may be reluctant or unwilling to appear.\n\n## 37. It is, however, the duty of a police officer entrusted with the inquiries in any criminal case to bring before the Court, so far as he is able, the whole facts of the case, and not merely those points which make for a conviction. It is, therefore, right that, within the limits above indicated, the police officer should assist in procuring the attendance of witnesses for the defence if their evidence is likely to be of any value in the case.\n\n## Interference with Jurors\n\n## 38. If the Police have reason to suspect that an attempt will be or has been made to influence a jury, they should communicate with the Judge, Chairman or Recorder. In a case of felony the Court has a discretion, under the **Jurors Detention Act, 1897**, not to allow the jurors to separate during the trial.\n\n## Antecedents of Convicted Prisoners\n\n## 39. After a prisoner's conviction, it is usual for the Police to inform the Court of his general character and antecedents, and it is of the utmost importance that the information so given should be full and trustworthy. Nothing should be omitted that is in favour of the prisoner, and, in making inquiries for the purpose of informing the Court, the Police should bear in mind that it is their duty to obtain as reliable information as possible, and to direct their attention to obtaining information in the prisoner's favour as well as against him. Nothing should be said to a prisoner's prejudice which the officer is not able to substantiate.\n\n## 40. At the hearing of an appeal by Douglas Campbell on the 13th February, 1911, the Lord Chief Justice in the Court of Criminal Appeal made the following observations on this matter :— \n\n> We have been asked to say something about the practice of police officers giving the judge the result of their inquiries about prisoners. In ordinary circumstances we should not accede to such a request, but as the matter has recently been under the consideration of the Judges and the Home Office, we think it right to do so. For many years it has been known that after the conviction of a prisoner it is the duty of some responsible officer of police to tell the Court what he knows about the prisoner as the result of inquiry, where it would involve great difficulty and expense to prove the facts by legal evidence. ... Some years ago I gave instructions that on all Circuits steps should be taken to place accurate information of this character before the Court. The practice has been recognised by statute in section 10 (5) of the **Prevention of Crime Act, 1908**: that section was inserted in order to adapt to the procedure under that Act for the conviction of ... \n\nPage 22",
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