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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 14TH MARCH, 1896.
The hands at the Lee Yuen Refinery struck work.
On the 27th a depôt of cargo boats was formed by the Water Police, to save time in hiring them. The coolies working at Aberdeen struck this day.
There were now 20,000 coolies on strike.
Six petty officers of the Navy were sworn in as special constables to do 'uty with the Water Police.
Men of the Hongkong Regiment were engaged discharging vessels.
On the 28th the Police hired 50 coolies for a local firm at $1 a day, bu the firm subsequently declined to pay such large wages fearing to prejudice future rates.
This day the hands at Hung Hom Docks began to be restless, two strangers, doubtless emissaries from the strikers, were however arrested and sentenced to three months hard labour as rogues and vagabonds, and the Dock hands gave no more trouble
The remaining hands at East Point Refinery struck.
It was ascertained this day that 160 of the head men at Kowloon City were affording support to the strikers, which was represented through H. B. M.'s Consul at Canton to the Viceroy with a view to dislodging them.
On the 29th the hands at the three Refineries returned to work. 250 coolies were supplied to a local firm at $1 a day.
On the 1st April the Police secured 350 coolies at $1 a day for various firms.
On the 2nd over 500 coolics were supplied to various firms.
On the 2nd the Brigadier in charge at Chinese Kowloon drove away the head coolies
On the 3rd the Police engaged 1,000 coolies at 75 cents a day for employers of labour.
At noon on the 4th the strike was at an end.
A picquet from the Rifle Brigade did duty at Quarry Bay, from the 26th March till the end of the strike.
During the strike from the 25th March till 4th April inclusive 2,622 men of the Rifle Brigade, 1,860 men of the Hongkong Regiment, and 189 Officers and Non-commissioned Officers of both Regiments did duty guarding workmen and discharging ships.
562 convicts coaled and discharged vessels, and 632 blue jackets and marines rendered valuable services coaling.
The special constables (Petty Officers R. N.) performed their duties very satisfactorily, and conducted themselves in a most exemplary manner.
The Police of all ranks and nationalities displayed much energy, discretion and good temper, during the strike.
Inspectors STANTON and HENNESSY rendered most valuable services in hiring coolies and cargo boats respectively.
55 offenders were arrested during the strike, and punishments inflicted varying from 3 months hard labour to $1 or 7 days hard labour.
On the 28th March Police Sergeant McIVER was appointed as temporary Sanitary Inspector, and detailed for the special duty of collecting evidence for prosecuting the keepers of unregistered lodging- houses.
Between that date and 31st May, 454 houses were visited, on an average 4 times each.
The keepers of 115 houses registered, 66 did not contain sufficient occupants to come within the definition of a common lodging-house.
273 keepers were summoned for failing to register.
65 failed to appear, and warrants were issued.
32 were subsequently arrested.
33 closed their houses.
240 keepers were convicted, and fines aggregating $1,516.75 imposed.
47 keepers were recommended for banishment.
12 were banished, the remainder having found security for good behaviour were not banished.
LICENCES.
4. Jinricksha licences have been granted only to builders and repairers' shops, with a view to the climination of middle men or farmers of licences.
Licensees have been required to sign an undertaking that they will not charge their drawers more than 33 cents a day each in the summer, and 30 cents a day each in the winter months.
There are two drawers to each jinricksha. All licensed bearers of public chairs, and drawers of jinrickshas have been medically examined as to their fitness for their occupation; about 5% were rejected. Licensed marine store dealers have increased from 5 to 30; fines aggregating $1,000 having been imposed on the unlicensed store dealers.
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