Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 648

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The CHAIRMAN.-Nothing has occurred of that nature. One or two little girls have died from ordinary infantile diseases, but it is difficult to state whether they had not previously contracted the disease outside. It is not difficult to say, however, that the present Home is not the best place you could select for the housing of young girls. That is a point, however, that we can consider later on.

Honourable C. P. CHATER.-Perhaps it would be well if Mr. McCALLUM could also report upon the building which has been specially put up for them.

The CHAIRMAN.-Certainly, though I don't think there would be much sanitary objection to that building..

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-On whose recommendation was it that it was erected? Can you give us a history of that building?

The CHAIRMAN.-I can get you the history* by next meeting, and the particulars you require, such, I suppose, as "What did it cost?" "Did the Government buy the land, &c."

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.We want also a report similar to that read just now from Mr. MCCALLUM as to its suitability from a sanitary point of view.

Honourable Ho KAI.-What about the letter in answer to our enquiry for the name of the member of the Police Force who gave information to the Government with reference to the Pó Léung Kuk?

The CHAIRMAN.-It has been circulated to members, and, I suppose, we may take it as read. (The Members signified their assent). If you wish to make any remarks upon it you are at liberty to do so. It is before us now for discussion.

Honourable Ho KAI.-I wish to state that I think it is very unfair for any body, whether he be a high official or an ordinary person, to make any charges, in the Council or out of the Council, against the members of the Pó Léung Kuk, without subsequently being able to prove them by naming the person who gave that information, or of giving to the members of the Pó Léung Kuk or its committee the opportunity of seeking satisfaction from the man who gave the information. I think that it is an abuse of the privileges that we have as members of Council and also as public men, to come and state things publicly against a body of men, or against any individual,—stating that our information came from undoubted authority and giving the public a false idea and the impression that the information was undoubted, and causing them to believe that something very wrong did actually occur without being able to give the name of the person who has given the information, or to bring him before this Committee for

examination.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-You refer to the charge which has been made by the police?

Honourable Ho KAI.-Yes, and also to the charges which you made, when you stated you had been informed also by undoubted authority that money had been obtained under influence, or something of that sort.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-It is admitted in enclosure No. 1 of the report by the Registrar General on a Petition from the Pó Leung Kuk Society, laid before the Legislative Council, by command of His Excellency the Governor, on the 14th March 1892, if you will refer to my letters to the Government which have been published.

The CHAIRMAN.-This question is not before the Committee.

Honourable Ho KAI.-I am speaking now on charge 5 which refers to the member of the police who is said to have given information. I speak on point 5, but at the same time my remarks equally apply to point 4-as that charge has been preferred against the

* Sec Appendix 11.

† See Appendix 5.

See Appendix 27.