Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 514

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Meeting held at the Magistracy, Hongkong, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 30th, 1898.

Present:-Commander W. C. H. HASTINGS, R.N. (Chairman).

The Reverend R. F. COBBOLD, M.A.

Mr. J. J. FRANCIS, Q.C., and

Mr. F. BROWNE, (Secretary).

The Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G., Captain Superintendent of Police attended for the purpose of replying to certain interrogations.

Mr. FRANCIS. On what principle do the police under your command deal with cases of drunkenness ? Do yon take notice of all cases of drunkenness in the streets, or do the police interfere only when men are drunk and creating a disturbance ?--We interfere only when a man is drunk and disorderly, or drunk and incapable. If a man is in charge of his friends or able to take care of himself we do not interferc.

If a man is simply drunk, no matter how drunk, the police do not interfere? -No; if he is incapable and cannot get about by himself we interfere, but not otherwise.

Incapable or creating a disturbance ?—Yes.

That is, you do not treat simple drunkenness as an offence ?--No.

Do you consider from your experience of the Colony that there is much drunken- ness here ?—No; I think there is very little.

Is there any respect in which you as Captain Superintendent of Police would desire to see the existing laws with reference to any class of house where liquors are sold, amended or altered ?---No.

So far as your practical experience goes in connection with the police nothing has attracted your attention as needing alteration or amendment as regards the regulations of taverns and public-houses ?--No.

Have any cases come to your knowledge, or have you had reason to believe in any case coming before the police, that the men were suffering from anything else but the quantity of liquor consumed ?—No.

Have you any complaint to make that the sale of liquors in brothels-especially European brothels--seriously interferes with the work of the police and the orderly management of the town ?-No.

Has it never suggested itself to you that there is necessity for making the law more stringent than it actually is with reference to the sale of liquors in such places ?- No; I have never had anything come under my notice to suggest that,

Assuming the sale of liquors to go on in these places, it has not resulted in any disorder that has been brought to your notice ?—No.

Mr. COBBOLD. You say there is very little drunkenness in the Colony, you mean in comparison with the European population ?-Yes.

And then you say there is no need for any alteration or amendment of any existing laws ?—Mr. FRANCIS did not put it as wide as that. He said with regard to the law dealing with the regulation of the houses.

Mr. FRANCIS.-I mean, of course, the laws dealing with the sale of liquors either in licensed or unlicensed houses.