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Mr. Wilcox. Well, what did they do?
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A.—I think it still exists, but I am not quite sure.
Some time ago I was to rent
a piece of ground centrally in Queen's Road East to build coolie quarters on-
The Chairman. He is not answering the question.
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Witness. Many head coolies combined because they are under guarantee. They are members of the Triad Society.
Mr. Wilcox.--And do they keep coolies from coming into the Colony?
A. Yes, but not in this way.
Q-Well, how do they manage?
A.--If I come from Chu-chau and I am not a member of the Triad Society, I am not allowed to be admitted. I can't live in Hongkong. If they once get into the Triad Society and are found out by the Police, they are arrested. If they can't get into the Society in Hongkong, they can't live here peacefully. The members will strike them, so they choose not to come.
Mr. Badeley. How is it that people who are members of the Triad Society dare to come here if the Police are so formidable ?
A.-Formerly not many were deported, so they dared to come.
Mr. Wilcox-Very few have been banished lately, so they are not afraid to come ?
A.-No.
Mr. Badeley. That is not what he says. He means something about a raid having been made upon Triad people lately.
Mr. Wilcox. He says that if a man doesn't belong to the Triad Society he can't get employment as a coolie. Are there not plenty of coolies who would come to Hongkong if they could come and take up employment here?
A. That is right. If they could come, they would.
Q.-There are a great number of coolies who would come from the country to get employment here, but they are afraid to come on account of the Triad Society?
A.—Yes.
Q.-Is there any other combination or society?
A.-No other combination.
Q. Do not the lodging-house keepers and these kuns also prevent them from coming?
A.- No.
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Mr. Badeley. Why should the Triad Society want to keep other coolies out of the Colony? What do they gain by that move?
A. Because they look upon them as not being members of the guild.
Q. What is the object of the Triad Society? Never mind their nominal or political objects. What are their real objects in Hongkong?
A.-In China, they wish to raise a rebellion.
Q.-Yes, I know that, but what do they want to do here?
A.—I don't know their object to get more members, I suppose.
Q.--And what are they going to do? Supposing every coolie in Hongkong was a member of the Triad Society what would they do then? What are their objects in
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