Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 292

Appendix No. 1.

Complaints.

Presents.

185 (32)

In addition, the senior clerk and one subordinate clerk in the Sanitary Department have left the Colony without leave, and have consequently been dismissed, while three clerks have resigned and left the Colony, as have also one foreman and a foreman interpreter, and another has been dismissed.

Two interpreters have absconded and three interpreters and two foremen have bren dimissed for being absent from duty.

One watchmau has been convicted of bribery, and sentenced to two years imprisonment, a total of 22 members of the staff, while the case of another In- spector is still under the consideration of the Government.

Several of the above were unquestionably implicated in cases of bribery, others are under suspicion, and the rest no doubt had similar reasons for removing them- selves from the Jurisdiction of the Hongkong Courts.

292. As already stated, further cases of bribery or blackmailing have been brought before us, which time alone does not permit of our investigating, but we might mention that in the course of our investigations, it transpired that the senior Chinese sergeant of the Water Police had been in the habit of demanding blackmail from the scavenging contractor. This man has since absconded.

Attached to this Report will be found a list of those officials of the Sanitary Department who have been referred to in the cvidence taken by the Commission.

293. It must of necessity be the case that a considerable number of coin- plaints, well founded or otherwise, be received by the Sanitary Department in the course of a year, and it appears to us very desirable that a special record of these be kept in the Secretary's office. These complaints should be carefully investigated by the senior officer of the sub-department to which the complaint refers, and the decision of that official, together with all evidence collected on the subject, should be filed, and laid before the Board.

294. We find that in the past a number of complaints have been made, of which no record can be produced, while the general system of making enquiries has been so defective that a very real grievance exists against the Department, and so far, at all events as the Chinese are concerned, frequently the complaints have been dismissed without proper investigation by the higher officials of the Department.

295. In consequence, the feeling has gradually been produced in the com- munity generally, that it was idle to complain, and a serious check has thus been placed upon the harmonious working of Ordinances, without which the proper carrying out of the provisions of the law is well-nigh impossible.

What is really required, is some simple form of appeal.

296. The regulations govern ing the question of presents given to Officials are of course thoroughly well known, but we feel it incumbent upon us, despite this fact, to make especial reference to the subject as the regulations appear to be very generally ignored.

297. Setting aside all quest on of bribery, which comes under another, and entirely different, category, there are however forms of presents which though apparently harmless are neverthel ss not only contrary to Government regulations, but must tend to weaken that position of strict integrity which should be main- tained by an official.

298. It appears that certain of the officials do accept presents of game, fruit, or even regular allowances of meat, at other times than at Christmas, and though we do not suggest that in all cases there is any illicit gain thus made by the giver at the public expense, still the custom is most reprehensible and is rightly forbid- den by the rules of the Service.