December 25, 1895.]
His Lordship said he had a doubt whether a settlement made upon Tang Chang Shi was really for the benefit of the infant, Tang Yung Man, whom she represented.
Mr. Pollock said he had no evidence on that point, but all the parties were willing to con- sent to the settlement being made on the boy himself. It would be better if this particular claim were settled so that there should be no question about it hereafter.
His Lordship pointed out that the settlement provided for the payment of $6,500 and $75 a month to Tang Chang Shi; this was the infaut's share.
Mr. Pollock said he did not mind whether the money was paid to the woman or to the boy.
His Lordship pointed out that he could not sanction the agreement until the infant's in- terest was settled. There must be a declaration of trust, as Tang Chang Shi had no right in the estate at all, and he could see no reason for allowing her that sum; it might be depriv. ing the boy of his means.
Mr. Philippo, in answer to his Lordship, said the money was really for the boy's maintenance and education and not for herself. The parties had agreed to this course being adopted, and that being so he asked his Lordship to sane- tion it.
His Lordship-My difficulty is that it is the infant's concern. You have got to show me that it is for the benefit of the infant that this money is going to his mother, who has no in- terest in the estate. I think the $6,500 ought to be invested on behalf of the son, and I shall sanction the arrangement subject to that being done. The woman can be a trustee for the boy if she likes, but the money must be tied for the benefit of the boy.
In answer to his Lordship Mr. Philippo said the boy was 8 or 9 years of age when the case first came on and he was 14 or 15 now.
His Lordship-I shall sanction the settle. ment subject to the money being put in trust for the boy, and I shall take independent counsel's opinion on that point. I have no doubt the payment of the money to his mother was intended for his benefit, but possibly I may be wrong, and therefore I shall take counsel's opinion. The case has been a very wearisome one, and I have no doubt that the settlement was arrived at after very careful consideration.
The settlement was therefore sanctioned subject to the boy's share being put in trust for him.
THE LIGHT AND PASS ORDINANCE,
MEETING AT THE TUNG WAM HOSPITAL. On Sunday, at noon, a meeting of the Chinese community was held at the Tung Wah Hospital with the object of expressing their views on the light and pass regulations. Mr. Ho Amei was voted to the chair, and amongst those pre- sent were Messrs. Li Sing, Ho Tung, Chan Tseung Fat, Leung Pui Shi, Sin Tuk Fan, Fung Wa Chun, Ng Fai San, Lo Chi Tin, Tong Wan Chin, Ilo Fuk, Chan Chun Tsun, and Liu Chai Shan, Inspectors Stanton and Quincey were also present. The proceedings were of course conducted in Clinese, and we are indebted to Mr. Sin Tak Fan for the fol- lowing report, which he interpreted to our repre- sentative. There was a very large attendance, and the speeches were attentively listened to.
The CHAIRMAN said-We invite you here to speak about the Light and Pass Ordinance. That Ordinance was passed for the protection of the public when we had fewer policemen in Hongkong than we have now and when the streets were not so well lighted. Then we of course had numerous cases of robbery, but we had fewer European policemen, and the Ordi- nance was passed to put a check on evil doers. People applied to the Registrar-General's office
for
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Nam
us.
485
Some Chinese have said, "We should have E Light and Pass Ordinance."
Simply because they are not affected they stand I say those who support the Ordinance are not Chinese. persons are not Chinese. (Applause). Those
by and laugh; they ought to be condemned. ment, does not respect us, but some of the (Applause). We do not say that the Govern- Chinese do not respect themselves. (Applause). affected, but some of them forget that those Those who are armed with passes are not who are affected are Chinese. We object to being stopped in the streets by Sikh policemen. If the Ordinance was enforced without excep- tion in favour of anybody, and if everybody when called upon had to show a pass, then we should have no complaint. Where is there any is in force ? other place in which an Ordinance of this kind
addressing you in the heat of passion; I am extremity that we must complain. I am not We are now put to such an
as I animated only by a public spirit. So far am concerned I am not affected in the least, but what about the 'ricksha coolies fire, for instance, no one will venture out. I wish the Government would sympathise with and other low class coolies? In case of
our position. They should have more regard to
forcement of the Ordinance. I ask you to sign consider the harm that has been caused by the en- the losses we have sustained, and they should
your names to this petition, stating whether you are in favour of the Ordinance or not. I require is genuine, because the police might condemn it your signatures in order to show that the petition and say it was brought forward by only a few press your views on the subject. My expres- members of the community. I ask you to ex- sions may have been too strong in some cases; my expressions, and I may be mistaken on some the police, for instance, might not like some of points; but I ask you to express your opinion keep them to yourselves. But this is a public on the subject. If you have any private views meeting, and I ask you to come forward and speak in the interest of the public.
Governor Hennessy came to the colouy he found and he gave instructions to the police not to en- that the Ordinance aimed only at the Chinese,
Is it reasonable to suppose that the Light. force it, but to allow it to be kept in abeyance
beries? and Pass Ordinance can put a stop to rob- London or other places? The enforcement of Would it put a stop to robberies in the Ordinance has had the effect of destroying of the public and not to cause a loss to them. small trade, but it was passed for the protection What protection has been afforded the public? I do not say that the pass would work any would issue hardship provided the Registrar-General right to one.
a pass to everyone who has a What is to be particularly the Chinese only, and it must be condemned on deplored is that the system is intended against principle. If the system were universal, if humbly submit, but as it is directed against the no one was excepted, then we would of course
To be forced to carry a lamp is highly objec- Chinese only we must resist it. (Applause).
lamps, but our servants carry them for tionable. In Canton we have to go abont with Moreover the streets in Canton are dark, and lamps are absolutely necessary, but in Hong- kong the streets are well lighted and lamps are not required. How can a because oue case of robbery with violence has robbery ? Cannot a thief carry a lamp? Is it lamp prevent
occurred in the course of a few years that the lamp law has been enforced? I think the police are who committed the robbery. (Applause). The more to blame, because they failed to arrest those police do not give us sufficient protection; that is why we have our own district watchmen, in Winglok Street for instance, and yet we have to pay for the police as well. We do not object obliged to carry a lamp, as it is useless. I will to the pass, but we strongly object to being now tell you how business has been destroyed. houses at night and of course as the business Considerably fewer people visit the eating decreuses so the supply of sharks' fins, etc., by the Pak Hongs decreases; in branch of trade. Does the Ordinance therefore fact there is a general deadlock in every
munity? mean protection or injury to the Chinese com. lished by the Hongkong Government then we If this Ordinance is not abo- must lay the matter before the Secretary of State for the Colonies-(applause) and we in the colony shall have a general effect and must ask that in future all Ordinances passed that they shall not aim at the Chinese alone. Some days ago Mr. Ho Tung presented a peti- tion to the Government praying that the Ordinance might be abolished. The petition was sigued by most of the Chinese residents in Hongkong, but as yet we have had no answer to it. I have heard it stated that it was suggested to movement was only an agitation on the part of the Government that the
petition was signed only at their request. But a few members of the community, and that the
simply at the request of Mr. Ho Tung; you say, gentlemen, you did not sign that petition signed it in the public streets knowing what the contents were; you were invited to come here to-day to discuss this question, because there Watchmen Committee in the Registrar-General's was a meeting of the members of the District office the other day, when a suggestion was made that more night passes should be granted, as se- been interfered with, and that the theatres were veral complaints had been made that business had also handicapped. meeting the Registrar-General asked Mr Ti Sing At the conclusion of that whether it was his intention to try to abolish the Light and Pass Ordinance. Hence this meeting that this is an agitation on the part of Mr. Ho was called. Gentlemen, you must not think Tung. He has taken part in the matter simply robbery the Ordinance was again put in force, in a public spirit. After the Winglok Street but it was allowed to drop eventually, and now the annoyance and trouble given by its being again enforced People arrested for infringing the Ordinance are something unbearable. are invariably fined there is no distinction Instances have been shown where people made between the respectable and dishonest. have been tied together by their quenes and marched up to the station. Was there any necessity for the police to do this? It is con- sidered a disgrace" by the Chinese community.
passes and robberies decreased. But, gentle men, this is class legislation (applause)--and on principle it ought not to be in any way en- couraged; there is not such a system as this in any other place in the world. Some years after the Ordinance was passed a few members of the Chinese community decided to petition for its abolition, but as they did not meet with una nimous support they let the matter drop. When
Some
marks made by Mr. Ho Amei and you can judge : Mr. Ho TUNG-You have just heard the re- for yourselves whether they are reasonable or otherwise. I may tell you that this meeting public one, and affects the whole of the Chinese was not one mooted by me. community. I thought Dr. Ho Kai would have The meeting is a
attended as the representative of the Chinese in the Legislative Council, as we wished him to surprised that he is absent. come here and express his views, and I am to the Light and Pass Ordinance there is With reference no doubt that to have to is very objectionable, and the law affects carry a light small traders and eating houses. When I drew up the petition presented to the Government a munity and not for any private reasons. few days ago I did so for the benefit of the com-
to every Ordinance that the Government might people may think that we must subject ourselves
thing is objectionable we can always oppose it. think fit to pass, but you know that if a The Chinese did not object at first, because there was no unanimity amongst them. In America the Chinese have tolerated the re- they are not going to stay there always and strictions placed upon them because they say therefore they do not trouble themselves about unity in America. Some people have said that the restrictions. This is an example of want of we like the Light and Pass Ordinance because business men rely upon the Ordinance to keep it keeps our shopmen at home. their fokis at home they are not worthy of the If the
name of masters (Applause). This is class all night without being subjected to any annoy- legislation. Malays may walk about the streets unce, but the highest and most respectable Chinese cannot enjoy the same privilege. If thing about it other Ordinances may be we tolerate this Ordinance and say no- passed aiming at the Chinese, and if we keep grievances. If this Ordinance had affected, the quiet the home Government will not know our European community it would have been stopped pockets are untouched. Some say the abolition the morning after it was passed, but their of the Ordinance would have the effect of in- creasing the number of robberies. That may is the duty of the Government to do all be perfectly true but we must consider it
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