Page
June 16, 1900.]
THE BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT. The advisability of amending the Ordinance dealing with bribery, that is the Magistrates' Ordinance, in order that trumpery cases of bri- bery might be dealt with by the Magistrate summarily instead of their having to be sent for trial, has been recognised for some time, and
at last action has been taken, a Bill entitled an Ordinance to further amend the Magistrates Ordinance, 1890 (No. 10 of 1890) being read a first time at the meeting of the Legislative Council on Monday. The objects and reasons of the Bill are stated as follows:-
"There appears to be no valid reason why in cases of comparatively trifling offences commit- ted within the Admiralty Jurisdiction, as for instance on board a British ship on the high seas, the offender should not be dealt with sum- marily by the Magistrate in the same way as if the offence had been committed after the ship had entered the harbour. There can be no doubt that the necessity, at present existing, of sending all such cases to the Sessions of the Supreme Court, either works great hardship on innocent witnesses who are bound over to appear, or causes a failure of justice by the refusal of persons to prosecute. Hongkong is a port fre- quented by vessels, many of which stay there but a short period before proceeding to other places, and it is often most inconvenient for witnesses to remain after the ship has left. Where the sentence of six months hard labour will adequately meet the case and the facts are clear and simple, there is no valid reason why the Magistrate should have to commit the ac- cused for trial just because the offence happened outside the harbour.
"By section 80 of the Magistrates Ordinance, 1890, as amended by Ordinance 12 of 1895, the Magistrate cannot inflict imprisonment for more than six months. If, therefore, the gravi- ty or difficulty of the case rendered committal for trial desirable, the Magistrate would commit just as he can now, even where the case is not excluded by the schedule from summary juris- diction. (See the third clause of section 80 of the Magistrates Ordinance.)
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
There
THE PROPOSED NEW HEADQUARTERS. On the 14th inst. a meeting of the mem bers of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps was held at Headquarters for the purpose of consi- dering whether the proposed new Headquarters of the Corps shall be erected on the present Headquarters' site or on a site near the Golf Club Pavilion in the Happy Valley. was a good attendance, and the chair was occu- pied by the Commandant, Lieut.-Col. Sir John Carrington, Kt., C.M.G. The large in- crease which has taken place in the Corps dur. ing the last 12 months has made it clear that more accommodationon is absolutely necessary. The matter has been under consideration for some time. The practicability of enlarging the present premises has been discussed, but though the great convenience of the present site is admitted on all hands it was soon recognised that the area was by no means large enough to allow of any extensive buildings being erected thereon. Accordingly an alternative scheme re- moving to Happy Valley-has been formulated and this was submitted to the meeting yesterday. This scheme a scheme, by the way, much fay- oured by the Government--includes the erection of a drill shed, an institute, a gymnasium, etc. There is a difference of opinion even among the officers as to the wisdom of going to Happy Valley, but we venture to think that a little con- sideration will show that there is really no alterna- tive but to do so, as the advantages would so great ly outweigh the disadvantages. At Happy Valley there would be ample room for the erection of suit- able buildings, and there would also be plenty of space for out-door drill. Another point which should not be lost sight of is the fact that Happy Valley would be within easy reach of the new rifle range at Causeway Bay, which in itself would be a great convenience. speech yesterday Sir John emphasised the fact In his that what the non-commissioned officers, and
was wanted was the view of the matter, and he was careful to refrain from any endeavour to bias them one way or another, laying down the advantages and disadvantages advanced with regard to both schemes with strict impartiality. He, however, advanced a strong point in favour of the Happy Valley scheme when he impressed upon his hearers the fact that they must not merely look at the sent but must provide for the future. The population of the colony is bound to in- crease, and with the increase population it is only to be expected that in the the numbers of the Corps will be increas- ed. The matter was well discussed, vari- ous opinions being expressed.
It was nounced that within the next week papers will an be sent round to the members of the Corps inviting them to fill in their views and forward them to Headquarters.
men
on
pre.
"As regards cases of ignorant Chinese offer- ing small bribes of a dollar or two to Sanitary Overseers, or Overseers in the Public Works Department, to induce them to refrain from performing their duties, the Magistrate could quite well deal with matters of this kind and dispose of them promptly and satisfactorily. During the last two sessions of the Supreme Court the time of the Chief Justice, the Attor- ney General, the Crown Solicitor and the jury, was occupied by no less than four such cases, the last being a charge of offering forty cents to an officer to release from custody an offender whom he was taking to the Police Station. As a matter of fact the Magistrate does, continu- ally, deal with much more serious offences than the offering of petty bribes, and therefore he could quite properly be entrusted to dispose of The Report of the Hongkong Volunteer matters.of that kind. This Ordinance is in Corps for the season 1899-1900 has been pub tended to make the amendments in the schedule lished. We make the following extracts; to Ordinance No. 10 of 1890, necessary to confer The total strength of the Corps is now 311 of the requisite jurisdiction upon the Magistrate."ll ranks as against 181 of all ranks (in 1898-
1899).
•
It has been remarked that the Legations at Peking will be hard put to it to accommodate their guards. Her Majesty's is by far the biggest, and two years ago it was a tight fit there when it had to make room for fifty, and yet on the 31st ult. aloue 75 British marines started for Peking to protect the building.
The land revenue of Federated Malaya in 1899 was $730,447. against $636,927 in 1898. The increase in Perak was over $39,000; in Selangor about $18,250; and in Pahang $20,438. The Little States forming the Negri Sembilan increased their actual land revenue from $103,368 to $123,793, being an increase of $20,425. Towards the actual increase, land revenue, exclusive of licenses, contributed $19,651, while both land and mining rents show a substantial increase. Every land office in these States shows an increase, the most re- markable being that of Jelebu, which exceeded its former year's revenue by 87 per cent.; or, if the revenue from licenses be eliminated from the return of both years, the increase is 126 per cent.
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
46
The Staff, Field Battery, "A" B" and Company,
C" Machine Gun Companies, "D" Infantry Band, now number 8, 93, 146, 31, 20, and 13 E" Engineer Company, and the respectively, as compared with Establishments of 7, 110, 123, 57, 30 and 24, respectively.
The new Regulations for the Corps make provision for a Staff, a Field Battery, three Machine Gun Companies, an Engineer Com- pany, and a Band. Each of the new Units, as sanctioned, has been raised.
413
in. Martini-Enfield Artillery carbines, Mark 11.83 Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifles, Mark 1, have been received for the use of the Infantry and Engineer Companies. Three hundred and six- teen sword bayonets, received to replace the old sword bayonets, of pattern 88, have been the 150 old Martini-Henry Carbines and sword bayonets 100 sets were given to the Hongkong Police and 50 have been kept by the Corps for
The six obsolete 7-pounder R.M.L. guns of 200 lbs. have been exchanged for six 2.5 R.M.I. guns, pending the acquisition of breech-loading guns of the newest pattern, suitable for use in the colony. It is earnestly hoped that this vital question of re-armament will soon be dealt with in a satisfactory manner.
Six 0.45 in. Maxim guns have been sent to England for conversion to guns of 303 in. cali- bre, and the remaining six 0.45 in. Maxim guns will be sent home for conversion immediately on return of the first mentioned six.
drill
The Martini-Henry Carbines in the posses- sion of the Corps have been replaced by 233 .303
purposes.
The discipline of the Corps has been exceed- ingly good throughout the season.
Under the head of Drills the figures are as follows:-
F.B. "A" M.G, Co. "B" "C" "D".Inftry. Co.
Have become effi-
cient with more than 30 drills Have become effi. cient with less than 30 drills
Are non-effi-
76
€8
83
37
18
16
2
cienta........ 10
20
2
3
Total........101
64
40
42
31
"E" Exo. Co. BAND.
12
Hare become efficient with more than 20 drills 14 Have become efficient with less than 30 drills Are non-efficients
Total
2
4
.20
13
has been very severely felt during the past sea- The want of a Rifle Range for the Corps
tion Course" with the new arms has been ob- son, with the result that virtually no "Regula- tained. The extreme urgency of the matter has General Officer Commanding. Plans have been been fully recognised by His Excellency the prepared and a site selected, and it is greatly to be hoped that the necessary funds will be voted to allow of the work being put in hand without delay. When the range for the Corps is com- pleted, it is hoped that the annual course as laid down in the Home Volunteer Regulations, 1899, will be completed by the whole Corps.
In conclusion, it will be seen from this re- past season has been exceptionally good. This port that the progress of the Corps during the progress has been brought about by the patriotic spirit and the self-denying efforts of the young men of the colony, including both those who those who joined it during the past season; by were already members of the Corps, and also the exertions of Officers whose services I have already mentioned; and by the generous recog. nition and help afforded by the Government and the Legislature. I trust that similar con-. ditions of progress will not be wanting in the future.
THE SUICIDE BY AN AMERICAN.
ENQUIRY.
At the Magistracy on the 9th inst. Mr. Gompertz held an enquiry into the circumstances American, who was found shot dead in Cham- attending the death of Arthur W. Upton, an borlain Road on the 14th May.
Major Whitty, R.A.M.C., said that on the 14th of May he went up to the Peak by the Road in a chair he saw the deceased lying on 1.30 p.m. tram. In going along Chamberlain the roadway. He found that he was dead, and Sikh policeman on duty outside the Tram he went back and reported the matter to the Station. He did not make any examination of the body except to feel the pulse and see that the man was dead. He had never seen the de- ceased before. When he returned with the duced lying underneath the man's right thigh. Sikh policeman they found the revolver pro- There was a wound on the right forehead.
Dr. Thomson, who examined the body on the 15th May, said he found a gunshot wound on right though the head-through the upper part the right side of the head: The ball had passed
of the brain.
Hotel, said that on the 15th May he attended Mr. Haynes, manager of the Hongkong at the Mortuary to identify the body of the de- ceased. He identified it as, that of Arthur Hotel since the 6th May. William Upton, who had been staying at the man was about 38. The man registered as" A. He should say the
found in his room on the 15th May together W. Upton, Manila." The letter produced was with the deceased's hotel bill, which had been presented the day but one before. On the en- velope containing the letter were written in lead pencil, Please forward." simply said:"My Dear Lydia, Good Bye. The letter
As Ever, Arthur." While in the hotel
$4
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