and then flogged in gaol as a matter of gaol discipline. This system was continued until 25th May, 1870. It has been alleged that this rigorous system of branding, deporting and flogging was applied also to hundreds of prisoners convicted merely of being suspicious characters, rogues and vagabonds, and that the Colony was thus delivered of the very class of men whose habitual occupation, as professional touts, trainers, aidors and abettors of criminals, formed the hotbed of prospective crime.
This severely deterrent treatment of Chinese criminals met with the unqualified approval of the community. The Chinese and European residents as well as the unofficial Members of Council (September 11, 1871) gave at sundry times expression to their conviction of the absolute necessity of such measures in order to make Hongkong and its humane gaol less attractive and comfortable for the gaol birds of Canton. That experienced police officer and magistrate, Ch. May, gave it as his opinion that 'corporal punishment is absolutely requisite for the wellbeing of the Colony.'
That these measures, initiated by Sir Richard, served to diminish crime for the time, seems incontrovertible. An immediate decrease in kidnapping offences was specially noticeable, as 68 such cases occurred in 1867, 53 cases in 1868 and only 7 cases in 1869. Comparing the six months ending on December 31st, 1865, with the six months ending December 31st, 1869, it is seen that serious offences decreased by 51 per cent. and minor offences by 45 per cent. during these four years. In comparison with the year 1868, the criminal statistics of 1869 show a decrease of 22.6 per cent. in serious and of 18.4 per cent. in minor offences, or a decrease altogether of 1,104 cases, the total having been 5,705 cases in 1868, and 4,601 cases in 1869. The number of prisoners committed to gaol was steadily reduced, year by year, from 6,246 in 1865, to 3,059 in 1869. The Chief Justice (J. Smale) who did not approve of the Governor's illegal measures, made, on 19th March, 1870, the following remarks in addressing a jury. 'Some years since, the calendar was on an average very large. Life and property were insecure.
