§ MR. BOWRINGasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received a Petition from the Chinese Community and others in Hong Kong against the gambling house system at present legalized in that colony and now producing a revenue of 15,800 dollars per month (or nearly £40,000 a year); and, whether he has any objection to lay upon the Table the existing Ordinance 460 on the subject, and any Correspondence relating thereto?
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENsaid, in reply, that no such Petition had been received; but the Colonial Office had been informed that a memorial of the character alluded to by the hon. Member from the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce was upon its way, and would probably be received in a few days. The existing Ordinance was that of 1867, and was laid upon the Table of the House some two years ago. Sir Richard M'Donnell was at present absent from the Colony on leave; but he would be instructed upon his return to consider the whole subject, with a view to putting an end to the licensed gambling-house system as soon as practicable. It would be inconvenient to present an incomplete Correspondence upon the subject.