Rickshaw

The rickshaw puller's hat has the words "FIRST CLASS" painted on it, and the same words are shown above the licence number on the side of the rickshaw.

I haven't heard about different classes of rickshaw in Hong Kong before. Can anyone shed any light on when it was in operation, and what were the differences between first- and second-class rickshaws?

Some information here

Thanks Moddsey, that's just what I was looking for. Here's the text:

No. 674.

Regulation made by the Governor-in-Council, under Section 3 of the Licensing Ordinance, 1887, (Ordinance No. 8 of 1887), this 10th day of October, 1907.

Regulation No. 2 of the regulations made by the Governor-in-Council on the 24th day of July, 1899, and published in Government Notification No. 435 of 1899, is hereby amended by the substitution of the words “No licences shall be issued for more than 1,000 jinrickshas within the City of Victoria” for the words “no licences shall be issued for more than 600 jinrickshas within the island of Hongkong."

Regulation No. 3 is amended by the addition at the end thereof of the following words : - -

“Jinrickshas shall be divided into two classes. Those in the first class shall have white washable covers and rubber tyres, and shall be of such pattern, size and weight as may he approved by the Captain Superintendent of Police.”

The Table of Fares in the schedule to the regulations is amended by the substitution for the Table “Jinrickshas I ” of the following Table :—

Jinrickshas.

1. In Victoria and beyond Victoria, if engaged in Victoria :—

                      First Class. Second Class.
Ten Minutes,             5 cents.      5 cents.
Quarter Hour,           10 ,,          5 ,,
Half Hour,              15 ,,         10 ,,
Hour,                   20 ,,         15 ,,
Every Subsequent Hour,  20 ,,         10 „

The regulation made by the Governor-in-Council on the 19th day of October, 1906, and published in Government Notification No. 889 of 1906, is cancelled.

A. G. M. Fletcher,
Clerk of Councils.

Council Chamber,
10th October, 1907.