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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24TH JUNE, 1871.
POLICE FORCE.
10. The state of the Police Force calls for early and most serious consideration.
11. The present plan of enlisting men from all quarters of the world throws great obstacles in the way of efficiently employing the Force. So many prejudices of color, caste, and nationality have to be overcome, so great difficulties arise with reference to quarters and cooking arrangements, and so many petty internal jealousies are nurtured, that all spirit of mutual co-operation for the good of the Public is lost.
12. It is generally admitted that the peculiar situation and climate of the Colony cause great difficulties in the selection of a Police Force; but these difficulties are materially increased by the results shown in Table C. From this it appears that vacancies in the European and West Indian list occur at the rate of 50 per cent per annum, in the Sikh and Indian Force at the rate of 13 per cent per annum, and in the Chinese at the rate of 9 per cent.
13. Moreover, out of six Constables specially selected at Scotland Yard for their sobriety and steadiness no less than three were dismissed in less than three years. The time of service of the remaining three, now Inspectors and valuable officers, expires in April 1872; as does also that of 119 Sikhs and Indians in May 1872; of whom 70 will probably leave of their own accord. At the present time there are no European, West or East Indians in the Colony suitable and eligible as recruits.
14. With reference to the several Nationalities in the Force, Europeans appear to be unable to refrain from excessive drinking; the Wese Indians, with four or five exceptions, are found to be al nost worthless owing to their stupidity and other bad qualities. These men, however, having previously The Sikhs continue to lived in the Colony, without employment, are not fair specimens of their race. be most useful in cases of assault and arrests for drunkenness, but their want of knowledge of English continues a drawback. The same in a lesser degree applies to the Indians, but among both are men who have made great progress in English and Chinese.
15. I regret that on the division of Lokongs into classes during the past year, the pay of the Formerly fourth class was reduced to 87 per mensem. This has led to the enlistment of inferior men.
The result of
I had at least 10 or 12 applicants for each vacancy, now the outside number is two. this is that information is not obtained as readily as before, and I shall probably have to apply that several of the present Force be dismissed.
16. I enclose a Table (D) of Police Defaulters.
MISCELLANEOUS.
17. The establishment of telegraphic communication between the various Stations has proved
Wires are still wanted to No. 5 - very useful, and has enabled me to reduce the number of horses. (Fire Brigade) Station.
18. The difficulties usually attendant on the detection of crime are in this Colony materially increased by the absence of any information from the Gaol. The arrest of one member of a gang ought to be followed by its entire break up, but here no information is given. The establishment of a large Pawnbroker's shop just outside our territory at Kowloon affords a convenient place for the dis- posal of miscellaneous stolen property; whilst watches are readily purchased at the numerous small watchmakers in the Colony and are then sent out of Hongkong.
19. At the Central Station the want of proper cook-houses, latrines, lavatories and stables, com. plained of for so long a time, still continues.
20. I enclose a Table (E) comparing crime with that committed in 1868 and 1869. It should be borne in mind that tables A and E contain, as in previous years, all cases reported, as well as those in which arrests are made.
21. I also enclose the Deputy Superintendent's Report (F) on the Stables.
22. I am indebted to Mr. WILLCOCKS for the enclosed Report (G) on the Police Schools. 23. Table H shows the disposition of the Force on the 15th instant.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. M. DEANE, Captain Superintendent of Police.
The Honorable J. GARDINER Austin,
Colonial Secretary,
HONGKONG.