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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
A new sphere of work was introduced when the Adoption Ordinance was passed in 1956. During 1958 ninety one adoption applications were filed.
In the Probate Department a continued increase in work is reflected in the following figures of grants made: 386 in 1955, 452 in 1956, 478 in 1957 and 579 in 1958.
POLICE
The problems of the Police Force are those usually associated with a major sea port and city. They are multiplied, however, by the continuing rapid development of the whole area and increasing density of population. Victoria and Kowloon together now con- stitute the fourth largest city in the Commonwealth after London, Bombay and Calcutta. Expanding population, new industrial areas, and extensive rebuilding, including the rapid growth of densely populated resettlement areas, have all called for con- tinuous vigilance, re-deployment of duties, and reassessment of ideas and methods.
Despite the swiftly moving changes that occur and which neces- sitate constantly revised methods to deal with specific problems, in Hong Kong, as elsewhere, the beat Constable is a familiar part of the daily scene. A great part of his training is devoted to stressing the necessity for co-operation with the public, and this, together with the growth of civic mindedness, has resulted in the Force obtaining increased help from the public in combatting crime and maintaining law and order.
Other methods of police watch and ward, such as radio car patrols, support the man on the beat and are readily available to assist members of the public. In each of the three Districts of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories and Marine, there are Emergency Units which provide a tactical reserve ready at all times for special operations or to deal speedily with any localized disorder or disaster. The measures were further streng- thened this year by the formation of the Police Training Contingent with the dual object of training personnel of all ranks for internal security duties, and at the same time providing reserve units readily available at short notice.