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There were five more cases of drunkenness (19 against 14 last year) but the average was increased by three men who were reported for this offence more than once, and who have been dismissed.
The number of cases of asleep on duty was the same as last year, viz., 6. On the other hand the cases of Disorderly Conduct, Neglect of Duty, and Absence from Duty were 9, 5 and 14 respectively a's compared with 19, 14 and 24 during 1892.
The conduct of the Indian and Chinese contingents, which averaged the same strength as they did last year, was good. The number of reports against men was in the case of the former 278 as against 316 in 1892 or a decrease of 12 per cent., and in the case of the latter 363 as against 444 or a decrease of 18 per cent.
In the case of the Indians and Chinese a substantial diminution in the very serious offence of being asleep on duty was effected by the division of the eight hours night "duty" which has obtained for Asiatic Constables for many years into two "duties" of four hours each.
The new system was introduced on the 1st of July last, and the effect was to reduce the number of reports for being asleep on duty from 29 in April, May, and June, to 17 in July, August and September and to 8 for the last three months of the year.
The number of reports for this offence was 25 for the last half year of 1893 as against 43 for the corresponding period of the previous year.
The change was at first very much disliked by the men especially by the Indians. But after three months' experience of it the large majority of the Indians and the whole of the Chinese informed their superior officers that they preferred it to the old system.
Two Indians and four Chinese were convicted by the Magistrate of Criminal offences, both of the former for preferring false charges (one being fined $50 and the other $5), two Chinese for assault, one for extortion, and one for being found in a gambling house.
The most troublesome portion of the Force has been the Chinese section of the Water Police. I have submitted a scheme for the policing of the harbour by means of steam pinnaces instead of by the rowing boats at present in use. The scheme, if adopted, would render possible a considerable annual economy, increased efficiency, and a re-constitution of this Branch of the Force which in my opinion is very desirable.
11. The equipment of the Force has been improved by reducing the weight of the truncheon and abolishing the cumbrous and heavy truncheon case. The truncheon is now carried in a pocket, and the weight to be carried is 2 tbs, less than formerly. In hot weather the difference is very appreciable.
12. Drills have been carried on with regularity, and have been extended to the outstations. With Europeans and Indians a satisfactory state of efficiency is easily attained, but with the Chinese- principally by reason of their noiseless shoes-the Drill Instructor has had considerable difficulty. By his energy and painstaking, however, much improvement has been recently accomplished.
13. Only one recruit-a Sergeant Major and storekeeper-was obtained from England during the year. There were ten enlistments of Europeans in the Colony, including four eligible men who had come here from the Australian Colonies in search of employment.
A reversion was made to the system of recruiting Indians in India instead of locally. The batch only arrived a few days ago, and I have therefore had no opportunity of judging of the success of the experiment.
Much difficulty exists in obtaining eligible Chinese recruits. An endeavour was made to draft men from the body of the District Watchmen supported by the Chinese Community, but without success.
I may here mention that the Captain Superintendent of Police has, on the suggestion of the District Watchmen Committee, been made a member of that Committee.
14. I append a report drawn up at my request by Mr. W. M. B. ARTHUR, Master in charge of the Police School, which is I think satisfactory. Mr. ARTHUR has noticed the institution of allowances for knowledge of English by Indians and Chinese. The examination scheme has been completed by providing for allowances for knowledge of Hindustani by European Officers.
I regard the School as a means by which the efficiency of the Force, and its economical administration, (for an English speaking Indian can be put to duty on which it is now only possible to employ a European), may be considerably assisted.
I have accordingly prepared a new First Reading Book, which will, I trust, while aiding Indians and Chinese Constables to learn English also assist them in acquiring a knowledge of their elementary duties.
With a similar object in view an Instruction Book for Chinese Constables has been prepared containing in English and Chinese on opposite pages the Departmental rules and regulations which they are required to know, and such instruction in the provisions of the local Ordinances as have been considered most useful for them.