134
16.
ARMS ORDINANCE.
During the whole of the year a Proclamation has been in force prohibiting the export of arms and munitions of war from the Colony.
Several important seizures of arms and ammunition about to be illicitly exported were made by the Police, including 444 rifles, 203 revolvers, 57,000 rounds of ammunition and 41 kegs of powder.
17.
OPIUM ORDINANCES.
1,831 search warrants for prepared opium were executed by the Police and Excise Officers of the Opium Farmer. In 600 cases opium was found.
Only one seizure of raw opium illegally moved was made. The quantity was 5 chests.
18.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
During the year the Examiner of Weights and Measures (an Inspector of Police) made the following verifications :--
Chinese balances..... .....2,900 correct, 115 incorrect.
475
Fairbank scales......................
Chinese Foot Measures 442
Yard Measures.....
152
120 100 ""
10
11
1
In respect of the balances and measures found incorrect 140 prosecutions were instituted, and a conviction obtained in each case.
The Chinese balances being simpler than Fairbank scales are not so often out of order.
There were 33 prosecutions, and an equal number of convictions, for obstructing the Examiner.
19.
FOOD AND DRUGS ORDINANCE,
Thirty-nine samples of intoxicating liquor were obtained from public-houses and licensed grocers and submitted to analysis. On the report of the Government Analyst 14 prosecutions were instituted and convictions obtained in 9 cases, in eight of which grocers were the defendants.
The liquor found to be adulterated was cheap brandy and whisky adulterated with water.
20.
MENDICANTS.
In addition to 5 beggars dealt with by the Police Magistrate, 205 were summarily deported to Canton as follows:-
21.
Once, Twice,
Thrice....
Four times,
How OFTEN SENT AWAY.
Five times,
CANTON.
178
18
4
4
TOTAL,......
205
POLICE FORCE.
Table E shows the strength, enlistments and casualties in the Police Force during 1898.
Twenty-six European recruits were engaged during the year. Five came from the Aberdeen City Police, three from the Glasgow City Police, six from the London Metropolitan Police, eight from Ireland having had no previous Police service, seven of them being approved candidates on the roster for the Royal Irish Constabulary who were enlisted by permission of the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary, while three were obtained locally from the Royal Navy and one from the "Empress of India" for the Water Police.
The large number of resignations of Chinese is a noticeable feature in the return, pointing to the fact that inducements to men to continue their service in the Chinese Contingent is wanting.
I have already reported that in my opinion the pay of the Chinese Force as a whole is inadequate.
22.
CONDUCT.
The number of reports against Europeans was 41 as against 46 in 1897; of these 8 were for drunkenness as against 13 in the previous year; 7 for asleep on duty as against 4; 4 for disorderly conduct and fighting, and 2 for sitting down on duty as against 2 and 1 respectively; and 2 for neglect of duty as against 3 last year.
The conduct of the Contingent as a whole has been very good.