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LICENCES.
19. The following licences were issued during 1900:-
675 Hongkong Jinrickshas 140 Kowloon
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25 Quarry Bay 1,263 Private Vehicles.
565 Hongkong Chairs.
31 Hill District Chairs.
7 Gharis.
9,984 Drivers and Bearers.
Dogs Ordinance.
1,929 dogs were licensed.
15 watch dogs were licensed. 96 dogs were destroyed. 57 dogs were ransomed.
Arms Ordinance.
17 arms licences were issued.
4 sporting arms licences were issued.
POLICE FORCE.
20. Table E shows the strength, enlistments and casualties in the Force during 1900.
Forty-nine (49) European recruits were engaged during the year. Forty were volunteers from the Royal Marines, one was recruited in England with no previous Police service, and eight were enlisted locally. Of these eight, three resigned on completing their three months' probation, one was not allowed to enlist after completing his probation, one was unable to pass the medical examination on completing his probation and was struck off the Force, and oue was dismissed. The Marines, with a few exceptions, have given satisfaction.
CONDUCT.
21. The number of reports against Europeans was 126, as against 75 in 1899; of these, 23 were for drunkenness, as against 19 in the previous year; 4 for asleep on duty, as against 2; 10 for disor- derly conduct and fighting, and 7 for sitting down on duty, as against 2 and 2 respectively, and 8 for neglect of duty as against 11 last year.
Three European Constables were brought before the Police Magistrate for assault, and two for allowing prisoners to escape, and discharged with a caution. One was charged with misconduct and fined $10. The conduct of the Contingent was on the whole good.
There were 635 reports against men of the Indian Contingent, as compared with 320 for last year. For drunkenness there were 41, against 1 in 1899; 49 for disorderly conduct, against 9; 78 for neglect of duty, against 32; 73 for absence from duty, against 68; 147 for gossiping aud idling on duty, against 55, and 39 for asleep on duty, against 25 in the previous year.
Seven Indian Constables were convicted before the Police Magistrate : 6 for assault and one for using abusive language to his superior officer. The conduct of the Contingent was far from satis- factory.
The Chinese Contingent is responsible for 930 reports, against 634 in 1899.
There were no reports for drunkenness; asleep on duty increased from 50 to 100; disorderly conduct decreased from 22 to 18, and absence from station, duty and parades has increased from 260 to 356.
Four Chinese Constables were convicted before the Magistrate one for allowing a prisoner to escape, one for violating his duty and bringing an improper charge, and two for assault. duct of the Contingent was on the whole satisfactory.
REWARDS.
The con-
22. During the year, 2 European Lance Sergeants, 1 Chinese Sergeant and 6 Chinese Con- stables were granted rewards for energy and zeal in inaking arrests of pirates, robbers and barglars.
1 European Constable and 1 Indian Constable were rewarded for rescuing 2 men from drowning. 2 Chinese Constables were rewarded in connection with the raiding of 2 lottery establishments. 3 District Watchmen were rewarded for arresting burglars.
PLAGUE SERVICES.
23. Six (6) Europeans and 6 Chinese were engaged on house-to-house visitation in connection with the Plague from 19th April to 12th May, and 10 Europeans and 6 Chinese from 12th May to 31st July.
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