PIRACY.
103
8.-(1.) At 10 p.m., on the 22nd June, while a fishing junk belonging to TUNG PING FU was at anchor off Sam Chau Island, five men armed boarded her, put the crew ashore, weighed anchor and. sailed away with her. The junk was afterwards found at Macao. Four men were arrested at Macao and extradited to Hongkong. Two were convicted and sentenced to 10 years' hard labour and two were discharged.
(2.) At 6 p.m., on the 29th October, while the steam launch Ut Fat was at anchor at Tai 0, nine men armed boarded her from small boats, weighed anchor, and steamed up the Canton River, robbing a coal junk on the way of several tons of coal. They proceeded up the East River, their probable intention being to use the launch to rob junks and passage boats. Their plans were thwarted, however, by the launch accidentally running aground near Tung Kun. They thereupon left her, and the crew regained possession and brought her back to Hongkong. Only a few articles of small value were stolen. This launch carried passengers regularly between Hongkong and Tai O. No trace of the robbers was found.
Owing to the number of robberies which occurred on launches in 1900 by armed robbers disguised as passengers, special legislation was introduced compelling launch owners to provide adequate protection to the crews and passgengers against surprises, and to prevent armed robbers obtaining access to launches under the guise of ordinary passengers. It is satisfactory to record that these measures have proved effectual, no case of this nature occurring during 1901. (In the case of the Ut Fat mentioned above the passengers had all gone ashore and the watchmen bad laid aside their arms and were off duty. The lives and property of passengers, which the special measures were framed to protect, were not therefore involved.)
GAMBLING.
9. There was a great deal of gambling during the year, though less than in the previous year. The European Police officers charged with its suppression, all discharged their duties in this connec- tion with great zeal and ability. Police made successful raids, under warrants, on 81 gambling houses (of which 18 were broken in July alone), as against 85 in 1900. I have recently induced the Police Magistrates to largely increase the fines which it had become customary to impose on persons con- victed of keeping gambling houses. It is too early yet to form an opinion as to whether the fines now imposed are heavy enough to act as a deterrent.
PROPERTY REPORTED STOLEN AND PROPERTY RECOVERED.
10. The value of the property reported stolen during the year was $91,042.90,
The value of the property recovered by the Police and restored to owners was $6,152.17.
LOST PROPERTY.
11. The following is a return showing property lost or recovered during the year 1901 :—
Articles reported lost.
Value lost.
Articles recovered and Articles found which were not reported lost.
Value found.
189
$6,999.84
171
OPIUM WARRANTS.
$1,588.73
12. One thousand three hundred and twenty-nine (1,329) search warrants for prepared opium were executed by the Police and Excise Officers of the Opium Farmer. In 471 cases opium was found and 579 persons were arrested.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
13. The Examiner of Weights and Measures made the following verifications :—
Examined.
Correct.
Incorrect.
Chinese balances,
European scales, Measures,
.2,436
2,384
52
410
346
64
677
677
The following prosecutions were instituted:
Possession of unjust Weights and Measures, 28
Dangerous goods,..
Frosecutions. Convictions. Discharged. Fines.
27
1 $855.00
DANGEROUS Goods.
Prosecutions.
33
Convictions.
33
Fines. $176.00