No. 2
1904
HONGKONG,
INCREASE TO THE POLICE FORCE.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
(No. 511.)
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 6th November, 1903.
SIR, I recently referred the question of increasing the Police Force to the Colonial Secretary and Acting Captain Superintendent of Police for report, and I have now the honour to inform you that this question has been carefully considered by the Colonial Secretary and Captain LYONS, who had, under date of the 29th September, asked that 50 Chinese Police might be temporarily engaged and paid for out of lapsing salaries in the Department in order to tide over the season immedi- ately preceding the Chinese New Year, when there is usually an accession of crime.
2. It is found that, owing to the extension of the area of the City by the Praya Reclamation which is now largely built over, the extensive building that has taken place on the new roads on the upper levels (Macdonnell and Conduit Roads) and ex- tensions of the City eastwards, the addition of 21 night beats and 17 day beats in the City of Victoria is required. To keep these beats covered 55 men are required, while 14 additional men are wanted to cover new beats and patrols in the Kowloon Peninsula rendered necessary by the large additions of buildings that have been made there recently.
Owing to the increase in the Chinese population, which it is estimated is greater by 33,000 persons than it was in 1901 when the last census was taken, and to the increased number of steamers running between Hongkong, Canton and Macao, all of which have to be watched by the Police, an increase of 6 men is required for the Chinese Detective Staff. This makes a total of 75 men.
3. The Police in the New Territory have, however, during last year and this year, been reduced by 21 men, and these men are already utilised to cover some of the new ground. Consequently after making due allowance for men sick and on leave it is calculated that an addition of 60 Constables will amply suffice for all present requirements. From this number, 10 already provided for in 1904 Estimates (2 of the 12 men actually provided are required for Capsuimun Station) can be de- ducted, leaving 50 as the number to be provided.
4. The Acting Captain Superintendent of Police recommends, and I concur with him, that the 50 men should be Chinese Constables of the 2nd class, and I attach a statement* which shows that the cost of this addition to the Force and of appoint- ing 6 more Chinese Detectives will be $10,360 for next year.
5. The Colonial Secretary also made certain recommendations for improving the conditions of service of the Chinese Land and Water Police. I approve of all of these recommendations and I have included them in the statement attached.* If they receive your sanction the total additional expenditure involved will be $4,215, in- cluding certain increases to the Chinese Barrack and Station Sergeants in the Water Police, which have been recommended by Captain Lyons.
6. In order to house these additional Police, I recommend that another storey be added to the Central Police Station.
This will give accommodation for 54 additional Asiatic Police besides provid- ing, by a re-arrangement of rooms, increased store and office accommodation, both of which are much needed owing to the large increase in numbers of the Force since the acquisition of the New Territory, and the addition of an Assistant Superintend- ent of Police for Victoria, who has at present no office.
* Included in Financial Minute No. 4 of 1904,