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2. The perpetrators of the robbery accompanied by murder at Kau Lung Hang, Tai Po District, unfortunately escaped, as did those who took part in the robberies at Tsz Tin Wai, Ping Shan District. One of the robbers who took part in the Man Uk Pui robbery was captured and convicted. His conviction, together with the temporary increase in the Police Force, materially assisted in putting a stop to serious crime.
3. Among the minor offences there was a number of cases of "receiving property" chiefly cattle stolen in Chinese Territory. In all cases convictions were obtained and in most of them the cattle, seized was returned to its lawful owners. Two men captured in possession of stolen cattle were apparently robbers from over the border. One was afterwards extradited at the request of the Chinese Authorities.
4. Three cases of harbouring married women, brought before the Magistrate, resulted in convictions, which have considerably lessened this form of offence.
5. During the latter of the year recrudescence of tree cutting gave the Police a good deal of extra work. This was due to the fact that the people did not under- stand the rights which the new forestry licences, issued during the year, gave them. Now, however, though promiscuous tree cutting has not entirely stopped, it has been checked to a great extent.
6. The proposal to build a small Station on the frontier near Lo Fong with the object of protecting the Luk Yeuk District more effectively has now been realized. The Station is not completed, but should be ready in a very short time. Four Indian Police with an Indian Sergeant in charge encamped near the Station. As by far the largest number of robberies in the past have taken place in this Sub- district (owing to its isolation) the existence of the new Police Station should guarantee a large decrease in crime in this quarter.
7. On the whole, the past year may be considered a good one in the New Ter- ritory, not only from the point of view of the Police but generally speaking also. The increasing prosperity of the people is shown by the large increase in the num- ber of houses in nearly all the villages. Both crops of padi were good. The people appear contented and well pleased with the greater security they now enjoy. They also appear more ready to assist the Police in checking crime by giving information. A change too is noticeable in their attitude in connection with public works undertaken by the Government. Formerly it was impossible to get anything done locally. But recently when the Government proposed to pay small sums to the elders of certain villages if they would undertake road repairs, they at once entered into the scheme and the result has been extremely satisfactory. There are now two good roads joining on to the main Tai Po Road one to Sheung Shui and one to Shun Wan in Plover Cove. The system might well be extended as the old roads in the Territory are at present in very bad repair and greatly hamper the Police both in patrolling at night and in following up criminals. In conclusion I would add that the Yau Fu in charge of the troops on the Chinese border has given the Police valuable assistance throughout the past year in checking crime in the border districts of the New Territory.
E. D. C. WOLFE,
Assistant Superintendent, New Territory.
F. J. BADELEY, Esq.,
Captain Superintendent of Police.
8th February, 1905.