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During the year 1904 the Force has been increased by 13 men consequent on an understanding come to with the Government by which a piece of land in the Eastern part of the town was given as a site for a District Watclimen's House on condition that the number of the Force was increased. The site is in Nullah Lane not far from the Wanchai Market, and a contract has been entered into for the erec- tion of quarters at a cost of $4,500.
The condition of the Force during the year was not quite satisfactory. It was found impossible to attract or retain good men, and it was decided to raise the rate of pay to the present figure which is approximately that of the Chinese Police. The increase in the pay dated from the 1st of August.
The large increase in the contributions, which were $23,241, as compared with $12,648 in 1901, has rendered feasible the increase in the number of the Force and in the rate of pay. The large balance in band has also permitted the construction of quarters in both the East and West end of the town, and will allow of a needful extension being made to the Central District Watchmen's House in Tai-ping-shan.
Two and a half houses were purchased in Third Street, West Point, during the year. By an agreement with the owner of the adjacent property the house of which one half was bought, was pulled down and the space is to be left unbuilt upon. It was proposed to adapt the remaining two houses for District Watchmen's quarters, but on examination it was found that the party-walls were not strong, and that the work of adapting the premises would prove costly. It was decided therefore to pull down the old buildings and re-erect a more suitable one. The contract for the new building is for $5,300. It will accommodate 31 men.
The contributions to the Fund for the year were $23,241, as against $22,495 in 1903, being an increase of $745. The expenditure was $22,347. The principal items of expenditure exclusive of wages were $4,078 for the purchase of Inland Lot 680, section 1 sub-section 1 and one-half sub-section 2, at West Point for a District Watchmen's House, $1,199 for uniform and equipment, and $632 for repairs to the Central Watchmen's House and for painting and colour-washing. The balance to the credit of the Fund on the 31st December was $15,938. Against that must be put a liability of $9,800 in connection with the erection of the two Watchmen's Quarters.
Three hundred and thirty-five (335) Convictions were obtained before the Police Magistrate during the year throngh the instrumentality of District Watch- men, and the Committee is indebted to the "Tsun Wan Yat Po" and " Wai San Yat Po" newspapers for publishing regularly a list of convictions. One hundred and eighteen applications for the post of District Watchmen were received during the year.
The District Watchmen Committee met eleven times during the year and a. variety of subjects of interest to the Chinese Community were discussed at the meetings.
20.
CHINESE RECREATION GROUND.
Table.
VIII-Statement of the Receipts and Expenditure relative to the Chinese Recreation Ground for the year 1904.
The balance in hand at the close of the year was $5,276.61.
21.
CHARITABLE FUNDS.
Tables.
IX.-Statement of Account of Market Charitable Fund.
X.-Statement of Account of Passage Money Fund.
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