291
6. The number of convictions from the New Territories was 152 against 169 for the previous year.
7. The following Table shows the number of convicts confined in Victoria Gaol on the 31st December for the past ten years, and the percentage borne by this number to the esti- mated population :-
Year.
No. of Convicts.
Percentage to
Estimate Population.
Year.
No. of Convicts.
Percentage to Estimated Population.
1897,
51
.020
.1902,
215
·054
1898,
55
.021
1903,
245
·059
1899,
96
.027
1904,
243
·054
1900,
141
.040
1905,
216
*046
1901,
180
.016
1906,
156
037
8. The following Table shows the daily average number of prisoners undergoing imprisonment during the past ten years and the percentage borne by this number to the estimated population of the Colony of Hongkong:--
Year.
Daily Average umber
Estimated Population.
of Prisoners.
Percentage.
1897,
1898,
1899,
1900,
1901,
1902,
1903,
1904,
1905,
1906.
248,710
462
.185
254,400
511
.200
344,323
432
.125
347,689
486
.139
385,671
499
.129
296,835
576
.145
410,642
653
.159
446,217
726
.162
462,861
697
.150
414,049
518
.125
9. There were 627 punishments awarded for breaches of prison discipline being an average of 1.21 per prisoner, against 1,029 in the preceding year, and 2 prisoners were sentenced to be whipped with the birch by the Assistant Superintendent.
10. No escapes or attempt to escape occurred.
11. In the month of May a long sentenced prisoner employed in the Shoemakers' Shop fatally stabbed a fellow prisoner for which he was subsequently tried and hanged.
12. There were 18 deaths from natural causes, 1 murder, executions and 2 births. 11 prisoners were released on medical grounds.
13. Hard labour, 1st class, was enforced by means of Crank, Shot, and Stone-carrying.
14. Satisfactory progress has been made in the various industries in the prison during the year.
15. There were 3,497,620 forms printed and issued and 15,672 books bound during the year under review.