Court Orders were examined and disposed of during the year by the Arms Licensing Office.
SOCIETIES
251. During the year 89 new societies were registered and five societies were granted exemption from registration. 12 societies changed their status by registering as companies; 35 closed down and 14 were struck off the register. Thirty applications were refused during the year and 46 were under consideration on 31st March, 1960.
252. At the end of the year there were 1,109 societies on the register.
HAWKER CONTROL
253. Although the licensing of hawkers in the urban areas is the responsibility of the Urban Services Department, the Police mainly are responsible for enforcing the hawker regulations. Hawker control has for many years necessitated the deployment of a considerable number of police officers to the detriment of normal watch and ward duties and their efforts have inevitably been the cause of some friction with the public.
254. In an effort to improve police/public relations in general, and with regard to the hawker problem in particular, this system of control has undergone considerable revision during the year.
255. A Gazetted Officer has been seconded to the Urban Services Department with the primary task of training a Hawker Control Force within the U.S.D. This Force will eventually assume responsibility for both the licensing and the control of hawkers and it is anticipated that the placing of this responsibility in the hands of specialists will go a long way towards solving the hawker problem.
14th July, 1960.
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H. W. E. HEATH, Commissioner of Police.
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