140. The new laboratory at Mong Kok Police Station will be opened on 1st April, 1966. It will be permanently staffed by one Pathologist who will handle cases referred from the Kowloon and N.T. Districts.
Ballistics Office
141. This office is responsible for the examination of firearms and explosives used in criminal cases, and for the removal and disposal of ammunition and explosives which come into possession of the Police.
142. During the year investigations were carried out in 8 shooting and 10 explosions cases. 33 firearms and 263 explosive devices, many of which were designed for sabotage and were fitted with anti-handling features, were seized. In addition 55 firearms, 14 shells, 14 grenades, 4 bombs and 765 rounds of ammunition were found.
143. One of the two Ballistics Officers went on leave prior to retire- ment so that at the end of the year the Ballistics Office was staffed by one officer only.
PART V
TRAFFIC
VEHICLES REGISTERED
144. Full mechanization of vehicle records was completed towards the end of the year under review and it was possible to effect changes in the Vehicle Register within twenty-four hours during a normal work- ing day. Efficient law enforcement actions in respect of offences against the Registration and Licensing Regulations and the 'weeding-out' of long expired vehicle licences are now possible. Additionally, a variety of analysed data can now be extracted from vehicle records, providing background information valuable in formulating future policies.
145. At the end of the year, the number of registered vehicles stood at 91,079, including 12,885 new registrations. Vehicle statistics for the last 5 years are shown at Appendix 15.
DRIVING LICENCES AND DRIVING TESTS
146. 550 new taxi licences were issued during the year. An intensive programme of testing candidates for taxi driver's licences over weekends and public holidays was introduced. Priority during tests, was allocated
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