Ordinance . The majority of these have gevers security for their good behaviour, and the steady decrease of crime sonce the
effect scorers to
Ordinance was carried into effect substantiate its ectility. Indeed,
meamire
upon
do
of police, my experience impress me the conviction of its paramount importance . The system if properly délailu
should
in
inoure
the detection of offenders;
• proof of which I may adduce the case
of the robbery
on board the John Barry," the perpetrators of which were arrested by the
Chinese authorities 50 miles from hence;
upon information supplied by
It is necessary
ane.
in order to appreciate the advantages of a general registration : / the population of this island, to take
into consideration the varies and iclorogeneous materiel of its composition . Before the cession of Hongkong to
the
B
305
the British Crown its population amounts to about Four thousand souls. Of these 1500
svere
perhaps,
engaged in the cultivation of rice ; about 2000 in the fisheries and the pemainder gained a subsistence by furnishing supplies to the fishing vessels resorting to the harbours. The abundance and excellent quality of the granite
оссек
65 general
casionally brought a few hundred quarrymen to the islans; but its unproductiveness and barren aspect ___ offered but few attractions to the "inhabitants of the neighbouring main.
bl
.
6l government agent periodically arsità
the island to collect the land tax and
register fishing vessels, but no
• police authority was ever Exercised; the municipal government being sutrusted to the epo
or
Ilder.
The arrival of a British flut
in