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As at 4 present arranged, PR deduction is made of about one half the pay from Constables sick and off duty, the deduction being, from Europeans 10/2, Indians 4/7, and Chinese 6d per day. If requisite, sick Constables are sent into the Seaman's Hospital for treatment, and in the case of Europeans the rations stopped during the term the Constable is in Hospital. During the twelve months above mentioned, the Seaman's Hospital treatment of Police cost £78. 6. 6d.
Summary of Sick in the Police during year ending 30th April 1848. The average number in the force being 50 Europeans, 102 Indians, and 132 Chinese.
Europeans: 113 days sick, daily average 4d, deduction £10. 7½d
Indians: 437 days sick, daily average 3/10d, deduction £6. 7s. 4d
Chinese: 202 days sick, daily average 1d, deduction £2. 0s. 7d
Value of rations stopped from European Constables in Hospital £5. 12s. 1d
The present method of locating the sick Constables at their respective stations is objectionable, firstly, because it is impossible that any arrangement regarding diet can be enforced; secondly, because the sick, especially the Indian, obtain no assistance from their comrades, and the requisite cleanliness is consequently not preserved; thirdly, because the medicine is not taken regularly as furnished, and in many cases thrown away, entailing useless expense in addition to a longer loss of the Constable's services. There is also the great annoyance to the men living in the same Room, and very often the danger of infection, from such diseases as Itch, Fever, &c. In two cases