distributed for duty from the Battalion, "Wai Chai" and "Sai-Ying-Pun" Fire Stations.
Yuen Long, Tai Po, and Fanling Police Stations.
Sickness and casualties, however, reduce this last number to,
The establishment generally,
differ.
et of a Fire Brigade
and the detail.
1 of 7 Sergeants and 13 Constables for duty therewith, in the event of a fire, reduces the number of Constables available for service on the spot for the purpose of maintaining order and property to a very low number,
generally 7; and sufficient Police protection is not provided for Outstations.
Hence, the Police Force, is left, comparatively unOfficered, since every European Constable is taught to take charge of a portion of the Station Force and thus arise many complaints and disturbances that would, otherwise, be checked.
The Constabulary Force is, also, made up of men who leave their ships, and, sometimes, the Regiment in Pursuance.
The percentage of men, therefore, who are found unfit for the work at the end of their months' probation, who are, then, enabled to find more profitable employment is very large; and the standard of education is very low.
Some 27 months since the men joined from the London Force, and, with the exceptions of those who were unable to abstain from excessive drinking and were, consequently, discharged, are now Inspectors and Sergeants both to look, and to be well qualified for their duty.
As to the pay to be proposed, I would, respectfully, suggest that 40 dollars a month (£100 a year) be given to the men. This is the pay of a 1st class Sergeant; but, the qualifications of an English Constable would equal those of a Sergeant in this Colony. In addition