Police at home would yield at least twenty-five per cent of a class qualified to rise tổ the grade of Inspectors, that in fact out of 50 men we should secure a dozen future officers. Of course, to carry out such a programme as that indicated, funds would be necessary, but as it is a question of such vast importance to the Colony, even the great expense attending the scheme should not be allowed to carry too great weight. At present the Colony is paying an enormous sum annually for a most ineffective Police Service, and therefore it would be true economy to incur any reasonable expenditure that might promise to give us that protection which we claim at the hands of the Government, It is more than probable that if representations were made to the Secretary of State of the actual condition of the Police Force, he would sanction at least a portion of the money required for bringing out men from home, to be paid from the Gambling Fund if only with the view of ultimately suppressing the iniquitous system at present prevailing here of "Licensing Gambling, 51 That this blot on our escutcheon must sooner or later be wiped off, there can be no doubt, and therefore the sooner we prepare ourselves for dealing with the evil the better. It is not to be expected that gambling can be either speedily uprooted or suppressed in the Colony, but it is only reasonable to expect that it can be kept within bounds with an effective Police, and stringent laws adequately enforced.
311
(“China Mail" of 19th August, 1870.)
We have purposely refrained from criticism on the Estimates. The Colony is going through a transition period in matters of Government as well as of Commerce, and in both respects the men who are responsible for its welfare and its reputation are apparently equal to the occasion. The proceedings in Council yesterday confirm the hope that has been entertained that a new system of administration of our local affairs is to be established. In the first place it is noticeable that every item of expenditure is to be explained, and once voted cannot be diverted to any other purpose. The good effect of this principle on the financial administration of the Colony is so plainly evident that comment, except by way of commendation, is unnecessary. Reserving fuller eri- ticism for a future opportunity, we may state our belief now, that the Council have done a wise thing in affirming the necessity for vesting the management of our Police force, on land and on water, in the hands of one capable man. Hitherto, so far as we have been able to learn, the Police "duty" has been a very divided one--there has been no chain of subordination between the Superintendent and his men.
This is a grave fault. It is as essential to the efficiency of a Police force that there should be one man to exercise supreme command, as it is to the perfectness of a regiment on pa- rade, or in action. All the Police of this island should be under one man. If he is capable of command, we shall have a good Police force; if he is not, get another. Su- rely there are capable men obtainable.
The supercession of the Sikhs by a West Indian constabulary meets with warm approval, and we trust that the Council will give speedy effect to their views in this respect.
The appropiation for the Harbor Master's Department was then considered; and the Colonial Secretary drew attention to the sum of $1,000 to the steamer Victoria (a laugh). On a reference being made to the Constables stationed at Aberdeen and Stanley, under the orders of the Harbor Master,--
The Chief Justice remarked that there was a great mistake in the division of the Police of this Colony. There ought to be only one Head over every Policeman in the Colony. They had them now under the Registrar General and the Harbor Master; while Mr. D. R. CALDWELL had a large number of detectives sworn as Constables.
The Colonial Secretary disclaimed any Governmental connection with the last named force.
The Chief Justice remarked that he saw them constantly used as Police; and they were sent to Macao,
The Colonial Secretary: They are detectives.
The Chief Justice said that was what he objected to: they had an imperium in impe- rio in this Colony. They would never be able to bring the Police into proper working order unless the force were placed under one head. He would therefore propose that this item should be struck out of the Harbor Master's department.
Mr. RYBIE: Certainly,