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# APPENDIX D.
## REPORT OF CAPTAIN THOMSETT, R.N., ON THE WATER POLICE.
HARBOUR DEPARTMENT, HONGKONG, 22nd May, 1872.
SIR,-In reply to your communication of the 21st instant, desiring me by direction of the Police Commission to furnish its members with any suggestions on matters connected with the Water Police of the Colony that I might consider to the point, I have the honour to offer the following observations for their consideration:-
1. I am of opinion that the efficiency of the Water Police would be improved by detailing one of the Assistant Superintendents of Police to the charge of this branch of the force, of course subject to the control of the Superintendent. This officer should reside on board the Police Hulk with his men, his duties being confined to Policing the Waters of Hongkong,
2. The Police boats should be more employed in rowing about the shipping than they seem to be. At present I find them principally rowing up and down the Harbour at a few yards from the shore. This, with the active supervision of the Assistant Superintendent to see that his men performed their duty with some degree of energy, would lead to the capture of many boats now engaged in selling Sanshu to seamen, a fruitful source of drunkenness and insubordination on board the vessels in Port.
3. The addition of a fast Steam Launch to the Water Police would be of material service and in the present day is almost a necessity. She would move rapidly about the Harbour and could pay frequent visits to the Villages round the Island. She would also considerably lighten the labours of rowers who now have to patrol a Harbour of over four square miles in extent. She would also probably lead to the employment of a diminished number of Water Police, which would have the additional advantages of paying her own expenses, and giving more room on board the Hulk which is now somewhat crowded.
I have &c.,
H. G. THOMSETT, Harbour Master, &c.
ALFRED LISTER, Esquire,
Secretary,
Police Commission.
# APPENDIX E.
## ACTING COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT ON THE POLICE HULK.
COLONIAL SURGEON'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, May 17th, 1872.
SIR, I have the honour to report for the information of the Police Commissioners on the state of the accommodation on board of the Police Hulk.
The Europeans have their quarters on the after part of the main deck. This part is well ventilated and, although not quite so comfortable as a room on shore, the quarters are infinitely superior to the accommodation usually allowed to men on ship-board. There is room for a large dining table with benches, in the middle of the cabin. The beds are placed along the walls, and between the foot of the beds and the benches there is room sufficient for passing along. On the whole there is not much to complain of.
The Chinese are quartered on the main deck forward, separated by a bulkhead from the Europeans. The men sleep mostly in hammocks which are unshipped during the day. Not more than two-thirds of the men are on board, at one time. I think that the accommodation is sufficient, and much better than what is usually afforded to men-of-war's men in the British Navy. I think that some arrangement ought to be made for drying the clothes of the men who come off duty wet with the rain. An iron stove with a cage over it for hanging the clothes on might do. I should also suggest a small tank for supplying water to the urinal and waterclosets.
I have &c.,
G. DODS, M.D. Acting Colonial Surgeon.
A. LISTER, Esquire,
Secretary,
Police Commission.
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