POLICE SCHOOL, HONGKONG, 1st February, 1877.
Sir,--I have the honour to forward the Annual Report on the Police School under my charge, for the year ending 31st December, 1876.
Nothing but routine has occurred during the year worthy of special notice. There have been no changes; as the basis on which the School is established is fixed, and the attendance compulsory, our statistics do not present such fluctuations as they otherwise would. The attendance is entirely beyond the control of the masters, the School itself being subordinate to the requirements of the service.
The men have been attentive on the whole; and that they have availed themselves of the instruction given, is clearly shown by the large number of pass certificates now in their hands. The Europeans are gradually passing out. Those who are still compelled to attend are either stationed at the outlying villages, or are on duty when they reside in the Central District. From these causes, the average attendance is smaller than that of previous years. The recruiting now going on will, however, increase our numbers again. With regard to the Europeans generally, the School has performed solid service.
On the arrival of the English and Sikh contingents five years ago, a loud outcry was raised against the compulsory attendance, more especially by those who stood most in need of what a school has to offer. All this opposition has now vanished into thin air, and there are few indeed who have a word to say in the School's disfavour. Passing the School is now regarded as a stepping-stone to a higher class and promotion, and instead of the apathy which once characterised the attitude of the men, we have had several non-commissioned officers, during the year, attending voluntarily, even after they have passed the examination.
Three Europeans have passed before the Examination Board in Chinese. Nine have obtained pass certificates from the School. Thirty-five men have still to pass, of whom nineteen are at the outstations and sixteen at the Central.
In accordance with the changes made in 1875, the Indians have been instructed, both in English and in Chinese, during the year. At the Annual Examination for the prizes awarded by Government, I was most agreeably surprised at the results, which were quite beyond what I expected. Men from all the Stations in the Colony presented themselves, and showed by the creditable appearance they made, that they were keeping up their English and Chinese when beyond the reach of the School. Four Indians have passed before the Examination Board in Chinese during the year, and others are waiting to be examined. Amongst a number, there was a disposition to be obstructive and lazy; a little firmness, and insisting that the work given was to be done before leaving for their quarters, soon brought them to their senses again. Things are now going on as smoothly as before.
The Chinese Constables attend twice a week, an hour each night. It is impossible to do much in so limited a time, with a body of men whose personnel is constantly changing, unless the men supplement the teaching they receive by private study. Our aim in the Chinese Classes is to make the instruction as practical as possible. Reading and Colloquial English with a little Writing and Arithmetic are all that we can manage.
The upper Chinese Class, however, contains a number of men, whose command of English, written and spoken, entitles them to your favourable consideration. It is worth while considering whether they are eligible or not for any interpreterships which may fall vacant. They know English and they know Police duty. Such promotions would cause a greater interest to be taken in the study of English. If the hours of study were only increased, I see no reason why we should not be able to train our own interpreters, instead of engaging outsiders, who, though possessing a knowledge of English, are completely ignorant of Police work.
As the system of pass examinations has exerted a beneficial influence over the European branch of the Force, I beg to suggest that the system be extended, under the same conditions, to both the Indians and Chinese.
A knowledge of English and Chinese (colloquial on the part of the Indians, and written character on the part of the Chinese) would be all that would be required at first.
The following are the statistics for the year :-
EUROPEANS- Total number of School days, 236 Total number of Attendances, 4,309 Average daily Attendance, 18.27 CHINESE, Total number of School days, 78 Total number of Attendances, 9,884 Average daily Attendance, 128.72 INDIANS,- Total number of School days, 138 Total number of Attendances, 4,967 Average daily Attendance, 35.95I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. M. DEANE,
Captain Superintendent of Police.
MINUTE.
Mr. Lucas
Mr. Bramston.
Mr. Malcolm.
Mr. Meade.
Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Lowther.
Lord Carnarvon,
W. M. DEANE, Esq.,
* One man was thus promoted in November last.
W. M. D.
ALEXANDER FALCONER,
Master in charge.
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