It was pointed out that there was no sufficient evidence to support the claim that the increase of crime was due to the cheap fares introduced by the Star Ferry, which came into operation around the 6th or 7th of September 1876.
I showed in my despatcher, Mr. 35 and 43 of June 18771, that crime, and especially serious crime, had been increasing for the years 1874, 1875, and 1876; that for some weeks preceding the 7th of September 1876, the number of criminals in Gaol had not been stationary, but had shown a tendency to increase.
In the four months preceding the introduction of the cheap fares, the number of felonies (robberies from the person with violence, burglaries, and larcenies) in Victoria Gaol was 9675, 43, 9349, and 77, totalling 415, as against 878 in the four months following the introduction of the cheap fares.
In addition to those more serious crimes, the number of cases of assault and disorderly conduct was 288 in the four months before the cheap fares were in operation, as against 220 in the subsequent four months.
I also showed that the Police were especially active in the latter period against offenders of a less criminal class, such as unlicensed hawkers and mendicants, and persons carrying paper and lights.
1 likely "1877" is a typo and should be checked against original document. However, as per the rules, no rephrasing or rewriting is allowed. Hence, it is left as is.