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9th October 1878.
Governo
The Pope Hennefy CMS.
t
He Right Honorable
Sir Michael Hicks Beach,
ه بدار جواد
Reporting having nominated
a Committee of the Egislative
Council to conside the
night duties
the Police
and the increase of Crime
1
Inclosure
No. 191.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
POLICE DUTIES AND INCREASE OF CRIME. The following Documents are published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 30th September, 1878.
C. MAY, Acting Colonial Secretary.
His Excellency The Governor to the Honourable C. May, Acting Colonial Secretary, the Honourable Phineas Ryrie, and the Honourable Thomas Child Hayllar, Q.C.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 30th September, 1878. GENTLEMEN,-Having recently obtained from Mr. DEANE, the Captain Superintendent of Police, a Report and some Returns relating to the Night Duties of the Police, I should be glad if you would o me the favour to associate yourselves as a Committee to consider those papers and some others on the same subject, which I enclose, and to make such enquiries as you deem necessary with a view of suggesting a more efficient disposition of the Police Force.
2. In Mr. DEANE's Report he observes that the Beat book has been virtually unaltered since 1874, and that he has rarely enough of men to fill all the beats, in which case he has to give one man charge of two beats. The continuance of such a system since 1874 cannot be fair to Mr. DEANE and the Police Force, nor can it provide in the most efficient manner for the due security of life and property. 3. Amongst the papers enclosed I have therefore included the Annual Reports of the Captain Superintendent of Police since 1874, together with a letter written by Mr. DEANE in November last on the apparent increase of crime in Hongkong of late years. I should be glad if you would favour me with your opinions on the matters embraced in those Reports and in that Letter.
4. I have requested Mr. DEANE and Mr. CREAGH to attend any sittings of the Committee at which you may require their presence, and to give you whatever information or explanations you may deem necessary; and I hereby authorize you to call before you any Inspector or other member of the Police Force for the same purpose,
Any other public record or document, in addition to the enclosed, that you may desire to consult shall be placed at your disposal.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
Gentlemen,
J. POPE HENNESSY, Governor.
SCHEDULE AND PRÉCIS OF DOCUMENTS LAID BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.
1. Minute of His Excellency the Governor on the Police Report of the Burglary in the Caine Road on the night of the 29th of August, 1878, calling for a Report on the night duties of the Police, with the beats, number of men, &c. at that date, and at the same date in 1876 and 1877.
Report of the Captain Superintendent of Police, dated 3rd September, 1878, transmitting the information called for, with further minutes and returus on the same subject, and letters from the Captain Superintendent suggesting certain changes.
2. Letters from Bank Managers, dated 27th September, 1878, as to increased night patrols, with correspondence and minutes thereon.
3. Police Report and Returns of Crime for the year 1874, (as published in the Government Gazette, February, 1875).
4. Police Report and Returns of Crime for 1875, showing "an increase of 19.74 per cent. of serious crime"
as compared with 1874, (Government Gazette, February, 1876).
5. Police Report and Returns of Crime for 1876, showing "an increase of 6.45 per cent. of Serious Crime, and an increase of 23.86 per cent. of Minor Offences," as compared with 1875, (Government Gazette, February, 1877).
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