50
in the stocks prisoners who have been guilty of assaults,
larceny, or breaches of Market and Sanitary Regulations, is
frequently resorted to and has been attended by the most
satisfactory results. As a deterrent, the punishment of ex-
posing delinquents in the stocks in the public streets for a
few hours, has been found apparently more effective, indeed,
than short terms of imprisonment.
3.
Larcenies and petty crimes are usually
most numerous in the period immediately before the Chinese
New Year. As that festival will take place in the middle of
next month, the present decrease of crime is a more favourable
sign than it would be at any other period in the year.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble servant,
Officer Administering the Government.
.......