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the Revenue can at present ill afford. I am of opinion that the
result of the present measures should be awaited before any
further permanent increase in numbers is made. Captain Lyons,
however, points out that the Force is reduced by casualties by
some 77 men on an average viz.:- about 7 per centum and I
propose to sanction recruiting 5 per centum over-strength in order that the establishment may be kept approximately up to
strength a course which I understand is adopted in the Home
Police Forces. This sanction Captain Lyons states will be quite
sufficient to meet the requirements. The average savings on
are
Police Vote at the end of each year were $25,353.13 and the
extra cost of recruiting 5 per centum over strength will be
$9,585.79 which will still result in a saving on the Police
Vote.
6.
In the matter of robberies by sea I have
suggested the concealment of a small party of armed Police in
trading Junks casually selected, and frequenting waters where
these robberies most commonly occur. If a Junk on which they
happen to be is boarded by robbers, and they succeed in
capturing them I have no doubt the effect will be very great. In
any case the fact that Police are apt to be secreted on Junks
will in course of time become known, and will I imagine have a
very