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There has been a very considerable increase in the population of the Colony during the year, due to a gradual steady return of people and interests that left Hong Kong in 1926. This flow was increased to a flood at two periods-one during the political upheaval in Canton April, the other in November and December when political disturbances culminated in a Communist rising and burning of part of that city. During the latter phase it is estimated that at least 50,000 refugees came to Hong Kong. The Police countered the internal effect of these movements by diverting temporarily certain sections of Police from normal duty to search and surveillance of incoming passengers in which work the newly formed Police Reserve also participated. Special patrols have also assisted in keeping Hong waves which have been Kong immune from abnormal crime experienced in other ports. The Colony is also indebted to cordial co-operation throughout the year from the Police Authorities in Canton and Macao.
a
Piracy-Two Naval expeditions. accompanied by party of Hong Kong Police, were undertaken on March 23rd and September Ist each following the piracy of a British ship. Operations were confined to destroying the dwellings of pirates. No injury to persons occurred. Intelligence work became more successful The result was seen in the capture of the pirated vessel S.S "Irene" with the nirates on board on October 19th by H. M. Submarine L.4. 15 pirates from Bias Bay were executed in Hong Kong during 1927. There has been no piracy emanating from Bias Bay since the case of the s.s. "Irene".
A number of piracies on junks occurred during the year, in waters near Hong Kong. Piracy in the Canton River delta has increased.
The year
was free from serious strikes or industrial trouble. Two events of importance took place :-
(1) Proscription of the Hong Kong General Labour Union
on 31st March.
(2) Proscription of the Chinese Seamen's Union on 26th
May.
The closing of these two centres of sedition evoked no opposition; on the contrary the workers seem content to be rid of their domina- tion. Small bands of agitators have attempted to cause mischief on : few occasions but they met with no success.
Constant touch has been maintained with the Shanghai Defence
Force.
The only serious outrage occurred on the 7th December when a party of 4 Armed Robbers who had committed an armed robbery in the Western District were intercepted in the Central District by a Police Search Party. One of the robbers opened fire on the Police seriously wounding the European Sergeant in charge and a Chinese
Detective.
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One robber was shot dead and two were arrested, one
of the latter, however, not until he had seriously wounded one Indian Constable, and one Chinese Constable who subsequently died of his who wounds. He also shot dead another Chinese Constable attempted to intercept him. The Court cases were still pending at the end of the year.
The year 1927 witnessed the formation of the Police Reserve on lines similar to the Police Reserve organised during the War. It consists of four Contingents, one European, one Indian, one Chinese and a mixed Motor Cycle Squad.
The District Watchmen Force, to which the Government contributes $2,000 per annum, was well supported by the Chinese during the year. These watchmen patrol the streets in the Chinese quarter of the City. They are placed on police beats and are A detective supervised by the European police on section patrol. branch of the force has done useful work under the supervision of a European Inspector.
At the end of the year the District Watch Force reached full strength consisting of 122 members. The number of convictions secured by members of the force was 606, a number far above any previous record, as compared with 467 in 1926. Particular attention was given to the activities of pick-pockets with gratifying results; 17% of convictions were of this class. Larceny cases made up 34% and unlawful possession added another 17%.
The total number of persons committed to Victoria Gaol was 7.740 as compared with 6.511 in 1926. Of these 1,740 were com- mitted for criminal offences against 1,454 in 1926. Of committals for non-criminal offences there were 165 less for hawking without a licence, and 2 more for unlawfully cutting trees, than in 1926.
The daily average of prisoners confined in the Gaol was 1,189 the average for 1926 being 1.054 and the highest previous average being 1,116 in 1925. The percentage of prisoners to population. according to the daily average of the former and the estimated number of the latter, was 0.136. The average percentage for the last ten years was 0.12. Owing, however, to the large floating population. which is constantly moving between the Colony and Chinese Territory, the percentage of crime to population does not convey an accurate idea of the comparative criminality of the residents of the Colony. The Victoria Gaol has accommodation for 700 prisoners including patients in Hospital. The Branch Prison at Laichikok has accommodation for 450 prisoners.
The prison discipline was satisfactory, the average of punish- ments per prisoner being 0.52 as compared with 0.49 in 1926 and 0.71 in 1925.
Prisoners are employed at printing, book-binding, tinsmithing, mat-making, tailoring, carpentering, soap-making, gardening etc. Fractically all the Government printing and bookbinding is done in Victoria Gaol.
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