Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
in absence of anything like a Customs... = The increased number of Convicts, consequence of the abolition of the punishment of Transportation, has filled the limited prison accommodations to an extent that ... would prove pernicious to the health of the prisoners, and accordingly measures are in progress for the enlargement of the existing prison. It has also become necessary to consider measures for obtaining from the convicts the greatest possible quantity of efficient labour on the public Roads and other undertakings, and I am happy to say that they have lately been employed with great effect. I trust that this will be found a source of considerable saving for the future.