272
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
14
They become more important, however, when the average of serious crime is taken into account.
If the standard be the number of cases committed for trial at the Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court, it appears that out of 10,003 cases arising in Hongkong only 50, or 0.49% of the whole, were committed to the Sessions. On the other hand, out of 155 New Territory cases no fewer than 25, or 16% of the whole, were committed for trial.
This striking difference is no doubt chiefly due to the lawlessness which was rife in the New Territory when it was taken over, and which continued until the Police Force had been organised.
The appointment of a Magistrate to try cases in the districts north of the Kowloon range of hills has relieved the Magistrate in Hongkong from the work of trying cases that occur in those districts, and owing to the small number of cases that the Magistrate in the New Territory has hitherto had to try, he is able to sit twice a week in Hongkong. This has sensibly lessened the strain which had to be borne by one Magistrate.
Up to the end of the year the Magistrate sitting at Taipó had to deal with 23 cases only which occurred in the districts north of the Kowloon range of hills. Two of them were serious. The remainder were trivial.
Cases from the Islands of Lamma and Lantao and from the district south of the Kowloon range of hills are still brought to Victoria. From this portion of the New Territory have come one case of piracy and several of robbery with violence and aggravated assault.
The return of cases from the New Territory gives no particulars of Death Enquiries. The Police Magistrate in Victoria officiates as Coroner, and there have been four cases of death in the territory as to which it has been found necessary to hold a formal inquiry, extending in each case over several days. In three of the cases a jury was summoned.
The total amount paid on account of fines and forfeitures in connection with the cases tried in the New Territory in 1899 amounted to $936.12; a sum of $783.65 has been paid in fines, and a sum of $152.47 for forfeitures.
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.
I attach a statement of Revenue and Expenditure (Appendix No. XIX) on account of the New Territory up to 31st December last, which has been drawn up by the Treasurer.
The total expenditure for 1899 amounted to, approximately, $233,000. Of this amount a sum of over $47,000 was expended on account of the Police Establishment, whilst Public Works were responsible for about $112,000, chiefly for roads and Police Stations.
Three new launches are being constructed, and a sum of $31,875 has been expended on account of them. When they are finished no outlay for the construction of launches will be necessary for some time, and a large saving will be effected under "Transport," which is responsible for a sum of $12,114. Some of the other items are also non-recurring, such as Matsheds, $3,964; Furniture, &c., $1,381; while the expenses of the Survey will, no doubt, be very much larger during this and next years.
Very little revenue was collected during last year, as it was deemed advisable to push forward the work of land registration before commencing to collect Crown rent.
The Revenue for this year from all sources has been estimated at $100,000, including arrears for 1899, while it is roughly calculated that the Expenditure, exclusive of Public Works Extraordinary, will be about $175,000, $150,000 of which, in round figures, will be required for the Police Establishment.
The expenditure on account of Public Works will amount to about $80,000, most of which will be expended on Police Stations, the Táipó Road, and the Survey.