HONG KONG, 1908.
125
19
The total strength of the Police Force for 1908 was Europeans 135, Indians 410, Chinese 501, making a total of 1,046, as compared with 1,048 in 1907, exclusive in each case of the five superior officers and staff of clerks and coolies. These figures include police paid for by the railway, private firms, and other Government Departments. Of this force the District Officer, 15 Europeans, 112 Indians, and 47 Chinese were stationed in the New Territories during the year.
The force of District Watchmen, 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 supervised by the European police on section patrol.
IX.-VITAL STATISTICS.
The population of the Colony according to the census taken in 1901 was 283,975 while at the census taken in 1906 it was 301,967 exclusive of the New Territories, New Kowloon, and the Army and Navy Establishments. The estimated population at the middle of the year under review was 421,499, as follows:-
Non-Chinese Civil community Chinese population-
Hong Kong
Kowloon
Floating population
Mercantile Marine
13,200
194,460
...
74,350
44,940
2,700
316,450
Army (average strength)
Navy (average strength)
4,483
2,355
6,838
New Territories (exclusive of Kowloon)
Total
85,011
421,499
During the year under review considerable progress has been made in rendering existing domestic buildings rat proof as a preventive of plague, 103 ground surfaces of houses have been repaired, and 811 buildings have had rat-runs filled up with cement. In addition 49 basements illegally inhabited have been vacated.
New buildings (domestic) to the number of 148 were erected during the year and in these the effect of the present Ordinance is seen in the increased amount of open space about the houses, which the law requires. Scavenging lanes which have to be provided in the rear of new houses also increase the open space about them and tend to reduce crowding.
During the year there were 986 deaths from plague, compared with 198 in 1907 and 842 in 1906.