K 5
BONDS.
At the beginning of the year the Bonds for Steamers and Steam Launches were submitted to the Crown Solicitor for examination. The Bonds were re-numbered to show the actual number of ships with valid Bonds on 31st of December. Formerly the return showed total number of Bonds issued commencing with original number one.
The figures now stand as follows:- Vessels under Bond 31.12.26
79
Total number of vessels that have been under Bond 31.12.26,
259.
CONDUCT.
Discipline throughout the year was good. There were 34 dismissals during the year for misconduct.
STRENGTH.
The strength on the 1st January stood at 719 and was gradually reduced to 637 in Sept. owing to lack of employment on ships through the Boycott. Recruiting was discontinued from Sept. 1925 and a large number of the older Guards went to India on leave. During the month of May the demand for Guards increased and Recruiting re-commenced. In October when the Boycott was lifted, the strength stood at 642. River steamers commenced running and on 31st December, 23 additional vessels had been supplied with Guards. Owing to the shipping revival it was found necessary to send an Officer to Singapore to recruit 50 men.
MUSKETRY.
All Guards were periodically exercised with the revolver and instructed in the use of Winchester rifles and Greener Guns. They also attended the new Range at So Kun Poo and fired their quarterly course.
FINGER PRINT DEPARTMENT.
A summary of work executed in this Department for the year 1926 is as follows:
Number of finger prints examined. Number of persons identified. Number of records filed. Number of convictions: Deportation Ordinance. Number of convictions: Market Ordinance. 1925: 11,6571926: 12,936
Increase: 1,279 2,490
3,079
589 10,359
11,799
1,440 120
943
823 92
1,190
1,098
No. of records on file: 87,712.