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3. FIRES
There were 8 fires in 1928, compared with 3 in 1927. Only two of these fires were of serious nature, i.e. the destruction of an unnumbered fishing boat at Sha Kong Mei, Ping Shan, involving a loss of $900.00. In the other a Chinese female named Tsui Kam, 55 yrs., Widow, a native of Wai Chau, was burned to death in her matshed at Tai Ling, Sheung Shui District.
4. CRIME.
The following Table shows the number of serious crimes committed in the N.T.N. during 1928, with comparative figures for 1927:-
1928 1927 Murder 1 3 Suspected Murder 1 1 Kidnapping 1 ON LAND. Armed Robbery & Kidnapping 1 Double Armed Robbery & Kidnapping 1 Double Armed Robbery & Wounding 1 Armed Robbery & Wounding 4 6 Armed Robbery 1 1 Robbery with Violence 1 2 Attempted Armed Robbery 1 Robbery, unarmed 1 1 Highway Robbery 1 Attempted Highway Robbery, armed 1 Total 12 17 ON WATER. Double Murder 2 Armed Robbery 2 2 Armed Robbery & Wounding 1 Armed Robbery & Kidnapping 1 Piracy 1 Assault with intent to rob 4 6 Total 8 11The majority of the crime can be ascribed to 'squatters' from the Wai Chau District. There has been a steady in-flow of these people from this district since 1925.