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5. FRONTIER INCIDENTS.
These have been reported weekly throughout the year. The Frontier has been very quiet and nothing serious has happened. The situation in general across the border shows a marked improvement on 1927.
Annexe D.
REPORT ON THE GUARDS 1928.
Jan. 1st. Dec. 31st. Steamer Guards (Indian) 338 197 Steam Launch Guards (Chinese) 12 6 Shore Guards (Indian) 274 254 Shore Guards (Chinese) 25 33 Special Lewis Gun Guards (Indian) 49 44 Guards on Strength (Casual Duty) 19 77 717 611STRENGTH.
The Strength on the 1st January stood at 717 and on the 31st December 611, as compared with 728 on the 1st January, 1927, and 722 on the 31st December, 1927.
The number of resignations during the year was 191. The number of dismissals during the year was 11. The number of men taken on strength was 111.
The number of desertions during the year was 6. The number of deceased during the year was 6. The latter included 2 Guards killed by pirates during attempted piracy of s.s. "San Nam Hoi" 17.1.28.
3 Guards died in Government Civil Hospital and 1 Lewis Gunner died in the Government Civil Hospital.
The majority of Guards who resigned, returned to India on leave.
The remainder are men who left to seek work as Private Watchmen.
A large number were paid off the vessels of Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, and were replaced by Military Units.