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steamers in the danger zone which was continued throughout the year, no British steamers were attacked.
It is also very satisfactory to record the serious attention given to Bias Bay and its pirate gangs by the local authorities under Admiral Chan Chak which made piratical expeditions from Bias Bay a dangerous and unprofitable undertaking.
The vigilance of the local authorities coupled with the precautions now taken on all large steamers in the danger zone undoubtedly accounts for the marked improvement in the "piracy" situation in South China. The only radical change in the Piracy precautions during the year was the change over from Military to Police Guards referred to in an earlier paragraph.
11.-REVENUE & EXPENDITURE.
The revenue collected during the year amounted to $487,169 as against $463,148 in 1929. Compared with 1921 when the revenue was $259,876.00, the collections have doubled.
The cost of the Force amounted to $2,007,797.83, as against $1,445,490.72 in 1929. The enhanced figure is due to two causes, firstly the revision of salaries based on the Salaries Commission Report of 1929 which was adopted by the Government and approved by the Secretary of State with effect from 1st January, 1930, and secondly the phenomenal drop in the sterling value of the dollar.
12.-TRAFFIC.
The increase in motor traffic which amounted to close on one thousand vehicles during the year is unfortunately also reflected in the number of fatal accidents which show a regrettable increase from thirty-six in 1929 to fifty-nine in the year under review. The disregard of motor traffic by pedestrians in the City and Kowloon even where crossings for passengers are marked out in white lines, and the further fact that youngsters are permitted by their parents to indulge unchecked in ball games in motor thoroughfares makes the task of the Police a very arduous one, and accidents are inevitable. The dangerous practice of riding on the sides and tail boards of lorries and standing in lorries also accounts for numerous fatalities. Further "Safety First" propaganda supported by the well-known Chinese Charitable Institutions would do much to reduce the fatalities which are in many cases avoidable.
E. D. C. WOLFE, Inspector General of Police.
15th May, 1931.