Appendix J.
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1932.
DEPARTMENT OF DISTRICT OFFICE, NORTH.
STAFF.
Mr. T. Megarry went on leave on the 5th April, 1932, and was succeeded as District Officer by Mr. E. H. Williams.
EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE.
2. Tables I, II (a), II (b) and II (c) show comparative details of the expenditure and revenue of the department for the years 1931 and 1932. Revenue from the district in the form of duties on liquors and tobaccos is not included, being paid to the Imports and Exports Department.
3. The total revenue shows an increase of about $13,000 principally under the headings of Kerosene Oil Licences, Forestry Licences, Matshed Permits and Buildings.
4. Table III shows a comparative statement of the revenue and expenditure of the Department for the last ten years.
MAGISTRACY.
5. Tables IV to VIII show the details of cases heard during the year by the District Officer in his capacity as Police Magistrate and Judge of the Small Debts Court. Table VII gives the returns of offences committed by boys and girls. The small number of such cases tried is remarkable and reflects credit on the parents.
6. The number of Police cases heard shows an increase over the already high figures of 1931. This is mainly due to the increase in revenue offences, smuggling of wine and tobacco into the district from Chinese territory by land and sea being rife.
7. The number of traffic cases is double that for 1931 and is largely due to the increase in the number of summonses against the drivers of lorries for carrying passengers for hire.
8. Fourteen persons were committed for trial during the year as against none in 1931. Four were committed for returning from banishment and the remainder for armed robbery, kidnapping or bribery.