REP
Appendix J.
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1933.
DEPARTMENT OF DISTRICT OFFICE, NORTH.
STAFF.
Mr. E. H. WILLIAMS continued as District Officer during the year.
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 1932 and 1933. 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 over $16,000 principally under the headings of Crown Rent and Land Sales.
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 juveniles. The number of these latter cases continues to remain very small.
6. The number of Police cases heard shows a large increase over the already high figures for 1932. Revenue offences are very numerous and are the main cause of the increase. Smuggling of wine, tobacco and opium into the District from Chinese territory continues to grow and its detection is becoming more and more difficult.
7. The number of traffic cases is somewhat higher than that for 1932, the most common offence being the carrying of passengers for hire by lorry drivers. Motor traffic over the New Territories roads since the opening of the Vehicular Ferry is steadily growing and it is therefore natural that motoring offences should be on the increase.
8. Eight cases were committed for trial at the Supreme Court as against fourteen cases in 1932. Two were committed for homicide, two for armed robbery, two for possession of arms, and two for returning from banishment.