Owing however to the large floating population which is constantly moving between the Colony and Canton the percentage of crime to population does not convey an accurate idea of the comparative criminality of the residents of the Colony. A large number of the riff-raffs and thieves of South China found their way to Hongkong, and during the year 895 aliens were banished as undesirables—for the most part after conviction for crime.
The prison discipline was satisfactory, the average of punishments per prisoner being 1.27 as compared with 1.50 in 1907 and 1.21 in 1906.
The prison is managed on the English prison system as regards first offenders (star class prisoners) who are when at labour and when located for the night kept apart from old offenders.
Long sentence prisoners serving two years and upwards are taught useful trades, including printing, book-binding, washing, carpentry, boot-making, net-making, painting and white-washing, mat-making, tailoring, oakum-picking, &c. The profit on the work done was $45,420 as against $37,434 in 1907.
There was $5,012 received and credited to Government for non-Government work against $5,790 in 1907.
In consequence of the low number of prisoners in custody at the beginning of the year it was found possible to close the Branch Prison.
The prison was considerably damaged in the typhoon of the 27th July. The work of repairing was immediately taken in hand by the Public Works Department and completed by the end of October.
The total strength of the Police Force for 1908 was Europeans 135, Indians 410, Chinese 501, making a total of 1,046 as compared with 1,048 in 1907 exclusive in each case of the five Superior Officers and staff of clerks and coolies. These figures include Police paid for by the Railway, Private Firms, and other Government Departments. Of this Force the District Officer, 15 Europeans, 112 Indians and 47 Chinese were stationed in the New Territories during the year.
The force of District Watchmen to which the Government contributes $2,000 per annum was well supported by the Chinese during the year. These watchmen patrol the streets in the Chinese quarter of the City. They are placed on Police beats and are supervised by the European Police on section patrol.
IX.—VITAL STATISTICS.
(a.) POPULATION.
The population of the Colony according to the Census taken in 1901 was 283,975 while at the Census taken in 1906 it was 301,967 exclusive of the New Territories, New Kowloon and the Army and Navy Establishments. The estimated population at the middle of the year under review was 421,499 as follows:-
Non-Chinese Civil Community,13,200 Chinese Population, Hongkong, Kowloon,194,46074,350 Floating Population, Mercantile Marine,..41,9402,700 316,450 Army, (average strength),4,483 Navy, (average strength),2,355 6,838 New Territories (exclusive of Kowloon),.85,011 Total,...421,499(b.) PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION.
During the year under review considerable progress has been made in rendering existing domestic buildings rat proof as a preventive of Plague, 103 ground surfaces of houses have been repaired, and 811 buildings have had rat-runs filled up with cement. In addition 49 basements illegally inhabited have been vacated.
New buildings (domestic) to the number of 148 were erected during the year and in these the effect of the present Ordinance is seen in the increased amount of open space about the houses, which the law requires. Scavenging lanes which have to be provided in the rear of new houses also increase the open space about them and tend to reduce crowding.
11
Owing however to the large floating population which is constantly moving between the Colony and Canton the percentage of crime to population does not convey an accurate idea of the comparative criminality of the residents of the Colony. A large number of the riff-raffs and thieves of South China found their way to Hongkong, and during the year 895 aliens were banished as undesirables-for the most part after conviction for crime.
The prison discipline was satisfactory, the average of punishments per prisoner being 1.27 as compared with 1·50 in 1907 and 1-21 in 1906.
The prison is managed on the English prison system as regards first offenders (star class prisoners) who are when at labour and when located for the night kept apart from old offenders.
Long sentence prisoners serving two years and upwards are taught useful trades, including printing, book-binding, washing, carpentry, boot-making, net-making, painting and white-washing, mat-making, tailoring, oakum-picking, &c. The profit on the work done was $45,420 as against $37,434 in 1907.
There was $5,012 received and credited to Government for non-Government work against $5,790 in 1907.
In consequence of the low number of prisoners in custody at the beginning of the year it was found possible to close the Branch Prison.
The prison was considerably damaged in the typhoon of the 27th July. The work of repairing was immediately taken in hand by the Public Works Department and completed by the end of October.
The total strength of the Police Force for 1908 was Europeans 135, Indians 410, Chinese 501, making a total of 1,046 as compared with 1,048 in 1907 exclusive in each case of the five Superior Officers and staff of clerks and coolies. These figures include Police paid for by the Railway, Private Firms, and other Government Departments. Of this Force the District Officer, 15 Europeans, 112 Indians and 47 Chinese were stationed in the New Territories during the year.
The force of District Watchmen to which the Government contributes $2,000 per annum was well supported by the Chinese during the year. These watchmen patrol the streets in the Chinese quarter of the City. They are placed on Police beats and are supervised by the European Police on section patrol.
IX.-VITAL STATISTICS.
(a.) POPULATION.
The population of the Colony according to the Census taken in 1901 was 283,975 while at the Census taken in 1906 it was 301,967 exclusive of the New Territories, New Kowloon and the Army and Navy Establishments. The estimated population at the middle of the year under review was 421,499 as follows:-
Non-Chinese Civil Community,
13,200
Chinese Population,
Hongkong, Kowloon,
194,460
74,350
Floating Population, Mercantile Marine,..
41,940
2,700
316,450
Army, (average strength),
4,483
Navy, (average strength),
2,355
6,838
New Territories (exclusive of Kowloon),.
85,011
Total,...
421,499
(6.) PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION.
During the year under review considerable progress has been made in rendering existing domestic buildings rat proof as a preventive of Plague, 103 ground surfaces of houses have been repaired, and 811 buildings have had rat-runs filled up with cement. In addition 49 basements illegally inhabited have been vacated.
New buildings (domestic) to the number of 148 were erected during the year and in these the effect of the present Ordinance is seen in the increased amount of open space about the houses, which the law requires. Scavenging lanes which have to be provided in the rear of new houses also increase the open space about them and tend to reduce crowding.
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