J 3
The total revenue received from the Northern District during 1920 was therefore $144,974.82 as against $148,583.71 in 1919. The chief falling-off was in respect of native liquors and is to be attributed to the high cost of the raw materials of distillation.
The cost of the District Office for the year was $34,675.65.
V.--GENERAL
Crops.--The two rice crops were fairly good, being estimated at 80%. The potato crop was very poor owing to frost at the end of the previous year. The sugar-cane crop on the other hand was exceptionally good.
Rice control.--The price of rice fell steadily and by the end of the year had returned to normal. The restrictions on the exportation of rice from the Territory were removed in September.
Crime.--The more serious crimes reported included 1 case of murder and armed robbery, 11 cases of armed robbery on land, one accompanied by kidnapping of children, 3 armed robberies on water and 2 attempts at armed robbery. Of organised crimes such as these a considerable proportion are undoubtedly planned within our own borders, although after the crime the gang usually makes for Chinese territory, and the chief factor in this unpleasant state of things is the large body of brick-makers, stone-workers and similar labourers attracted from Wai Chau and other unsavoury parts by recent road-making and building activities. These men moving about from job to job, acquire a knowledge of likely victims which, as well as their active personal cooperation is always at the service of resident criminals who would otherwise be obliged to confine their efforts to much smaller enterprises. The difficulty of protecting the scattered villages of the Territory has been further increased by the general sophistication arising out of the War and the continual faction-fighting in the neighbouring parts of China. Not only are firearms very plentiful across the border, but large numbers of men have been trained to use them and realise their efficacy with the result that the repressive force of the individual policeman is greatly reduced.
Fires.--One serious fire occurred during the year at Sai Kung in a house occupied by a member of the Chinese police force. The fire spread with such speed that it was impossible to save an unfortunate girl aged 7 who was in the house at the time.
Rainfall.--Table E gives the rainfall for the year at Tai Po and the average for the preceding 5 years.
Forestry, etc.--The results of our efforts to promote afforestation were not encouraging, heavy casualties being reported from the nurseries at Tai Lam and Wang Shan Keuk. In the latter case the damage was due to the ravages of deer, which despite careful fencing of cultivation and countless traps, are undoubtedly a
J 3
The total revenue received from the Northern District during 1920 was therefore $144,974.82 as against $148,583.71 in 1919. The chief falling-off was in respect of native liquors and is to be attributed to the high cost of the raw materials of distillation.
The cost of the District Office for the year was $34,675.65.-
V.--GENERAL,
Crops.-The two rice crops were fairly good, being estimated at 80%. The potato crop was very poor owing to frost at the end of the previous year. The sugar-cane crop on the other hand was exceptionally good.
Rice control.--The price of rice fell steadily and by the end of the
year. had returned to normal. The restrictions on the exporta-. tion of rice from the Territory were removed in September.
Crime.--The more serious crimes reported included 1 case of murder and armed robbery, 11 cases of armed robbery on land, one accompanied by kidnapping of children, 3 armed robberies ou water and 2 attempts at armed robbery. Of organised crimes such as these a considerable proportion are undoubtedly planned within our own borders, although after the crime the gang usually makes for Chinese territory, and the chief factor in this unpleasant state of things is the large body of brick-makers, stone-workers and similar labourers attracted from Wai Chau and other unsavoury parts by recent roarl-making and building activities. These men moving about from job to job, acquire a knowledge of likely victims which, as well as their active personal cooperation is always at the service of resident criminals who would otherwise be obliged to confine their efforts to much smaller enterprises. The difficulty of protecting the scattered villages of the Territory has been further increased by the general sophistication arising out of the War and the continual faction-fighting in the neighbouring paris of China. Not only are firearms very plentiful across the border, but large numbers of men have been trained to use them and realise their efficacy with the result that the repressive force of the individual policeman is greatly reduced.
Fires.-One serious fire occurred during the year at Sai Kung in a house occupied by a member of the Chinese police force. The fire spread with such speed that it was impossible to save an un- fortunate girl aged 7 who was in the house at the time.
Rainfall.-Table E gives the rainfall for the year at Tai Po and the average for the preceding 5 years.
Forestry, etc.—The results of our efforts to promote afforest- ation were not encouraging, heavy casualties being reported from The nurseries at Tai Lam and Wang Shan Keuk. In the latter case the damage was due to the ravages of deer, which despite care- ful fencing of cultivation and countless traps, are undoubtedly a
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