AnnualReport-1928 — Page 281

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3. FIRES

There were 8 fires in 1928, compared with 3 in 1927. Only two of these fires were of serious nature, i.e. the destruction of an unnumbered fishing boat at Sha Kong Mei, Ping Shan, involving a loss of $900.00. In the other a Chinese female named Tsui Kam, 55 yrs., Widow, a native of Wai Chau, was burned to death in her matshed at Tai Ling, Sheung Shui District.

4. CRIME.

The following Table shows the number of serious crimes committed in the N.T.N. during 1928, with comparative figures for 1927:-

Murder

Suspected Murder

Kidnapping

ON LAND.

1928

1927

1

3

1

1

Armed Robbery & Kidnapping

Double Armed Robbery & Kidnapping

Double Armed Robbery & Wounding Armed Robbery & Wounding

Armed Robbery

Robbery with Violence

1

1

1

4

6

1

2

Attempted Armed Robbery

Robbery, unarmed

| |

Highway Robbery

1

112

Attempted Highway Robbery, armed

1

Total

12

17

ON WATER.

Double Murder

Armed Robbery

Armed Robbery & Wounding

Armed Robbery & Kidnapping Piracy

Assault with intent to rob

Total

4

2

2

1

1

4

6

The majority of the crime can be ascribed to 'squatters' from the Wai Chau District. There has been a steady in-flow of these people from this district since 1925.