# H 3
17. In table IV the following subheads show increases of significance in the number of persons convicted compared with 1935: larceny in almost every form; trespass and damage on Crown Land; dangerous drug offences; tobacco and liquor offences; returning from banishment; hawkers' offences; and traffic offences of all kinds; those which show decreases are common assault; weights and measures offences (Hong Kong only); opium offences; breach of the peace; brothels and procuration; obstruction; firecracker offences; and unlicensed and unmuzzled dogs.
18. An attempt was made to collect statistics of offenders previously convicted and of those who had been bound over and had their bonds enforced. The ratio of the former to the total number of persons convicted was 1.68% in 1936 compared with 1.83% in 1935; the ratio of the convicts whose bonds were enforced to those bound over was 8.7% as against 3.39% in 1935. This increase, however, means little more than an improved collection of statistics.
19. The figures for juvenile offenders show a decrease of both boys and girls in Hong Kong, but an immense increase in boys in Kowloon, and a small increase in girls. The decrease in Hong Kong is partly due to greater strictness in observing the age limit, disregarding the mistakes and lies of the offenders and their parents as to age; the increase in Kowloon is attributed mainly to more frequent Police raids, and partly to the greater poverty of the Kowloon population. The penalty of caning evidently has not affected these figures, as only 9 were caned in Hong Kong as against 47 in Kowloon for all classes of offences.
20. Good work continued to be done by probation officers both in the courts and in the remand homes.
23rd April, 1937.
W. SCHOFIELD. First Police Magistrate.
- H 3
17. In table IV the following subheads show increases of significance in the number of persons convicted compared with 1935: larceny in almost every form; trespass and damage on Crown Land; dangerous drug offences; tobacco and liquor offences; returning from banishment; hawkers' offences; and traffic offences of all kinds; those which show decreases are common assault; weights and measures offences (Hong Kong only); opium offences; breach of the peace; brothels and procuration; obstruction; firecracker offences; and unlicensed and unmuzzled dogs.
18. An attempt was made to collect statistics of offenders previously convicted and of those who had been bound over and had their bonds enforced. The ratio of the former to the total number of persons convicted was 1.68% in 1936 compared with 1.83% in 1985; the ratio of the convicts whose bonds were enforced to those bound over was 8.7% as against 3.39% in 1935. This increase, however, means little more than an improved collection of statistics.
19. The figures for juvenile offenders show a decrease of both boys and girls in Hong Kong, but an immense increase in boys in Kowloon, and a small increase in girls. The decrease in Hong Kong is partly due to greater strictness in observing the age limit, disregarding the mistakes and lies of the offenders and their parents as to age; the increase in Kowloon is attributed mainly to more frequent Police raids, and partly to the greater poverty of the Kowloon population. The penalty of caning evidently has not affected these figures, as only 9 were caned in Hong Kong as against 47 in Kowloon for all classes of offences.
20. Good work continued to be done by probation officers both in the courts and in the remand homes.
23rd April, 1937.
W. SCHOFIELD. First Police Magistrate.
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