# Appendix J.
# REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1938.
## A. NORTHERN DISTRICT.
### EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE.
1. Appendices I and II show some comparative details of the expenditure and revenue in 1937 and 1938. The increased expenditure on "Local Public Works" was due to the large number of works in repair of damage wrought by the typhoon of 1937. The list appears in Appendix IV. The first item therein ensures safety to many sampans, should the circumstances of 1937 be repeated. It consisted of enlarging and adapting the natural shelter afforded by the tiny bay immediately to landward of the level crossing at Tai Po under the White House and within the railway line.
"Land Sales" and "Crown Rent" account chiefly for the increase in the revenue collected. The increased demand for land was presumably due to the influx of refugees into the Colony.
### MAGISTRACY, AND SMALL DEBTS COURT.
3. Appendices V to IX show details of the cases, both criminal and civil, heard by the District Officer sitting as magistrate during the year.
For the first time for many years there was not an increase in the number of criminal cases: indeed there were fewer than in any year since 1933. There were half as many opium and revenue offences as in 1937, and in 1938 the largest number of charges fell under "Traffic offences of a technical nature." Offences under this head, however, in spite of the increased volume of traffic consequent on the opening of the road to Canton and, later, the necessity of supplying refugees, were fewer than in 1937. Larceny continued to be one of the commonest crimes.
The number of serious offences did not diminish, however, and the number, 74, of accused persons committed for trial at the Supreme Court was by far the largest ever recorded. The commonest of these serious crimes were the possession of arms and ammunition, robbery, and burglary.
Circumstances were, of course, exceptionally favourable for persons of criminal intention. Just over the border and on nearly all vessels plying just outside Colonial waters the majority of adult males were armed, and many who entered this District as refugees brought arms with them. In view of the fact that at one time their influx must have increased the population of this District by about one third, or one half, it is surprising that more trouble did not occur. Such as there was took the form chiefly of cattle-stealing by, or from, refugees, other forms of larceny, tree-stealing, and robbery. The increase in the number of cases of tree-stealing was probably due to the high price obtainable for firewood as a result of the stoppage of the large supply which normally comes to the Colony down the West River. There were, of course, successful crimes, and more than one murderer got away. The Police deserve great credit for the manner in which they responded to the great increase in daily and nightly work with which they were faced.
In June, July, and August at least five convents were robbed in the middle of the night by gangs led in each case by the same man. The burglars, in a party of four or five, followed the same procedure each time. First they procured some suitable article, such as a ladder, or a long drying pole, on which to ascend to the roof. Then they knocked a hole in the roof, sometimes taking an hour to do so. Then one or more of them, armed, dropped down through the hole, frightened the nuns, novices, and servants inside, and admitted the rest of the gang through a door. They did not hesitate to use force to intimidate the inmates.
Appendix J.
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1938.
A. NORTHERN DISTRICT.
EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE.
1. Appendices I and II show some comparative details of the expenditure and revenue in 1937 and 1938. The increased expenditure on "Local Public Works”? was due to the large number of works in repair of damage wrought by the typhoon of 1937. The list appears in Appendix IV. The first item therein ensures safety to many sampans, should the circumstances of 1937 be repeated. It consisted of enlarging and adapting the natural shelter afforded by the tiny bay immediately to landward of the level crossing at Tai Po under the White House and within the railway line.
"Land Sales" and "Crown Rent" account chiefly for the increase in the revenue collected. The increased demand for land was presumably due to the influx of refugees into the Colony.
MAGISTRACY, AND SMALL DEBTS COURT.
3. Appendices V to IX show details of the cases, both criminal and civil, heard by the District Officer sitting as magistrate during the year.
"
For the first time for many years there was not an increase in the number of criminal cases: indeed there were fewer than in any year since 1933. There were half as many opium and revenue offences as in 1937, and in 1938 the largest number of charges fell under "Traffic offences of a technical nature.' Offences under this head, however, in spite of the increased volume of traffic consequent on the opening of the road to Canton and, later, the necessity of supplying refugees, were: fewer than in 1937. Larceny continued to be one of the commonest crimes.
The number of serious offences did not diminish, however, and the number, 74, of accused persons committed for trial at the Supreme Court was by far the largest ever recorded. The commonest of these serious crimes were the possession of arms and ammunition, robbery, and burglary.
Circumstances were, of course, exceptionally favourable for persons of criminal intention. Just over the border and on nearly all vessels plying just outside Colonial waters the majority of adult males were armed, and many who entered this District as refugees brought arms with them. In view of the fact that at one time their influx must have increased the population of this District by about one third, or one half, it is surprising that more trouble did not occur. Such as there was took the form chiefly of cattle-stealing by, or from, refugees, other forms of larceny, tree-stealing, and robbery. The increase in the number of cases of tree-stealing was probably due to the high price obtainable for firewood as a result of the stoppage of the large supply which normally comes to the Colony down the West River. There were, of course, successful crimes, and more than one murderer got away. The Police deserve great credit for the manner in which they responded to the great increase in daily and nightly work with which they were faced.)
In June, July, and August at least five convents were robbed in the middle of the night by gangs led in each case by the same man. The burglars, in a party of four or five, followed the same procedure each time. First they procured some suitable article, such as a ladder, or a long drying pole, on which to ascend to the roof. Then they knocked a hole in the roof, sometimes taking an hour to do so. Then one or more of them, armed, dropped down through the hole, frightened the nuns, novices, and servants inside, and admitted the rest of the gang through a door. They, did not hesitate to use force to intimidate the inmates.
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