Appendix J.
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1939.
A. NORTHERN DISTRICT.
EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE.
1. Appendices I and II show some comparative details of expenditure and revenue in 1938 and 1939. Except for land sales there was a general increase in revenue, reflecting the prosperity and increased demand for licences, etc., which has followed the abnormal increase of the population by the influx of refugees, some of whom are, by local standards, rich, and by the steady settlement in this District of comparatively rich persons who are tired of urban life, or consider the country potentially safer. Once more, the crown rent paid exceeded $100,000. It is not considered that there is any real diminution in the present rather strong demand to buy crown land: the figures under this head are notoriously capricious.
2. In the absence of the normal damage due to typhoons, floods, and so on, the demand for assistance from the local public works vote was exceptionally slack. The natural typhoon refuge near Wong I Au, Tai Po, was deepened and widened, the undergrowth around it cleared, and its banks strengthened. It can now shelter most of the small boats likely to use it, and is quickly used when typhoon signals are hoisted.
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.
The magistrate's court was busier than ever. The total number of charges was a little short of the highest previous figure, recorded in 1937, but the number of persons committed for trial at the Supreme Court, 116, was very easily the highest yet recorded. The average for the 10 years 1927-1936 was under 11. Circumstances, of course, continued to be exceptionally favourable for persons of criminal intention, and a distinct risk attached to travel on the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay, to say nothing of the Chinese waters beyond. The largest class of offences was that of dealing in opium or heroin, or smuggling tobacco or spirit. The towns of Yuen Long and Tai Po, and other large centres such as San Hui (near Castle Peak), Shek Wu Hui (near Sheung Shui), Sha T'au Kok, and Sai Kung, all have divans. There were periodical strong demands from Chinese territory, especially Tung Kun, for opium, and many persons were caught running opium, even Hong Kong Government opium, out of the Colony, which is an unusual trend. Illicit distilling of rice-spirit undoubtedly continues in remote places. The second largest class of offences was those under the Larceny Ordinance, and, once again, a feature of these cases was the frequent success of the Police in recovering the property stolen. Traffic offences constituted the third largest class, and the magistrate issued a written circular warning to drivers of lorries, buses, and other heavy vehicles that drivers convicted of exceeding 20 miles an hour would be severely punished. Drivers, however, are apparently willing to take the risk, and, in spite of exemplary fines of $15, $20 and $25, "speeding" by heavy vehicles continues to be the rule. The failure of such fines to act as a deterrent suggests that the business of transportation is a profitable one. For the unlawful possession of arms 17 persons were convicted and sentenced, and 40 committed for trial. 20 persons were accused of homicide, but only 4 were committed for trial. 37 persons were committed to stand their trial for robbery, and 10 burglars were convicted and sentenced. The habit of the local people of secreting large quantities of cash in their houses, instead of depositing it in banks or other safe places, undoubtedly encourages deliberately planned robbery. The Police again had a very busy year.
Appendix J.
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1939.
A. NORTHERN DISTRICT.
EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE.
1. Appendices I and II show some comparative details of expenditure and revenue in 1938 and 1939. Except for land sales there was a general increase in revenue, reflecting the prosperity and increased demand for licences, etc., which has followed the abnormal increase of the population by the influx of refugees, some of whom are, by local standards, rich, and by the steady settlement in this District of comparatively rich persons who are tired of urban life, or consider the country potentially safer. Once more, the crown rent paid exceeded $100,000. It is not considered that there is any real diminution in the present rather strong demand to buy crown land: the figures under this head are notoriously capricious.
2. In the absence of the normal damage due to typhoons, floods, and so on, the demand for assistance from the local public works vote was exceptionally slack. The natural typhoon refuge near Wong I Au, Tai Po, was deepened and widened. the undergrowth around it cleared, and its banks strengthened. It can now shelter most of the small boats likely to use it, and is quickly used when typhoon signals are hoisted.
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.
The magistrate's court was busier than ever. The total number of charges was a little short of the highest previous figure, recorded in 1937, but the number of persons committed for trial at the Supreme Court, 116, was very easily the highest yet recorded. The average for the 10 years 1927-1936 was under 11. Circumstances, of course, continued to be exceptionally favourable for persons of criminal intention, and a distinct risk attached to travel on the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay, to say nothing of the Chinese waters beyond. The largest class of offences was that of dealing in opium or heroin, or smuggling tobacco or spirit. The towns of Yuen Long and Tai Po, and other large centres such as San Hui (near Castle Peak), Shek Wu Hui (near Sheung Shui), Sha T'au Kok, and Sai Kung, all have divans. There were periodical strong demands from Chinese territory, especially Tung Kun, for opium, and many persons were caught running opium, even Hong Kong Government opium, out of the Colony, which is an unusual trend. Illicit distilling of rice-spirit undoubtedly continues in remote places. The second largest class of offences was those under the Larceny Ordivance, and, once again, a feature of these cases was the frequent success of the Police in recovering the property stolen.. Traffic offences constituted the third largest class, and the magistrate issued a written circular warning to drivers of lorries, buses, and other heavy vehicles that drivers convicted of exceeding 20 miles an hour world be severely punished. Drivers, however, are apparently willing to take the risk. and, in spite of exemplary fines of $15, $20 and $25, "speeding" by heavy vehicles continues to be the rule. The failure of such fines to act as a deterrent suggests that the business of transportation is a profitable one. For the unlawful possession of arms 17 persons were convicted and sentenced, and 40 committed for irial. 20 persons were accused of homicide, but only 4 were committed for trial. 37 persons were committed to stand their trial for robbery, and 10 burglars were convicted and sentenced. The habit of the local people of secreting large quantities of cash in their houses, instead of depositing it in banks or other safe places, undoubtedly encourages deliberately planned robbery. The Police again had a very busy year.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.