1841-1886
107
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 509
While our hopes in regard to the future trade of native vessels at Hong Kong cannot be very sanguine, we need not despair, for there exists a progressive improvement; and could a stop be put to piracy, the junks would bring more valuable cargoes than they have hitherto ventured to do.
Victoria, 27th February, 1849.
(Signed)
(True Copy.)
W. CAINE, Colonial Secretary.
CHARLES GUTZLAFF, Chinese Secretary.
HONG KONG
Enclosure 5 in No. 38.
SIR,
Police Department, Victoria, March 7, 1849. I HAVE the honour to submit through you, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, returns for the year 1848, showing the number of persons apprehended by police, the results before magistrate, and making a comparison with the years 1846-47; also a return of the crimes and offences coming to the knowledge of the police, in which no persons were apprehended. The result of the first is very favourable, as it exhibits a total decrease, as compared with the year 1847, of 396 persons, or more than 20 per cent. The last return exhibits an increase of undetected crime; but this arises from the Chinese inhabitants communicating their losses more readily than previous years. Most of the offences are of a trifling description, as regards the value of property stolen. It is likewise necessary to notice that property is very insecurely protected from depredation, owing to the bad fastenings to windows and doors, and the style of building.
One of the greatest difficulties the police have to encounter arises from the reluctance the Chinese exhibit to prosecute or assist in obtaining evidence, also in not appearing as witnesses after cases are committed for trial. This necessarily causes many cases to be acquitted, or the prosecution abandoned, and the prisoners return to their old haunts and habits.
I beg to add that the present police force is, in my opinion, sufficient for, and adapted to, its general duties and objects; and that the state of crime, notwithstanding the difficulties to encounter, exhibits its efficiency.
The returns furnished by me do not correspond with a return from the chief magistrate, in consequence of the latter including all cases of summonses for assault, nuisances, &c., in which the parties were not in custody of police.
The Hon. Major Caine,
Colonial Secretary.
(True Copy.)
W. CAINE, Colonial Secretary.
(Signed)
I have, &c.,
C. MAY, Superintendent of Police.
Enclosure 6 in No. 38.
HONG KONG POLICE.
Comparative RETURN of the Total Number of PERSONS apprehended in the years 1846, 1847, 1848.
Result of Committals for Trial.
Result before Magistrate.
Year. Total Apprehended. Discharged. Summarily Convicted. Committed for Trial. Tried and Convicted. Tried and Acquitted. Discharged by Proclamation, Charge being abandoned. 1846 1,539 229 1,149 161 1847 1,852 440 1,081 331 1848 1,456 491 798 167 41 69 37(True Copy)
(Signed)
Charles May,
Superintendent of Police.
W. CAINE,
Colonial Secretary.
Encl. 5 in No. 39
Encl. 0 in No. 38.
1841-1886
107
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 509
While our hopes in regard to the future trade of native vessels at Hong Kong cannot be very sanguine, we need not despair, for there exists a progressive improvement; and could a stop be put to piracy, the junks would bring more valuable cargoes than they have hitherto ventured to do.
Victoria, 27th February, 1849.
(Signed)
(True Copy.)
W. CAINE, Colonial Secretary.
CHARLES GUTZLAFF, Chinese Secretary.
HONG KONG
Enclosure 5 in No. 38.
SIR,
Police Department, Victoria, March 7, 1849. I HAVE the honour to submit through you, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, returns for the year 1848, showing the number of persons apprehended by police, the results before magistrate, and making a comparison with the
years 1846-47; also a return of the crimes and offences coming to the knowledge of the police, in which no persons were apprehended. The result of the first is very favourable, as it exhibits a total decrease, as com- pared with the year 1847, of 396 persone, or more than 20 per cent. The last return exhibits an increase of undetected crime; but this arises from the Chinese inhabitants communicating their losses more readily than previous years. Most of the offences are of a trifling description, as regards the value of property stolen. It is likewise necessary to notice that property is very insecurely protected from depredation, owing to the bad fastenings to windows and doors, and the style of building.
One of the greatest difficulties the police have to encounter arises from the reluctance the Chinese exhibit to prosecute or assist in obtaining evidence, also in not appearing as witnesses after cases are committed for trial. This necessarily causes many cases to be acquitted, or the proseecution abandoned, and the prisoners return to their old haunts and habits.
I beg to add that the present police force is, in my opinion, sufficient for, and adapted to, its general duties and objects; and that the state of crime, notwithstanding the difficulties to encounter, exhibits its efficiency.
'The returns furnished by me do not correspond with a return from the chief magistrate, in consequence of the latter including all cases of summonses for assault, nuisances, &c., in which the parties were not in custody of police.
The Hon. Major Caine,
Colonial Secretary.
(True Copy.)
W. CAINE, Calonial Secretary.
(Signed)
I have, &c.,
C. MAY, Superintendent of Police.
Enclosure 6 in No 38.
HONG KONG POLICE.
Comparative RETURN of the Total Number of PERSONS apprehended in the years 1846,
1847, 1848.
Result of Committals for Trial.
Result before Magistrate.
Year.
Total Apprehended.
Discharged.
Summarily Convicted.
Committed for Trial.
Tried and Coaricted.
Tried and Acquitted.
Discharged by Proclamation, Charge being abandoned.
1846
1,539
229
1,149
161
1947
1,852
440
1,081
331
1848
1,456
491
798
167
41
69
37
(True Copy)
(Signed)
Charles May,
W. CAINE,
Superintendent of Police.
Colonial Secretary.
Encl. 5 in No. 39
Encl. 0 in Ne. 38.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.