1876 — Page 236

POLICE.

10. The general health of the force has been better than in 1875; this is doubtless owing to the unusual comparative coolness of the summer. Seven deaths occurred, and among these two werc especially to be regretted. I allude to those of Inspectors DODDS and YOUNGSON; these two Officers joined from the Scottish Police, and throughout their services in the Colony, displayed great trust- worthiness and ability.

11. The European Force has been brought into a state of efficiency by the expenditure of a great deal of money and trouble. But this is likely to be seriously affected by the conclusion, at the present season, of the term of service of several of the men. In 1872, forty-five men joined from Scotland, and in 1873, 20 joined from London. These latter were unfortunately drafted immediately after a disturbance of some importance had taken place in the Metropolitan Police; consequently, some of the men who joined here were not of so high a standard of character as could have been wished. I enclose a return of the 65 men above alluded to, with remarks as to the cause of certain of them leaving. With reference to those that will remain in the Force after next inonth, I must state, that their conduct is, as a whole, very satisfactory, and that, if some of them left, it would cause a serious loss to the Colony. In February, 1877, the European Force, which is not large for the requirements of the service, will be eighteen below its proper strength, and it is with grave doubts, that I view the prospect of supplying these vacancies from the resources of the Colony.

12. I enclose a return of the changes and casualtics that took place in the Police Force during 1876; they are within three of the number that occurred in 1875.

13. The Stations are, as a rule, in good order; but I have to repeat certain previous reports, viz., that No. 7 Station, West Point, is far too small for the number of men stationed there. No. 8 Station, Tai-ping-shan, is old and badly ventilated, and should be rebuilt when possible. At the Central Station, more accomodation is urgently wanted, especially as the adjoining bungalows originally purchased for demolition, and for providing this required accommodation, have been condemned as no longer habitable. When funds admit, it would be a great boon to obtain additional rooms for married Europeans by the addition of another story to No. 9 Station, Caine Road.

14. New Streets are springing up at Yau-ma-Ti, British Kowloon; but the road drainage is very defective, as the drains are on the surface, and give the Village a very dirty appearance, but, I believe, this will soon be remedied. I notice also, that between two streets, one facing the sea, and one parallel to that, there is an alley formed by the backs of the houses; this, I hear, is on private ground, unless therefore the matter is dealt with at once, the difficulty may there, as in Victoria, arise as to whether it is a private road and inaccessible to the Police for general purposes.

15. The sale of so much land at British Kowloon renders it expedient that a Guard-house should be erected at the North-cast corner of the Peninsula, near Ma-Tau-Wai. This matter has been before considered.

16. The Blue Book Reports are attached, and also:-

A., Table of Crimes and Offences reported.

B., Table of Miscellaneous Offences.

C, Comparative Returns with years 1874, 1875.

D., Table of Criminals arrested in 1876 for returning from Deportation, or for Breach of

Conditional Pardon.

E., Table of Casualties in the Force.

F., Table of Men who joined from Scotland and England.

G., Report on the Police School, by Mr. FALCONER.

The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.,

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

W. M. DEANE,

Captain Superintendent of Police.

Colonial Secretary,

HONOKONG.