1959-03-07 — Page 6

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THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1959,

Growth of the Force

UP to the time covered by the provious article

an the By

Hongkong Police, Indian Police Constables had been re- cruited from Indian Regiments stationed here. But in 1862, the Superintendent, Captain W. Quin, who had served in the Army and also with the Bombay Polico resolved to try Bombay and Madras as recruiting grounds.

His efforts proved to be successful, numerically speaking, for by 1865, the strength of the Police Force had risen to 610, and breaking it down by nationalities shows that of that number, 369 were Indians, 165 Chinese, and 76 Europeans.

However, the Administrator, the Hon. Mr W. T. Mercer reported that he found the Indian Police recruits exceedingly unsatisfactory. The Superintendent challenged this by saying that they had not received a fair trial. At the same time the Superintendent opposed the suggestion that recruiting should be increased among the Chinese,

The situation deteriorated: In 1807, Sir R. MacDonnell assured the Secretary of State for the Colonies that he had not seen in any British Colony so ineffec tive à force of men.

Although little is said of the matter, the fact is that neither the status nor the pay offered

the polleo was likely to attract the right kind of mön.

We have, for instance, the Judicrous altuntian occurring at this time of a retiring police sergeant, a European, putting in for a lecce to run a bar in Quera's Road, and of his ap plication being tumed down by the Magistrate on the grounds that the applicant was not, of good character,

In 1869, district watchmen were employed, the consequence being that friction at once resulted botween the Captain, Suporinendant

the and Registrar-General.

At the same time, these dia. trist watchmen proved very useful na auxiliaries

the Police.

to

In tbe meantimo Indians In the Folles Force were 're- placed by men from the Pun- jab, and a Pollen School was established.

This did something, but not enough. The numerous incidents of the Police being 'get at led to a strong expression of general dissatisfaction which resulted in Comunission of Enquiry which aat in 1872.

National

The findings of this Com- Europeans. Thio calmeldes with miles were three-

Sir J Pope-Hennessy's ne-

(1) That

higher should be paid.

salaries

(2) That there should, be a

detective staf.

(3) That facilities for learn- ing Chinese should be granted both Europeans and Indiana.

In 1873, the office of Assistant Superintendent was abolished, und replaced by that of Chief Inspector:

★

Also in 1873, ↳ station wus

bulit at Yaumall which placed self more or less across the path of a route followed by the wicked ones who wandered ba- tween

the sinful village of

outside Shamshulpo, Territory in those days, and the Colony.

rafnistration, but it le not fair

eriticise one side or the other from a distance of eighty years. Undoubtedly, Sir John did make mistakes, but he had the right idea. He realised that if Hongkong was to be the succes-

JOHN LUFF

It is possible to admire our furefathers. They wore an arrogant - "krowd, but they had courage an imagination, and they were ever mindful of the fact that they had carved a fe Culony out of a bare rock.

But they convinced themselves of a racial superiority, and many showed in no uncertain way their contempt for men of sup- posed "lesser Breeda"

My qualification, rather lengthy, la necessary because I am going to quote from a rather blazed writer of some seventy years ago.

Mr H. Gibb was in the Chair, and he was supported by practi- cally every leading merchant of the Colony excepting the senior unofficial member of the Legisla tive Council (tho Hon. Philip Ryrie) who for particular rea- sons hold aloof

The Chinese held a counter demonstration, petitioning Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, mad expressing confidence inʼHer ro- ! presentative,

The Colonial Secretary refused to appoint a Commission from penne had reasons for complaint the British ships in the harbour England, but admitted the Euros which the Chinese bombarded regarding the rise of the criminal in the year 1839. closees. But by this time, Sir John had acted on this Town New Polleo Stallons were built and had stiffened the treatment at Aberdeen, Taat, Tze Mul, the old logs received sending and Kennedy Town in 1891. the consistent fawbreakers up to

In 1893, Mr F. H. Mar. later the Supreme Court instead of: letting the Magistrates deal with to become Colonial Secretary, thom

old system of and eventually Governor of the deportation was revived, but re- Colony, was appointed Captain garding corporal punishment, Sir Buperintendent of Police,

Pope-Hennessy. Was John adamant..

"Bu! It Wos not only lu personal matter that (Sir J. Pope-Hennessy) showed the cloven hoof. Hla entro ad ministration was tinctured with a prejudice which did not favour the predominant section of the

The a larger community," (The writer is

criticising Sir John's appoint ment of Mr Ng Choy, a Chinese Barrister to a vacant post on the Legislative Council).

full Colony. It could be, then the Chinese must play leading part in its administra- tion.

Today very few would quarrel with such An enghtened opinion, in fact it is the giving cultcreta effect to such an opinion that has placed the Bri- Ush Commonwealth on n pinacle among the groups of Nations.

But to be perfectly fair, I mum also say that if there is one thing worse than holding people in subjectinn, it is the

of British granting -enfranchisement before they are ready to receive it. The First Essential of a Democracy is Educated Electorate.

It is from this time that the growing efficiency of the Chinese constables is noticed, and they were given credit for effecting arresta impossible to the Indian or European Pole of the Force. By 1988, a Chinese detectivo improved upon this by recover- 28 £1,000 in gold coins after a smart piece of work he carried out practically alone,

honourable

an

Sir J. Pope-Hennessy was a De fuch 2 ananitarian, and

He was a admire his memory. far-sighted administrator and an

man, but he di want to push things before his people were ready for ahead them. And that was his falling. And for that reason the Colony turned against him, and he be- came the butt of the wits and the object of a public expression Chinese and of contempt,

The years 1817 and 1878 saw crime on the increase again. Not only properly but life was insecure.

In the outlying districts, open. and daring attacks were made

, both

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In the year 1805, the controi, of the Fire Brigade and the Gap were added to the Captain

for dulles, Superintendent's reasons of economy.

The business of forging and branding had been taken over from the Chinese Oxtrinsă Code, rightly Sir J. Pope-Hennessy

but England supported Sir John These punishments were so contrived matters up to invite forbidden in Hongkong, except- condemnation. One of ble pet ing that flogging could be ad- official tobbies was a scheme of ministered where dogging would

The same reform based in the have been awarded in England increase in crime, expecially in criminal

year saw an main on the philanthropie Ideal for shallar criminal offences.

burglary and armed assault after which obtain in England,

The Superintendent of Pellco' dark. As a consequence, the supported Sir John through all lantern carrying regulation was this, and stated that the lacrease brought back with a subsequent in crime in the years of 1877/5 fall in this particular kind of was due not to leniency on the Governor's part, but to fachine in China and the high price of rice is Hongkong.

Whipping, branding, and de- porting...features of the penal system of the Colony, as he found it, were strongly con demned and eventually abolish- ed by him. And he made other changes in the direction of greater leniency.

The Chinese lower classes were naturally grateful for the favours received,

the Governor

und dubbed

merciful

unity with a profounder know- man, but the European Cam Idge of the springs of Chinese criminal nature, were profoundly datisfied at what they regard ed as the dangerous workings of A palley adopted by the

Governor,

A great crime which took place in 1878 lent point to the indignant re- presentations of this important section of the population, and as munth succceded month and the crimes increased in seriousness, was determined to hold an Indignation meeting to protest against the action that had been taken.

outburst of serious

The Chinese criminal classes, obligation to the Superintendent feeling that they were under an of Police for these gracious re- marks, openly attacked him and

The rob several of a men.

Emboldened, took bere, possession of Wing Lok Street, and shot it out with the Police,

thus

outrage,

Colony had increased to 250,000 The total population of the by this time; the strength of the Police Foren was 827.

An earlier article on gambling will have informed readers of the hold this particular form of. the Colony, and et how different reereallen had upon the life of Governors tried to retala somo kind of control over it,

But the stricter the control, and the mme rigid the legisla- tion, the more secretly it was practised.

An Indian Police contingent

touched rock bottom when the lives were saved by the Pallee seemed that, things had. Many hundreds of Chinese

fallowing year; 37 Indian Police in the bland, in Kowloon, and were sent to gaal for finsubati- in the New Territorita during nation

and after the storm." However, things - were." not For those who read facts in altogether, binck, for at the same figures better than in proso, it time, two European and seven is interesting to look at the Chinose manters of the Force figures for 1997 at a time when were rewarded by the Glovemar the Police Force was catalina. for courage, promptnem and in- et on lines which show a con-

tinuity with today. telligence.

Two Indians were rewarded During 1907, 11,540 case/ for rescues from drowping; an- were reported to the Police, an of 3.55 per cent over other two for arresting burglars; increase

Some 3,300 and three Chinese watchner for the previous year, activity and intelligence,

related to serious offences, decrease of Bi per cent.

LS

-1

Arising out of this, 2,080 per

were end 1.592 ware convicted, · 14 murders

were arrested and 16 convicted.

When the New Territories were added to the Colony the scope of the Police work ex- tended accordingly, and neces- sitated the enrolment of two N. C. Os and 22 men of the Special Constables for duty in Royal Welsh Fusillers

the newly acquired area, pend- ing the enlistment of additional were reported and 24 persons Police. New Stations were but There were & gang robberies, 3 at Taipo, Autou, and Pingshon

Crime Increased with the ac- quisition of the New Territories

and partly owing to the activi- owing to the disturbed candlilon of the neighbouring provinces, lies of the Triads who found hospitality on British Territory.

During 1899, there were 18 gang robberies on the Island and 25 in the New Territories.

of which took place in the Now Territories, and in 3 cases TID arrest was made.

Wêre

any arrests in 15 out of 24 cases The Police failed also to make of street and highway robbery.

There

8,234 minor and 10,500 arrest, offences resulting in 0,901 convictions.. 147 garbling WAITEDIS Wers issued and in each case a con-

Two new Stations were built on the mainland during 1000, victos followed. one at Sat Kụng and the other at She Tau Kok.

A total of 2,181 search war- rants for prepared oplum ware and executed by the Police Excise Ofcern, and 787 cases, opium was found and 1,057 persons were apprehended, The The Police were re-armed estimated value of property In 1819, the robbers attacked

This bribes offered for turning with the new 303 Martine stolen in 1907 was $141,354, and Hunghom It does seem to make caso for the retention of a Blud eye were considerable, Enfield carbines at this time, and of that recovered by the Folles,

unishment with it is proved, and sause of the Police Force three Maxim guns were placed $18,787. and only when it is proved, dimensions Ald it reach that launches.

fell by the wayside,

Such on board the new potrai It must be remembered that deterent,

the

A territe typhoon the days of which I write werd. there was a public outcry in during 1908 played havoc with more leisurety, and the vast In 1884, Tsimshatsul was 1897. This led to a searching the Police launches in the har. headache introduced by opened for the Marine Police, investigation by the Capiain pour sad completely demolished motor vehicle had yet to arise. or Water Police as they called Superintendent

the Police Station at Shamshui- Nevertheless, if crime was not them then.

Da,

keng taken in its stride, it was - mek- One European Inspector wan

and held down and af Steam launches were obtained convicted and sent to gaol for

During the same typhoon, the no time hava things The demonstration took place for harbour work, and these cut six months with hard labour, Police rendered such yeoman really

of control. on October 7. 1878, on the down, or made miserable, the while others and some Euro- scrvice. to the community, And this hi spite of tlie fact Cricket Ground. It was one of lives of those who bad pursued pean Sergeants, together with 19 especially the Chinese, that they that British procedure does not the most important gatherings of wickedness on the face of the Indian and 26 Chinese Police were commended by His Excel- permit the Folke extraordinary- the kind over held in the his- waters. Tsimshatsui, by the were dismissed from the Força lency, Sir Matthew Nothin la measures apainat such nefarious dory of the Colony.

way, occupies the sito" from for taking belbes,

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societies as the Triads.

FOUR D. JONES

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