CO129-012 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [5-7] — Page 310

Ordinance . The majority of these have gevers security for their good behaviour, and the steady decrease of crime sonce the

effect scorers to

Ordinance was carried into effect substantiate its ectility. Indeed,

meamire

upon

do

of police, my experience impress me the conviction of its paramount importance . The system if properly délailu

should

in

inoure

the detection of offenders;

• proof of which I may adduce the case

of the robbery

on board the John Barry," the perpetrators of which were arrested by the

Chinese authorities 50 miles from hence;

upon information supplied by

It is necessary

ane.

in order to appreciate the advantages of a general registration : / the population of this island, to take

into consideration the varies and iclorogeneous materiel of its composition . Before the cession of Hongkong to

the

B

305

the British Crown its population amounts to about Four thousand souls. Of these 1500

svere

perhaps,

engaged in the cultivation of rice ; about 2000 in the fisheries and the pemainder gained a subsistence by furnishing supplies to the fishing vessels resorting to the harbours. The abundance and excellent quality of the granite

оссек

65 general

casionally brought a few hundred quarrymen to the islans; but its unproductiveness and barren aspect ___ offered but few attractions to the "inhabitants of the neighbouring main.

bl

.

6l government agent periodically arsità

the island to collect the land tax and

register fishing vessels, but no

• police authority was ever Exercised; the municipal government being sutrusted to the epo

or

Ilder.

The arrival of a British flut

in