CO129-028 - Bonham - 1849 [1-3] — Page 348

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

increase)

More of undetected crime arises from the Chinese inhabitants not communicating their losses as readily as in 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 of 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 being committed for trial. This necessarily causes many 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 be encountered, 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 for assault, nuisances, etc., in which the parties were not in custody of the Police.

I have, etc.,

(Signed) W. May,

Superintendent of Police.

True Copy.

342

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increase) More of undetected crime arises from the Chinese inhabitants not communicating their losses as readily as in 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 of 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 being committed for trial. This necessarily causes many 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 be encountered, 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 for assault, nuisances, etc., in which the parties were not in custody of the Police. I have, etc., (Signed) W. May, Superintendent of Police. True Copy. 342

Baseline (Original)

increase) More of undetected sive, but this arises from the Chinese inhabitants communicating their losses - readily than previous years: most of the offences are of a trifling description, as regards the value of property ? stolem ; it is likewise necesary property is very insecurely protected from defendation, owing to the bad fastenings windows and doors, and the style of building to notice that:- One of the greatest difficulties the Police have to encounters arises from to the - reluctance the chinées exhibit to prosecuti or ~ assist in obtaining evidence, also in not appearing as witnesses after Caded are- committed for trial. This successarily Cades causes many to be acquitted, or the prosecution abandoned, and the prisoners return to their old haunts and habits. Į beg to add that the foresent Police. Force is in any opinion sufficient. for my and adapted to it's 5 general duties and D ہوتا 342 objects, and that the state of crime, notwithstanding the difficulties to encounter, sxhchts its efficiency. Exhibits The returns furnished by me do the not correspond with a return from the Chief Magistrate, in consequence of latter including all cases MMAM OVVILD for assault, nuisances, yes, in which the parties custody of were not in I have, yo Police (Signed) b. May, Superat of Police Frue Sopy. for Mami Jolonial

2026-05-17 10:29:37 · Baseline

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increase)

of undetected sive, but this arises from the Chinese inhabitants communicating their losses

- readily than previous years: most of the offences are of a trifling description, as regards the value of property ? stolem ; it is likewise necesary property is very insecurely protected from defendation, owing to the bad fastenings windows and doors, and the style of building

to notice that:-

One of the greatest difficulties

the Police have to encounters arises

from

the

- reluctance the chinées exhibit to prosecuti

~ assist in obtaining evidence, also in not

appearing as witnesses after

Caded are-

committed for trial. This successarily

Cades

causes

many to be acquitted, or the prosecution abandoned, and the prisoners return to their old haunts and habits.

beg to add that the foresent

Police. Force is in any opinion sufficient.

for

my and adapted to it's

5 general

duties and

ہوتا

342

objects, and that the state of crime, notwithstanding the difficulties to encounter, sxhchts its efficiency.

Exhibits

The returns furnished by

me do

the

not correspond with a return from the Chief Magistrate, in consequence of latter including all cases

MMAM OVVILD

for assault, nuisances, yes, in which the parties

custody of

were not in

I have, yo

Police

(Signed) b. May,

Superat of Police

Frue Sopy.

for

Mami

Jolonial

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