CO129-097 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1864 [1-2] & Sir Robinson - 1864 [1-3] — Page 381

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

374

These robberies have had a serious impact on a certain class of residents, and have been the subject of my particular attention for some time past, and measures have been taken by the occasional appointment of a number of Constables from the Chinese Force, to do duty in those parts of the City most frequented by thieves, and it was satisfactory to observe that the street robberies had become less frequent; there appears, however, of late, to have been an increase in this type of crime, with a grave offence committed in the open day in the most daring and determined manner.

The cause may be accounted for, to some extent, in the great influx of Chinese from Canton daily by the Steamers, their fares having been recently reduced from $1 to 25 cents, enabling many to pay a visit to Hong Kong, I believe with the single object of robbery - since the reduction of fares, the number of passengers has increased four-fold on average.

I have therefore to request that His Excellency be pleased to authorise the employment of twelve additional Constables from the latter part of the current year, to be borne on the 3rd class of the Chinese Force, which will not, if sanctioned, exceed the Estimate for the present year, in order that that number may be available for employment as detectives on the particular service in question.

It is not the intention that these men be formed into a distinct body or employed exclusively as a detective force.

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374These robberies have had a serious impact on a certain class of residents, and have been the subject of my particular attention for some time past, and measures have been taken by the occasional appointment of a number of Constables from the Chinese Force, to do duty in those parts of the City most frequented by thieves, and it was satisfactory to observe that the street robberies had become less frequent; there appears, however, of late, to have been an increase in this type of crime, with a grave offence committed in the open day in the most daring and determined manner.The cause may be accounted for, to some extent, in the great influx of Chinese from Canton daily by the Steamers, their fares having been recently reduced from $1 to 25 cents, enabling many to pay a visit to Hong Kong, I believe with the single object of robbery - since the reduction of fares, the number of passengers has increased four-fold on average.I have therefore to request that His Excellency be pleased to authorise the employment of twelve additional Constables from the latter part of the current year, to be borne on the 3rd class of the Chinese Force, which will not, if sanctioned, exceed the Estimate for the present year, in order that that number may be available for employment as detectives on the particular service in question.It is not the intention that these men be formed into a distinct body or employed exclusively as a detective force.
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374These robberies have had class of adventures to my particularino doubt in attention for some time past and measuresfor have been taken by the occasional appointment- of a number of Constables from the Chinese Force, to do duty in those parts of the City most frequented by thieves, and it was - Satisfactory to observe that the street robberies had become less frequent, there appears. however of late, to have beenof thisday an increase grave offence committed in the open in the most daring and determined manner.The cause may. be accounted forI am of opinio to some extent in the great influx of Chinese from bantow daily by the Steamers, their fares having been recently redneed from #1 to 25 cents enablesevery many pay a visit to Honghong, I Cases with the singlei object of robbery - since the reduction of faces, the numberaverageincreasedforr. foldI have theref of passengers have therefore to request that His Excellency be pleased to Authing the Employment of Twelve additional Constables from the latprosimo, to be borne on the 3rd class of the Chinese Force, which will not, if sanctioned, exceed the Estimate the present year, order that that number. mayfor employmentin be available as detectives on the particular service in question.It is not the intention that these men be formed into a distinct body or employed exclusively as a detective force, cellkingh
2026-05-19 05:21:31 · Baseline
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374

These robberies have had

class of

adventures to

my particular

ino doubt in

attention for some time past and measures

for

have been taken by the occasional appointment-

of a number of Constables from the Chinese Force, to do duty in those parts of the City most frequented by thieves, and it was - Satisfactory to observe that the street robberies had become less frequent, there appears. however of late, to have been

of this

day

an increase

grave offence committed in the open

in the most daring and determined

manner.

The cause may.

be accounted

for

I am of opinio

to some extent in the great

influx of Chinese from bantow daily by the Steamers, their fares having been recently

redneed

from #1 to 25 cents enables

every

many

pay

a visit to Honghong, I

Cases with the single i

object of robbery - since the reduction of faces,

the

number

average

increased

forr. fold

I have theref

of passengers

have

therefore to request that His Excellency be pleased to Authing the Employment

of

Twelve additional Constables from the lat

prosimo, to be borne on the 3rd class of the Chinese Force, which will not, if sanctioned,

exceed the Estimate

the present year,

order that that number.

may

for employment

in

be available

as detectives on the particular

service in question.

It is not the intention that these men

be formed

into

a distinct body or employed

exclusively as a detective force, cellkingh

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