336
11839
No. 44.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Report from the Captain Superintendent of Police for the Year 1868, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 12th April, 1869.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
POLICE DEPARTMENT, HONGKONG, 4th February, 1889.
Sir, I have the honor to forward, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, a Return of Serious and Minor Offences reported to have been committed during the year 1868.
2. I also have the honor to enclose a separate Return of Felonies coming under the cognizance of the Police during the same year, in accordance with the instructions conveyed to me in your despatch No. 588, of 5th December, 1868.
3. From these and similar Returns forwarded last year, it will be apparent that Serious Crimes have decreased 13.8 per cent, Minor Offences, 2.9 per cent, and all Crimes, 5.5 per cent, when compared with the year 1807.
Year.
1867 1808
Serious Crimes.
1,458 1,256
Decrease.
13.8
Minor Offences.
4,585 4,149
Decrease.
2.0
All Offences.
Decrease.
6,043 5,700
5.5
4. This decrease of Serious Crimes I believe to be especially attributable to the infliction of the punishment of flogging
in cases of crime accompanied by violence; and also to the optional deportation of well known criminals.
5. I regret to find that a large increase is apparent in the number of European prisoners. Drunkenness shows an increase af 215 cases, equivalent to 82.5 per cent on the Return of the previous year.
6. In cases of Robbery with Violence, perpetrated solely by Chinese, a decrease of 109 cases is noticeable, the number being 41 in 1868 and 150 in 1867; whilst Assaults with Intent to Rob are less numerous by 31 cases, only four having been reported in 1888.
7. Two cases of Murder occurred, one of an American named Yancey residing at British Kowloon; the other of a Turnkey of Victoria Gaol; in the first case, it transpired that nine persons had been engaged in the burglarious attack that resulted in Yancey's murder;.
..In the second case the murderer, a convict in the Gaol,
suffered tlie extreme penalty of the Law,
8. Cases of common Assaults continue to be very numerous, averaging more than 2 for each day.
This
9. Seventy-six cases of Burglary are reported, against 110 in the previous year, shewing a decrease of 43 cases. may, I think, be in a great measure owing to the arrest of a gang of 10 men, who lived in the shed on the hill side near the Rifle Butts, and who were traced on information procured by a Lokong after they had perpetrated some most daring burglaries.
10. The decrease of 323 cases of Gambling (181 in 1868-304 in 1807) is clearly attributable to the establishment of Licensed Public Gaming Houses; and here I may remark that these Returns of crime dissipate the idea, prevalent at the time of their introduction, that crime would be largely increased.
11. Sixty-eight cases of Kiduapping appear, at first sight, to manifest a very extensive field of crime, but reference to the "Discharged" column shows the number of cases dismissed by the Magistrates, and which really might have been refused at the Police Stations, as they are in fact cases wherein the alleged kidnapped person, being of sufficient age to be responsible for his actions, had voluntarily joined an emigrant ship, and then, repeating of his undertaking, had pursuaded his friends to charge the Agents who engaged him with Kidnapping. The remaining cases are more serious and refer to the Abduction of Children for sale on the mainland.
12. Cases of unlawful possession (215 in 1868-300 in 1867) refer generally to articles of small intrinsic value, and a large number yearly arise from property etolen at fires.
13. Cases of Larceny continue very numerous (805 in 1868--719 in 1807) and are, I think, greatly fostered by the onveniences afforded by the Pawn Shops for the disposal of the property. As usual, in no case during the year has any Pawnbroker voluntarily assisted the Police, but more stringent Rules are now being enforced as to the issue and renewal of Pawnbrokers' Licenses.
14. Under the head of Piracy (21 in 1868-35 in 1887) will be found a great many cases affecting small Fishing Boats and which should rather be described as Robberies in Chinese Waters. The only attack on a European vessel was that on the North German barque Lesmont, on the 25th May, off the Island of Hainam. The vessel was captured and senttled by the Pirates, the crew narrowly escaping with their lives. The distance of the place of attack, 300 miles from longkong, prevented the Police of this Colony being successful in arresting any of the culprits, although they obtained information as to the place where two of the piratical junks were for a time lying. Their seizure was however unaccomplished, through a misunderstund- ing on the part of the Officer in command of the Gun-bout that was sent in search, as to the proper place to visit. As His Excellency is well aware, although these offences are placed on the Police Returns, the Police themselves have no power or means to act without the waters of the Colony.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.