Houghong
N 25-
27th February, 1878-
Governo
John Lope Hennesy, C.M.G.
to
1 The Right Honorable
The Earl
7
Carnarvon
As to satisfactory dispection of the Police Force; necefity Fs Steam Launches for the Water
Police; and desirability of rendering the whole Force uniful for refensive purposes
新
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, FEBRUARY 27TH, 1878.
THE GOVERNOR AND THE POLICE | FORCE.
Yesterday afternoon the Governor inspected the police force. His Excellency arrived shortly after three o'clock, attended by his private secretary, Mr. G. S. Northcote, and was received with a general salute. The force was under the command of Acting Captain Superintendent Creagh and Mr. McEuen. Deputy Superinten- dent. Captain Dempster. Acting Superinten- dent of the Gaol, was also prosont. The land force were drawn up in two ranks facing the North, with the Europeans to the east, the Chi- noso in the centre, aud the Indians to the west. There were on parade forty-four Europeans, ninety-eight Chinese, fifty-six Indian constables, and four troopers, with Aoting Chief Inspector Horspool and six other inspectors, one jemadhar, seven European sergeants, four Indian sergeants, and three Chinese sergeants. The Water Police, numbering one hundred men, with Inspector Grimes in charge and four sergeants, were drawn up opposite. His Excellency walked along the ranks, making a close inspection. This con- cluded, the men were formed into square, and→
His Excellency then said-Mr. Creagh, allow me to express to you and the meu under your command the great satisfaction I have experienced to-day in seeing the admirable appearance and discipline of this force. In the whole of Her Majesty's Colonial Empire there is no police force of equal strength, and perhaps I can add with truth, of greater efficiency, as compared with the size and requirements of the Colony. The Government of this Colony has spent money, not lavishly but wisely, in providing for the pre. servation of order a body of men that can cou pare with the police force in any part of the Colonial Empire. Wo have got from time to time from England a number of well trained constables. I see to-day inspectors of the Euro- pean force who have been for many years in the Colony, and whose good pay is the result of their good conduct. I can only say to those who have! come from the United Kingdom recently to Hong- kong that by emulating the example they will see presented by the inspectors and sergeants to whom I refer, they themselves can look forward to receiving in time the promotion and re- wards of the service. With respect to the con- tingont on my right, which owes its efficiency
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so peculiarly to my friend, Mr. Creagh, the Acting Captain Superintendent of Police, all must feel that the Sikh corps is a credit to the colony and to Mr. Creagh. And with respect to the important body of Chinese, it is enough to recall the fact that of late years the detection of crime in the colony has been owing in no small degree to the fact that the Chinose police force has been rendered so numerous and efficient. I have recently received from Mr. Creagh a recommendation that I should consider the advisability of creating in the Chinese force au additional number of sergeants, and possibly in course of time an inspector; and that recom. mendation, like everything which comes from Mr. Creagh, is receiving my best attention. At this moment the Europeans and Indians are a well armed force. You correspond to that armed force which in other colonies has imposed upon it the sole de- fence of the colony. Here we have also Her Ma- jesty's troops, but I do not hesitate to say that by proper care, by strict discipline, and by develop ing that public spirit which I have found here in existence, we should be able to establish in this colony an armed force which would be of the utmost importance to us in the event of any contingency arising which might induce Her Majesty's Go- vernment to diminish the number of troops in Hongkong. It is well to know that if such a contingency should arise the Government can rely with confidence on the loyalty and efficiency of those I now see around me. I will take the opportunity of saying that looking to the large body of men assembled in this square and remembering also that a considerable number are now on duty in various parts of the Colony, I think I am bound to provide a force so numerous with a greater number of officers. I am entirely satisfied with the ability and zeal of my friends Mr. Creagh and Mr. McEnen. They are first rate officers. But when your experienced Captain Superintendent (Mr. Deane) arrives, I must consult him as to a possible increase of the staff. I have only to add that I shall take a personal interest in the welfare of every man in the force, and you may rely at all times on re- ceiving the sympathy and support of the Govern- ment. All the Government expects from you is a faithful discharge of your duty in the suppression of crime and the preservation of order. I will now call upon you to give three cheers for the Queen.
Three hearty cheers were given in response to His Excellency's call. His Excellency then went through the barracks, attended by Mr. Creagh and Mr. McEnen, and displayed much interest in the arrangements and appointments of the various rooms. On his returning to the square a photograph of the force was taken. His Excellency then left, receiving another salute as he went away.
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