CO129-188 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [5-6] — Page 146

Encloure in Governa Sir Hon Bus Hermessi's Despatch 1.61919. Muny 1880

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The Daily Press.

HONGKONG, MARCH 12TH, 1880.

In yesterday's Gazette are published the re- port of the Gaol Superintendent for 1879 and certain criminal statistise. The latter show that in 1879 there were fewer criminals before the courts than in any other year of the decade, the number being 8,705, while in 1872 the number was 15,444. If it be true that figures may be made to mislead, they certainly do not do so in this case, as the state of good order and security the Colony has latterly enjoyed was frequently re- marked upon before the appearance of the statistics referred to. It is hardly necessary now to re-open the question us to the proper mode of dealing with crime, which formed such a burning topic in the Colony a couple of years ago, but it is only fair to note the fact that under the present régime crime bas sensibly declined. Simultaneously there has been a marked decrease in the number of floggings inflicted, the figures having fallen from 119 in 1875 to 18 in 1879. This also is a matter for congratulation; there is no one, indeed, who would not be glad if flogging could with enfety be abolished altogether,. but that this cannot be done is most signifi- cantly proved by the fact that during the past year the Superintendent of the Gaol, who, we believe, is rather averse to flogging, found it necessary to order no less than seven floggings, in addition to four ordered on the joint authority of the Visiting Justices and Gaol Superintendent. The real reasons for the decrease in crime are, we fancy, correctly indicated by the Superintendent in his Report when he mentions that old offenders have of late received long sentences, whereas in former years, when short sentences were the rule, the same prisoner might appear five or six different times in one year. Each ap- pearance would, of course, presumably indi- pate a fresh crime, The Judges in passing long sentences have sometimes made the re-} mark hat they believed it would be cheaper i for the colony to keep the man in gaol for a lengthened period than to allow him to go at large after a short punishment. 'and this is practically what the question re-

solves itself into. The figures given by Mr. TONNOCHY on this point are interesting. In 1872 and 1876, when the daily average of prisoners in the gaol was much smaller than in 1879, the number of admissions was much larger, and as the number of admissions is, of the two, the better criterion of the state of crime, the figures must be regarded as bighly satisfactory. The partial introduction of the separate system has also had a good effect, and few of the men who have passed through the separate cells have returned to guol a second time. The Superintendent, however,. regrets "that there seems no bear prospect of its more extended application." If this is to be taken as an indication that the proposed new gaol is still in the distant future, we must express satisfaction on this point also, notwithstanding the good effects of the separate system. We do so because we be- lieve the good to be accomplished by the building of a new gaol would not be at all commensurate with the enormous outlay. The present building has sufficed for the requirements of the Colony hitherto, and if there is a necessity at some future date→→ there is none at present-for au extension of the building, this can be effected by taking in the Magistracy compouud. Nothing will justify the erection of another costly structure on Stonecutter's Island unless the sale of the site of the existing building will cover the outlay on a new gaol. The Colony has bad enough, and more than enough, of rainously expensive experiments. It has witnessed so many schemes and works inaugurated by one Governor only to be exploded by another, that it is perfectly sick of them. Improve-

ments

cease

are good in theory, but they to be beneficial when they cost more than the Colony can afford to pay. If there is a surplus let it be employed in reducing the heavy burden of taxa- tion rather than in providing fresh lodg ings on 3 Tast scale for the criminals, who are already luxuriantly housed. The revenue is large certainly, but the colonists derive no benefit from the fact; they are cer- tainly entitled to some consideration, having regard to the taxes paid, and it is to be hoped that the Government will see that it. is its duty to the taxpayers to relieve them of a portion of their load.

(6 rma. 1 į 80 ~H & S 9720)}