CO129-268 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [7-11] — Page 154

(

151

5% for that is what it amounts to even if he serves 20 years. Another

one is that of Sukuunden Singh just pensioned who had served 31 years

but the offences committed in the early years of his service were only

barely atoned for by many years of irreproachable conduct.

5. Most of the Offences that rise up now against the men have been con-

mitted in their undisciplined youth, (there are offences of course like

sleeping and being drunk on duty that no lack of discipline or exuberance

of youth can excuse and show a man to be unfitted for Police duties) but

almed for at the fine and.

the bulk of the crime has been especially with the Indians and Chinese

A

the mark system has a disheartening effect.

6. The return furnished on the 10th. instant shows the Force is 41

Indians short as their time falls in they go; they do not reengage, the

aen that talk English and Chinese, know their duty and localities, leave,

in fear of what the black mark system may do for then they know what they

can count on and fear to serve on lest their pension be diminished. This

applies very largely also to the European force and the best of the

Chinese. Since the adoption of the black mark system, 3 Europeans, 18

Indians and 7 Chinese have resigned.

7. That some definite standard to apply in reviewing approved service

was necessary and fairest in the end is indisputable, but I submit that

some system of compensation; some method by which a man might rehabili-

tate himself by personal effort and activity would materially assist to

decrease the great fear and dislike of the black marks that now undoubt-

edly exists in the Police Force and is driving many of the best men from

the ranks.

8. I submit these remarks with great deffadence having been so short a