CO129-292 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [6-8] — Page 303

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difference is insufficient to induce men to come out here.

(2) The recent increase in the pay of the Imperial Maritime Customs. This causes all local candidates to go to

the Customs.

(3) The recent increases in the cost of living here. (4) The evil reputation of the Colony for Plague. The backbone of this Force is the European contingent, and on

the efficiency of that Contingent depends the efficiency of the

entire Force, and the efficiency of the Contingent cannot be

maintained at a high standard unless trained recruits are ob

tained from home, unless a depot were established here for the

training of recruits with no previous police service, which

would involve an expenditure in buildings and instructors which

would make the system more expensive than that hitherto pur-

sued.

In view of the fact that recruits who have had pre-

vious training are practically unobtanable at home, and that

locally the pay fails to attract respectable men I have no

alternative but to recommend an increase of the pay or the

European Police.

Apart from the questions of such increase being neces-

sary to overcome the difficulties in recruiting, I consider

that a substantial increase is necessary in order to meet the

extraordinary rise in the cost of living, that has taken place

during the last (5years?)

The following are the prices paid for eatables by the

wife of one of the Inspectors (she is a most careful house-

keeper) in 1895 and at the present time:-

1895

1899.

Beef

Mutton

Chicken

per

11

督

1b.

10cts.

14cts.

14

20

#1

量

12

17

Capon

11

20

25

Fish

19

44

10

16

Carried forward

66

92

Sugar