CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 546

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86%.

539

This offence is so nearly related to

larceny and receiving, and the circumstances of cases vary 'so

much that it is difficult to determine whether lighter or

heavier punishments as regards particular cases have been im-

posed; but it certainly seems as if the average sentences bad

been higher of late, unless the gravity of the cases, or the

poverty of the convicted has helped to swell the ratio of in-

prisonments.

11.

The schedule prepared in the Police

Department shows the number of cases reported to the Police,

which is not the same as the number of cases tried by the

Magistrates.

12.

That portion of the schedule which re-

lates to serious offences speaks for itself. If the average

of 1908 is sustained till the end of the year, there will have

been 5,076 serious offences reported during 1908 as against

3,998 in 1902.

13.

The cases of larceny reported to the

Police during the three quarters of 1903 exceed the highest figures for the same period in any previous year by 528 cases.

This is not unexpected, because the conviction for larceny during 1902 numbered 1,247 as against an average for the pre- ceding five years of 1,117. The advance in the population of the old part of the Colony, and the addition of the population of

the New Territories would lead to an expectation of an increase

in crime whether serious or light.

14.

As regards the overcrowding of the Gaol,

the Superintendent in his annual report for 1898 drew attention

to the inadequacy of the then Gaol accommodation, and his report for 1900 gave the accommodation as limited to 570.

15.

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