CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 556

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No.

512.

Hongkong.

Sir,

44064

Government House: 7 DEC 13

Hongkong, 6th. November,

1903.

1549

I have the honour to inform you that the

Colonial Secretary who by my direction recently made enquiry

into the working of the Police Force has made the suggestion

that with a view to the improvement of the Water Police the

Assistant Harbour Master should be also appointed an Assistant

Superintendent of Police and as such have the supervision of

the Water Police.

2.

The reasons urged by Mr. May in support

of the suggestion are that the Water Police are not in a satis-

factory state owing to the majority of its European Members

not being seamen, and to the lack of the necessary nautical

knowledge on the part of the Superior Officers of the Police

Force, rendering really efficient supervision impossible;

that as at present organised they are of little use to the

Harbour Master in carrying out the regulation of the Harbour

under Ordinance 36 of 1899 sections 23 and 39, whereas with

the Assistant Harbour Master to supervise their work in the

Harbour their co-operation would be much closer; and that

both Departments would gain by the scheme at little or no

extra expense to Government.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE

COLONIES.

Mr.