CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 583

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are

were discontented from the first and not yet contented. They are,

taken as a whole, of a lower educational standard and on a lower

moral plane than the class of men that used to be obtained for

the European Contingent.

I strongly advise that on the termination

of their five years' agreements those of them that are not

thoroughly satisfactory Folice Officers be not re-engaged. They

were engaged in an emergency and are only seconded for service

here so can return to the service they came from.

If they are retained the day will come when

the ranks of the Sergeants and Inspectors will by weight of

seniority be filled to a large extent by ex-Marines. I consider

that would be one of the worst misfortunes that could overtake the

Hongkong Police.

or

If trained men cannot be got at home to fill

vacancies in the Folice I advise that respectable well educated

men (such as one finds on the roster for some of the large Folice

Forces at home) with no Folice Service be enlisted. They will

make better Policemen as a rule than ex-Soldiers and ex-Marines.

but an endeavour should be made to make Folice Service here more

popular so as to attract trained men at any rate men from the

rosters of Home Forces. With that object in view I strongly re-

commend that the Fension Rules be altered so as to allow a folice

man to retire on pension after 20 years' service with no stipuin-

tion, as at present, that he shall have attained the age of 45.

years. If this will not attract men from hore Forces or Civilian:

of a good class from home then I recommend a further increase of

pay. I attach the seniority roll of the European Contingent and

I would draw serious attention to the fact that out of 17

Inspectors (including the two Chief Inspectors) 12 were recruiter

from Home Police Forces, 4 were seamen while 1 had no previous

Folice Service; and that cut of 24 Sergeants 15, were recruited from