135
from the time you took charge of it, until I left in 1878, and can
testify to the high state of discipline and efficiency to which
you brought it, and which required, owing to its peculiar
constitution exceptional powers of organization to effect.
I am,
BROOKE ROBERTSON.
Very truly yours,
(Signed)
Captain Superintendent of Police,
To W.M.Deane, Esgre.,
Hong Kong.
LETTER from SIR RICHARD GRAVES MAC DONNELL, C.B., K.C.M.G.
Governor and Commander in Chief of Hong Kong from 1866 to
1872.
(Copy)
My dear Mr. Deane,
11, York Terrace,
Regent's Park,
24th May, 1880.
As I learn that you intend becoming a candidate for the Chief
Constableship of Lancaster, it may perhaps serve your intereats to
have some certificate from my self of your services from 1866 in
Hong Kong, where I was till 1872, the period during which I was
Governor of that Colony. As Head of the Police you had in a
great measure to establish that force, or rather to remodel it,
and adapt it for the discharge of its very varied and important
duties, amongst different nationalities and under circumstances
of great difficulty. I can testify to the amount of success
which attended your efforts, especially as your Police numbered
I think over 700, comprised many elements difficult to work in
union - but above all I have pleasure in being witness to the
energy and zeal which marked all your efforts, whilat as &
Magistrate you were uniformly painstaking and just as well as
highly competent.
Seeing that your position in China was highly honourable,
trustworthy and lucrative, I presume you only seek an office here
TESTIMONI AL from CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH, Esquire, C.M.G., Colonial
Secretary of the Straits Settlements.
Mr. Walter Meredith Deane held the appointment of Captain
Superintendent of Police, Hong Kong, whilst I was Acting Colonial
Secretary in that Colony for nearly five years. He performed the
duties of his office with marked ability, tact, and discretion, and
the greatest satisfaction of the Government. His experience in
handling his men often proved under trying circumstances of great
importance in preserving law and order, while the assiduity with whi
he tracked out cases of serious crime had a most excellent effect on
the Criminal Classes. Mr. Deane took over the Police Force in a vi
unsatisfactory state, and he brought it into being one of the most
efficient and trustworthy Forces in the East.
4th February, 1884.
(Signed) CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH, C.M.G.
Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlement
Hong Kong Government Gazette, 17th Septr. 1881 p.845.
proceedings of the Legislative Council.
EXTRACT
from
"The Governor infoms the Council that he is about to proceed to
the North on six weeks vacation leave, and that during his absence thị
Government will be administered by the Acting Colonial Secretary (th
Honourable M. S. Tonnorby) and that the Acting Colonial Treasurer (th
Honourable V. M. Deane) will officiate as Colonial Secretary."
MEMORANDUM.
The Police Force that I have had the honour to command for over
seventeen years consists of some seven hundred men, and has to carry
out every kind of Police work, such as Town, Country, Harbour, and
Coast, and Mounted duties.
From the returns contained in the Blue Book it appears that, in
1881, 6,696 cases came under the cognizance of my department, and that
7,442 prisoners were arrested. In the course of my services I think
I may safely assert that there is scarcely an offence known to Criminal
of a very eligible nature.
result it may be for your best interests.
In any case I hope that whatever be the
Believe me to be,
Very faithfully yours,
(Signed)
RICHARD GRAVES MAC DONNELL.
TESTIMONIAL
from
SIR CHARLES SHADWELL, K.C.B. Admiral and Governor of
Greenwich Royal Naval College.
(Memorandum).
GREENWICH.
June 26th 1380.
I have great pleasure in stating that Captain Superintendent Walter Meredith Deane had charge of the Hong Kong Police during the time that
I was Commander in Chief of H.M's. Naval Forces on the China Station,
from December 16th 1871, to February 1st 1875, and that during that
period his duties being performed with tact and discretion, the relations
axiating between the Police and Naval Authorities at Hong Kong were
always of a satisfactory nature, and characterised by harmonious co-
operation for the benefit of the Public Service.
GIVEN under my hand this 26th day of June, 1880.
from
TESTIMONI AL
Portsmouth.
(Signed) CHARLES F. P. SHADWELL,
Admiral late Vice Admiral, and Commander in Chief,
China Station.
SIR A. RYDER, K.C.B. Admiral, late Commander in Chief,
Captain Deane was Head of the Police Force whilst I was Commander
in Chief on the Chinese Station for three years, 1875 - S - 7, and his
services were very useful in many ways, I could always rely on his
assistance whenever required. The order maintained in the Colony by the
Force under Captain Deane was admirable.
June 21st. 1880.
(Signed) A. P. RYDER,
Admiral.
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