CO129-377 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [5] — Page 204

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the Revenue can at present ill afford. I am of opinion that the

result of the present measures should be awaited before any

further permanent increase in numbers is made. Captain Lyons,

however, points out that the Force is reduced by casualties by

some 77 men on an average viz.:- about 7 per centum and I

propose to sanction recruiting 5 per centum over-strength in order that the establishment may be kept approximately up to

strength a course which I understand is adopted in the Home

Police Forces. This sanction Captain Lyons states will be quite

sufficient to meet the requirements. The average savings on

are

Police Vote at the end of each year were $25,353.13 and the

extra cost of recruiting 5 per centum over strength will be

$9,585.79 which will still result in a saving on the Police

Vote.

6.

In the matter of robberies by sea I have

suggested the concealment of a small party of armed Police in

trading Junks casually selected, and frequenting waters where

these robberies most commonly occur. If a Junk on which they

happen to be is boarded by robbers, and they succeed in

capturing them I have no doubt the effect will be very great. In

any case the fact that Police are apt to be secreted on Junks

will in course of time become known, and will I imagine have a

very