CO129-411 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [5-7] — Page 26

}

NA-CONFIDENTIAL.

REC

E

19601

REG 29 MAY 14

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 9th. May, 1914.

24

sir,

B**5 2

2.

With reference to the last paragraph of your Confidential Despatch of the 2nd. of January, 1913, I have the honour to inform you that I have waited to report upon Mr. Messer's administration of the Police Department, of which he took charge onthe 19th. February, 1913, until his report, as Captain Superintendent of Police for the year 1913 was in my hands.

That report, copy enclosed, is very satis- -factory. It shows a decrease in serious crime of 19.30 per centum as compared with the year 1912, and of 3.71 per centum as compared with the year 1911. The year 1912 it will be remembered showed an increase in serious crime of 19.31 per centum over the year 1911.

Increases made in the Police Force have no doubt contributed to

this satisfactory result. But from my own observation I can say that Mr. Messer has displayed an activity and energy in the dis- -charge of his onerous duties which must have had a very desirable

effect on the Police under his command. He has also effected some improvements in organisation especially in the Criminal Investiga- -tion Department which have borne good results; and has established a close cooperation with the Commissioner of Police at Canton

which is beneficial to both Police Administrations.

3.

I have no hesitation in recommending that Mr.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&c.,

&c.,

&c...

Messer