CO129-412 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [7-8] — Page 78

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crowding of rooms which are on the ground floor and somewhat

dark and ill-ventilated.

(c). New Store.

The present store is entirely inadequate. As far

30017 back as 1900 Sir H. Blake recommended, in his despatch Mo.368

0 of the 11th of August in that year, the resumption of a portion

of the property which it is now desired to acquire, for a store

and for married quarters for Indian Police and Warders in the

Gaol, and provision was made for $45,000 in the Estimates for

1902 for acquiring the property. The resumption was not, how-

ever,

carried out.

The policy has since been adopted of granting

married Indian Police Sergeants and Indian Prison Warders house

allowances. This system is found preferable to one under which

Indian women would live in close proximity to barracks in which

a large number of unmarried Indian Police are quartered.

(d).

Offices for (a) an Assistant Superintendent of Police,

(b) Chief Inspector, (c) the Detective Staff and (d) the Finger

Prints Department. These are all urgently required.

(e).

Mess rooms

3

baths and latrines for the Chinese

and Indian Police mentioned in (a) and (b).

(f).

Gymnasium for all nationalities in the Force.

This is a very desirable means of physical development.

(g).

Reading and recreation rooms (2) for the European

Police in this Barracks. The existing accommodation in this

respect is very inadequate.

2.

I had hoped to send you with this despatch

detailed plans of the manner in which I would propose to

utilise the property which I recommend should be acquired. Plans

have in fact been prepared but they are open to so many object-

ions that I am engaged on a complete revision of them. The

arrangement of the accommodation required is not an easy problem

and I am not able to assure you that the acquisition of the

whole of the land is required for present purposes. But I am

convinced