CO129-584-5 Hong Kong and Kowloon Magistrates- comments on annual report 1939 27-8-1940 - 10-9-1940 — Page 2

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

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Crime figures in Hong Kong continue to be deplorably high. The total number of cases in Hong Kong and Kowloon has fallen from 72,793 in 1938 to 57.445 in 1939, a reduction of 15,348. Superficially

there appears to be reason for considerable satis- faction in this, but two-thirds of the reduction (10,052) is in hawkers cases, and it is explained that this drop was due to the Courts discouraging such cases being brought unless the arrest was made under the supervision of a European Sergeant. The minutes on the 1938 file show concern over the multiplicity of hawkers cases. The figures for 1939 were 20,780 against 30,832 in 1938, and must presumably be passed over as more or less inevitable in view of conditions in Hong Kong.

Offences in respect of heroin and opium showed increases of 75% and 15% respectively over 1938.

? Mr. Keith to see and put by.

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Witßrivile

The expression in hara 177

27.8.40.

more vigorous

holicy of flogging" is infurtunate – but

whe

can take up the question I corpe hunshment

ni H.K. ni connection with other penal returns

a reput's

where it is opputune todo so

in

Para 19 premis file)

-(12752/6/40)

interest (ne the muinlis of the

It is difficult to

agree

with the statement

in para 21 that witle can be done in uyard to juvenile delinquency in the abscuse & a refumatory. In happier times I writs suggest that it & shd. be pressed to consider the Introduction La purbation suptern. Who sent might like to see befuce the file is

hut by.

W

Page

9.6. Keith

919.

col$ ohn 101

53672

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