664333-1887-Criminal-Statistics-1886 — Page 1

SUPPLEMENT

To the HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE of 21st May, 1887.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 222.

The following Returns of Superior and Subordinate Courts for the year 1886, which were laid before the Legislative Council on the 29th ultimo, are published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 21st May, 1887.

No. 30.

FREDERICK STEWART,

Acting Colonial Secretary.

REGISTRY SUPREME COURT,

HONGKONG, 11th February, 1887.

+

Srn,I have the honour to forward herewith the following Returns :-

1. Return of the Establishment for the Blue Book for 1886.

2. Return of Criminal Cases, &c.

3. Return of Civil Cases commenced and tried in 1886;-

In Original Jurisdiction.

In Summary Jurisdiction.

Appeals.

Bankruptcy.

Admiralty.

4. Return of all Probates and Administrations granted in 1886.

5. Revenue Return.

6. Return of Intestate Estates paid into the Treasury in 1886.

7. Land Office Return.

With respect to the Criminal Returns it will be noted that there is a considerable decrease both in the number of cases and in the number of Prisoners tried.

There is a marked increase in the number of adjudication in Bankruptcy in 1886, the figures being 6 in 1885, and 22 in 1886. A large number of the Bankrupts were small Traders or Clerks who took refuge in Bankruptcy for the purpose of avoiding arrest, and obtain a discharge from their liabilities.

In the Revenue Returns the increase is chiefly accounted for by the receipts from Bankruptcy proceedings, Registration of Companies and Fines and Forfeitures.

The other Returns call for no remarks.

The Honourable

THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY,

&c.,

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

ALFRED G. WISE, Acting Registrar.

&c.,

&c.