688120-1878-Police-Annual-Report-1877- — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 6TH APRIL, 1878.

5. I believe the increase in Kidnapping to be only apparent, the total for the past year having been swelled by an unusually large number of suspicious cases brought to trial by the Police, which, upon investigation at the Magistracy, proved to be unfounded.

6. Verdicts of Felo de Se were returned at no less than thirteen Coroner's Inquests during the year. 7. Judging from the reports of native traders, I fear that Piracy is steadily increasing.

8. As regards Minor Offences, it will be seen that the increase is caused by an advance of nearly 50 per cent in the number of Nuisance cases, and by the large number of Chinese arrested for being out at night without a pass, for assault, and for public gambling. The latter offence, which for reasons explained in my special Report of 6th December, 1877, (C.S.O. No. 2,530), had rapidly increased during the months of May and June, has now been reduced within narrow limits.

9. The daily average number of prisoners in Gaol during the year was 395 compared with 433 the average number during 1876.

POLICE.

1. The conduct of both officers and men has been exceptionally good, and it is satisfactory to find from Table D. that in the entire force only 22 were dismissed for misconduct during the year.

2. The large number of vacancies in the European element, which for several months affected the efficiency of the force, was remedied in October last by the arrival of twenty well-conducted and intelli- gent men, who had been carefully selected by Inspector THOMSON from the Glasgow Police.

3. The detective force continues to work faithfully and well, but the great difficulty of getting Chinese to come forward as witnesses is found a serious obstacle to bringing criminals to justice; a more liberal system of compensating witnesses for time lost in attendance at Court, would remove one cause of their dislike to give evidence in criminal cases.

4. On several occasions, Chinese Officials have rendered valuable assistance to this Department. In two cases they have assisted in recovering large sums of money from criminals who escaped from Bri- tish jurisdiction, but were subsequently traced to villages in Chinese territory.

5. A system of mounted and foot road patrols, which was established between the different out- lying villages in June last, has had most satisfactory results in suppressing Highway Robbery, which was becoming frequent.

6. We are indebted to the Naval and Military authorities for the use of Rifle Ranges at Kowloon, which has enabled all members of the force, including the Chinese, who were not previously instructed in the use of the rifle, to go through a course of target practice.

7. Having regard to the great expense and numerous defects of the telegraph instruments now supplied to this Department, I think the Telephone might be substituted with advantage. This instru- ment appears to be in many respects superior to the Telegraph for Police purposes.

8. I had the honour to make special Reports to His Excellency the Governor on the following subjects:-

I. The defective accommodation in many of the Police buildings.

II. The purchase of Steam Launches for Harbour Police work.

III. The enrollment of Special Constables for the better protection of some of the outlying

villages.

9. I enclose Mr. FALCONER'S annual Report on the Police School.

I have the honour to be,

The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

C. V. CREAGH,

Acting Captain Superintendent of Police.

&c.,

Colonial Secretary, &c.,

&c.