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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, STH FEBRUARY, 1873.
9. The increase in the number of Gamblers arrested is the natural sequence of the discontinuance of licensed houses. The inveterate Gamblers have resorted to playing in the streets, and cases of arrest more frequently occur. The amount of public gambling in houses was very small; several clubs, however, are opened, in which private gambling is carried on, but these are not amenable to law.
10. In January 1872, the issue of licenses for houses to be used as Public Gaming Houses, was stopped by the recovation of the Rules and Regulations passed under Ordinance No. 9 of 1867. For sometime, the Chinese were in doubt as to the powers and intentions of the Government with reference to unlicensed houses. It was not therefore until May, that any house was opened for gambling. Measures were taken for effecting a seizure, which proved successful, and fires amounting to $800 were inflicted on the persons arrested. Taking advantage of the powers conferred by the Registration Ordinance of 1866, I proceeded against the registered householder for the recovery of the fines not paid by those prisoners, who had resided in the house. I obtained a conviction, which was appealed against to the Supreme Court; this appeal was, however, dismissed with costs. The course of action adopted had a beneficial effect, in as much as the registered householders have since that time been especially careful as to the occupations of their tenants, and have in one or two cases stopped an embryo gaming house. In another case, fines to the amount of $1,200 were inflicted on the prisoners, who had been arrested in a stable belonging to an European.
11. Two prosecutions have also taken place against sellers of Lottery Tickets (Pak-kop Piu), and both resulted in convictions. There have, therefore, been 5 cases of House Gambling brought before the Courts, in which 48 prisoners have been convicted, 11 discharged, and fines amounting to $3,700 inflicted.
12. The number of Mendicants arrested (558), mostly Lepers, is a matter worthy of serious con- sideration. I have suggested that "Maskong" or Round Island, off Stanley, should be converted into a Lazarette, but a forcible objection to this is that this Government would, in that case, have pro- bably to provide for the Lepers of the adjoining provinces of China. The want of any suitable place for their temporary detention is much felt.
13. British Kowloong continues to supply the most numerous cases of Crime accompanied by violence. The guard-house lately erected at Hung-Ham will doubtless prove very useful; but no radical improvement can be hoped for, until the proposed Station at Yau-Ma-Ti is built, and accommodation provided for a sufficient Police Force. The assessment of the villages at Kowloong for Police rates should fully meet the necessary expenditure.
POLICE FORCE.
14. The conduct and ability of the Inspectors during the past year deserve great praise. There have been no resignations or dismissals, neither have I had to report any serious case of misconduct.
15. The European Constables have been strengthened by the culistment of 45 men, who had previously served in Scotland. The tone of that portion of the Force has been materially raised, and the breaches of discipline committed have been below the average generally recorded among so many men. 16. The Indians and Sikhs have decreased in number, owing to the expiration of the time of service of the men enlisted in 1862 and 1867. Their general conduct has been about the same as in previous years. 17. No West Indians have been enlisted since September, 1870, and of those then in the Force only five remain.
18. The Chinese Force has been increased in proportion to the falling off in the number of the Indians. Several cases have been brought before the Courts in which the prisoners could only have been arrested by men of the same nationality.
19. Experience showing that the Indians are most useful when they have limited beats to control, and when their duties are minutely defined, I have adopted the plan of placing them on fixed posts in different parts of the town. (Table E.) By this arrangement the Public are enabled to know where, at any time by day or night, a Constable may be found; and by allotting to the Indians and Chinese, two tours of duty each four hours in length, instead of one of six hours as heretofore, I have been enabled to afford the above advantage without detriment to the general duties.
20. The beats between and about these fixed points are filled by Europeans and Chinese.
21. The Horses belonging to the Force, 12 in number, are in good condition. It will, however, probably be expedient to cast one or two of them during the present year, as they are becoming very aged. North-China Ponies appear to answer better for Police purposes than Horses.
22. The returns enclosed are:-
A.—A Table of all Offences committed during 1872.
B.-A Table of Miscellaneous Offences committed during 1872.
CA comparative Table of Offences committed in 1870, 1871, and 1872.
D.-A Table of the Punishments inflicted on members of the Force.
E-A List of Places where Indian Constables are posted.
F-A Report on the Police School, for which I am indebted to Mr. WILLCOCKS.
I have the honor to be,
Sir, Your most obedient Servant,
W. M. DEANE, Captain Superintendent of Police.
The Honorable CECIL. C. SMITH,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
HONGKONG.
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