Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 59

Correspondence respecting the Police, presented to the Legislative Council by command of His Excellency the Governor.

Reports by the Acting Captain Superintendent.

(1.)

CENTRAL POLICE BARRACKS, HONGKONG, 21st November, 1883.

SIR,

As the Police Force in Shanghai has lately been placed on a new footing as regards numbers, rates of pay, &c., I have the honour to forward the accompanying scale of pay of the different ranks of the Hongkong Police Force as compared with that of Shanghai.

It will be seen that all ranks of the Shanghai Force are better paid, with the exception of the 1st Class Inspectors, than corresponding ranks of the Hongkong Police; and I fear that such a difference in pay must eventually tend to lessen the efficiency of the latter Force.

All the Inspectors and eight Sergeants of the Hongkong Police have now. completed ten years service, and can retire on a pension and join the Shanghai Force, where they would get better pay, which, with their pension, would add materially to their income, besides serving for a fresh pension.

Another point in favour of men joining the Shanghai Police in preference to that of Hongkong is, that in the former a man after serving 5 years gets a bonus and passage to England, and in the latter he gets a bonus or passage.

In the scale of pay &c., which I have the honour to forward, will be seen, under the head of Hongkong, the number of Europeans serving as authorised, shewing the pay they receive at present, and also a proposed rate of pay which would put them on somewhat a similar footing with the Europeans of the Shanghai

Force.

I would suggest that Acting Sergeants be done away with, and the substantive rank of Corporal substituted.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

T. C. DEMPSTER, Captain, Acting Captain Superintendent of Police.

The Honourable

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.