Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 653

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Police.

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The Chinese authorities, at the suggestion of this Government, established a force of soldiery alor the northern border of the New Territory during the latter part of the year under review. Th "braves" have co-operated with our Police in preventing the incursion of bands of robbers across tł borders. The close co-operation has enabled the Government to effect a reduction in the number of police stationed in the New Territory and has had a good effect in checking crime.

Crime.

I append (Appendix No. 6) a return of the crimes committed in the New Territory during the year 1901 which have been tried before the Police Magistrates.

The number of cases heard was 551, involving 708 accused persons.

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In my Report last year, I drew attention to the criminal statistics and pointed out the --- large increase in crime which had taken place. This increase was probably due, as I then observed, the more complete development of the Police organisation and to the growing confidence of the nativ in British methods of administering justice. This year it is satisfactory to be able to report although there has been a slight increase in the number of serious offences, there is no increase in “ number of crimes committed.

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There was one case of murder, for which three men stood their trial and were convicted. the murderers was hanged; the sentences on the other two being commuted to imprisonment for life.

There were 25 gang robberies, in connection with which 21 persons were convicted and sente to long terms of imprisonment.

The special legislation passed in 1901 to protect the lives and property of passengers

from attack by armed robbers disguised as passengers has been effectual; no case of this'. occurred during 1901.

The figures for this year shew a decrease of 35 cases and of 99 accused persons, as compare the year 1900. Breaches of the Opium Ordinance are still responsible for the largest list of offende 161 cases having been tried under this enactment alone.

Revenue and Expenditure.

I attach a statement of the Revenue and Expenditure on account of the New Territory wł has been prepared by the Acting Colonial Treasurer (Appendix No. 7). The Expenditure for t year 1901, exclusive of expenditure on behalf of Police services was $252,376.14. Of this amc Public Works Extraordinary, including the Sarvey, were responsible for $163,101.45. Expenditr on behalf of the Police Establishment amounted to $101,884.01. It will thus be seen that the to Expenditure for the year was $354,260.15. The tatal Expenditure for the year 1900 was $345,654 the increase in expenditure for the year 1901 is, therefore, $8,606.01. Large as the amount of m expended during the year under review may appear to be, it should be remembered that much of it been sunk in permanent improvements, in the building and draining of Police Stations and in construction of the new road. There are also smaller sums such as the $9,321.03 expended connection with the lighthouse on Waglan Island and the $6,029.82 spent on the hire and charter launches, which, though charged to the New Territory account, are of considerable benefit to the ti and commerce of the Island of Hongkong,

The Revenue collected amounted to $53,890.63. The moneys collected under Junk Lic Pawnbroker's Licences and Stone Quarries shew but little variation with the sums collected unde heads in 1900.

Licences for the sale of Spirits and Kerosene Oil, issued for the first time during the year? brought in the sum of $3,015.98, and a slightly larger sum was derived from permits to collect s and ballast.

The most satysfactory item in the Revenue return, however, is the large increase in the collected for Land Tax.

During the year, the services of the Registrar General were made use of to impress upon ten the importan of paying rent without delay. The amount collected was $28,797.65, as against $1,300. collected in 1900. As I have pointed out in previous reports, the difficulties in connection with settlement of claims to land, make the collection of rent a slow process, but with the gradual settlem of these claims and with the completion of the Survey and the Rent Roll a considerably augm revenue from this source may be expected. Although it may be some time before the New Territo will be able to pay its way, it is satisfactory to be able to report that during the year 1901 the r collected more than trebled the amount collected in 1900.

There are also signs of advancement in other directions. A cracker factory has been erected

factory for the distilling of native spirits is in course of erection at Ts'un-Wan,

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