Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 105

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The Barracks are at present so overcrowded that some 25 Chinese Constables are housed in a matshed in the compound of the Station. This is a very unsatis- fatory arrangement. The additional storey will enable these men to be brought within the building and will also afford accommodation for those of the extra Police (25) who will be allocated to the Central District. Room can be found in the Eastern and Western Districts of the City for the additional men allocated to them, while in the Kowloon Peninsula some additional accommodation can be provided at small cost at Yaumati and Hunghom.

7. The cost of an additional storey to the Central Police Station is estimated at $28,000, while $500 will be required to accommodate some 50 of the Police who must vacate a portion of the Barracks during the alteration.

I have to ask your authority to incur this expenditure, together with the sum necessary to defray the cost of increase of Police and of salaries shewn in the Schedule.*

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9. I attach copy of a report which I called for from the Senior Police Magis- trate and the Acting Captain Superintendent of Police on the increase of crime and increased number of prisoners in the Gaol. This report shews that there was a large increase in crime in the first quarter of the current year and a still further increase in the third quarter of the year.

This increase in crime is, in my opinion, largely due to the increased number of steamers running between Hongkong and Canton and Hongkong and Macao and to the reduction of fares as the result of competition in the traffic.

Six steamers run daily now to Canton, whereas formerly there were only 3, and the fares have been reduced since the end of last year from 60 cents to 30 cents for Chinese 2nd class passengers.

A thief can visit Hongkong from Canton for 60 cents now, and this no doubt tempts many to do so while the increased channels of escape make the detection of crime more difficult.

10. I consider therefore that the increase in Police is urgently required and should you approve of the recommendations made I should be glad if you would telegraph your sanction in order that steps may be taken to increase the accommo- dation at the Central Station during the dry season and for recruiting the necessary men.--I have, &c.,

1903.

H. A. BLAKE,

Governor.

Secretary of State's approval received by Telegram dated the 14th December,

* Not printed.

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