Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 610

35

No. 1904

HONGKONG.

POLICE PROBATIONERS:

HONGKONG, STRAITS SETTLEMENTS, AND FEDERATED MALAY STATES.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of“ His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong.

HONGKONG, No. 107.

DOWNING STREET,

8th April, 1904.

SIR, With reference to Sir H. BLAKE'S despatch No. 433* of the 10th of September last, I have the honour to enclose for your information 6 copies of a Notice which is being issued on the subject of the appointment of Probationers to the Police Force of Hongkong, the Straits Settlements, and the Federated Malay States, together with four copies of the Regulations* for admission to the Indian Police Force.

2. I have decided that the examination for these posts shall be the same as that for the Indian Police Force, and on the results of the examination to be held in next June, I propose to select one Probationer for Hongkong, two for the Straits Settlements, and three for the Federated Malay States.

3. You will observe that the degree of amalgamation of the Force is similar to that which prevails in the Cadet service; i.e., officers will as a rule look for pro- motion only in the States or in that Colony to which they are assigned, but they will be liable to be transferred if it is considered desirable.

4. In view of the small number of Police posts in Hongkong I have not thought it advisable to adopt in that Colony the two grades of Assistant Superintendent contemplated in Sir F. SWETTENHAM's scheme.

5. I do not think it necessary to grant to Police officers retiring on medical certificate with less than 10 years' service, the special advantages proposed in that scheme, and I have adopted the title Probationer rather than Cadet on the analogy of the Indian practice and to avoid confusion with the Civil Service Cadets. The name will also show that the officer is strictly on probation as is indicated in para- graph 8 of the notification.

6. You will observe that the rules as to examinations in native languages, etc., contained in Sir F. SWETTENHAM'Ss scheme are not embodied in the enclosed print but are referred to in paragraph 7 as regulations to be made from time to time by the local Government. I should be glad if you would cause regulations on this subject to be drawn up and a number of copies forwarded to me as soon as possible for reference in this Department.

7. I have not thought it desirable to adopt the suggestion made in Sir H. BLAKE'S despatch No. 327* of the 1st July last, as to interchangeability of officers of the Police service and Cadet service as I do not think that officers appointed as Police Probationers should have any claim to appointments in the Cadet service ; but, as indicated in the last paragraph of the enclosed notification, Cadet officers may still be appointed, if thought fit, to posts in the Police Department.

I have, &c.,

* Not printed.

ALFRED LYTTELTON.