Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 516

438

The number of minor offences reported was 1,640 over the average of the quinquennial period.

The total number of persons committed to Victoria Gaol was 7,464, as com- pared with 7,273 in 1903, but of these only 4,027 were committed for criminal offences, against 4,644 in 1903. Of committals for non-criminal offences there were 439 more under the Prepared Opium Ordinance and 133 more for infringe- ment of Sanitary Bye-laws.

The daily average of prisoners confined in the Gaol was 726, the highest previous.average being 653 in 1903. The percentage of prisoners to population, according to the daily average of the former and the estimated number of the latter, was .201 as compared with 189. the average percentage for the last ten years. The Prison discipline was satisfactory, the average of punishments per prisoner being 1.1, as compared with 2.34 in 1903 and 3.42 in 1902. continued overcrowding of the Gaol emphasises the necessity for the proposed new Convict Prison, and the question of a fresh site has for some time past been under consideration.

The

The remunerative labour carried on in the Gaol consists of printing, book- binding, washing, carpentry, boot-making, net-making, painting and whitewashing, mat-making, tailoring, oakum-picking, etc., the value of the work done being $47,938.13.

The total strength of the Police Force for 1904 was Europeans 133, Indians 375, Chinese 485, making a total of 993, as compared with 921 in 1903 exclusive in each case of the four Superior Officers and a staff of clerks and coolies. Of this Force an Assistant Superintendent, who also acted as Magistrate, and 20 Europeans, 81 Indians and 43 Chinese were stationed in the New Territory during the greater part of the year.

The force of District Watchmen to which the Government contributes $2,000 per annum was well supported by the Chinese during the year and its strength increased by 13 to a total of 95.

IX.-VITAL STATISTICS.

(a.) POPULATION.

The population of the Colony according to the Census taken in 1897 was 248,880 and according to the Census of 1901 it was 283,975 exclusive of New Kowloon and the Army and Navy Establishments. The estimated population at the middle of the year under review was 361,206, as follows:-

Non-Chinese Civil Community,.

Hongkong,

Old Kowloon,

Chinese Population, New Kowloon (approximate),.

Army, Navy,

Floating Population,..

10,181

206,304

65,072

20,000

50,930

342,306

4,359 4,360

8,719

Total,.........

361,206

New Kowloon was brought under the jurisdiction of the Sanitary Board in 1904, and its estimated population has accordingly been included. The population of the remainder of the New Territories according to the census of 1901 was 85,011 making when added to the present estimate à grand total of 446,217.

The total strength of the British Fleet on the China Station was estimated at 10,067, as compared with 8,905 in the previous year. At the Census taken in 1901 the actual number of members of the Navy present in the Colony was 5,597 and the estimated average number resident in Hongkong during 1904 is put at 4,360.