Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 282

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185

Since 1905 the accommodation provided in hotels has increased 34 per cent, and thar in boarding-houses 100. Two boarding-house licences have been cancelled for misbehaviour on the part of the keepers. In the one case a man had been induced to go on board by fraud and lept overboard, in the other an unwilling emigrant was prevented leaving the

house.

Enquiries have been made in several cases for relatives who had gone to the Straits Settlements or to Borneo, and the missing men have been traced with the help of the records kept by the boarding-houses. In most instances the relatives have repaid, sometimes with the assistance of this office, the advances made to the emigrant ; in some they have ban content with an interchange of letters.

It is pleasant to learn that the efforts made in Hongkong to stop emigration abuses are recognised elsewhere than in the Colony.

4.-Regulation of Chinese. Ordinance No. 3 of 1888.

(i.)--Registration of Householders.

(See Tables IV a and IV b.)

By an Order-in-Council dated the 2nd April, 1907, the provisions of Part III of the Ordinance were extended to the urban part of the Kowloon peninsula. In May, circulars were sent to landlords and householders calling their attention to the law, and by the end of the year, 1,788 houses out of 1,913 had been registered. The work of registration entailed the engagement of two temporary clerks for six months.

(ii.)--District Watchmen.

(See Tables Va and V b.)

The balance to the credit of the Fund on the 31st December was $12,900 as against $10,276 for the preceding year. Contributions shew an increase of $690, expenditure a decrease of $880. There was no expenditure on building in 1907, but in 1908 it will become necessary to increase the accommodation in the District Watchmen's House at West Point. The Procession which was held in December necessitated the engagement of of Special Watchmen and entailed an expenditure of $1,100. Effect was also given to a resolution of the Board passed some time ago and the three Watchmen's Houses and the Registrar General's Office were placed on the Telephone Exchange. The increase in the Force during the last few years has been as follows :

31st December, 1901 ..

1903 ...

1904-1907.....

..70 District Watchmen of all ranks.

$2

....95

The number of resignations during the year was 8, and of dismissals 11, the same as last year. One hundred and forty-four convictions were obtained before the Police Magis- trate through the instrumentality of the District Watchmen. Since 1905 recruits are drilled and receive instruction in their duties at the Central Police Station and all District Watch- men attend drill there once a week. The District Watchmen Committee met nine times during the year, the average attendance being ten members. Mr. Li Pak who has been a member since the year 1900 resigned, but as the Committee was already complete no one