March 18, 1896.]
MENDICANTS.
In addition to the 250 beggars sent up to the Police Court 477 have been summarily deported to Kowloon City and Canton.
PLAGUE.
The precautions adopted for the prevention of plague have already been fully reported on elsewhere.
1 European Police. Sergeant, 7 European Police Constables, and 16 Chinese Constables were engaged on house to house visitation duty from the 1st to 31st May inclusive. 3 European Police Constables and 12 Chinese Constables from 1st June to 15th June inclusive, 1 European Police Constable and 4 Chinese Constables from the 16th June to 31st July inclusive. On duty at the Tang Wah Hospital from the 1st May to the 17th July 3 Indian and 3 Chinese Constables.
From the 17th May to 31st July inclusive Inspector Quincey and a party of detectives nightly tracked the passengers from the river steamers to their lodgings, with a view of ascertaining if plague was being imported.
There were no complaints against the Police.
LIGHT AND PASS ORDINANCE.
The provisions of the Light and Pass Ordiu- ance were enforced from the 23rd November (when notices were issued in the Chinese papers) till the end of the year. The regulation re. quiring the carrying of a light after 7 p.m. was also adhered to, the result being an almost abrupt termination of all descriptions of offences after night-fall.
Comparing the period between the 25th November, 1894, and the 21st December of the same year with the corresponding period of 1895, exclusive of Light and Pass offences, there were 325 fewer cases in the Police Court in 1895.
During the same period there were 8 fewer burglaries reported, viz., 9 in 1894 and 1 iu 1895, and 88 few cases of larceny.
During the period under review there were 1,450 arrests for breaches of the Light and Pass sections of the Ordinance, of whom 51 were wo men, amongst that number there being 38-blind singing girls, miserable creatures who belong to the lowest class of prostitutes.
Trade was safeguarded by arranging that head men with passes and lights should accom- pany their gangs of coal or cargo coolies to and from their lodging-houses.
A great deal of work was thrown on the Police Office as also on that of the Registrar- General, the number of quarterly night passes rising rapidly to over 13,000; it has since riseu to 15,000 and annual passes, I believe, to nearly
800.
STRENGTH OF THE FORCE,
Ex-
|
Į
The average strength of the Police Force during the year 1895 has been 558, its greatest strength, in February, 590, and its least in August 535. In December it was 541. clusive of men on leave, the European force has been on an average 6 men short, and the Indian contingent 40. In December the latter was 53 below strength and the Europeans ** the total of all ranks being 541.
To endeavour to some extent to supplement the Indians 30 temporary Chinese Constables were engaged, but the substitute has been a very feeble one.
Several Europeans were engaged locally, but save for the Water Police the practice is not fruitful of success.
The men are not trained Constables (whereas the recruits from the United Kingdom are).
During their probationary period they, are merely learners, not available for street duty and frequently at the expiration of the three months they have found more suitable or remu- nerative employment. One result of the failure to recruit Indians has been that they have had no leave and it has been not annaturally a source of considerable dissatisfaction, several good men having resigned.
Ten Europeans from the Metropolitan Police Force arrived in March last and have given every satisfaction.
One man committed suicide by cutting his throat a fortnight after arrival.
|
In connection with the reduction of the Police Force, a table is attached hereto, show ing the ratio of increase in certain towns in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Shanghai compiled from returns received last year, from
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
which it will be seen that Hongkong is the only place that reduces its Police as the popula- tion increases, nor does the situation of the colony, the mixed character of its population and Police Force appear to place it in any more favourable position for adopting such a course than the other places given in the table.
CONDUCT.
The conduct of the European Police has again been satisfactory, as has also been that of the Indian contingent.
Offences amongst the Chinese Police have been mainly the outcome of their inability to conform to discipline. The serious offence of being asleep on duty has decreased all round.
The number of reports made against European members of the Forde was 18 against 74 last year.
Of these 8 were for drunkenness as against 10 in the provious 12 months, 4 for disorderly conduct, assaults and fighting, and 3 for sitting down on duty, as against 8 and 3 respectively, 5 for neglect of duty and 5 for asleep on duty, as against 12 and 10 in the previons rear.
Against men of the Indian contingent there were 162 reports as against 214 in 1891.
Of these 12 were for drunkenuess, as against 18 in 1894, 11 for disorderly condnet, assault and fighting, as against 25, 15 for neglect of duty, as against 41, 22 for absence from duty, or beat and late for duty, as against 17. 33 for gossiping, sitting down and idling cm duty, as against 39, 9 for asleep on duty, as against 15, and 7 for leaving beat before being relieved, as against 5.
}
Amongst Chinese Constables there were 512 reports as against 397 in 1894.
It should be noted in this connection that the Chinese Force was increased throughout the year by 30 men, to make up for deficien cies in the Indian contingent.
There was 1 case of drunkenness in the Chinese Force as against 2 in 1894, in other respects increases are noted, ak 203 reports for absence from duty or beat. and late for duty. against 161, and 41 for leaving beat before being relieved, against 6 the previous year.
There was a decrease from 48 to 44 for asleep on duty.
1 Indian Constable was convicted before a Magistrate and fined $10 for neglect of duty.
1 Chinese Constable was fined $ for using disrespectful language in Court, and one was fined $5 for being in possession of prepared opium
HEALTH.
The health of the Force has been satisfactory. The admissions to Hospital were, compared with last year, as follows :-
Europeans Indians Chinese
235
Under these circumstances the business of the year unfortunately resulted in the substantial loss of $244.332.45 shown by the annexed accounts, after allowance had been made for a sum of $50,000 conceded by the General. Agents.
WATER SUPPLY.
The
In view of the unfavourable prospects of the year, and consequent necessity for curtailing expenditure asmuch as possible, the General Agents and Consult- ing Committee decided in July last to suspend operations for the time being upon the Sonkumpoo scheme, but other arrangements have been made which will give a sufficient supply of water for the Present requirements of the two Refineries, expenditure in the above connection will, it is estimated, not exceed $22,500, and as the amount standing at credit of new water supply in the state- nent of accounts dated 5th of March last was $162,500, there will remain a sum for disposal. of $140,000, which, with the consent of the shareholders, the General Agents and Consulting Committee propose to write back to credit of profit and loss account.
CONSULTING COMMITTEE.
Mr. C. S. Sharp was invited to join the Consulting Committee on the departure of Mr. A. G. Wood from the colony.
The members of the Committee offer themselves for re-election.
AUDITORS. The accounts have been audited by Messrs. Thos. Arnold and Fullerton Henderson, who offer them- selves for re-election.
JARDINE, MATHESON & Co., General Agents. Hongkong, 13th March, 1896.
BALANCE SHEET-Ông YEAR-TO 31st December,
1895.
CAPITAL ACCOUNT, CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES.
Paid-up capital. Now water supply.
undry creditors
ABSETS.
Property account, consisting of~~
East Point refinery Bowrington refinery Swatow refinery Hongkong distillery Site at Soukumpoo... Cash..
Raw and refined sugar. Spirits and rum, &c. Charcoal, coals, stores, fire insurance, tc.
Sundry debtors Shipments
Less advance..
C
2,000,000:00
160,507.70
2,831,139.90
$4,791,647.60
1,619,189.21
652.76 1,025,907.02
9,466.20 335,826155
112,584.77
$1,863,899,53 420,210.39
1,413,688.64
1891.
1893.
4,547,315.15
127
81
Balance of profit and loss account
244,332.45
244
233
$4,791,847.60
134
113
$
C.
1,430.00
$1,619,189.21
$ C. 1,019,189.21
$1,619,189.21
PROFIT AND Loss AccOVNT. Dr.
$ C. 20,321.89
CHINA SUGAR REFINING CO., LIMITED
PROPERTY Account,
To balance at debit on 31st December, 1894 1,617,759.21 To now machinery
The following is the report for presentation to the shareholders at the eighteenth annual general meeting, to be held at the offices of the By balance at date General Agents on 27th March
The General Agents beg to submit to the share- holders their report on the Company's business for the year 1895, with a statement of accounts to 31st of December last.
The depression, which, in consequence of over pr duction, existed during the latter part of the year 1894 in the sugar trade of the world, continued during the succeeding twelve mouths, and as supplies every | where in the East exceeded demand, the value of sugar remained at a very low level.
This level being unfortunately much below the prices ruling when some of the Company's stocks of Juvs raw sugar were contracted for, the usual margin on refining did not exist and it was impossible during several months to sell in the principal consuming markets except at a loss. The laying down cost of a considerable portion of the raw sugar was also ad- versely affected by the fall in sterling exchange in the early part of the year.
The usual demand for the Refinery's sugar locally was interfered with by the war between China and Japan, and in the latter country by sales at very low prices of beet sngar imported from Europe.
The dry weather during the spring curtailed the|| water supply at the works, causing a large reduction in the output and involving heavy loss of interest owing to the accumulation of stocks of raw sugate
To commission To remuneration to Consulting Committee To auditors' fees
To interest account To loss on working
1st Jan.
Cr.
By amount carried from last year ...
31st Dec. By balanco
**
2,500.00
500.00 87,453,34 145,097.34
$255,872.57
$ 0. 11,540.12
244,382.43
$265,872.67
Jinrickshas plying for hire on the new "Maloo at Nankin, recently constructed by order of the Viceroy Chang Chih-tung, are re- quired to pay a licence fee of $1 por vehicle per month. Already there have been many licences applied for, and it is evident that the road promises to be well patronised.--Mercury.
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