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268 insecure. The Superintendent attributed the increase to famine and Hoods in China, and to the high price of rice in Hongkong, whilst at a public meeting held on the cricket ground in 1878 the increase was ascribed to undue leniency towards the criminal classes, the suspension of public flogging, and the re- duction in the numbers of persons deported. In the same year the Superintendent of Police and several of his men were wounded by armed burglars, and. later, a body of robbers took possession of Wing Lok Street. In 1879 there was an attack on Hunghom. The erection of a water police station was begun in 1879. and steam launches were obtained for harbour work. The station, opened in 1884. occupied an advantageous site at Tsim-tsa-tsui, which in the old days light at night was again put into force, and resulted in a great diminution in nocturnal crime. The total population of the Colony had by this time increased to 248,498, while the police force numbered 627. A gaming scandal in 1897 led to a searching investi- gation by the Captain-Superintendent ; one European inspector was convicted and sen- tenced to six months' hard labour, while others and some European Serjeants, together with 19 Indian and 26 Chinese police, were dismissed for taking bribes. In the following year, too, 27 Indian police were sent to gaol for a week for insubordination ; but the cloud was not without its silver lining, for two European and seven Chinese members of the force were rewarded by the Governor for courage, promptness, and intelligence ; Two new stations were established on the mainland in 1900, at Sai Kung and Sha Tau Kok, and one on the island at Kennedy Town ; the force was re-armed with -303 Martini-Enlield carbines, and three Maxim guns, now on board the petrol launches, were added. A second Assistant Superintendent of Police was appointed in 1901. On the promotion of Mr. F. H, May, C.M.G., to tlie office of Colonial Secretary, in 1902, Mr. F. J. Badeley was made Captain-Superintendent, and Captain F. W. Lyons, late of the Perak police. Federated Malay States, was appointed Deputy Superin- tendent. The typhoon of September, 1906, played great havoc with the police launches and fire- float, and demolished the police station at Sam J' r THE BAEKACKS. THE KOWLOON WATEE. POLICE. had been the scene of battles between the Puntis and Hakkas, and from which pro- montory the Chinese batteries had, in 1839, opened fire on merchant ships in Hongkong harbour, obliging them to leave— an outrage magnified by the Chinese chroniclers into a great victory. New stations were built, also, at Aberdeen, Tsat Tze Mui, and Kennedy Town in 1891. Major-General Gordon suc- ceeded Mr. Deane as Captain-Superintendent, and was followed in 1893 by Mr. F'. H. May, now Colonial Secretary. The year 1895 saw added to the Captain-Superintendent's respon- sibilities the control of the Fire Brigade and the Gaol, which, for reasons of economy, were made sub-departments of the police depart- ment Towards the end of the year the regulation requiring the Chinese to carry a two Indians for rescues from drownnig ; two Indians for arresting burglars ; and three Chinese watchmen for activity and intelligence. The acquisition of the New Territory in March, 1899, extended the scope of police work very considerably, and necessitated the enrolment of two N.C.O.'s and 22 men of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as special constables for duty in the newly acquired area pending the enlistment of additional police. New stations were built at Taipo, Autau, and Pingshan. Crime increased, partly owing to the disturbed condition of the neighbouring provinces, and partly to the activity of secret societies. Gang robberies were frequent, some 18 occurring on the island and some 25 in the New Territory. Shui Po. F'ortunately there was no loss of life amongst the police and crews, thoiigh there were some very narrow escapes. The members of the force — Europeans, Indian and Chinese — were commended by His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan, who said, " Many hundreds of Chinese lives were saved by the police in the island, in Kowloon, and in the New Territories during and immediately after the storm," The totiil strength of the police force on December 31, 1907, was 1,041 men, namely, 128 Europeans, 410 Indians, and 503 Chinese. The total expenditure on the force for the twelve months was $520,170.