practice of branding, deporting, and flooding (on return to the Colony). At the same time when this Ordinance became law, the rules and regulations of the Gaol were made more severe (September, 1872). It is noteworthy that the above-mentioned steady decrease in crime from 1872 to 1876 commenced when severer measures, calculated to make prison discipline strongly deterrent, were introduced. It is only to be regretted that another measure, largely discussed in December, 1874, was not attended to, viz. the segregation in Gaol of youthful offenders. It was urged at the time that influences of hardened professional criminals on youthful offenders was greater in China than in Europe.
The condition and proper organization of the Police Force had been a burning public question even before Sir A. Kennedy's arrival. The Commission appointed (December 22, 1871) by Sir R. McDonnell, advised Sir A. Kennedy in their report (July, 1872), to increase the pay of the men, to form a detective staff, and to give due encouragement to European and Indian constables to study the Cantonese dialect, but as to the question of largely increasing the number of Chinese constables, the members of the Commission were equally divided. Sir Arthur at once telegraphed (August, 1872) for an additional relay of Edinburgh constables and altogether 45 Scotch policemen were enlisted in 1872. No attention was paid to the strange suggestion, made by the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Th. F. Rice (who soon after resigned, 30th September, 1872, and joined the Japanese Police Department), to fuse all nationalities in the Police Force, even if such a measure should occasionally place Westindians or Chinese in command of Europeans. The Governor resolved, contrary to the views of unofficial Members of Council, to increase the Chinese contingent of the Police Force, and when the Hon. Ph. Ryrie protested against this measure (September 5, 1872), the Governor took the occasion to state that he was satisfied with the general results of the Police administration and contended that the Colony was in as good a condition of peace and order as any of Her Majesty's dominions. After the resignation
