The majority of the chow. Two men bare beea arrested io connexion with the thefts and are at [present locked op in the Foreign Settlement at Hangchow aw transfer to Shanghsi With reference to the abortive riots the unprovoked assaults upon foreigners were before the Mixed Court on December 21, 1910, and received various punishments which their brutal conduct well merited. The prompt method io which these disturbers of the peace were dealt with, and the reintroduction of corporal banishment once more for crime committed within the Settlement, has bad the desired effect, an effect which was well known would follow. The administration of the bamboo by the Mixed Court has for long time past been advocated as the coly deterrent feared by the criminal and loafer classes in Shanghai, and its re-introduction, if continued, will go {ar to lighten the work of the Police in dealing with sach characters, Fires.—Doring the month of December nineteen fires were reported. Of this number 8 were extinguished by the Fire Brigade, and 11 by the Police and inmates. Of the total namber 10 houses were insured and the remainder not.
'Three apprentices belonging to " shop' in the Szechaen Road were charged with larceny and attempting to eet fire to the above premises, One was rentenced to 11. months' imprisonment and 1 month's cangue; the other two to 1 month's imprisonment each.
Sikh Inguiry.—Dariog last month the Sikh Inquiry has been held by Major 8, R. Davideoo, 47th Sikhs, an officer of considerable experience lent by the Indian Government. Major Davidson has bad every opportunity afforded him for personal and confidential inquiry with any member of the Sikh Branch who wished to approach him. Major Davidson's report is pow in the hands of the Council, Anti- Rent{Campaign.—The contioaation of the Anti-Rent Csmpsiga which commenced in November last has to be noted with regret. Although the movement has not lacked some support from a section of the Chinese commanity, the endeavour to create serious trouble io the Settlement on the part. of certain unknown persons has so far failed. I regret still more to have to report concerning this matter that ce operation with the senior Chinese responsible official has not been possible, owing to the entire lack of support, upon his side.
Tt may be of interest to state briefly few facts concerning events in the Tavasry 12, 1911, Anti-Rent Sempaign which have come to the notice of the police.
It is probably known that for the last month and more every care has been taken to enppress inflammatory meetings, to prevent the distribution of leaflets of " similar natare, to arrest those concerned in deavour. While these precautions have been taken within the Settlemrat boundary, it might have been supposed that the same or even stronger messores would have been adopted with the same object in the Native City aod on the Chinese Bund, where it is now known the Anti-Rent Boreao has bad its Head. querters{for some time past, it having been removed thereto from within the Settlement. But, far from this being the case, inflammatory Aunti-Rent meetings with their attendant inflex of rowdies h thin the last few days been allowed both in the Native City aod on the Chinese Band. It is only because special precautions had already been taken on this side that said meetings were not the commencement of serious disturbances in this Sottlement.
'The evente' of the last few days serve to prove that if due precautions are taken the Anti-Reet Camya'gn is confined to a certain section only, who not content with lawful meoos for the ment of their object.
The great majority of Chinese shopkeepers and tevante have shown them selves averse to eny illegal action, But, if as evente seem to show there are certain persees who have authority outside the Settlement who are not seting wholly on the side of order, disturbances may not impossibly occur.
Five recruits for the Shanghai Manicipal Police arrived from Zngland on December 24,°1910, and a further batch of five landed on Jaonary 6, 1911, Return of Canvict Labour for December, 1910, Grosse value of wark performed Tis.
forthe P.W.D...,... 525.98
Less, Repsira to carte, ean-dals, eto.... oe wee 125.51
Total value of labour Tls. 400.47
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.