197
It is, however, satisfactory to note that only one gang robbery was reported in the City of Victoria. It was alleged to have occurred in the Western District of the City, but was a doubtful report.
I would also draw attention to the fact that whereas thirty-four cases of robbery were reported in the New Territory up to the 30th of September, only eight cases have been reported since that date.
FELONIES NOT ALREADY GIVEN.
6.
Under this heading are compared the following :—
House-breaking, Forgery,
•
.136
7
Drugging,
1
Arson,
2
Embezzlement,
21
Suicide,
19
Rape,
}
7.
Assault with intent to do grievous bodily hartn,... 5 Indecent Assault,
1
194
TRIAD SOCIETY.
This Society became very active in the New Territory during the summer, the object of the leading members being apparently to enrich themselves at the expense of law-abiding people.
Subscriptions for the Society were freely demanded to support, as the victims were made to believe, a rebellion against the British, and threats were used when other means to obtain money failed. Endeavours to induce people to inform against their persecutors were unsuccessful, so great is the terror inspired by the Society. A raid, therefore, was made simultaneously at five different places in the New Territory in October, and several important arrests were made. The fishermen at Kat 0, a village on Crescent Island in Mirs Bay, had been greatly harassed by the Society, and the Police were fortunate enough to arrest two leading members of the Society there, and to get evidence of robbery and rape against one, who was convicted at the December Sessions and sentenced to 9 years' imprisonment with hard labour; and of robbery against the other, who was also convicted and sentenced to 2 years' imprisonment with hard labour.
Two other prominent members of the Society were arrested with insignia or writings of the Society in their possession, convicted of being members of the Triad Society, and sent to gaol. These arrests and convictions had a beneficial effect, but the Society requires to be closely watched.
8.
PIRACY.
The launch Fei On, running between Victoria, Tung Chung and Tai O in Lantao, was, after leaving Tung Chung for Tai O on the 11th December about 4 p.m., seized by 4 arined men who had embarked as passengers at Victoria and who were joined, as soon as they had overpowered the crew, by a number of men who were waiting for the launch in a boat. The pirates then took charge of the launch, steamed up the Canton River and committed, during the night, robberies on another launch and four junks, leaving the Fei On near the Bogue the following day after landing property out of the Fei On to the value of $100 and a quantity of goods stolen from the other craft that had been robbed. pirates landed in Chinese territory.
9.
ASSAULTS ON POLICE.
The
He was
On the 9th October at 5 a.m. an Indian Constable on duty near Kowloon City was attacked by two Chinamen who severely cut and wounded him and stole his carbine, watch and turban. removed to hospital where be remained till the 15th November. No arrest was made.
On the 18th December about 1.30 a.m. two Indian Constables while on patrol on Lamma Island near the village of Yung Shu Wan were attacked by about 20 Chinese who sprang on them from ambush and severely cut and wounded the Constables, cut up their leather accoutrements and threw them with the men's carbines into the bushes close by where they were subsequently found. The Constables were removed to hospital. One was discharged on the 18th instant and the other is still in hospital.
Both cases are believed to be the work of the Triad Society as revenge for the arrest and convic- tion of prominent members of it.
Four men were arrested on Lamma Island and were committed for trial on charges of robbery and piracy at the Sessions which opened a few hours after the latter of these two attacks was made. One of the four is a notorious robber and pirate who was wanted by the Police for a robbery com- mitted at Lantao in May last. He is also said to be an influential member of the Triad Society. He was convicted at the Sessions and sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment with hard labour, and two of the other three shared the same fate, while the fourth, who had shot and wounded one of the crew of the junk they robbed, was sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment with hard labour.