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in question arises from a local feud and is not a question of random seizure of individuals. The Police also report that, having proceeded to Sun Tien and instituted inquiries in conjunction with the ties, they had ascertained that the story of seizure of individuals to be held to ransom on Hong Kong was not factual, the reality being that toward the end of last year (e.g. during January 1877) the clan surnamed Wen of the Village of Sun Tien became involved in a dispute with the Ching Clan of the Village of Mui Lum, whereupon some members of the Ching clan were carried off and held in durance, in order to compel the payment of an outstanding debt. It was claimed that four foreigners were among the men seized, but they were released by the 28th February.
I have ascertained, in addition to the foregoing by private inquiries and public investigation, that the Wen Clan of Sun-Tien being a numerous and powerful family, connected by ancestral descent with the Wen clan of the village of Kong-wai, interfered in 1864 on behalf of the latter in a dispute.