340
They come over here because they would be arrested if they remained in their own country, or because the laws of the Colony are so lenient compared to those of China, that they do not dread their application. They are mostly bound by rules of the Triad or other Secret Societies to combine together for mutual defence against Government prosecutions. They intimidate witnesses, and have severely assaulted and in some cases, killed persons who have given information against them. There are persons who can now lawfully carry ... provided that they have in their possession Night Passes. Occasionally, when I have banished some of the Ringleaders of the Triad Society, there has been consternation amongst their ranks, but it is of short duration, when they see that banishment is not followed up by stronger measures.
Their confidence becomes consequently greater.
12.