5. The Governor informed me of this occurrence on 28th December. The case had been taken up by the Hong Kong Police, who endeavoured to trace the perpetrators, but without success. No action on my part at that time could have been of any avail, but in future, if early intimation were received, a Torpedo Boat or Destroyer could be at once despatched to render any assistance possible. To trace men under such circumstances is difficult, and could only be done with the assistance of the natives, but if once their haunt were discovered, it should be broken up, as was done in former years.
6. A very large number of cases of "robbery" have, I believe, occurred in the West and North Rivers, principally among Chinese River vessels, but in some instances, vessels under the English flag have been attacked. Two such cases have been reported to me by the officer Commanding the "Sandpiper".
7. The first occurred on the 23rd May, when the S.S. Wo On was attacked near Chau Lui Island, and robbed of $7000. The "Sandpiper", at that time at Canton, immediately on receiving information, left (at 6 a.m. on the 25th idem) to render assistance. On arriving, she found a Chinese Gun Boat already there, whose Captain said he had been unable to pursue the robbers as there was not enough water for his vessel to go up the creek after them. The owners of the steamer placed the matter in the hands of H.M. Consul to obtain redress from the Viceroy.
8. The second took place about the 11th July. A cargo boat belonging to Messrs Banker were held up near the village of Luk Tan and 350 taels ($335) demanded. On the report reaching the "Sandpiper" at Tuchau, she left on the morning of the 16th, hoping to surprise the robbers, who had been told that the money would be paid in that day, but four Chinese Guard Boats had been sent from Tak lamg by the Sub-Prefect the previous evening, and the villagers had protected the boats from robbery.
Remuneration