Their names were
Lei A Ch'and,
Cheng Ya Yu,
Liang Kuoi.
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Lei A Ch'and was accused of anti-mission rioting and the other two of complicity in the "Perseverance" Piracy.
The case was heard before the Nam Boi Magistrate, and the first hearing took place on 20th June in the presence of Mr. H. A. Little, Acting Vice-Consul. Five prisoners were brought up, the additional two being Feng Chin Fu and Ho Ya P'u, whose arrest had been secured by the Chinese Authorities some time before the extradition of the other three prisoners from Hong Kong. All refused to admit their guilt, and were remanded for further evidence to be adduced against them.
The case was again heard on 10th August, and upon production of clear evidence, and on due identification, Lei A Ch'an, Cheng Ya Yu, and Liang Kuei were convicted and were subsequently sentenced under instructions from the Viceroy, the first to a term of imprisonment, and the others to be executed. Mr. H. E. Sly, Consular Assistant, was present at this hearing and at the carrying out of the death sentences, and satisfied himself that the men had not been tortured.
I had subsequently the honour to receive your despatch of 10th October, No. 20, instructing me to make personal representations to the Viceroy with a view to securing His Excellency's concurrence in the permanent adoption of the above temporary arrangement for the treatment of extradited prisoners. Accordingly, I approached the Viceroy at a personal interview and was able to secure His Excellency's assent to the proposal. On my return from
this