No. 1.
Sub-enclosure to Enclosure 1 in Despatch No. 139 of the 10th April, 1903,
The Acting Captain Superintendent of Police.
Central Police Station, Hongkong, March 3rd, 1903.
Sir,
511
I beg to report for your information that on the evening of March 1st, 1903, about 3.85, I was on duty on Ship Street, I saw a German sailor not in custody behaving in a disorderly manner. On being spoken to by me, he struck me in the face. I at once seized him to take him in custody. The first and second defendants (now on the charge sheet) came to his assistance. The first seized hold of my whistle and snatched it from my coat. The first and second defendants then struck me several blows causing me to release my hold of my prisoner. I was then knocked down by the first defendant with a fighting iron. The fourth defendant then struck me with an iron rod several times. I got up and followed the first defendant, who struck me over the eye with the fighting iron, which caused me to fall; while on the ground, the third defendant (on the charge sheet) wrenched my baton from my hand and struck me several blows with it. With the assistance of 9.0.43, who arrived on the scene at this time, the first defendant was overpowered and taken to the Station. The three other defendants were brought to the Station by some Indian Constables and a Chinese Watchman. These three I immediately recognised as being the other three who assaulted me and tried to assist the first defendant to escape.
Upon being searched in the Charge Room, my whistle was found in the pocket of the first defendant; my baton was found in the possession of the third defendant when arrested by a District Watchman. Later on in the evening, the fighting iron was brought to the Station by a small Chinese boy who saw the 1st defendant throw it away after striking me with it.
I have etc.,
(signed) William Pitt, P.371.