Stone Kang
(1st. April)
BERIES IN THE COLONY,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,"
Hongkong, 31st March, 1903, returned to the Colony six weeks when my wife has been robbed with my house has been burgled and a deprived of his watch chain outside
"Dail Press "
729
(3rd April)
ROBBERIES IN THE COLONY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY FRESS." [
Hongkong, 1st April,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS," SIR,--With reference to your leading article on the 31st March commenting upon the police returns, and especially the increase in the cases of robberies in which the thieves have not been arrested, and in further corroboration of the statements made in Mr. Henry Humphreys's letter published in your to-day's issue complaining of the alarming increase of burglaries and street robberies in the colony, permit me to state that my house No. 37, corner of Des Voeux Road and Douglas street, has been twice visited by burglars during the last month, and five robberies have been committed in houses in the immediate neighbourhood without the culprits being brought to book in any single case. I have escaped uninjured in both the cases by sheer good luck, as on both occasions the doors of my office on the first floor of the premises were so securely closed that the noise made to force one of them open woke up one of my men sleeping in the office; but before he could open the door and rush out, the thief slipped down the rain water pipe, by which he had climbed up, and escaped. On the second occasion, the thief or thieves again climbed up the same rain water pipe in Douglas Street, and crossing the side verandah on to the stone verandah facing Des Voeux Road entered the neighbouring house No. 35, occupied by Kwong Cheong, tailors, and walked away with a rich harvest in the shape of pieces of serge, flannels, and Spanish stripes which had been hung on the verandah to dry, the aggregate value being about $100. The foot-prints of the thief or thieves could be clearly seen on the cemented floor of my verandah and also on the stone parapets, the night being wet and muddy. They were pointed out to a Chinese detective sergeant who came to investigate the matter.
And was witnessed by a number of coolies who made no effort to render assistance or catch the thief, although they could easily have done so as he was within arm's length. On the first occasion, which occurred at 11 am, outside the house occupied by me, and on the second occasion, which occurred at 12:40 pm the day before yesterday, my wife saw the thief making over the verandah and called for help. The thief was chased by two of my men and three Sikh policemen but was not caught, although carrying with him one and two silver trays. I am informed there were no less than 71 thefts in various parts of the colony the same day. The numerous Chinese loafers to be seen at all hours along the principal streets, many of whom must be known to be thieves and all of whom could be charged as vagrants, are responsible for the large increase of crime of the above nature. It cannot be expected that a Sikh policeman in heavy boots could catch a Chinaman if the latter had a start, but robberies would greatly if not cease, if the Vagrancy Act were enforced and it were made a punishable offence for people not to attempt preventing a thief making his escape. Yours faithfully,
HENRY HUMPHREYS.
4th April
ROBBERIES IN THE COLONY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS."
A week later, the shop No. 39, immediately next to mine and occupied by Messrs. Ritchie & Co., was broken into and robbed, the daring members of this enterprising fraternity taking away with them jewellery, brass and iron ware, perfumery, and tobacco pipes of the approximate value of $300. The house behind mine, No. 23, facing the Douglas wharf, was twice visited by thieves, who are supposed to have climbed up the rain water pipe in Douglas Street, the occupiers' loss amounting to about $100. To cap it all, the occupier of the house next to Messrs. Ritchie & Co. lost last week some silk clothes that were put out to dry, and so far as I am aware, the culprit or culprits in all these cases still remain at large, no doubt to ply their nefarious trade in other directions.
Hongkong, 1st April, With reference to the letter of Mr. Henry Humphreys in your issue to-day, I would endorse the suggestion to make it punishable for Chinese to stand by and see a crime committed without raising a finger to prevent it.
Turning from West Point in a ricksha, I observed a policeman chasing a Chinese coolie over boulders and stones near where building operations are in progress. Dozens of Chinese coolies stood by evidently enjoying the fun--but none would render assistance. It was a very awkward position, and to collar the coolie as he passed within arm's length of me was beyond my power. But why should it not be possible for the police to have taken into custody a half dozen of those who stood by laughing at the Sikh, as well as his man, and teach them their duty?
I may further suggest that a lamp post be placed in the middle of Douglas Street which is at present enveloped in complete darkness, and which, as well as the lane at the back of our houses, affords a safe harbour of refuge to these undesirable visitors.
Yours faithfully,
D. S. DADY BURJOR.
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