Enclosure 1.
Extract from the "Hongkong Daily Press".
C. O.
079
19th. Jul 19 AVE.
SUPREME COURT.
Thursday, 18th July.
IN CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.
Barore The Chier Justice (HON. MR. REES DAVIES, K.C.)
THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF 1.4. THE GOVERNOR. Considerable interest was manifested in the appearance of Li Hon Hung on the charge of attempted murder, to which he had pleaded guilty. Crowds of Chinese gathered round the entrance to the Law Courts, eager to catch a glimpse of the man who had become notorious. In the large Court the body was filled to its utmost, sune 500 at least being present. A number of Europeans, including many Jadies, also attended.
When the prisoner was brought inte Court, he was charged on two counts, the first with attempting to shoot Sir Henry May with a revolver with intent to kill and murder, and the second with attempting to du grievous bodily harm.
Prisoner pleaded guilty to both counts. His Lordship--You understand the charge to which you are pleading guilty, pleading guilty to shooting the Governor with intent to murder?
Prisoner-I understand it, my Lord. The Registrar-Have you anything to say why sentence should not be passed
l{y! V »tt ?
Prisoner have nothing to add to a but I said at the Police Court. 1 plead the same.
Hou. Mr. Alabaster, who conducted the ense for the Crown, said--The two counts upon which the prisoner has pleaded guilty are alternative. I do not ask your Lordship to sentence the prisoner on more than one. The prisoner has pleaded guilty to the most dastardly crime which I think it is possible to imagine. He has pleaded guilty to shooting at Sir Henry May, who is now the Governor of this Colony, with intent to murder him. On the 4th July, Sir Henry May arrived in this Colony to take up the reins of government, and having inspect. ed the guard of honour at Blake Pier hr and Lady May and their daughters got into chairs to proceed with the pro ression to the City Hall to receive an adtiress of welcome from the community. Sir Henry May's chair was on the right and Lady May's chair was on the left. On each side there were four Indian Constables. Behind these were other
police, and the streets were lined with troops. The chairs had proceeded about fifty yards, when the prisoner, who had evidently been waiting for the purpose, ran out between the troops and between the second and third Indian constables, put his hand and elbow on the chair ccupied by Sir Henry, and pointed point blank at Sir Henry May's head. Had it not been for the prompt action of an Indian constable in throwing up his arm and of Sergeant Garrod in running forward and seizing his wrist, there would have been no doubt but that he would have carried out his dreadful purpose. The shot, despite the divergence caused when it was fired, missed Sir Henry May's chair and lodged in the canopy of Lady May's chair. The pri- soner struggled with Sergeant Garrod and attempted to fire a second shot. He has pleaded guilty to the charge, and he pleaded guilty at the Magistracy. He says he has nothing further to add to what he said then. Counsel then read the statement made by accused before the Magistrate, which has already appeared in our colurons.
Proceeding, he said It is evident that the prisoner refers to the Ordinance passed last year before Sir Henry May's arrival,
His Lordship-Ask him whether he understands what is being said.
The interpreter having interpreted to prisoner,
Mr. Alabaster said that it was evident that in doing this the prisoner--and he knows what he is doing-was actuated by no personal illwill towards the object of his attack, but in doing his terrible crime he was attempting to strike terror into the hearts of the Government of this Colony by this dastardly attempt on its chief representative. The Crown regards the case as an extremely serious one.
His Lordship-Li Hon Hung, you have pleaded guilty to a most dastardly crime, a crime which is regarded with abhor- rence, I am sure, by every one of your countrymen iT! Hongkong, and the motives which you put forward at the Police Court regarding the circumstances have no foundation whatever in fact, and they do not in the least palliate your crime. If you had succeeded in your attempt you would have forfeited your life. It is my duty to insure that a man of your dangerous character should not again be at large in society. The sen- tence of the Court is that you b imprisoned for life with hard labour.
Prisoner received the sentence caluly and was removed in custody without uttering another word.
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