1904-1919
HONG KONG, 1914.
325
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tionary period, were scattered throughout the provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangsi, and especially in the West River districts. Many acts of piracy occurred and the influx of undesirable characters to Hongkong gave the Police cause for extra vigilance.
On the 15th March a piracy of the Norwegian steamship "Childar" occurred soon after this vessel had left Hongkong for Swatow, and in this case the pirates escaped, having run the ship close to Chinese territory near Bias Bay before they left it. The steamship "Tai On," which was attacked by pirates on the 2nd April, 1913, was again the victim of a serious piracy on the night of the 27th April when in the vicinity of Kio Island. The pirates, who had embarked as passengers, attacked the bridge, but the Master, Mr. Wetherall, assisted by the Chief Officer, Mr. Evans, the Chief Engineer, Mr. McCartney, and two Portuguese, J. Conception and A. Dias, offered a most spirited resistance. Being foiled in their attempt the pirates then set fire to the vessel and about 300 lives were lost including that of the Chief Officer, Mr. Evans, who was injured, it is feared, in the struggle on board and was unable in consequence to keep himself afloat after the ship had been abandoned. The disaster was one of the worst that have occurred in the waters of the delta, but the gallant conduct of the officers in charge of the ship had a remarkable effect in stopping any serious attempts at piracy for some time afterwards. The Government and public of Hongkong marked their appreciation of the action of Mr. Wetherall, Mr. McCartney, and Guard Dias by compensating them for the losses they suffered and by suitable presentations. The widow of Mr. Evans, the Chief Officer, was awarded an allowance by the Government. This piracy led to the passing of the Piracy Prevention Ordinance referred to under the head of Legislation. In accordance with its provisions vessels sailing to ports on the southern coast of China, which are licensed to carry passengers, have to comply with certain stringent regulations.
With the assistance of the Chinese Government and the Macao authorities the Hongkong Police were enabled to trace the perpetrators of both these outrages. They were tried by the authorities in the Kwangtung Province, and 17 of those concerned in the "Tai On" piracy and 9 of those concerned in the "Childar" piracy were executed at Canton.
2. In the month of July very serious floods occurred in the Fu and West Rivers and an immense tract of country bordering on these rivers was submerged. Great damage was done to embankments which protect the riverine fields and much suffering was occasioned to a large population who were deprived of food and shelter.
The Government contributed a sum of $50,000 in aid of a Relief Fund and a representative Committee was appointed to raise public subscriptions and administer the fund. Including the Government contribution a sum of over $349,000 was raised, the greater portion of which was devoted to the repair by the villagers of broken embankments. A large sum was also spent in sending food into the district at the beginning of the emergency.