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leaving the robbed premises. Two of the robbers were caught in a chase which followed, convicted and hanged. A remarkable feature of the armed robberies during the year was the valuable assistance rendered on several occasions by civilians chiefly non-Chinese, but also Chinese in some cases, who assisted, though unarmed, in following and capturing armed robbers, and were in some instances responsible for the actual capture of the criminals. Not only the Police, but the public owe them a great debt of gratitude for their bravery and skill in effecting captures under trying and dangerous conditions.
8. Sui An Piracy. Serious as was the state of crime on shore, it was almost surpassed on the water by the daring and successful piracy of the Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co.'s steamer Sui An on Sunday, the 19th November. This river steamer, which plies between Hongkong and Macao, was pirated when about 1 hour out from Macao at sunset. Full details of the piracy are contained in the Report of the Commission of Enquiry into this piracy, which was laid before the Legislative Council on the 8th February, 1923. Suffice it to say that, in spite of the provision of armed guards and safety devices required under the terms of the Piracy Prevention Ordinance of 1914, the pirates succeeded in holding up the ship and taking her into Bias Bay, a bay not far outside the waters of the Colony, where they left her, having stripped the passengers and crew of all their money and valuables and the ship of the contents of the compradore's and purser's safes and anything else of value. Owing to the completeness of the surprise, the loss of life was small. Two of the Indian guards were killed during the plucky fight which they put up against severe odds; 2 others were wounded, as was also the Captain, while attempting to gain the bridge. The Captain was very fortunate to escape with his life. This occurrence only goes to show, even more clearly perhaps than the state of crime ashore, the very serious state of disorder prevailing in South China at the present time, which makes the preservation of peace and good order in the Colony and its vicinity a very difficult matter. Armed troops are everywhere, and arms are procurable in spite of the general prohibition of the import of arms into China as well as Hongkong.
9. Arms Smuggling. One of the most serious problems of the past year has undoubtedly been the question of the traffic in arms. The large stocks left over in Europe and America as a result of the Great War find a ready market in China, though under international agreement the import is prohibited. During the latter months of the year, many of the larger passenger ships arriving from the Pacific coast of America failed to complete their stay in port without the discovery of arms either on board or in transit from ship to shore. Arms in transit were also found stored on shore. Heavy sentences on all offenders, including a number of non-Chinese, have had a good effect, but it is not possible to say at the present juncture that the traffic has been checked. As long as fighting continues between rival military factions, so long will there be a market not only for arms for the military, but also for civilians who find themselves at the mercy of so-called troops, often bandits in disguise, and whatever the penalties, they still