CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10] — Page 454

C. O.

19555

REC:

HEGE 18 NOV 84.

canteen tin on the other, proudly stalking along in the midst of a guard of six soldiers with drawn bayonets, and evidently very conscious and prond of the dignity conferred upon him.

One circumstance worthy of mention escaped us on Sunday, and that was an attempt at an- other riot to overawe the coal and cargo coolies in the Eastern district. As we stated, the coal coolies at Wanchai had been frightened from work on Saturday, but on Sunday, they got to work again, being assured by Inspector Swans- ton of ample police protection. They had not been long at work when a mob of rascals assem- bled to stone them off. Inspector Swanston had taken measures to stop anything of the kind, however, for he had informers posted about to give him instant information of what might be about to happen. He thus got early informa- tion which enabled him to be on the spot in time with a good force of police to nip the whole thing in the bud. The police charged the mob, using bamboos among them pretty freely, and drove them off the Praya, scattering them in all directions. Thus by prompt and well judged pre- cautions the other end of the town was saved from a scene which might otherwise, perhaps, have rivalled that on the western side on Friday. Some arrests were made and their cases will be found in our Police Court report together with those of men arrested in other parts. The coal coolies were really delighted at the prompt way in which the police disposed of the roughs, for they are a very poor class, living from hand to mouth, and consumers of opium, and for them to. have to knock off work for a day was a serious calamity, which brought them face to face with want at once. The boat people were equally glad to get to work again, and we hear that some of them were really in want of food in consequence of being able to earn no money.

There were also one or two cases of interference with jinricksha coolies on Sunday, and cases will be seen reported in our Police Court intelligenes. One case in that of Mr. Dick, of the Fing OA, who was riding along the Praya at Wanchai in a j jinricksba when some coolies rsa up, pushed their carrying poles through the spokes of the wheels, and upset the vehicle. Both driver sad passenger made off.

It seems the Riot Act was read on Sunday afternoon, the Justice of the Peace who per- | formed this duty being Major Tripp. The pro- ! ceeding was considered quite annecessary by the police, who had things well in hand at the time, The crowd collected on the Praya, if not an ab- solutely orderly oue, was not riotous in its de- meanour, Curiosity seemed to have drawn it together more than anything else, and it was not found necessary to take any of the steps which generally follow the reading of the Act, such as the clearing of the streets by the military.

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