CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4] — Page 364

Enclosure

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363

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No.3359.

Sir,

Centurion at Hongkong,

3rd. April, 1900.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's letter of 2nd instant, with enclosed copy of Police report, informing me of the piratical attack on the Chinese. Stean Launch "Chang Sha" and British lighter in tow of her, on the evening of the 1st, instant, near Shek-kì, when the Chinese Pilot, on board the Steam Launch was killed, three men wounded, money and other property stolen, and a Chinaman (a Compradore) carried off as a hostage.

2.

I quite agree with Your Excellency in the necessity of not, passing over this outrage without some redress and punishment, more especially as the lighter which was pillaged was sailing under the British Flag.

3. Punishment, restitucion, the giving up the Compradore unharmed, and prevention of a recurrence are what are of course wanted.

4. As regards punishment and restitution. the difficulty is to know where the offenders live, and to identify them. Referring to this, the town (or village) of Shek-ki being close to the east side of the Creek where the outrage

occurred should, in default of more exact proof, be held responsible. Its Mandarins, or Heart Man, should be seized

by the Chinese Authoriuies and kept prisoners till the Compensation has been made for what has been stolen, the Com-

pratore

His Excellency

Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G.

Governor &c. of Hongkong.