CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 135

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with telegraphic instructions received frou you, had

already secured the assent of His Excellency the

Viceroy to the presence of a British Officer at the

trial in Chinese Courts of all such prisoners after

their rendition, with the proviso that, if sjose-

quently found to be inconvenient, the practice should

be discontinued.

Upon this understanding His Excellency the

Governor of Hongkong sanctioned the extradition of

the prisoners, and they were inly brought to Canton

and handed over to the Chinese Authorities.

Their names were:

Lei A. Chang,

Cheng Ya Yu,

Liang Kuei.

Lei A Ch'ang was accused of anti-mission riot-

ing, and the other two of complicity in the Per-

severance Piracy.

The case was heard before the Nam Hoi Magistrate,

and the first hearing took place on 20th. June in

the presence of Mr. H. A. Little, Acting Vice Consul.

Five prisoners were brought up, the additional two

being Feng Chin Fu and Ho Ya P'u whose arrest had

beon secured by the Chinese Authorities some time

before the extradition of the other three prisoners

from Hongkong. All refused to admit their guilt,

and were remanded for further evidence to be adduced

against them.

The case was again heard on 10th. August, and

upon production of clear evidence and on due identifi-

cation, Lei A Chang, Cheng Ya Yu, and Liang Kuei

were convicted and were subsequently sentenced under

instructions from the Viceroy, the first to a term of

imprisonment, and the others to be executed. 15.

H. E. Sly, Consular Assistant, was present at this hear-

ing and at the carrying out of the death sentences,

and

satisfied himself that the men had not been

tortured.

I had subsequently the honour to receive your

despatch of 10th. October, No. 20, instructing me to

the

make