CO129-401 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [5-6] — Page 352

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on the junk in Macao had been stolen from Cheung Chau on the night of the piracy; but no evidence could be adduced that any of the persons mentioned had actually accompanied the expedition to Lacao.

To Tek Sin, Kan Tai Ho and Ah Yi (alias Wong Shek) were extradited from Lacao on charges of armed robbery and receiving stolen property. They were tried before the Police

istrate in Hongkong and coumitted to the Criminal Sessions held on February 16th., 1913. An indictment for armed robbery and receiving was filed against each prisoner. There was, however, in- -sufficient evidence to support the charge of armed robbery and there was no evidence to show that the stolen property was received ' within the waters of the Colony. On the contrary the evidence show- -ed that the defendants received the stolen property in Lacao. This is no offence against the law of the Colony and the defendants were accordingly discharged.

2.

The only person brought to justice in connect- -ion with this case was the owner of the junk, a man surnamed Leung,who was arrested by the Chinese Authorities in Chinese Territory, convicted of participation in the piracy and robbery

and shot.

3.

The island of Wong Kam is still used as a rendezvous and base by pirates. So is the island of Kio which is in Chinese Territory not far from the Wang Mun entrance to the West River and close to the course steered by river steamers from Long- -kong to the West River. The gang which frequents these two islands, shifting from one to the other and sometimes to inter- -mediate places on the coast, is led by 3 men one of whom named

for participation Wong On was arrested by the Lacao Police in the Cheung Chau affair. The evidence against him was insufficient and he was liberated.

4.

I am about to address both the Government of Macao and the Autmorities at Canton on the subject of the exist- -ence of this gang of pirates and I shall in due course send copies of the correspondence. My information points to the

presence