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revolvers and automatic pistols, the Captain was called out, disarmed and compelled to open his own cabin and the guards'. room, from which all firearms were then taken. Some firing took place while this was going on with a view to terrifying the passengers but there were no casualties. Having gained command, the pirates directed the ship towards Bias Bay ransacked officers' and passengers' cabins and opened up the holds to secure the cargo. There was no bullion on board. On arrival at Bias Bay about 4 a.m. on the moming of the 28th the pirates went ashore in the ship's boats which they had compelled the crew to man. Large quantities of loot from the cargo were taken off in junks. It is estimated that there were about 56 pirates of whom seven travelled in the First Class, nine in the Second and the remainder in the Third Class. One pirate was recognised as having made the journey several times in the First Class Saloon.
4.
Bias Bay where the pirates disembarked has long been know as a haunt of pirates, who belong to villages a short distance inland, The S.S. "Sui An” which was pirated on the 19th November, 1922, when on a voyage from Macao was taken to Bias Bay by the pirates who left her there. Attempts have been made on several occasiona to induce the Chinese Authorities to send an expedition against the villages in question but this has proved impossible as the de facto Government at Canton has been unable to exercise control in this area which comes within the sphere of influence of Chan Kwing Ming.
B.
The piracy of the S.S. "Tai Lee" took place
on the 21st January, 1924. The vessel plies between this Colony and Kongmoon. A call was made about 11 p.m. at Wangmoon where, however, no passengers are permitted to embark. At about 12.20 p.m. the Chief Officer went to the bridge to relieve the Master, but the latter had temporarily left there and on his approaching the bridge again he was
shot
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