CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 32

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OPERATION AGAINST "HONG HWA" PIRATES

PROCEEDINGS.

17th Jan.1925, 1645.

REPORT OF

30

Proceeded from Hong Kong in Tug "St. Monance"

Asst. Supt. Police Booth.

with

Asst. Supt. Police Captain Broxham - Lieut. Drake-Brockman, East Surrey Regt.

2 European Police Officers.

7 Chinese Detectives.

General Wong Fuk-Chi and Staff.

General Wong informed us that his troops were at

Hachung: I could not make Bias Bay in daylight so anchored

in Long Harbour, Mirs Bay, at 1830.

18th January, 1925,

0539. 0730.

Weighed and proceeded for Hachung.

Anchored 14 miles from Hachung Village.

No sampans came off to the ship.

I sent the General and Supt. of Police ashore in ship's boat at 1025. They landed at noon. Boat returned to ship at 1340 and reported that the troops had left the village for another village about 13 miles away, half an hour before "St. Monance' arrived. The General had sent a man on horseback to get the troops. At midnight a junk arrived alongside with about 40 troops and the General. These troops waited on board "St. Monance" until the rest came alongside in junks.

19th January, 1925.

0310. 0655.

0720.

1025.

1800.

1840.

General idea of raids

-

see my message 0015.

Six junks left for Fan Lo Kong.

Weighed and proceeded for Fan Lo Kong Creek with General on board.

Anchored off Fan Lo Kong Creek in 3 fathoms.

This position is 6 miles from Fan Lo Kong Village.

A junk was expected to meet us on arrival but did not do so.

Sent Asst. Supt. Police. General, Staff and 2 Chinese De tectives to land between Fan Lo Kong and Nim Shan villages. I ordered them to send junk for remainder at once.

First junk arrived but had no message.

The Asst. Supt. Police on board did not consider it worth while going ashore in the dark when we did not know where the rest of the party were.

Another junk arrived alongside with message (See my 2120).

20th January, 1925.

Asst. Supt. Police, Military Officer, 1 European Police Officer and myself landed in junk at daylight. A guide took us to Nim Shan market. The inhabitants appeared very interested at seeing a foreigner. I do not think one has been there for some time. We found

the General at his headquarters in a temple with the Asst. Supt. Police who landed on the previous day.. He informed us he had 17 prisoners there, 4 of whom were strongly suspected of having taken part in the "Hong Hwa" piracy, as Singapore clothes, etc., was found in their house. It consisted of