--2--
47
in dark clothing appeared with a dark cloak over his arm, he looked to me as if he might be a Secretary or servant to some person already on board, he tried to pass through the cordon
which was now drawn close round the gate, whereas when we entered the wharf the pickets were stationed further away. He was motioned away as had been the previous would-be passengers. How- ever, he insisted on trying to get in and was thereupon roughly
handled and pushed out on to the middle of the road and had to
make his way to the other steamer. He appeared to be very angry but was unable to do anything. Finally a Japanese appeared with
a coat over his arm and tried to get in, he was pushed back but
after some conversation he wasallowed to come on to the Wharf
where he handed over the coat to another Japanese who was already
on board. He himself then left the wharf as he was not travell-
ing by the Steamer.
During the whole of the time that I was watching and
from the moment I first reached the wharf there were 2 Police
Constables in the regular Police uniform standing exactly opposite
the gates in the road way close to the kerb. They made no attempt whatsoever to interfere with the pickets who were grouped
on either side of the gate.
to the time that the steamer left no passengers
other than Europeans boarded the steamer. Chinese, apparently
employees of the Steamboat Co., or their friends, leaving the
steamer with small parcels were subjected to examination outside
the gate by the pickets as well as inside by the Custom Officers.
There is no doubt whatever that the pickets had an
absolutely free hand in turning off would be passengers and did »
so most successfully.
At 8 o'closk, just as we were about to sail one of the
pickets, who appeared to be the No. 1, paid over some money which looked like copper cents to one of the other pickets. Whether he
was
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.