48
PART III THE DISTURBANCES
165. Meanwhile, some distance from this area, a report was received from a mobile patrol that a group, about 30 strong was moving westwards along Argyle Street near Kowloon Hospital. Mr. BRETHERTON, commanding the Wong Tai Sin company, which had been in reserve up to midnight, when it received instructions to move up and support the other companies with an admonition from Mr. SUTCLIFFE to use all force necessary to bring the situation under control, was now standing by near the flyover at Princess Margaret Road and Argyle Street. He was ordered to deal with this group, whom he met marching in ranks of four abreast with the leading file carrying a banner, bearing Chinese characters reading 'Oppose Star Ferry Increases'. Mr. BRETHERTON spoke to them and found that they had an excellent command of English. He told them that the procession was unlawful as no permit had been given for it and that, if they continued, they would be liable to arrest. From their manner and general deportment, he took them to be students. They were inclined to argue with him; however, he made it quite clear that he was not prepared to discuss the merits or demerits of the Star Ferry increase but intended simply to enforce the law. They responded to this, turned about and broke up their formation.
166. Mr. BRETHERTON then moved his company up to the junction of Nathan Road and Shantung Street. At about 1.30 a.m. he received instructions to proceed to Bute Street to engage a crowd of rioters who were attacking the post office and a telephone exchange in Bute Street. He sent his No. 1 platoon into Nelson Street with the intention of sealing off the southern area from Bute Street, and took his remaining two platoons up Nathan Road and into Bute Street from Nathan Road. There were several small fires burning in the road and a fire at the entrance of the Post Office building. Several hundred yards down Bute Street towards Tong Mei Road, there was a large crowd, although the vicinity of the Post Office itself was deserted. With his Staff Sergeant, he turned into Portland Street and saw a crowd about 200 strong advancing towards him 100 yards down Portland Street. It was very noisy and, Mr. BRETHERTON thought, under the impression that he and his sergeant were the only policemen in the vicinity. The crowd began to throw stones and bottles and from the left flank of the advancing crowd came the sound of breaking glass, which he took to be the breaking of windows. There were various abandoned motor vehicles and buses in the street, and at that moment, when Nos. 2 and 3 platoons were in the process of alighting from their vehicles, they were particularly vulnerable to attack. He noticed a distinct smell of kerosene from some broken bottles, so he warned the crowd in Cantonese to disperse or fire would be opened. This had no effect and he directed his staff sergeant to fire. One shot was aimed at a member of the crowd who appeared to be the ring. leader and the crowd ran back. They soon stopped however and turned again facing the police, but, by this time, No. 2 platoon had come up and dispersed
them with tear smoke.
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