TNAG-0009-FCO40-45-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 113

CONFIDENTIAL

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

Cypher

D. 16 May, 1967. R. 16

Q

1 250Z

871

MAY

2

1967

49

PRIORITY

CONFIDENTIAL

No. 618

See dor. 45

Addressed to Commonwealth Office

Peking No.228,

Repeated

12

11

P.A. Singapore No.97,

૧

(1

Washington No.114

(please pass to all).

Kowloon Disturbances.

20 persons arrested on 6th May outside Hong Kong artificial flower factory appeared at 10.30 hours at South Kowloon Magistracy this morning. All charged unlawful assembly, 4 additionally charged with common assault and

2 intimidation. A crowd of about 150 spectators had assembled in court When Magistrate entered they started chanting Mao's thoughts and a further crowd of roughly the same number who were outside the courtroom joined in. The Magistrate adjourned. Fifteen minutes later he returned but the chanting continued. He again adjourned until 14.30 hours. Director of Public Prosecutions consulted Magistrate and applied for hearing in the absence of general public except press. Magistrate agreed. Court resumed at 14.40 hours. Reporters and 2 men and 2 women representing a crowd of some 200 outside the courtroom were admitted. By 15.30 hours this crowd increased to about 300 with another 800 watching nearby. The crowd in the vicinity of courtroom chanted thoughts and sang revolutionary songs. They appeared well organised. At about 17.15 hours, the court still sitting, the crowd started to dis

sperse. Court closed at 17.40 hours after only 2 prosecution witnesses had been heard. The 17 persons detained were offered bail and each released on a personal recognisance of H.K. dollars 200 to appear at 09.00 hours tomorrow, 17th May. The 3 on bail have had bail renewed. Remainder of crowd dispersed peacefully.

Mao's

insohngta

anal

(Passed to D.S.A.0. for Peking and Singapore PRIORITY

and as advance copies to Messrs. de la Mafe,

Bolland and Wilson)

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No. 63 17 MAY 1967

Hera 1/19

/Distribution

CONFIDENTIAL

его

LAST

EIF.

REA

REF.

62.