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difficulty, assistance being provided by the military and the Hong Kong Regiment. There were 42 arrests, a number of home-made weapons were discovered as well as posters, inflammatory material and records which may be of use. Casualties were one policeman slightly injured and two prisoners detained with gunshot wounds.
3. In Kowloon a number of incidents developed after 2000. Buses, taxis and cars were stoned, a small group of rioters adopted hit and run tactics over a wide area. A curfew was imposed over the greater part of the peninsula at 2300 hrs, but sporadic disorders continued until about 0300. Several buses, taxis and private cars were burned or damaged. One auxiliary policeman reporting for duty was badly beaten up. The police had to open fire on several occasions;
two rioters were killed and three injured of whom one has since died. There were seven other civilian casualties and five policemen were injured. In Taipo at 1740 there was an explosion in the Rural Committee buildings in a room in which a meeting, fortunately postponed, had been due to start at 1700. There was apparently a timing device on the bomb though technical evidence is not yet available. Three people have been arrested.
40 At Lowu shortly before midnight there were reports of a build-up of militia in the area of the Bridge. This caused alarm to the local villagers, many of whom evacuated their homes. One company 1/7 G.R. took over from the police but there were no further incidents. However, a senior Chinese officer has been seen today in Sha Tau Kok apparently on an inspection and extensive digging is now taking place on the forward slopes on the Chinese side.
5. There are further rumours of another food stoppage being planned in the immediate future, which is expected to last for a considerably longer period. It is of interest that the Treasurer of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Seamen's Union and the Manager of the China Travel Service all crossed into China early this morning. All three would inevitably be involved in any such food stoppage. They may well, therefore, be going to Canton to co-ordinate planning.
6. There are indications of further defensive measures being taken in Communist premises both on the island and la Kowloon. Except for a home-made bomb being thrown into a police station, which damaged a car, there have been no reports of violence. Small crowds have gathered outside Communist shops and union premises but have dispersed without incident.
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7。 The statement by the Colonial Secretary yesterday and the successful raids on union premises last night have encouraged those supporting the Government. We must, however, continue to put on the pressure if we are to have success in demonstrating to the Communists that they will not profit by their present campaign of violence. We can, therefore, expect a continuation of attacks against public transport and the police and stiff resistance to raids on Communist strong points.
(Passed as requested)
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