TNAG-0065-FCO40-101-Local-intelligence-reports-1968 — Page 175

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bound over for offences from which the incident arose. The United Nations Association of Hong Kong (U.N.A. H. K. ) Hawkers' Committee attempted, with the assistance of So Sau-chung (5685/1343/1813), whose hunger strike contributed to the disturbances in Kowloon in April 1966 (L.I.C. Report for April, 1966, paragraph 8 refers), to organise a demonstration, in protest against this conviction, by their members outside Government House where the Secretary of State was then staying. This failed through lack of support.

9.

On 23 March, Lo Kei (4151/7784) who, as a result of his part in the disturbances in Kowloon in April 1966, was convicted of riotous offences and bound over, was found dead in a room in a resettlement estate where he had been living for the last seven months; he had apparently committed suicide. Two notes were found nearby, indicating extreme depression and intention to commit suicide. The pathologist's examination and post mortem also indicated suicide. The local press gave his death wide coverage, some of it showing an anti-Government bias. Mrs. Elliott, an elected Urban Councillor, MA Man Fai (7456/2429/6540), Executive Secretary of the U. N. A. H. K. and SO Sau-chung are attempting to make an issue out of LO's death, by allegations that the circumstances surrounding it were suspicious. In an attempt to avoid undesirable publicity LO's sister claimed the body and arranged a quiet funeral. However, SO Sau-chung subsequently organised a Memorial Service which was held on 31 March; this was attended by some 200 persons including Mrs. Elliott and MA Man Fai. After the ceremony which consisted of the reading of a eulogy to LO Kei and the burning of a copy of the Report of the Commissioner of Inquiry into the Kowloon riots, Mrs. Elliott announced the establishment of a LO Kei scholarship and donated $300 to this, while SO Sau-chung announced that he and several others would visit LO Kei's grave and urged the other participants to accompany him. Whilst all local press carried reports on this service it was not featured as prominently as might have been expected.

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