Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 166

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wind. The wind was blowing from the West on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, very strong wind; could not possibly sail. Wind was from East not West. It was very strong. On 5th November we went over to Yaumáti and anchored quite close to the shore between 30 and 40 fathoms. I did not return the papers to the Harbour Master's Office. I am not aware of the custom. I am a stranger here. We managed to get over to Yaumáti. I was not aware I had to return the paper on the 4th. I arranged to take the cargo of saltpetre. I did not know I was to get a clearance. I don't know that the Chinese Government forbid carrying saltpetre along the coast. I never carried any before. I took the saltpetre in front of the Nam-pak Hong after midday meal on 5th November. When I got to Yaumáti I did not deposit papers and get anchorage pass. I left at 8 P.M. 26th, 9th moon (6th November), it was not a moonlight night. When I arrived at Yaumáti, it was very dark. It was dark when I left Hongkong, on board of the junk it was after or about sunset. I got no authority from the Harbour Master's Office to leave after dark. I got no night pass at Yaumáti. I left Yaumáti on the 6th, it was a N.W. wind, we sail the junk according to the tide not according to the wind. Sometimes the tide goes through Liümún. The tide was running the other way when we sailed. I have never heard of Customs Cruisers or officers. I do not know the Customs Stations. I never heard I was to report myself when I left Hongkong. It was about 10 o'clock when I was boarded, before or after. I do not know distance in li between Yaumáti and Lápsápwán. I heard the place called Lápsápwán after daylight. I got back into Hongkong harbour about 12 at night, we anchored near the pig lans. It took to get from where we were boarded to where we anchored about 2 hours, wind was still N.W. There were 7 people on board, no women or children, all grown men.

I made no report that night. I was going to make a report when I saw the thieves, and called a Constable and arrested them. I did not report my junk, it was dark and I did not report it afterwards because the thieves were arrested. I had no share in the salt- petre, it belonged to NEUNG CHYE, his other name is CHOY HEUNG CHONG. I do not know what hong the saltpetre came from. It was brought to my junk by cargo boats. I gave evidence at the Police Court. I said it was on the 5th I was engaged.

I did not

say

it was on the 6th. I told the Magistrate that money was taken from me, passage read "rice, &c., $10.50." I said $10.50 in money besides rice, jackets, and guns. I told the Magistrate I saw 2nd prisoner on board my junk, when the saltpetre was taken away the whole 3 of them were there. I saw them. 2nd prisoner was arrested on board the cargo boat. I said to the Magistrate it was on the 4th I went to Yaumáti and anchored there. I did not say it was on 4th, somebody else said so, my name is CHEUNG Magistrate took it down as SHEUNG. Depositions read.

I did not say

I went to Yaumáti on the 4th. It was not on the 31st October NEUNG CHYE engaged me to take the saltpetre. It was on the 4th November and the cargo was put on board on the 5th. I went to Yaumáti because the wind was very strong and I was afraid of losing my anchor. We were driven down to Yaumáti.

I did not take saltpetre on board at Yaumáti. It was off the Nam-pak Hong in daylight.

CHOY HUNG CHEONG, called states:-My name is CHOY HING CHOW, trader, Bonham Strand. At end of October or beginning of November I engaged last witness' junk I first talked with him on the 4th November. On 1st November, I met him at Bonham Strand. On the 4th I asked him if he would take a cargo to Swatow and at what rate. He accepted afterwards. He loaded saltpetre on the 5th after the midday meal. The