Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 154

150

(2.) On the 9th March two shoe-makers, named LAI CHEUNG and CHU YUK, quarrelled in No 4 Possession Street. CHU YUK stabbed LAI CHEUNG in the abdomen with a knife. The latter was removed to the Government Civil Hospital where he died. CHU YUK was charged with murder, found guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment. (3.) On the 15th March a woman named CHAN SUI, the mistress of a man called CHU KWAI, with whom she had just returned from America, was found murdered at No. 48 Praya Central. The body had been packed in a trunk in which it was, no doubt, intended to remove it. CHU KWAI was arrested and although he admitted having murdered the woman both when ar- rested and again when charged, he was acquitted.

(4.) On the 7th August the body of TAM FAT, a gardener, was found dead on the road side near Tai Kok Tsui. He had committed a larceny from a boat on the beach and was pursued and beaten by four meu, one of whom was arrested and acquitted.

(5.) On the 18th September CHAN LAI KIU, 21 years, married woman, was stabbed to death by her husband at No. 151 Praya West. Jealousy appears to have been the cause. The hus- bund escaped to China and has not been arrested. This is a class of case in which the Chinese both here and on the mainland give the Police no assistance.

(6.) On the 18th October the body of TSO SHUI KUI, 44 years, hawker, Kowloon City, was found evidently murdered near the Kowloon Road. He had quarrelled some time previously with two men in Kowloon City, who were seen there on the day of the murder, but have not returned since.

(7.) On the 14th November LI FAT, servant, and CHEUNG YOK, his mother, residing in Shelly Street, were attacked with a sword and killed by an inmate of the same house named LAM CHAU WA, who afterwards attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat. He was removed to the Government Civil Hospital and on recovery was convicted of Murder at the Sessions of January, 1898, and sentenced to be hanged. LAM CHAU WA was on bad terms with LI FAT, whom he further accused of illicit intercourse with his wife,

(8.) On the 15th November about 9.15 p.m. five men armed with revolvers entered a shop at No. 27 Burd Street, ransacked the place and stole money and jewellery to the value of $202. On leaving the place they fired two shots at a District Watchman who was pursuing them, and killed a man named HUNG FUN, who was just entering the door of another shop in the street. Six men were arrested, two were discharged at the Magistracy, one was acquitted at the Criminal Sessions, and three were convicted and hanged. I have heard that the man who was acquitted has since been executed in China for a robbery committed there. The head of the gang who escaped arrest here has now been arrested at Canton, where he has been put on his trial by the Chinese Authorities. The trial is now proceeding.

6.

GANG ROBBERIES.

(1.) On the 8th January at 7.20 p.m. 3 men armed with revolvers entered No. 31 Wing Lok Street

and stole money and silk, value $190. No arrest made.

(2.) On the 10th January at 6.45 p.m. 3 men armed entered a matshed at Fo Pang Village, Kow-

loon, and stole clothing, value $6. No arrest made. This was a very doubtful report.

(3.) On the 20th February at 9.45 p.m. 4 men armed with revolvers entered No. 141 Queen's Road Central evidently with the intention of robbing. One of the inmates escaped by the the back door to raise an alarm and the thieves decamped. Nothing stolen.

(4.) On the 20th February at 10 p.m. 4 men armed with revolvers entered No. 264 Queen's Road Central, a jeweller's shop, drove the inmates into the kitchen and stole money and jewellery, value $599.28. Six men were arrested-1 was discharged and 5 were convicted, 4 being sentenced to 10 and 1 to 11 years' imprisonment with hard labour.

(5) On the 23rd March at 3 p.m. 2 men entered No. 86 Queen's Road East, gagged the cook who was alone in the place and stole money and clothing, value $31.50. No arrest made. This report was very doubtful.

(6.) On the 3rd April at 1 a.m. 3 men broke into No. 14 Tsat Tsz Mui, threw a bed cover over the head of the inmate and held her down and stole a box of clothing, etc., value $8.00, No arrest made.

(7.) At midnight on the 2nd June 11 men armed with swords and revolvers boarded in two boats a trading junk in the harbour off Stonecutter's Island, drove the crew into the cabins, looted the junk and stole bran, rice, jewellery and clothing, value $170.00. Two men were arrested-one was acquitted and one convicted. The junk was committing a breach of the Harbour Regulations by not being anchored in the Junk Anchorage. Her object in anchor- ing in the isolated position she did was not ascertained, but it may have been connected with smuggling.