CHINA.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XI, Issue 3185, 4 December 1878, Page 3

CHINA.

(per. press agency.)

Hongkong, October 7. Pon Borne time past crimo lias been in- ' creasing here to an alarming extent. A stale of terrorism exists almost approaching panic. Burglaries have been almost nightlv occurrences. Within tlio last fortnight the colony has been thro vn into an unprecedented state of excitement by the occurrence of several attacks by bands of robbers. The first of them occurred on the night of the 25 th ultimo, and is a most mysterious affair. The Praya is a road running along the harbour, Behind the Praya is the Chinese quarter of the town, and in it is a lano called WiDglock-street. A. Chinese gold-smith's shop is situated on ono aide, fronting on Winglock-streot, and the other to tho Praya, This shop had received a large quantity of treasure frora San Francisco, which seems to have become known to thieves, and shortly after midnight they mustered nbont town in numbers estimated from 80 to 100, armed with bamboo spears and firearms. They landed in boats, most probably a nest of pirates from the adjacent mainland. Their attack was arranged with consummate skill and caro. No one saw them land, although policemen are stationed all along the Praya at short intervals. The thieves stationed one band to watch the Praya entrance of the house, while another went to Winglock-street, and here a few of the men got into the house through a window upstairs, which they reached by means of a bamboo ladder. A coolie whom they disturbed was kept quiet by threat of murder, and the thieves quietly pursued their search of drawers and cupboards until they came to the safe. They were provided with cold chisels, hammers, and torches for heating iron. Their operations caused some noise, and those in the house were aroused. The men outside called to them that it was on fire, and they must stop where they were until a ladder arrived. A Chinese watchman now appeared on the scene, and was received with a stab from a spear in the groin. These spears are most formidable weapons, fixed on bamboos 20 feet long. The watchman blew his whistle while lying on the ground, and a few constables from a neighbouring station came up, but they were armed only with trun cheons, and the robbers opening fire upon them, they were compelled to return for their rifles. The thieves received them with their spears and firearms, and six of the constables received serious, though happily not fatal, injuries. Ono of the robbers was shot dead by a constable, and it is supposed that several others were wounded or killed, but if so, they were carried off by their companions, who made a clean retreat on the arrival of reinforcements of the police. Most of them, it is believed, got away by water, though some probably escaped by neighbouring lanes. The water party, to facilitate their retreat, stole a steam launch, which was not missed until several hours had elapsed. The launch, on being chased by the police boat, fired on the latter, and then escaped.