The need for gunboat patrol of the West River is becoming increasingly obvious by the occurrence of fresh cases of piracy almost daily. On the 28th ult. a most dating outrage was committed on the Chinese steamer Chung On, a vessel of some 70 tons burthen. She left Wuchou on the morning of the 28th with passengers and cargo for Canton and ports en route. Among the former were ten ruffians carrying earthenware jars, which they broke subsequently and took out revolvers after they had. passed Takhing, The captain of the steamer (a Chinese) attempted resistance and menaced them with a pistol, but he was pounced on from the rear, di and killed by a revolver shot in the stomach, Two others of the crew were wounded, and the pirates having overcome all resistance, took all the valuables belonging to the passengers and the vessel and left the steamer at Dokee, about a mile below Yuetsing. The steamer returned to Wuchou and the affair was reported to the authorities, but they will do nothing.
Hongkong, 7th January.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.