News reached here on the 14th inst. to the effect that a British steamer had been fired upon up the West River and a European passenger injured. This report has since been verified, the boat fired upon being the Nanning, owned by the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamship Ca., plying between Canton and Wuchou. The passenger injured is the Rev. C. E. L. Cowan, chaplain of H.M.S. Glory, who was taking a short holiday trip with the Rev. E, J. Hardy, M.A., chaplain to the Forees. The only other passengers were Mr. Fabian, of the Imperial Customs and Dr. R. MacDonald. Wesleyan Mission. Whilst seated at tiffin word was brought that @ company of men in uniform, presumably soldiers, were drilling on the bank. The four passengers went on deck and had just noticed the men, about three hundred in number, dressed as soldiers, when s volley was fired at the ship, which at this moment was exactly opposite to them. One bullet hit Mr. Cowan on the right knee, passing clean through and grazing the leg of Mr. Fabian, but being spent, fortunately did no harm.. Nothing further happened, the Nanning proceeding on her way, when she fell ip with FLM. gunboats Sandpiper and Robin, to the commanders of which the incident was reported. Mr. Cowan's wound, fortunately only a flesh one, had been dressed by Dr. MacDonald, and he was carried on board the Sandpiper, in which vessel he and the doctor were brought to Hongkong. The Robin proceeded up the to investigate matters, the issue of will have to await her arrival here. ing further has been livord except that the British Consul in Canton is in communication with the Viceroy on the subject, and will no doubt insist non the authors of the outrage being punished.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.