An extraordinary story of assault on board the str. Hangchow on Monday night was the subject of proceedings in H. M. Police Court on Wednesday before Mr. Peter Grain, Acting Magistrate. Four Indians were charged with having assaulted a Chinese Post Office mail coolie whilst he was on duty on board the ship, and with having handcuffed complained to the steering gear. The accused pleaded not guilty.
Acting Sgt. T. Visser, of the River Police; gave evidence of arrest. He stated that he was summoned on board the Hangchow at 2 a.m. that morning and was told by the Chief Officer that there had been trouble between the Chinese Post Office coolie and the Indian watchmen, and that the latter had handcuffed the coolie to the steering gear. Witness found the coolie, with his face covered with blood, handcuffed as stated and, as the watchmen could' not find the key, he had to get a file from the ship's carpenter in order to liberate complainant. Two of the Indians held Colt revolvers in their hands, and these were taken away from them, and another carried a meat chopper. Witness found the accused in a room together, under the influence of liquor, and took them into custody.
On this evidence, Inspector Mellows asked for a remand, and the case was adjourned until next morning.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.