MURDERED BY PIRATES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1926, Page 3

MURDERED BY PIRATES

BRITISH SUBJECT’S FATE. DUNEDIN, July. 10. On July 10 a Cablegram from Shanghai reported the murder of a person named Phillips and the despatch of British gunboats from Canton via Wuchow on the West River for the , purpose of investigation. By the latest I mail from China information has been received by the Rev G. 11. M’Ncur which throws light on the cable. Mr J. M. Phillips, manager of the Asiatic Petroleum Q'o.’s depot at Manning in Kwnngsi province, was captured by pirates some time ago near the market of Taining. He, had gone on business from Nanning to Lungchpw, a city between the former port and Pakhoi, oil the coast. He found out that he could not get a motor passage boat back to Nanning for a week. Rather than wait so long he decided to make the journey to Taiping by a small Chinese boat. The danger of undertaking a journey in such a manner through waters infested by pirates was pointed out to him. Tn spite of the warning lie left in' the sampan and the next news received was that ho had been captured by pirates. Later it was reported at Nanning that the body of a a European had been found in the river. The Commissioner of Customs at Nanning, a European, accompanied by a Chinese clerk from the Asiatic Petroleum Co. went to the place and were of opinion that the body was that of Mr Phillips. Mr Phillips was only twenty-four years of age and was a native of London. He joined the China staff of the Asiatic Petroleum Co. two years ago and was very popular. This took place in the beginning of ' Junes and the British river gunboats , Tarantula, Moorhen and Robin were sent from Canton up the West River , to investigate. The authorities at Wuchow refused to assist by furnishing pilots for the voyage up to Nanning and beyond. These gunboats are ot very shallow draught and in summer there is sufficient water in the river to reach Nanning without difficulty, but owing to shoals and rocks only a local pilot” can take boats through. Commander Fitzmauriee waited nearly * fortnight, hoping the pilots would he forthcoming, and finally blockaded the port from June 24 to early on the following day.' The pilots were then furnished and the gunboats proceeded upstream. The Canton Government sent a protest to the British ConsulGeneral demanding an apology, »« indemnity and the dismissal of Commando.' Fitamaurice. Britain cons,dors she has treaty rights wlueh allow her navigate the interior waterways ot for. the protection of her subjects. This is one of the matters which is on the table for reconsideration by the Nine Power Commission now sitting at Pekin to revise the treaties between China and these Powers. While the death of Mr Phillips h. » obviously no political significance, says. Mr M’Ncur, the action of the AA utho\ authorities and the act of reprisal by the British gunboats in blockading the port might easily lead to serious consequences .t » time like tta resent V Wuchow, like Canton and Swatou. is under the control of a strongly • British group of officials who me dnect ed by Soviet advisers.