PIRATES ON SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1928, Page 4

PIRATES ON SHIP

ATTRACTED BY TREASURE, AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE. AUCKLAND, August 28. “ I thought when we let New Zealand that pirates were about one hundred years defunct, but I discovered that on the China coast they are. quite a real thing,” said Mr J. T. D. Lloyd, an Auckland architect, who returned from the East to : day. Accompanied by his wife, Mr Lloyd travelled from Shanghai to Hong Kong in June by the Dollar liner President Haves.

“She was a veritable treasure ship, as she was carrying two million pesos consigned to Manilla,” he said. “ The Chinese pirates are marvellously organised and on the President Hayes it was found that the Chinese, some-of whom Were travelling saloon, outnumbered the Europeans by five to one. The pirates had boasted that they would take one of the largest steamers on tho China Coast run, and the officers of the President Hayes learned that during the trip an effort would he made to take charge of her.

“ At that stage, tho wireless began to talk over space and an American warship left ITong Kong at lull speed to met the liner. For two nights every electric light was kept going and barricades were erected across thp decks. Every officer went about armed and the men passengers were warned that at any moment firearms might he served out to them.”

Mrs Lloyd remarked that it was the most comforting sight she ever saw when tho American warship came up to escort them.

Mr Lloyd added that the trip was full of thrills. It was evident that a big piratical coup had been planned, biit the display of force prevented it.

Mr Lloyd added that Shanghai was still in a. troubled state, and when he left there were bnibod wii-o entangle ments and, about six thousand British troops in possession of the city. Outwardly everything appeared to be calm, lmt an explosion at any moment was feared. One Englishman there told him that lie was not prepared to groutside the foreign concession at night time, and gave as bis reason that lie valued bis life top. highly. . :

On the China... coast there had beer numerous piratical outrages. The popular mode .was for the pirates to trave by a.steamer, ostensibly as, passengers, and then when a suitable moment presented itself, tOv-saizo,the vessel.