- THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 20, 1939
MINES - MANSLAUGHTER · CASE'
WITNESS DECLARES ATTACKS ON
EUROPEANS FREQUENT
AT THE CONTINUED HEARING AT CRIMINAL SESSIONS THIS MORN- ING OF THE CASE IN WHICH VICTOR SHAMRAEFF, A SHIFT BOSS AT LING MA HANG MINES, IS CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER, IT WAS STATED THAT THE MINERS WERE A TOUGH AND DIF- FICULT LOT AND THAT ATTACKS ON EUROPEAN SHIFT BOSSES. WERE NOT RARE.
Mr. J. B. Prentis is conducting the case for the Crown, and the Hon. Mr. Leo d'Almada, instructed by Mr. W. C Hung, is for the accused.
The following jury is sitting: Messrs. E. R. Cutcher (foreman), J. H. Xavier, J. D. Chin, E. Christensen, A. A. Silva, H. S. Advani and H. T. R. Liang.
Lau Sze, alleged that he saw accus- ed strike Ip with his Asts and also kick him..
In reply to Mr. Leo d'Almada, he said the blows were struck with the fists closed and not with the 'open hand.
MINING TERM
said
the
Mr. J. Stewart, a shift boss, that at about 11.30 p.m. he saw a man lying on the ground with two carpen- ters standing by him. He sent one for water from a nearby creek and other for accused. When Shamraeff arrived, witness said: "What on earth is wrong with the fellow" replied: "He attacked' him.
Accused me, so I hit
After the man had been taken on a stretcher to the mine, office, accused went to Mr. Joels, mine superintendent, to report. Accused told Mr. Joels that he had killed a man.
Witness explained that the phrase "killing a man" was a mining term and meant that a man for whom a shift boss was responsible had been killed while on his shift.
|
told them to get to work, by signs, but they remained sitting so he slapped deceased two or three times. The others got to their feet and he slapped one or two others. It was absolutely with his open hands.
He knew he had no business to slap anyone, but he did not use his fists nor kick anyone.
'GRIP ROUND NECK
When the third man had gone up the Manway, accused felt a grip 'round his neck from behind. He turned and brushed the hands aside, and struck twice, not hard blows, The man lost his balance and fell forward and on his left. He told him to
get up, which he did. Accused noticed him bleeding slightly from the nose. He took a piece of waste and wiped off some of the blood.
The man asked, by signs, to be permitted to wash his nose.
He gave permission and went up the mine.
In his report to Mr. Joels, he did not mention that deceased had at- tacked him, as attacks were so fre- quent in the mines, they were often ignored.
when he was attacked.
There was nobody in the tunnel
In reply to Mr. Prentis accused said he had never had trouble with any of the witnesses.
In answer to Mr. d'Almada, accus- ed said, relations between the Euro- peans and the miners was not good. There was always a certain of animo-
In answer to Mr. d'Almada, witnesssity. agreed that at Taipo, he had said: "The swine attacked me and I hit-
him," referring to the statement made AMERICA
by accused.
TOUGH LOT
but
Accused had had fever, was always- on edge and appeared tired, otherwise was alright.
If a man fell down a shaft and was killed, the shift boss would report that he had "killed a man.”
CORNERING WORLD GOLD
Washington, To-day.
In reply to Mr.' d'Almada, witness The United States, Treasury's gold said the workmen were mostly bad holdings have reached the highest characters. They were not particular figure on record - over £3,400,000,- | in the recruiting of labour. There 000, which represents more than two- was no time for enquiries. The min-thirds of the world's monetary gold ers were generally a tough lot, not stocks.
Treasury's Reuter.
energetic and difficult to get to work. A total of £600,000,000 worth of They had been known to attack Euro- gold was added to the peans often. He had been attacked, as holdings in the past year. had accused and Mr. Olsen, on occasions, violently, with stones, knives shovels and wrenches thrown about.
"KILLING A MAN"
some
being
BULGARIAN
Mr. W. Joels, mine superintendent, PARLIAMENT
said accused and Stewart came to his
quarters and accused reported that he DISSOLVED
had killed a man. Mr. Joels again explained the meaning of this phrase.
They all went to the mess, where he was told the circumstances. Accused told him that workmen had refused to return to their work and he had struck them with an open palm.
Sofa, To-day.
The new Government had ordered the dissolution of Parliament which was due to meet to-morrow. A gen- eral election has been promised for December.
There was a regulation that no The Government's step is no sur- European was to strike the miners. He prise as it is thought it would pro- could not give the exact regulation but bably have been defeated it Parlia- they were not to strike so as to leavement met. marks or draw blood.
"ACCUSED'S STORY
Giving evidence, accused vaid he had been with the company for two years. It took about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the top of the mine and, on his arrival," he proceeded with his work which consisted of tapping for safety, checking misfires and allocat ing duties to the men. He noticed. workmen were absent and remem bered they belanged" fo Chan Tung. W
Router.
BRITAIN'S HEALTH
LONDON, TO-DAY: THE FOLLOWING FACTS PRO- VIDE STRIKING EVIDENCE OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF BRITISH NA- TIONAL HEALTH. gang.
On the introduction of conscription 1 1917, 68 per cent. of youths of 18
re allocated to grade one.
In June 1939 63 per cent, of the militia men were classified grade one, and 9.3 per cent, grade two, that is 92 per cent, of the 20-year age group were passed fit for active service.--Router.
ECONOMY
Sale!
-NOW PROCEEDING-
IT'S SIMPLY A SAVING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU
TO BUY YOUR NEW SEASON'S REQUISITES !
YEE SANG FAT
& CO., LTD.
World's mose
economical
10
The Vauxhall 10 Saloon does over 10 m.p.g. On a recent R.A.C. Official trial, over 1,000 miles of public roads, the 10 h.p. Saloon did 43.4 m.p.g.
And it has Independent Springing, Hydraulic Brakes, Controlled Syn- chromesh and many other fine car features.
VAUXHALL
Allow us to demonstrate the 10 and 12 h.p.
HONG KONG HOTEL GARAGE
Stubbs Rd.
Dine at the
Tel. 27778-9.
Parisian Grill
NOW
AIR-CONDITIONED
Good Food
Fine Wines
Dinner and Dance Music
by
THE BLUE DANUBE TRIO
Open till 1 4.m
10, Queen's Rond, C.