·
dressing table Club She
in the Club
the sing-tableA the accident I was sitting the fire when she walked her, and she turned quickly The she had on had a short train ich got right under the grate. I caught it row it away and said, Cis, you must be careful, or you will be getting on fire:”..........
By the Jury There were three lamps in the room rarely used. They were not near the fireplace
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
ARMED ROBBERY IN
STREET
INGLOK
which was muc
the
hope
pity
Another armed robbe par with previons colony, was enacted at Winglok Street or
90 in m got clear away with
The att two rolls of silk lessness of the men in the shop and the idiocy they displayed in connection wi crime almost make one say that they deserv to lose what they did and that it wa they did not lose more. There were three rob. On the conclusion of the evidence the Coro-bers altogether and at least two of them had ner, in summing-up, said—As you have given such diligent attention to the evidence, all the lines of which appear to me to converge to one point, it will be only necessary in summing-up to call your attention to a few of its salient features. In a catastrophe of this kind it up pears to me there are three ways in which it could have occurred. It may have been owing to the act of another person, either wilful or accidental; it may have been due to the act of the sufferer herself; or it may have been due to accident. The first question will doubtless hardly have sug- gested itself to your minds at all, as the evidence has shown that, at the time of the accident, the unfortunate lady was entirely alone. The question of self-destruction may possibly have presented itself to your minds, and in coming to a decision you will have to array the evidence on both sides. On the one hand you may reasonable assume that the lady being unhappy owing to domestic troubles, may have been tempted to take her life, and you had also evidence to show that she was in an unusual state of excitement. Against that you must take the fact that to seek death by such a horrible painful, and at least uncertain mode was a very unlikely thing to do. There now only remains the question of pure accident/ The evidence has shown there was a large fire burning in the room; that the deceased was wearing a garment lof a very light description, which had a train; that the mantelpiece was a very narrow one; that the fire was burning brightly, and that there was no guard or fender of any descrip- tion. Cases have occurred, frequently occur, where clothing has taken fire in such a manner, and it will be for you to consider whether such was the case in the present instance or not. Now, as to the suspicious circumstances if they may be called suspicions -attending this case. There was a locked door;now it is for you to say whether the locking of that door is sufficiently accounted for, or whether you think any one to blame for the door being locked. But in doing that you must not forget that during the morning the door was open, and evidently people had free access to the room before the lady locked it, when evidently about to dress. And then the question of the arm; it will be for you to say whether the evidence produced by Dr. Lalcace sufficiently accounts for that. I do not think there is anything more I can say, and the Court will now be cleared for you to consider your verdict.
The Jury, after deliberating in private for about a quarter of an hour, returned the follow- ing verdict-Having heard the evidence pro- duced at the inquest, we are of opinion that the body; we have viewed is that of Emma Cecilia Brumfield. We find that the deceased met with her death through being accidentally that on the day of her death she was in nervous excitement, the result of her husband's conduct towards her, and, though there is
to connect the state of her ming
the
hich she had sustained to ident. there is no doubt jured in splints would interfere entlemen of the Jury, it me to thank you for the in which
assistance.0%
|
ine
upo
should purcha
buildin
be placed under the or of some body rep do not think such a course unless a very binding
ها
the building shall continue to the purposes for which it is now may here mention that the cost of was approximately $100,000 value of the dollar was mor it now is. As to the less be much more satisfact ally arranged-and maintained, but
revolvers, while the third had a fighting iron and, according to some sooounts, he also carried a revolver. The inmates of the shop num- bered six. Of course six defenceless men can do nothing when faced by three men armed to rega the teeth, but the six men, even when there be was no danger, stupidly refrained from raising ma an alarm until long after the robbers had departed, neither did they, although they were in a position to do so, think it worth their while | to see whether their assailants turned to the right or to the left on leaving the shop with their booty. The chance of the police effect ing the capture of the robbers is, under the circumstances, very remote and if there is a capture it will be due, not to any assistance given by the victims themselves, but almost solely to the working of the detective machinery of the Police force. The affair took place about 7.15 p.m. One man entered the shop and asked to see some goods. Some parleying took place, during which two more men entered and, as a preliminary precaution, quietly closed the door behind, them. They then revealed their real character. The six inmates were grouped to- gether and commanded not to move or raise an alarm. One of the robbers fired a hot into the floor with the object, possibly, of enforcing strict decorum, although it is more likely the weapon went off by accident, as an accomplished thief never, unless absolutely compelled, fires a revolver; it makes too much noise. But in this instance nobody outside seems to have thought that the report was not an everyday occurrence and the thieves quickly performed the object of their mission undisturbed. They demanded the key of the safe, but as the master was away the key could not be obtained. They seemed disappointed, but they made no fuss and proceeded to ransack the drawers in the counter. They secured $90 in money and, as an extra solace, two rolls of silk worth $60. This was sufficient for the day and the trio then departed as quietly as if they had been transacting some everyday business. When in the street they flourished the rolls of silk over their heads and an Indian watchman and several people who were in the neighbourhood thought the men were skylarking. The inmates in the shop were so scared that it was a long time before they thought it might be as well to tell the police; but by this time the robbers were far away and nobody knows who they are, or which way they went, or where they are likely to be found.
THE CITY HALL.
The annual meeting of shareholders in and sub- scribers to the City Hall was held in the library on Saturday. Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving presided and there were also present Messrs. H. L. Dalrymple, H, N. Mody B. Layton, and N. A. Siebs (Committee), G. Sharp, and H. L. Dennys (Secretary).
The SECRETARY read the notice onl
calling meeting.
on
The CHAIRMAN Gentlemen, as is usa these occasions, I will ask you to take the annua report, which has been printed and cironlated, as read. The year to the 30th June last not, I regret to say, a very satisfactory one
s of the instituti far as the earning poy
buboni concerned a seriou
1896 and fear at the beginning
tined kep tha
ninst
tise
ther
the space at the disposal of the very limited, the rooms themselve unsuitable, and the funds small. Considering that rooms, and that the collection is made up of articles that have or presented to the Museum, I thin agree with me that the latter affords dation for many specimens of interest, and the fact that over one, thousand visitors were admitted twelve months ending the 30th shows that the public interest is not The fact that the complaint building is too small for the par it was originally started evidence that it has fairly. of its promoters and that althoug ment is sometimes criticised has been satisfactory. Befo report and accounts I shall any questions or give any
There were no questions, proposed the adoption of
Mr G. SHARP seconded. Carried.
wholly
The CHAIRMAN That concludes the basi ness of the meetin
submitted:
The following
There hav since the mem
(Chairman) N. Mody B
THE
ATE
Tor
llpox is prevalent
Should
be
been made.
101
the Amateur Dramatic
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