404
to come from Korea and Japan, with which pregnant question we have reasons to connect Germany's startling move.
Messrs. Siemssen's steamer, the Loongmoon (Captain Schultz), was cleared at the Customs to-day for Nagasaki" though it was well
known that she is bound for Kinochan with-
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
despatches and stores for the German fleet. She took a large quantity of planks and roofing felt and other building materials, as well as 200 į cases of engine oil for the fleet,~~China Gazette.
THE GANG ROBBERY IN BURD STREET.
Three men were arrested near the Man Mo Temple on Tuesday night, 16th Nov., at about 8 o'clock 13 being connected with the robbery at Burd Street. One has since been identified by the manager of the Kwan Hop Yun, as one of the four who entered his shop on the night of the 15th instant.
Six men were on 17th Nov. charged before Hon. H. E. Wodehouse. Police Magistrate, with hav ing committed the robbery and murder at Burd Street on the night of the 15th November The following are their names and ages :~ In Ming (24). Wong Chung (34), Wan Shek Ki (23), Wan Shun (30), Chan Ut Ping (23). Li Kan (22); all unemployed.
Li Fong stated he was the manager of the Kwan Hop Yun shop dealing in ginsang, deer horns, cinnamon, and sundries at No. 27. Burd Street. On the 15th instant at about 9.30 p.m., as he was standing at the door, two men went up to him and enquired for one A Ching. He told them there was no person of that Dame in the shop. but they entered and were followed by two others. He identified the first four defen- dants as being the men. When the four had entered they pointed revolvers at the fokis, and demanded of him the key of the safe. He told them it was with the accountant, who was in his room at the back. One of the men went into the accountant's room, and witness taking off his shoes slipped upstairs unperceived. On the first floor there was a door communicating with the house in the rear, and he availed himself of the door to pass into the next house and down into the street, where he met a district watchman. to whom he pointed out his shop, and the re- turned to the house through which he had passed, and remained there till hearing a report of firearms; he went back to his shop to enquire the cause, and was told the robbers had left, Later in the evening a constable brought him to a brothel in Kwai Wa Lane, and taking him into a room where there were three people asked him if he recognised any of them. He said be recognised the whole three, and likewise identified a silver watch found in the possession of one of them, Iu Ming, as belonging to himself.
20th November.
Ng Cheung said he was the accountant of the Kwong Hop Yuen shop. No. 27, Burd Street. On the 15th instant, at about 9.15 p.m., he was stand- ing at the end of the counter, when he saw a man enter the shop and ask for A Ching. This man was followed by several others. Two of them pointed revolvers at witness and demanded the key of the safe. They searched him and found the key at his girdle. The two then took hold of him and forced him into the accountant's room, where one opened a safe and took from it a basket containing some bank notes and silver coins. He put the bank notes into his pocket, while his comrade helped himself to the silver. At the bottom of the safe there were two drawers. From one of them the first robber took a diamond ring, the only thing valuable in it, and from the other a pile of documents, which he placed on a stool and examined care- fully. While this was going on, the second man perceived a locked cash box in the safe and asked for the key. He was told by witness that the box had been left in the shop by a friend and there was no key to it. He then took it out and placed it on a board near the counter. Just then, a third robber entered, and called ont to one of the first two to go and search the next room. The man who took the cash box thereupon left. The other, who had been ex- amining the documents, took a silver watch from the safe, and then turned his attention to the drawer of the counter, which he compelled witness to open. He pocketed all the subsidiary
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coins that were in it, but while he was doing that, witness had placed himself between him aud the board on which the cash box was placed. This latter he deftly replaced in the safe and closed the door. The robber then left the room followed by witness. The man turned and pointed 3 revolver at witness and forced him into A charcoal cellar under the stairs of the shop. threatening to kill him if he dared to leave the place. There were two other fokis in the same cellar. Shortly afterwards witness heard a report of firearms outside, and then a policeman's whistle, He ran to the door of the shop and cried out | twice. "Thieres; armed attack !" He heard a second report of Hrearms coming from the eastern direction and saw a crowd running up the street. The shop lest in all $107, composed of 875 in bank notes, eleven silver dollars, and | 821 dollars in subsidiary coins; one diamond ring left by a Californian friend who valued it at $76 gold, and a silver watch (824) and chain | (S150) belonging to Li Fang, the manager of the shop. No other things were taken away. le recognised the watch and chain shown him in court as being the ones lost, also a silver dollar among the coins produced from its shape and from the chop he had placed on it at the time it was paid in. He recognised very distinctly three of the pri- soners, the first (In Ming). the second (Wong Chung), and the fourth (Wan Shun). The fourth prisoner had bought a small bottle of medicinal oil a few minutes before he went in with the nthers. He spoke the Tungkwun- Namtao dialect. The robbers all wore black coats. There were only four people in the shop. The two fokis had already gone to sleep near the conuter. Only Li Fung, the manager, and witness were awake and they were preparing to go to bed. There was but one light burning at the time in the shop. That was from a hand lamp on the counter. The light was half turned down. Later in the night he was taken to a brothel in Kwai Wa Lane to identify a watch. Ho there saw three men taken down the stairs, escorted by some detectives. He told Mr. May at the time he recognised one of the meu as among the number who had robbed the shop.
[November 24, 1897.
whistle in the direction of Burd Street. He ran and at No. 27, Burd Street learned there had been an armed robbery, but the thieves had already escaped. He discovered a dead body lying in the middle of the street, and he in. stantly went to the Central Station to report the facts. Inspector Hanson went with him to the scene, and they instituted enquiries and obtained the descriptions of the robbers from the manager of the Kwong Hop Yuen shop. At 11.30 p.m. Mr. May joined them, and witness was then ordered to make a search of the brothels. He took Mr. May to Kwai Wa Lane; Li Fung, the manager of the Kwong Hop Yuen. also accompanied them. They searched nine brothels but without coming across any traces of the thieves. Li Fang and witness then entered No. 11, while Mr. May remained in the Lane. They proceeded to the third floor and in one of the rooms found three men who were instantly recognised by Li Fung. One of the men, upon seeing him, drew out of a pocket a silver watch and transferred it into another pocket. Witness seized the watch and asked Li Fang if it was the one he had lost. Li Fung declared that it was, and went off to fetch the accountant of the shop who, be said, could identify it, Witness then blew his whistle twice, and Mr. May appeared. They arrested the three men, and as they reached the street, they were met by the accountant of the Kwong Hop Yuen shop.
Some further evidence was then taken, and the case was adjourned.
TAIKOO CLUB BICYCLE TOURNAMENT,
The Taikon Club is making commendable progress. The members possess a well situated plot of sporting ground near the sugar works at Quarry Bay and lately they commenced to put the place into thoroughly good working order. The bicycle track has been relaid and on Saturday it was used for the first time for the purposes of racing, and everyone spoke highly of the great improvement which had been effected in the appearance of the track. When the turf the track surrounds is in good condition there will be ample facilities for cricket, foot- The two fokis stated that they went to be all, tennis, and foot racing, and there is doubt- at 9 o'clock on the night of the 15th instant less sufficient enterprise amongst the Taikoo and were awakened by some one whom they did Club members to permit of this being done. not know. They saw several strangers who The bicycle tournament on Saturday, 21st held revolvers in the shop, and they were ordered November, was very enjoyable and attracted a to go into the charcoal cellar and remain there..considerable number of spectators. The follow- They could not recognise any of the robbers.
At this point the fifth and sixth prisoners were discharged at the request of the Folice, there being no evidence against them.
District Watchman No. 4 declared that he was on duty in Bonham Strand on the night of the 15th instant when he heard cries of "Thieves," and immediately ran to Burd Street. He saw five men leaving the Hwong Hop Yuen shop and running up the street in an easterly direction. He blew his whistle and gave chase. He bad proceeded only a short distance when be heard the report of a firearm. He went on, and when about half way up the street saw a flash, but heard no report. At the end of the street he stumbled against some stones and fell. Just then he beard another report of firearins. He got up and ran along Hillier Street towards Jervois Street. but saw nothing more. then retraced his steps, and when he got to the Kwong Hop Yuen heard there was a thief in hiding there. He searched the shop bat found no one, so he returned to his duty.
He
The Magistrate said the watchman had given his evidence in a very unsatisfactory manner.
Li Pui, private watchman employed by the Yan Wo Company, Cleverly Street, gave evid- ence to having chased the robbers, and subse- quently finding the body of a man lying in Burd Street near the door of the Kwong Hop Yuen shop.
The case was adjourned.
22nd November.
Leung A Yee, a servant, and Lo A Mui, the mistress of the Tung San brothel, No. 11, Kwai Wa Lane. gave evidence of the arrival of the prisoners in the house a little after mid- night on the 15th instant. Shortly after their arrival the police app-ared and arrested them.
Lo Cheung, a detective, said he was on duty in Jervois Street on the night of the 15th inst. At about 9.30 o'clock he heard a policeman's
ing are the results :-
OSE MILE RACE (Handicap).—Two Prizes Start in Saddle.
FIRST HEAT.
C. Klinck (130 yards) A. McKirdy (scratch) F. H. Kew (155 yards) A. Cameron (225 yards) .
SECOND HEAT.
T'se Wiug Yun (100 yards) J. M. Roža Pereira (250 yards) K. Henderson (175 yards) J. V. Jorge (225 yards)
C. Klinck
FINAL,
J. M. Roza Pereira... Time. 2mins. 48 secs.
120
1100
ONE MILE RACE, Veterans (Handicap).-One
Prize. Start in Saddle.
J. Blake
A. Rodger
W. R. Pereira
1
3
THREE MILE RACE (Handicap).-Two Prizes.
Start in Saddle.
T. Meek (600 yards)
A. McKirdy (scratch)
C. Klinck (390 yards)
2 3
R. Henderson, J. V. Jorge, and T. Shand also ran. Time, 7 mins. 10 secs. LADIES' RACE. Three Laps (810 yards).
Miss Pereira
1
Miss Silva Netto
2
Mrs. Guedes
3
Start in Saddle.
T. Meek (1,000 yards)
C. Klinck (650 yards)
FIVE MILE RACE (Handicap).-Two Prizes.
A. McKirdy (scratch) J. V. Jorge (1,125 yards)
1