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THE HONGKONG. WEEKLY PRESS AND
him. His evidence was similar to that given that effect before he splendid grullty? 480 at the first hearing of the case.
No questions by Mr. Hastings. Cat Mr. J. Hays, solicitor and managing clerk in the firm of Johnson, Stokes, and Master, said he defended Yeung Kun at the Police Court on the charge of procuring Lo Tsoi to throw a corrosive fluid on Mr. Reek. Witness was also engaged when the case went to the Criminal Sessions. On the day previous to the Sessions, 17th April, he was in his room at the office,
when the defendant was shown in. Witness asked him his name, and he replied that it was Allen. In answer to a question as to what he wanted, the defendant said—“I think you are acting on behalf of Yeung Kun?" Witness replied "Yes." Defendant then asked if all fees had been paid, and was told that they had. He asked witness if he required any more money and was answered in the negative. Ho further said that if any more money was re- quired he would be willing to pay it. Witness asked-"Why are you so interested in the matter--an affair that concerns only a coolis ?" The reply was-"I am interested in him; I have known him a long time.” He continued
Supposing you are successful in getting Yeung Kun off at the Sessions, would you ex- pect any more money ?" and was answered- No; we do not take up cases 'on spec.' If you did want it," the defendant once more said, I should be very pleased to pay it." Con. tinuing, he asked "The names of some Europeans hare been mentioned, haven't they " Witness said that was the case, aid the defendant asked- What are their names?" Information on this point, however, was refused, upon which the defendant asked "Have you any means of making Young Kun hold his tongue ?" Witness replied "No, I cannot put my hand over his mouth and stop his speaking. I can only advise him as to what statements to make or not to make at his trial."
statement was made, the purport of which WAS
that if another man was at the bot- tôm of it, he had better make a clean breast of it, so that if any person had instigated him it might be taken into consideration by the judge in his sentence. We told him also that he had nothing whatever to rely upon in that, as we could make him no promises.
In fact, you gave him to understand that he would get off with a lighter sentence if he dis- closed something or other ?—I advised him to speak the truth for his own sake,
Did Mr. May say he would get off more lightly P-No.
No further evidence was heard, and the case
was adjourned until yesterday, 30th April, at 2.15 p.m, when the accused was committed for
trial.
CANTON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Canton, 25th April.
MURDER AND ROBBERY AT A LEADING COMPRADORE'S HOUSE,
A daring armed robbery and murder took place in the private residence of the compra- dore of Messrs. Carlowitz & Co., in Po Wa Fong Street, Canton, on the 23rd inst. About 8 p.m. on that evening a gang of seven thieves armed with revolvers and knives broke into the house, drove the inmates, wives and concubines into one corner, and began to ransack the premises. The fourth son, Ng An Sang, who happened to be there, had a severe struggle with one of the thieves. The latter pulled out a revolver from underneath his jacket and shot him right through the heart. The robbers then took away whatever they could lay their hands upon, and made good their escape, no one daring to stop them. To-day I
[May 1, 1901.
THEATRE ROYAL.
"THE SECOND MES. TANQUEHAY. present visitors at the Theatre Royal could have -No bettter proof of the drawing power of our been given than in the attendance on Saturday night, the 27th ult, to witness The Second Mrs. Tanqueray. The play is not new to Hong- weather the house was as full as it could be. kong, but in spite of the extremely oppressive Among the audience were H.E. the Governor, with Lady Blake and snite.Mr. Pinero's four- on by the Brough Company and, as those know act play is the most ambitious of the pieces put
who have seen it played by them in Hong kong be. fore, tests the skill of the Company to the utmost. The first of the English "problem plays" (so- called), it is certainly not to be classed as a comedy. Its author calls it simply an “original play," and has his right to the title in the manner in which he handles the question of the rehabilitation of the demi-mondaine, a class over which it had hithe: to been the habit of the English and most of the Continental dramatists to gush with ineffective and unreal sentimenta- lities. Mr. Pinero, if he did not succeed in making a great play, yet showed no fear of fac ing the truth, as far as he could see it. Naturally the woman, and by the addition of the previous wife's daughter Mr. Pinero obtains his plot. and so the burden of the play's success or failure Mrs. Brougli takes the part of Paula Tanqueray fell on Saturday night on her shoulders. She sustained it admirably. In the first act indeed she was hardly at her best, but as soon as the more emotional part of the drama was reached she rose fully to the occasion and maintained a high level to the end. Owing to the wretched acoustic properties of our Theatre most of the last act was lost by a large section of the audience, but it will be easily understood that the performers are not to blame for this. Mr.
the interest is centred round the character of
Defendant asked witness to do what he could to hear that two thieves have been arrested by the Brough was, as ever, a well-nigh perfect ex-
keep the names of the Europeans in the back- ground. He was assured that no names would be mentioned at all, unless in Yeung Kun's Interests or in the interests of justice. "It would be rather hard,” said the defendant, “if my name were brought up, after finding the No further conversation passed, and money.
"9
the defendant left the office.
In answer to Captain May, the witness said that forty minutes after he had gone he dictated the defendant's statements to a short. hand clerk and had them typewritten.
Cross-examined by Mr. Hastings :- Have you the statement with you? Yes. (Statement produced and perused by Mr. Hastings.)
You defended Young Kun all through, didn't your-Yes.
Did he plead guilty at the commencement? No.
When did he determine, or you advise hím, to plead guilty --On the afternoon of 17th April.
The day before the case came on at the Criminal Sessions ?—Yes.
Had Young Kun made any statement at the Police Court in his defence ?—No,
Now, before 17th April, had Yeung Kun, or anyone on his behalf, made a statement to the police No. He made a statement both to myself and to counsel, but it was kept secret.
When was the defendant arrested?-On the night of the 17th, I think.
Dɔ you know who gave the information on which he was arrested?—Yes; I gave one state- ment—the or
one you have just looked through to Mr.May.
I suppose you gave Yeung Kun's statement at the same time ?—I did.
Was it in consequence of what Mr. May said at the interview that Yeung Kun pleaded guilty?. I advised him to plead guilty, but not on account of what Mr. May said.
Was Young Kan told by you or by anybody else that if he pleaded guilty he would get off with a lighter sentence?—Not by me, nor by anyone else, so far as I know.
of What the Chief Justice said The Sessions that if it was found on further investigation that Yeung Kun's statement regarding Europeans was well found ed, the Governor would probably take his son tence into consideration?—Yes, I remember,
*Had Young "Kun been told anything to
police of the Western Suburb. The compra- dore is reputed to be one of the rich men in Canton, for which reason the thieves singled him out for robbery.
COLLISION.
It is reported that the collision case between the Sunchow and Hung Fei, in which Leong Yon claims $20,000 damages, is referred to the Commissioner of Customs for investigation.
Later.
A REBUFF FOR A WOULD-BE MONOPOLIST.
Lately a certain Yu Kwai Shün and others went up to the Viceroy's yamen and presented a petition offering to take a monopoly of the Im perial Maritime Customs duties. His Excellency Tao Nui vouchsafed him an interview, and after giving him a pretty severe reprimand, sent him
away a wiser man.
SANDAKAN NOTES.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Sandakan, 16th April.
22
THE “MAU SANG IN QUARANTINE. The steamer Mau Sang arrived here on the 9th inst. with a case of small-pox amongst the deck passengers; as a result fourteen days quarantine were declared, but this was afterwards reduced. The passengers were all taken to the toolie Island, Bohalla, the sick man to the small-por hospital, all cargo likely to be damaged by sulphur fumes was sealed up in one hold, and the balance of the cargo, including the ship from end to end, was thoroughly disinfected. The ship was then released, after some 4 or 5 days quarantine, and the isolated cargo was landed on the 18th inst., 14 days after leaving Hongkong, All things considered, the ship was very lucky to lose but the few days referred to.
The authority of the Justices of the Peace at Saigon has been extended over the neighbour hood of Cape St. James and the province of Baria.
On Turaday HE. the Governor, Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G, accompanied by his A. D. C. and Private Secretary, went to Macao to return the visit by HE. Fenhor J. M. de S. Horta e Costa three months ago, on the occasion of the memorial service to Her late Majesty Queen Victoria. His Excellency : returned to Hong- kong the same day,
ponent of his role. His acting will long be least in the part of Aubrey Tanqueray. remembered in Hongkong and certainly not
Ellean was represented by Miss Noble, who played both charmingly and humanly-we say this because the angelio” side of the character might easily be overdone. In the sympathetic part of Cayley Drummle Mr. Leslie Victor bore himself very well. Miss Thompson again sustained the character of a Mr. Lovell we did not think suited by his part middle-aged lady, Mrs. Cortelyon, with success. and he had no opportunity of distinguishing himself as he has in other plays in the Com- pany's repertory. The remaining parts were in most capable hands. The staging and costumes were as admiráble as ever.
The following is the full cast of characters Aubrey Tanqueray
Mr. Brough Cayley Drummla
Mr. Leslie Victor
•
Sir George Orreyed, Bart Captain Hugh Ardale Frank Misquith, Q.C,, M.P. Gordon Jane, M.D.
Morse
Mrs. Cortelyon Ellen Lady Orreyed Paula Tanqueray
Mr. P. Brongh Mr. W. T. Lövell Mr. M. Majeroni .. Mr. Melntyre Mr. Hards Miss Bessie Thompson Miss Grace Noble Miss Temple Mrs. Brough
LIQUID FUEL.
The adjourned discussion upon the paper read by Mr. John Lambert, the Superintending Engineer of the Cosmopolitan Dock, at the Engineer's Institute, a fortnight ago, took place on Saturday, the 27th ult, in the pre- sence of a large and representative meeting of engineers.
Mr. Ramsey presided, and among those pre- sent, who took part in the discussion were Messrs Kirkwood, Murchie, Murphy, Leurs, Macpherson, Lennox, Stirling, Soppit, Hawey, Pearson, and Turner. “
The general tenor of the discussion was as to the advantages derived
of liquid fuel over that of coal
ocean-going steamers were concern.
* Mr. Cook, the presiden was unable to tendering an
-Mr. Lennox, in furnished
istics ..con
Institution, Letter