;
February 6, 1905.}
m1811.
all got out of danger except this one The wardrobe had been hauled up about 22 feet when the rope broke. As far as I could see from above, deceased had hold of the end of the rope, and apparently did not try to get out of the way. The wardrobe struck the ground first, on one corner, and then fell back on de- ceased. He was pulled out from underneath, and the coolies rubbed him for some time with Chinese medicine. He then asked to be taken to the Tung Wah Hospital, and I sent two coolies with him, also an admission chit. One man came back shortly afterwards and reported to me that deceased was dead. The rope has
been in use since March, 1904.
Dr. Hunter, medical officer in charge of post-mortem examinations, after examination found that deceased had met his death from shock, the result of B
fracture of the pelvis.
R. H. Muckford, overseer in the Public Works Department, testified to examining the rope. Near the break there were short strands not more than one inch long; their shortness was not visible. The rope was rather dry, but with a steady strain it would be safe to lift five or six owt. with it.
Further evidence was taken, and the Coroner adjourned.
ALARMING RIVER ACCIDENT
AT CANTON.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE TRIPLE EXECUTION IN
HONGKONG.
The North-China Daily News of the 23rd inst. had the following letter
SIR, The execution of three foreigners in Hongkong is not a subject on which one would wish to dilate, and yet I think there are three facts connected therewith to which the attention of the Chinese should be strongly called:
1.-It is often said-with what measure
of
truth I know not, but I have never heard the statement contradicted that although many Chinese have within the past fifty years been put to death for the murder of foreigners, and while perhaps some foreigners have been put to death for the murder of other foreigners, no European or American has ever been executed in the Far East by order of a foreign Court of Justice for the murder of a Chinaman. That statement, if ever it was true, is not true now, and the charge so often brought against us that we attach no value to Chinese life is shown to be not in accordance with facts.
2.-The persons, the sanctity of whose life has now been vindicated in Hongkong, were not Chinamen of influence, literati or men of wealth, but a poor Chinese woman and her child. An innate sense of justice without dis- tinction of persons, and not any pressure brought to bear on the Judge owing to the status and dignity of the victims, is the con- sideration that carries weight before a British tribunal.
3. It has been stated that an effort was
87
1-mile relay race (four men per company).
Time, This was won by No. 1 double company. 4 min. 24 seo.
Native officers' race.-There were eleven starters. The race was won by Jemadar Rama Kadan,
-mile (open to Fleet and British Troops).- This event was won by Gunner W. Brown, 83rd Co. R.G.A., with Gunner H. Brown, same regiment, second, Time, 2min. 38sec.
Tug-of-war (ten men per double company).— This was won by No. 1 double company, the length of pull being 2min. 40 sec.
Followers race.-Eight entered for this event. Surjll Singh was first; Sheik Giaz, second; and
Luchimon Shunkar, third.
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British officers-race; 120 yards.-Eighteen.
Lieut. Black, second; Major Wilkins, third; entered for this event. Colonel Moss was first; and Major Ross, fourth. Colonel Moss won easily by about five yards.
Sack fighting (four men p r double company). -A very amusing event. The contestants were in sacks and had to shove their opponents out of a square. No. 1 double company won:
Senior Wranglers' Competition; each gentle- man ran fifty yar s to his partner and handed her a paper coutaining conundrums. First back to post with correct answers
About eighteen entered. The result was as follows:
Won.
Lieut. Branson, 10th Mahr.ttas, nominated by Miss Bearis, 1.
Major Ramson, 114th Mahrattas, nominated by Mrs. McFarlane, 2.
Lieut. Graham, 114th Mahrattas, nominated
On the 1st February an alarming affair occurred on the river at Canton, illustrating the made in Hongkong to get one of the three by Mrs. Whitlow, 3.
to
reckless behaviour of Chinese to whom steam prisoners reprieved, "the argument used being craft are entrusted for navigation.
that as only two persons were killed two hang- Mr. E. A. Meurer, with his son, and M.ings should suffice." That is an argument that Rochet, a gentleman interested in railway has again and again been used by Chinese development in China, while in a row-boat on officials in times of riot when one or two for the river at Canton, were run down by a Chinese eigners have been murdered by a band of steam launch. Mr. Meurer thus told the story ruffians who had organised themselves for the been stoutly to a Daily Press reporter yesterday My purpose. The principle has son, my friend, and myself had 2 very resisted by British Consuls, who have insisted narrow escape from drowning. I desire that it had no relevancy. As foreign officials speak about it no as to have launches be have acted in this matter in the past-and as made to take more care in the future. First they will no doubt act again should the sad of all I must tell you that Messrs P. Lemaire & necessity arise in vindicating the sacredness of Co., a firm of which I am the proprietor, lately the lives of foreigners, so also have the autho- opened a branch in Canton, which is looked rities in Hongkong now acted when dealing after by my son Charles. Our quarters are in with foreigners convicted of killing Chinese the old American Consulate building, on subjects. Foreign Judges are not immaculate, the Bonam side. We supply coolies for railway nor are they always free from all bias and par- work every week, sending them by steamer up tiality, but the prevailing characteristic of river. I had been to Honam in connection with British administration of justice everywhere is this business, and the three of us were crossing even-handed justice and even-handed regard for in a gig to Canton, so that I might return to the sanctity of life without regard of nationality, Hongkong. When about half way across, right and these points have had a typical illustration in the current, when we had just avoided
in the sad circumstances which have lately one launch, the launch Choy Sing came behind us. occurred in Hongkong.-I am, etc., It all happened in a moment, as the launch was travelling very quickly. She did not alter her course but ran us down, capsizing our boat and passing right over us. Under water we were rest- ing on the awning with the bottom of the boat over our head. The boat then came to the surface. My son cannot swim a stroke and I was very frightened on his account; I was the best swim- mer of the three. An Imperial Customs boat in charge of Mr. Clarkson, rescued my son, and Mr. Rochet was picked up by a sampan, and our three sailors by another sampan. Mr. Rochet is in bed suffering congestion and a severe bronchial cold,
A EUROPEAN RESIDENT.
REGIMENTAL SPORTS AT
KOWLOON.
The 114th Mahrattas on the 26th January held regimental sports on the Kowloon Parade Ground, in commemoration of the capture of Mahadeagarth Fort. The ground afforded s bright spectacle. A number of ladies were present. The greater part of the course was outlined by Indians in white robes and turbans. Disagreeable showers were experienced, but these were rendered the less disagreeable for visitors by the tent accommodation provided. His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan, and His Excellency Major-General Villiers Hatton, were present. The band of the regiment played selections between events. The sports com- menced at 4 p.m. and concluded at 6 p.m. Results were as follows:-
100 yards flat race.-There were eleven entries. Sheik Abdur Rahmin was first; Gangnak Donak, second; and Gul Mahomed and Govin Sawunt made a dead heat for third.
BIG FIRE AT WUCHOW.
[TROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
WUCHOW, 16th January, A big fire broke out among the small shipping craft to-day. About a hundred lighters were destroyed. A Li Kum (tar boat, and a Mandarin boat (soldiers' boat) and a number of flower boats were burnt out. About two hundred persons were drowned. The steamers Hang Hing and Hang Lee, from down river, were unable to approach the port for some time on account of wreckage. Viceroy Shum offered a reward of $1 for each body recovered from the water, so that they might be photographed, and the photos placarded. Relatives thereby were 4-mile (open to Indian troops). Bhag Shah enabled to bury their dead. Bodies not identified was first; Ganga Singh, second; Narayin were buried by the Kwong Yan and Po Sin | Singh, third. All three were of the 93rd
Burmas. Time, 2 min. 18 sec. Hospitals.
-mile flat race. For this event 22 entered the field. Gul Mahomed was first; Sao Laji Maul, second; and Dhondi Nalgi, third. Time, 2 min. 32 sec.
Recruits' Race ; 300 yards.-Ittnak Pandriak was first; Sheik Umar, second; and Babu Kalgudi, third. Time, 38 4/5 sec.
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The conundrums were as follows:- 1. When is a goat nearly ?
2. What was the largest island in the world before the discovery of Australia ?
3. Write in figures e'eren thousand, eloven hundred and eleven.
4. If 1 lb. of salmon costs one shilling and ninepence, and haddock costs one-sixth of that sum, what would be the price of 21⁄2 lbs, of salmon.
The final contest was a melee' on mules. Each side consisted of four Indians armed with
long sticks who had to knock feathers from their opponents' heads.
Mrs. Villiers Hatton gave away the prizes. There was afterwards a very pretty fire club display and lantern parade.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT YAUMATI.
Mr. H. H. J. Gompertz, sitting as Coroner, held an inquiry at the Magistracy on the 24th January into the cause of death of Ah Mui, a Chinese female aged about thirteen years, who was killed by a fall from the verandah of a house. The followin g jury were empanelled Messrs J. Young, J. Osborne and H. Krebs.
The first witness was Dr. Bell, Superinten- dent of the Government Civil Hospital, who gave evidence as to deceased's admission, and her death two hours afterwards. He made a post-mortem examination, and found that her breast bone was broken. Death was caused by internal hemorrhage,
а
man, woman,
опе
This
Inspector Macdonald deposed:-I entered a house No. 53, Kennedy Street, on the 5th instant, with a Chinese detective. I found
and two girls in the room and another girl in a second room. girl was under a bed. The detective took her by the hand and pulled her out. She was left alone in the passage while we went to get the other residents of the house, I missed deceased, and hearing a noise in the backyard went to see what was the matter. Deceased was lying on the ground. There was an open bridge leading from the passage to the cook-house.
Do-
She must have either jumped over the bridgė, or tried to climb down the drain pipe. The detective took the man, woman, and two girls to the Police Station. I went to attend the deceas ed. I sent for an ambulance and had her remov ed to the Government Civil Hospital.
or make any fuss ceased did not scream when brought from under the bed. I had no idea that she was likely to do what she did. The information which determined me to raid the house was, that I was informed three girls were being detained there. and were being offered for sale as prostitutes. The deceased appeared to be about eleven or twelve years of age. There is a great deal of