August 20, 1906.]
defendant, a married man, had given the girl money and presenta. His wife found out, and, to placate her, he sought to recover the money and jewels he had bestowed upon the girl. He told her he was hard up, and would appreciate it if she would give him ber jewellery to pawn; he would redeem it 88 soon as he obtained the ready cash. The girl acceded to his request, but as weeks passed by and the jewels were not redeemed sbe began to get anxious, and seeking the defendant asked him to return her jewels.~ He was very angry and ordered her out of his presence, telling her that if she did not keep out of his way he would make things warm for her His threats not having the desired effect, be was alleged to have acted as stated. Another native, who gave evidence on behalf of the defence, said his share in the matter was done to help his friend, the defendant.
His Worship held that the evidence against the first and second defendants Was not sufficient, but he convicted the third and sentenced him to three months' imprisonment with hard labour, and six hours' stocks.
-IN VIEW OF PIRACY.
STIFF PENALTY FOR BREACH OF ARMS ORDINANCE.
}
An interesting case under the Arms Ordin- ance was heard, in which Detective Sergeant Grant proceeded against Ip Sing, master of the Yik Chung arms shop for furnishing a false return of arms to the Captain Superintendent of Police.
Mr. C. F. Dixon (of Mr. John Hastings office) appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.
[Six of the dummy rifles were placed along side the table by his Worship. They had heavy stocks, into which were screwed lengths of water piping. A massive trigger was attached, but there was no receptacle in the magazine in which to fit a cartridge. The magazine, in fact, was a solid piece of iron.
Detective Sergeant John Graut, sworn, said
the defendant was a licensed arms dealer, whose shop was the Yik Chung of No. 320, Queen's Road Central. On August 3rd he furnished the Captain Superintendent of Police with a return of all arms in his possession. It gave the number of rifles and carbines, as 95, which would be the correct number in accordance with defendants books, having regard to all sales and importations. On 9th instant witness went to defendant's shop, examined the stock and books, and seized 37 rifles, 28 muskets and 56 dummy rifles. Witness found that between the date when the return was furnished and the date of the seizure, two rifles had been sold. According to defendant's books, all his rifles, with the exception of five, were obtained from Messrs. Arnhold, Karberg and Co. Witness counted defendant's stock on May 16th, on which date be had 68 rifles, all of serviceable quality. During this quarter he received 130 rifles from Arnhold, Karberg and Co., and five from the Wa On shop, making a total of 203, During this time he sold 110, which should have left 93 in his shop.
Cross-examined-A person with a permit could exchange an old for a new rifle.
Mr. Dixon-Why do you say these (the exhibits before the Court) never were rifles?
Witness- Because the barrels are not rifled. His Worship It would be absolutely dangerous to fire them?
Witness-It would be absolutely impossible to fire them. There is no place to put the cartridge.
Fritz Lee, salesman in Messrs. Arubold, Karberg and Co, said during the last quarter his firm supplied the defendant with 130 Mauser rifles.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
rifles from people on junks. He accounted for his stock being larger than it ought to be by sometimes getting two or three old rifles in exchange for one new one. He always mide proper inquiries concerning the people to whom he sold rifles, to assure himself that they were entitled to carry firearms,
An adjournment was grau'ed, the defendant being admitted to bail in the sum of $1,000.
On Aug 16, before Mr. Hazeland, the case was concluded in which Ip Sing, master of the Yih Cheung arms shop, 326, Queens Road Central, was charged with furnishing a false return of arms to the Captain Superintendent of Police.
Cross-examined-He did not see the rifles delivered to defendant, but was not prepared to swear that the rifles before the Court were not included in the stock, although it was highly improbable. The defendant paid $10 apiece for the rifles purchased from his firm. Witness was not in a position to say that the dummy rifle produced was once a good service. able weapon.
Detective Sergeant Grant prosecuted, and Mr. C. F. Dizon (of Mr. John Hastings' office) appeared for the defendant,
Mr. Dixon said he was unable to call any witnesses. When he applied for an adjourn mnt he thought he might be able to call evidence to show that defendant received the rifles in the ordinary way of business from people with whom he exchanged new for old weapons. The exchanges were made to junk people who carried these dummy rides for the purpose of frightening pirates. In addition to the sale of 110 rides which appeared in defendant's books, he had exchanged 56. Exchanges did not appear in the books, and Sergeant Grant stated in his evidence that he did not think it was necessary to enter them. Mr. Dixon concluded by asking for the defendant's discharge.
His Worship said it was obvious what had happened in this case. The defendant Had disposed of the rifles and substituted dummy rifles. He regarded the case as a very serious one, especially having regard to recent events in respect of piracy which had occurred close to this vicinity, and in view of which it was absolutely necessary that the provisions of this Ordinance should be enforced in the present instance. The maximum penalty provided under section 15 of the Ordinance was a fine of $250, plus $10 for every arth short. The defendant would be fined $810, the alternative being six months' imprisonment. His Worship further orderedthat the arms seized under the warrant be forfeited. He did not think the defendant a fit and proper person to hold an arms licence, and did not know whether it was the intention of the police to cancel it. That was a matter for the consideration of the Captain Superintendent. The 58 dummy rifles could not, however, be seized, as in his opinion they not arms within the meaning of the
Mr. Dixon asked for a remand. He said his client instructed him that he was in a position to call evidence to prove that he got the dummy'
were
Ordinance.
PLUCKY CHINESE REWARDED.
A DYING SUPERSTITION.
'
99
VOLUNTEER CHURCH PARADE.
The Hongkong Volunteer Corps attended divine service at the Cathedral on August 1218. The Troop. Volunteers and Engineers were-all strongly represented, and the total muster must have been over a hundred. Assembling at the Volunteer Headquarters, the corps, beaded by the band of the R. W. K. Regiment, marched past Murray Barracks to the Cathedral, where they occupied seats reserved for them in the centre of the building. Major Pritchard, commandant, was in charg, and was supported by a good turnout of officers.
The Bishop of Victoria delivered an appropriate discourse, basing his remarks on St. Paul's advice to Timothy as contained in the 1st epistle to Timothy, 6th chapter, 11th and 12th verses. He said-We are always glad to welcome the Volunteers in this cathedral. It should honour God not only individually but is a good thing and a right thing that men corporately, that there should be a recognition not only of the claims upon each person but of the claims upon each nation and upon all those who give themselves up in say way to the service of the King and the nation. Therefore Volunteers, when you come as you do to-day. I say we are always glad to welcome the
There is one point that I am sometimes inclined rather to regret, and that is that we don't see more Volunteers in the Colony. I wish there were more. I wish the Volunteers were much stronger as regards numbers. At the same time I am quite aware that there are miny things that keep mer back. Men a e kept back not because they are afraid of being called upon to fight. Ihat would, as we all know, prove an incentive. Experience has again and again shown that if there is any probability of war, auy probability of fighting, men as a rule flock to join the volunteer corps both at home and elsewhere. But in a place like Hongkong mo are busy men, and they hare many things to keep them back. Proceeding, his Lordship applied the advice given by Paul to Timothy to fee from the things which binder and also to fight the good fight. He pointed that t› make themselves efficient in their duties there must be some self-denial. All young men, he continued, ought to become Volunteers. It was good for the nation, it was good for the Colony, and it was god for the young men themselves that they shoall put themselves under training and become efficient to serva their country in time of need.
The Belilios Trustees have recognised the gallantry of five Chinese employed at Ab King's slipway, who on the 26th of last month put off in a boat to the resone of the crew of a sampan which was capsized in a squall. The crew of the sampan was composed of a map, one woman and four children, the eldest of the latter being twelve years of age. The boat went over some distance out from No. 2 Police Station, and although Inspector Gourlay saw the accident and hastened to the water front, by the time he arrived the boat containing the rescuers had been manned and was nearing the sampan. When it pulled alongside, the Inspector reports that he s some of the men dive into the water and attempt to get the children out from underneath, while others got on the bottom of the craft and righted it. sampans alongside the Praya to convey Mr. Gourlay to the wreck, and in his opinion, had any man attempted to swim to it, the children would in all probability have been drowned before the sampan was reached. The prompt. ness and pluck of the boatslip boys, however, reduced the fatality list, and five qut of six of the crew were saved. The Inspector concluded his report by stating that Chinese in general were very reluctant to attempt to save people from drowning, an old superstition prohibiting them from rendering assistance. This fact made the action of the five the more commendable, and their plucky couduct was worthy of recognition The trustees of the Belilios Fund were of the same opinion, and each of the rescuers received a reward of 85.
There were no
The Volunteers returned to the Headquarter, where they were dismissed.
ACCIDENT ON A LAUNCH.
PASSENGERS SEVERELY SCALDED.
A painful experience befel a number of passengers on board the steam launch Hung On last week. The launch dropped anchor in the Samchun river at her usual time, about midday, and waited for the small bosts to run alongside, which were to laud her passengers. Sirgeant Gerrard, of the Samohan Police Station, pat off in one of the passenger sampins to meet his wife who was returning from Hongkong by the launch. The Sergeant made his boat fast to the launch on the side where the exhaust pipe runs out, and just as he was assisting his wife into the smaller craft, and several other piwWən» gers were clambering over the s'ds of the Batore launch, the engineer turned on steam. they could realise their danger, the jet of scalding spray wis blowing into their midst, and several were badly injured. 3ergeant Gerrard seized his wife and immediately jumped into the sea but smart as the action was neither escaped from a severe scalding. both were picked up by a neighbɔuring campan. Another of the passengers by the Hung On was a:alded so severely that the skin came off his chest and medical attendance was found neces- sary. The engineer subsequently compensated the injured people.
Eventually
It is rumoured in Shanghai, says the. Osaku Mainichi, that M. Pokotiloff, Russian Minister in Peking, will resign and that Major General Wogack, formerly an attaché of the Russian Lɔgation in Tokyo, will succeed him.