October 20, 1906.)
THE PRISON WARDER'S CASE The charge against George Street, a warder in Victoria Jail, of the manslaughter of a
Chinese prisoner, will be heard to-day.
FOR INFORMATION OF THOSE CONCERNED.
Bis Lordship Before the case is called on I should like to call the attention of the gentle men who represent the Press, to the fact that a new ordinance has just come into force with regard to the law of giving evidence. It is most important that prisoners-Chinese prisoners especially-should be made. aware of the terms of that Ordinance, and I am hoping that the Chinese newspapers will take the trouble to paraphrase and give in condensed form the terms of that ordinance. It is much too complicated, and involves certain liabilities which make it quits impossible for the Court to inform the prisoner straight off of the change of law. It is at the same time most important that all prisoners should know that they can give evidence in the witness box subject to the Crown cross-examining them, and I hope the magistrates will take such steps as may lead to prisoners being informed of this new law.
LARCENY AND FORGERY.
Tsang Fung was indicted on charges of steal- ing registered letters and forging post office recripte.
The Attorney-General, instructed by Mr G. E. Morrell (of the Crown Solicitor's office) prosecuted, and prisoner, who was undefended. pleaded not guilty,
The Jurors empanelled were: Messrs C. Schallenbach (foreman), O. R. Chunyut, W. Ironside, P. K. Knyvett, F. Hesse, L. G. Bird and J. Pearson.
The Attorney-General informed His Lord ship and the jury that the prisoner was charged with steeling certain registered let'ers, and with forging the chop which be used in giving the receipts to the Post Office for such letters Prisoner was employed in a shop called the Kwong Nam Puon, and in July or August four registered letters arrived at that firm. As the person to whom they were addressed could not be found, the letters were forwarded
to the post restante. On September 19th prisoner went to the post restante and applied for these four letters. He was told that he must get someone to say be was the person he represented himself to be. Не went
away and returned to the Post ffice on the following day with a man who represented himself to be a master tailor. Prisoner then chopped the receipt for the letters, and it was subsequently discovered, when the real owner called for the letters, that the chop was forged. Prisoner, who was found later at a shop in Queen's Road, Central, with the letters in his possession, was arrested, taken to the Police Station and formally charged, Before the Magistrate he admitted the charge but tried to excuse himself by putting the blame on some ne else.
After hearing the evidence the jury found the prisoner guilty on both counts, and his Lordship sentenced him to five years' imprison- ment on each count, the sentences to be con- current.
CHINA OVERLAND TRAPE REPORT.
bound them. Fortunately they only found aĮ few dollars where they expected to find a great many. The prisoners were identified by the foki as being two of the gang, and practically admitted before the magistrate and police that
they were two of the band of men who by arrangement met there that morning to rob.
The jury in the evidence found the prisoners guilty, and his Lordship sentenced each of them to five years' imprisonment with hard labour.
ANOTHER ROBBERY,
When the verdict had been given prisoner told his Lordship not to be so hasty as he had something to say. The Chief Justice would not hear him, and ordered him to be removed. Tsang, however, refused to leave the dock. Hei had to be pulled out, and was dragged, shrieking and yelling, out of Court,
HIGHWAY ROBBERY,
Lui Fat and Wong Sang-hing were arraigned on the charge of highway robbery.
The Attorney-General, instructed by Mr. G. E. Morrell (of the Crown Solicitor's office), prosecuted, and prisorers were undefended.
A plea of not guilty was entered, and the following jury was empanelled-Messrs. J. H. Backhouse, M. Jebsen, R. H. Baxter, Tang Chee, C. R. Lenzmann, G. Preedsmann and R. Unsworth.
The Attorney-General stated that a man named Chan Wa, a fish dealer, WAS од September 15th-three days before the typhoon which subsequently destroyed the unfortunate man's fishing junk-on his way
from Hongkong to Deep Water Bay with his foki. When they got halfway down the hill from the reservoir at Wongneicheong, three men sud- denly dashed out of some bushes, rashed upon them, knocked them down and gagged and
Wong Choi and Liu Yan were charged wit · robbery at Chukain village, near Kowloon city in the New Territory, on September 30th.
The Attorney. eneral, instructed by Mr. G. E. Morrell, prosecnted, and prisoners, who were undefended, denied the charge.
The jury called was composed of Messrs. P.. Sequeira. A. W. Snowman, R. A. P. Jobrand, P. M. N. da Silva, L. D. Philpot, W. King and P. Lehrs.
The Attorney-General stated that after midnight on September 30th the inmates of house at Chuknin village in the New Territory were awakened by a noise on the roof. They saw a min coming down into the courtyard,
and two of the inmates of the house were able to
VOLUNTEER CAMP.
271
(Daily Press, 15th October.) The annual camp of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps was opened at 8 onecutters on Saturday satisfactory auspices. Shortly after
under very
three o'clock about 100 men had landed and were
soon hard at work making their new quarters habitable and serviceable. Then they paraded for the first drill and experienced a foretaste of the strenuous nature of their military duties. ry Sunday morning the number under canvas bad been considerably augmented, and about 150 of all ranks attended divine service in the marshed.
The encampment occupies the site of former years, being situate on the rising ground on the east side of the island. Service men pitched the bell tents, which stand in five rows. On the level ground are the officers' quarters, staff sergeants and instructors' tenta, sergeants' Certainly a more ideal spot for the encampment mess, hospital test, canteen, and matshed mess. could not be wished for. It is
to every ореп breeze and at the same time it affords a view of considerable beauty and much interest.
m-n
identify the first prisoner as that man. The The order showed a marked improvement on The first night in camp was very satisfactory. prisoner managed to op n the front door of the house and let three other men in. The band previous opening nights, and the Command- lighted torches, terrorised the inmates and went
ant was highly pleased with the conduct of the mea. There were of course con- thoroughly through the whole house, removing
who wore stripes gratulatione to the nearly $400 worth of money. property, jewellery, the dist time and to those who were clothing and eren food. Ou the afternoon of
honoured with an additional one, but these were the same day the second defendant was arrested,
not of a bois terous nature. A few visitóra and from information be supplied No. I was
attended, and some efforts at harmony followed arrested. He had some property on him which
dinner. The catering is again in the hands of the inmates of the house declared was theirs,
Ying Kee and up till now has not given and if the jury believed that, they would come
occasion for complaint. to the conclusion that he had on bim some of the sto en property. Prisoners ia their statements practically admitted the cherges against them, and it was for the jury, after hearing the evidence, to come the conclusion whether they were guilty or not, At the conclusion of the evidence prisoners made their statements. The first said—”
I only got a prse and two notes. That is all I have to say." The second said "I was engaged as a coolie to go and carry things. Whilst carrying things I was arrested and accused. '
to
The jury found the prisoners guilty, and his Lordship sentenced each of them to seven years' imprisonment with hard labour.
TROUBLESOME INDIAN SOLDIERS.
The native soldiers stationed in Kowloon are not doing their best to rehabilitate themselves in the good opinion of the public. Following the charges of misconduct brought against them
The Volunteers yesterday morning joined the men which was conducted by the Rev. F. Searle, of the garrison at divine service,
chaplain to the forces. He preached an interest- ing sermon, which was suggestive of thought, Carruthers presided at the organ. on the relation of morality and religion. Mr.
good number of visitors present.
Yesterday being a guest day there were a
are in good spirits. The hospital tent has not The weather has been delightful and the men
been used yet.
Major Pritchard commandant is in command and the officers present are Captain D. Mac- donald, acting adjutant, aptais Armstrong, Skinner, Wood (Ess›x Regiment) attached, and Craik, Lieut. Forsyth (medical officer in charge), Lieuts. Nicholson, Northcote, Plammer, Kennett, Hayton, Gabby and Reynolds, with Sergt. Major Higby.
(Daily Press, October 16th.) Those who believe that the Camp merely stands for a good time to the men who attend would be disabused of that opinion were they to see the Volunteers at work Then they would know something of the strenuous life as it is lived at Stonecutters. Visitors are of course familiar with the lighter side of the soldiering". They only see the men when they are enjoing their relaxation.
f.
me litt a time past, when they were alleged to be guilty of maltreating Chinese, two of them are now said to have assaulted a Europeau living near Austin Road early on October 14th. The gentleman, who is very well known, his house. Suspecting marauders, he went out was disturbed by hearing sounds at the rear of
and found two Indian soldiers ou his premises" He ordered them away and when they refused he went to turn them out. Then they u ed the
Yesterday for instance was a busy day. rifles which they were carrying. One of them Brought to the guns at six o'clock in the morn- attempted to strike him over the head but being, the Volunteers were put through their guarded with his arm, which was badly hurt in
paces with a rigour that quickly discovered What is being done in the matter consequence.
those who were not in form, and many breathed is not known yet but it is not unlikely that the
a sigh of relief when the considerate Com. incident will be brought under the notice of the
mandant passed the word to "slack off” a bit Governor.
and give the men an opportunity of learning the mechanism of the guos
A FORTUNATE ESCAPE.
A blind Chinese woman had a miraculous escape in Queen's Road on the 13th October She was crossing the road and got in the frout of an approaching car. Bearing the noise she quickened her pace to get off the track but the poor woman did not know that another car was coming in the opposite direction. The driver was of course unaware of the presence of the woman and could not pull up when he saw her suddenly appear in front. She was knocked down but was happily caught by the guard and carried it safety till the tram stopped, though the sound of the wheels passing over her basket and cakes led people to fear that a worse fate had happened her. She was much shaken but was uninjured.
Breakfast over BATY most returning to Hongkong for business, but those who remained were not allowed to be idle. They were occupied in learning gun laying. When a considerable number had returned in the afternoon, gun drill, quite as exacting as before, was engaged in, and those who were not for guard daty, sat down to dinner with keen appetites. A little recreation followed, and the majority sought that repose, which hard work and bracing sir bad sweetened.. True, a few of the more rollicking spirits did not take things quite so quietly, but still the camp msintains its character for orderliness and general good conduct.
It should be added that the engineers are again doing excellent work by keeping the encampment illuminated by electric light.