May 2, 1908.)
THE LATE MR. RENNIE.
INQUEST RE STICIDE.
The inquiry into the circumstances connected with the death of Mr. A. H. Rennie took place at the Magistracy on April 28th before Mr. J. H. Kemp, sitting as coroner, and a jury composed of Messrs J. C. Gow, J. N. Seth, and T. Hunter, Mr. G. C. Master watched the proceedings on behalf of Mrs. Rennie.
Dr. Heanley, medical officer in charge of the mortuary, stated that on the 15th inst. he examined the body of a European aged about fifty. It was identified by Mr. Chard as being the body of Mr. Rennie. He considered the cause of death was drowning, but the signs of drowning were so indefinite that it should not be left to the man conducting the post mortem to give the cause of death. The post mortem disclosed a small bruise under the chin which might have been done by anything such as a piece of rope or wood. There was slight bruise on the nose. There Were no injuries external or internal. The conditions he found in the body suggested drowning.
His Worship-There were
signs of poisoning?
2
no
Witness-I did not send the stomach to the Government analyst. I saw nothing to saggest poisoning.
In answer to his Worship, witness said. The bruise on the noise might have been caused by the despatch box which Mr. Renuie bad tastened round his neck.
The coxswain of the steam lausch "Canada" said he remembered the 14th inst. on which day he was coxswain on board the launch. He took Mr. Rennie on board at 3 o'clock. He was going full speed and bis master told him to go half speed. Afterwards he lifted his haud- kerchief and wared it for about two minutes towards the Peak. Then he asked witness if be had any rope and witness handed him a piece. That was about four minutes after starting, Mr. Rennie went into the cabin aud called hia boy. He remainel for some time ia the cabin, then came out and walked to and fro on the deck singing. On reaching Quarry Bay be told the boy to make tea. At that time there was a steamer carrying soldiers com. ing from Lyeemoon and Mr. Rennie told him to lower the flag of the launch as A mark of respect. Afterwards he entered the cabin, from which he emerged when they came to Lyeemoon. Mr. Rennie had a box fastened round his neck with the rope which witness had given him. Then he jumped into the sea. The assistant coxswain went to his assistance, while witness stopped the launch and called out to the crew to throw him a life buoy. be assistant coxswain swam to Mr. Rennie and offered him the life buoy which his master pushed back. The assistant caught hold of Mr Rennie by the clothes but the latter kicked him ay. By that time the launch had come up.
It took about five minutes. Mr. Rennie was floating all the time, but nothing was supporting him. Witness did not see him move after he had been in the water two minutes.
How was it he did not sink P-I do not know. Perhaps it was on account of his clothes.
What became of the box-It was also floating.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
the steamer waved his handkerchief and Mr. | Rennie waved in return. Shortly, afterwards he entered bis cabin and a few minutes later he came out and jumped into the ses
When you picked up your master did you pick up the box at the same time ?-Yes.
Was it still fastened to him?-No; it fell off after he went into the water.
What did you do after picking up the body? -I steamed to Hongkong full speed. I moved
Did his boy go into the cabin with him ?- No.
What next P-I jamped into the sea after him. Did you take a lifebuoy with you ?—No, one was thrown to me afterwards.
his arm and rubbed his stomach. He vomited some water.
Did he move after you took him on board ?— No.
And you seized it P-Yes, and took it to my master, but he would not take hold of it. I then seized his jacket.
11 He
Did he say anything -When I first took the life buoy I said "Master, take this.' said- "Don't want it."
On your way back you blew the steam whistle to attract attent on ?—Yes,
And eventually you met the police launch ?----
Did he speak in English P-Yes What did he say -He said he did not want it.
What happened -Then after I caught him by the jacket he kicked me away. He continued to float. Then the launch which had gone astern came up and I seized him by the jacket and took him on board where I tried to resuscit ate him. Then on our return journey we blew four blasts and lowered the flag. The police launch came up.
Yes.
Was your master conscious after you took him on board P-No, he did not move.
To Yaw, second coxswain of the "Canada" corroborated the statement of the previous witnesa. Mr. Rennie, prior to telling his boy to prepare tea, walked on the deck singing, Then they met a steamer carrying troops and the launch flag was "dipped." A European on
Did he move after being taken on board?-No. Was he conscious:- Did he say anything ?- He was not conscious.
Did you see this steel box P-Yės. Where ?-On the launch. Mr. Rennie car- ried it.
What became of it afterwards?-It was in the sea. I picked it up.
.
When Mr. Ronnie floated in the sea, was anything supporting him -No, Sir.
Sing Yim, Mr. Rennie's Joy," said he went out in the launch with him on the 14th inst., and saw him waring his handkerchief and afterwards walk about. Then he called witness into the cabin and asked for a bottle of soda water. He then wept before me and said he was very sorry."-
What did he say "I very sorry for the office business."
Yes-He then wept and said he could not bear to part with Mr. Chard and his wife.
steamer &
and he
283
Company, He had a long and heavy strain in starting the company.
Would you say he was naturally impulsive or would you say he was slow and deliberate ?—I think he was extremely impulsive.
character P-Yes, a man of strong will indeed. Would you say be was a man of strong Mrs. Reanie was next called. She said she lived at "The Firs."
Did you notice any depression in Mr. Rennie? Yes.
days after the general meeting of the company.
When did it first appear P-About four or five
11.
Will you give details? He began by having sleepless nights. He was an excellent sleeper. He could sleep at any time. He would come home very tired, sleep for a few minutes, then have tiffo. He would read at night, far into the night. On several occasions I woke up and found him wandering about.
He would pass my bedroom quietly. I have risen and asked him what was the matter and he said I am very worried." He was always complain- ng bout his head being so tired and I asked him to tell me what his worries were, but he said that I could not understand. I told him that I could understand. I tried to console him in every way I could, He said "I feel I can't gon much longer, Then I spoke to him and asked him why he did not get some one to help him he said there were others who could help him but would not,
Then he pulled himself together. He was always so self reliant. I tried to be cheerful and not let him see that I was troubled. One morning about two weeks before his death he was dressing in his room. There is a communicating door between our rooms and I looked into his room. I saw him rush his hands through his hair and jump about and say
"Oh God kill me.' I ran to him and asked him what was the matter but all he said was nothing was the matter.
He threw himself down in an exhausted condition on the bed but after three or four minutes he recovered and said "Yes I will go on with this I will pull it through." I asked him why he did not tell his partners, Sir Paul Chater and Mr. Mody, and he replied
So I have, but they can't do anything." This went on day after day and he asked me not to let him go out alone. Sometimes he would ask me for a book. When I was not able to go out he asked to take out Geff, that is our little dog. On another occasion I found hin wandering about the house in A terrible state. The night before his death we were at Government House. We dined at the King Edward Hotel. He came home late and rushed upstairs. I had only been in bed about ten minutes when I called to him as I was sick. He came to me and dropped at the foot of the bed and I asked him what was the matter. I recovered and he went back to his room telling me that he would be awake and not to be afraid to call him if I wanted him. About fifteen minutes after- wards he called out "Do you want me?" I told him that I did not need him and I fell asleep. Ia the morning he said to me
What else? He said he could not bear to part with me because I had been so long with him. He said if he was to die or go away Mr. Chard would look after me. I asked him when
he was
going to die or go away and he said "I don't know." When I entered the cabia I saw a box with a rope round it. I asked him what it was and he said it contained old letters. He said he would take them to the flour mill and sink them there. When near Taikoo Sagar Refinery we passed ordered the flag to be lowered and waved bis handkerchief, Afterwards he told me to make tea for him. I brought the tea inside the cabin and waited outside. Mr. Rennie poured some cream and tea into the cup. I walked to the stern. Shortly after- wards the coxswain said my master had jumped into the sea. I looked and saw the second coxswain, in the sea catch a life buoy thrown him. The second coxswain handed the life buoy to my master but he pushed it away. As soon as he jumped overboard the launch went astern.
Did he drink the tea ?- No, He did not drink the tea or soda water.
P. C. Baker spoke to being in the police launch on the afternoon of the day in question and, hearing a launsh blowing a whistle, he proceeded to it. On going on board the boy informed him that Mr. Rennie had jumped overboard and had been drowned. He was shown the body and he examined it. To all appearances he was dead. He ordered the coxswain to proceed to the Police Pier, and after reporting at the Station, he returned to the launch. Witness did not properly under- stand the method of resuscitation. Dr. Ainsley came down and tried to resuscitate him but without success. The pointed out the box which he said Mr. Rennie had placed round his heck. He took possession of it with other property and after. wards took the body to the mortuary.
Coxswain
Inspector Langley said he examined the box the same night and found a number of old letters and papers ut nothing that would bear on the subject of the inquiry.
3
Mr. H. F. Chard, who had been employed in the Hongkong Milling Company, said Mr. Ren- nie was worried about the financial affairs of the
SE
I can't go on much longer" and, when I asked him to tell me he said I would not understand. As the house was being painted he came into my room to get some collars from the wardrobe. He put his head on his arm and wept bitterly. (At this stage Mrs Ronnie was in tears and Mrs Master came to her assistance. However she recovered a little and continued
*
her story.) I of course rushed to him and asked him to tell me his trouble. I said “ Cannot you speak to some oue He said no one could do anything for him. He finished dressing and rung up Sir Paul Chater and Sir Paul an. swered. He said I am coming to breakfast with you, you know I am in trouble. Sir Paul answered I have people staying with me! Mr. Rennie said you are always busy in your office. I will see you in your office directly I come down. I had breakfast in my room as the house was being painted. Again I found him sitting with his head on his arm weeping bitterly. He was so self reliant and I could not understand this. He pulled himself together. We finished
breakfast and he went out.
You remember him saying "God keep me in my right mind?"-Yes. He would tell nobody about his troubles but his partners. They were deeply interested and did not wish to do more,
You received a letter ?—Yes,
: