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SUPREME COURT.
Friday, 22nd May.
IN CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.
BEFORE TH. CHIEF JUSTION (SIB F. PIGGOTT).
THE HILLSIDE MURDER.
The trial of the Chinese for the triple murder near Shatin in December 1906 was resumed when the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, who appeared for the defence, continued his cross-examination of the informer Chan Yan. He said that he did carry a stick with him on that occasion because he did not know he was going to fight. He knew he was going to plot against Luk Sang. But you were told if you caught Luk Sang you would get $100 F-Yes.
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Well, you could not expect to get hold of him without fighting ?-Well, you see I was just to ask him where the grave was,
Why didnt you take a weapon with you when you left the matshed P-The three prisoners told me not to take a weapon. I was to go ahead and take part in the talking business.
That was on the road ?—In the matshed they told me not to take any weapon and my heart prompted me not to take any.
When they met Luk Sang did they greet him ?—No, I did the talking.
P.
The three prisoners did not greet him P- They took no notice of him,
You spoke to Luk Sang first - Yes,
You said you did not know Luk Sang P Before we had not seen each other.
Did you sak Luk Sang his surname ?—I was told by the second prisoner that he was Luk Sang and did not ask his name.
Did Luk Sang ask your name ?—No, we only spoke a few words.
You said a few words, and he took you to the grave site ?—Yes.
He did not ask who you were P-No, only a few words passed and then we laid hands on him.
Did any of the other deceased speak to you P— No.
You were the first to lay hands on him
Yes.
Did Lak Sang say anything when you caught hold of him I was confused and could not say whether he said anything or not.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Did he struggle with you P-Directly I seized him the first and third prisoners caught him.
Did he struggle ?—No, I seized him round his arms and he could not move.
While you were attacking Luk Sang did Wong Sam Sau do anything -He ran up and tried to arrest him.
What then P-We seized hold of him,
After you let Luk Sang go -Yes, after we killed Luk Sang.
Did be have anything in his hand —No. Did he strike you with anything?—He could not because we seized him.
Did he show he wanted to fight ?—He showed his fist,
Did he struggle -Yes.
id he wound any of you ?—He kicked me. Did you strike him ?-While we held him Chin Man Fat struck him.
Did you see the boy when you seized Wong ? -I don't think it is fair for you to say I seized him. The others had hold of him?
Did you see the boy ?-I did not see him until Wo ong Sam Sau was killed,
You say the second prisoner struck Luk Sang on the head ?—Yes.
What part of the head ?-I could not say; Other witnesses for the prosecution were called, and the hearing was adjourned.
any part of the head is the head.
IN SUMMARy JurisdictION.
BEFORE MB. H. 8. J. GOMPERTI (ÀCTING PUISNE JUDGE).
TE VALUE OF A HORSE. The case was called in which Alexander Findlay Smith claimed from Phillip Harding Klimaneck the sum of $225 the amount of damages suffered by the plaintiff through the destruction of a horse belonging to plaintiff lent by him to defendant to be ridden on the
Race Course at the Happy Valley, which horse was on the 26th April, 190, so badly injured while under the sole control of the defendant and being ridden by him in Kennedy Road contrary to the authority of the plaintiff that it had to be immediately destroyed.
Mr. B. F. C. Master appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. 8. Dixon, from the office of Mr. R. A. Harding, appeared for the defendant.
The hearing was fixed for Monday week.
Tuesday, 26th May.
IN CRIMINAL JurisdiéTION,
BEFORE THE CHIEF JUSTICE -
(SIR F. PIGGOTT.)
THE HILLSIDE MURDER. The trial of the three Chinese for the mur der of three compatriots
near Shatin in December 1906 was resumed.
The informer Chan Yau was recalled and was questioned as to the position of the bodies.
By the afternoon the case for the prosecution was concluded.
Hon. Dr. Ho Kai then indicated what the defence would be and that he would call wit- nesses to speak as to the movements of the acoused at the time in question. He described the case for the prosecution as unsatisfactory and full of improbabilities.
Hearing adjourned.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE HIS HON. MR. H. Hị J, GOMPETZ
(ACTING PUISNE JUDGE),
PRING, LA
A COMPRADORE'S CLAIM.
Ku A Him claimed from Henrique Cruz. the sum of $889.47 dae to him as commission while compradors to the defendant, who counter- claimed for $1,000 for salary to the staff paid by H. Cruz in a legal action. Mr. C. F Dizon, of Messrs Hastings and Hastings appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Morrell for the defendant.
Mr. Dixon said the other side admitted two of the items and plaintiff was willing to pay all that he was liable for with regard to the Chinese staff. The counter claim had not been put in until after defendant had been served with the writ, and part of the claim was for alleged shortage in 78 bags of sugar guaranteed by the compradore.
Evidence was called, and His Honour reserved his decision.
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Wednesday, 27th May.
IN CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.
BEFORE THE CHIEF JUSTICE (SIR FRANCIS PIGGOTT).
THE HILLSIDE MURDER,
The fourth day's hearing of the charge against the three Chinese for the triple murder at Shatin in December 1906 was commenced. The Attorney General said that he under- stood His Lordship's ruling was that the evidence of Sergeant Wilden with regard to the searching of the house of the third prisoner, prior to his being arrested, was inadmissible. He took it that the fact of a watch being found in the third prisoner's house was admissible.
His Lordship-It is not a question of what the Sergeant said to him, but the fact that while searching the premises the police obtained emit the evidence subject to the defence taking evidence in a way that is not admissible. I
the point, when the point will then be reserved for my more careful consideration.
The Attorney General-I understood your Lordship to say that, but it appears your Lordship was nct understood by everybody.
His Lordship-Oh!
Dr. Ho Kai-It is admitted subject to our taking action later
Sergeant Wilden was then recalled. The Attorney General You sw a box there ?-Yes.
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Where was it F-By the side of the bed on which the third prisoner was lying.
Witness the identified the watch as the one he had taken from the box.
[May 30, 1908. His Lordship-The third prisoner opened the box in consequence of something you said to bim P-Yes, my lord,
The conversation which witness had with the third prisoner prior to his arrest and which eventually led to the arrest of the third prisoner was repeated to the Court,
A number of witnesses were called for the defence with the object of setting up an alibi, one witness declaring that he attended a dinner about that time at which there were nearly hundred guests and he remembered every one and where they sat.
The Hon. Dr. Ho Kai had not finished his address on behalf of the prisoners when the Court rose.
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Thursday, 28th May.
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IN CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.
BEFORE THE CHIEF JUSTICE (SIR FRANCIS PIGGOTT).
THE HILLSIDE MURDER.
The fifth day's hearing of the charge against the three Chinese for the triple murder at Shatin in December 1906 was commenced.
The Hon. Dr. Ho Ksi concluded his address on behalf of the prisoners.
The Attorney General advised the jury to treat the alibi with caution and indicated that certain witnesses for the defence were untrust- worthy. He submitted that the prosecution had made out their case.
The Chief Justice then summed up. The jury returned with a unanimous verdiot of guilty against all three prisoners.
Dr. Ho Kai then rose and said-I make a motion in arrest of judgment upon the ground that a piece of material evidence has been omitted-improperly omitted-and that is piece of evidence concerning the finding of the watch. I suppose your Lordship will appoint a day to hear the motion when the point will be argued. I make the motion under Section 18 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, No. 9 of 1899.
that, in the event of the argument proving His Lordship allowed the motion and said unfavourable to their case, sentence would be passed upon the prisoners in accordance with the
verdict.
His Lordship told the jurymen that their names would be struck off the list for two terms and the fines imposed on those who were late at the beginning of the Session would be remitted.
STAR FERRY COMPANY LIMITED.
The tenth ordinary annual meeting of the shareholders in the company was held on May 27th at the office of Sir Paul Chater. Sir Paul Chater presided and there were also present Messrs G. Friesland (director) E. J. Macgowan (acting secretary), T. flough, W. H. Potts, A. W. Lamperski, C. S. Gubbay, D. Dorabjee, Ho Fook, and Wong Kam Fak. The SECRETARY, having read the notice convening the meeting,
review
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The CHAIRMAN said :-Gentlemen, With your permission, 1 propose to take the report and accounts as read, The nett earnings under period
show for the considerable decline, notwithstanding a large reduction in the coal bill due to the high exchange, the recent fall in which is again
our business. adversely affecting
Some economies were effected in the working, but the loss on subsidiary coins was again over $9000. No er raordinary expenditure having been
incurred (such as was necessitated in 1906 by
the typhoon) your Directors are able to re- commend the payment of the same dividend as last year, viz 10 per cent but the amount to be written off the boats will be only $8,700 against $11,000 With the reconstruction of the Wharf and Godown Company piers, steamers which have been compelled since the typhoon of September 1906 to discharge in the stream are again berthing at Kowloon, and, as, stated in the report, a marked increase in our earning is the result. I am pleased to add maintained in that this improvement is the current month's earnings. The new ferry wharf at Kowloon was opened on 28th October; it appears to give general satisfaction,
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