Page
HUNGKONG DALLY FERIE, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER
THE BIG ARMS CASE
AUSTRALIANG, BEFORE THE
COURT
"FETERS "AAN ALLAS PUR
·W.-PITIS?
After several remands, extending over
riod of three weeks, the
an Australian..
layed (na | second steward on the ma Jefferson, and O. J. Smyth, an Australian, and formerly employ bar manager at the Palace Hotel, Kowloon, are charged with eggling arms and mumunition into the Colony Home up for hearing at the “Magistracy, yesterday before fr. J. Ry
It will be recalled that national were made at both the King
the
then sakod
for Smy
10g on
Lound
note and
Find the
„He said
marke
with insta chions not to loss Than, night, acc
to Amyth
ding to the statements charges were
The onse
between
motor, rida,
chow, at Weat". Point When they ived
were
Inta the King
in the cảm of the
? the writing was so similjar they could practically be super-imposed.
Inspector Murrison was then re-called and gave a list of the arms discovered in the trunka at the hotel. There were 51. fanta
revolvers, 2.Mauser pistols, 2 Savage rifies
the
at the ship Smyth was drunk and Hotels and, (3) being 15 pos efendant escorted him home.
6 am the following morning the vessel lefs port for Manila:
Palace Hotel, Kowlo The defendant pleaded not. Inspector Marrison was the ness called in this case, defendant was detained October Batht
26th to Octob
DEFENTANT DESCRIBES HIS ARREST. The accused proceeded in the statement and 2,350 cartridges. At the Inspector's to describe his arrest on the return
ice on October 31st the defendant in of the an President Jefferson from latter date the two charges were preferred answer to the charges preferred against Manila. He said he asked the police to against him and the defendant then him made a statement to the effect that look for a letter signed by the Chinese a statement, the gust of which the whole thing was a put up job to get crew. After they had found and read it, he had some slight recollection Amor, h&m into trouble.
the defendant said: To see what I
one asking him, on board the DEFENDANT FORMALLY MAKES A din up against." One off the policemen ent Jefferson on October
·STATEMENT IN GAOL ·
found
piece of paperiunder his pillow, could leave a small parcel at the Pal and asked him if he know what it was Hotel Ho was rathes the wurse for Continuing, the Chief Detective Inspec Ho replied I certainly do not, but I On
at the time. On October 5th he was in-
his room. This was a terribla -shock him. He had no idea how the arms came to be left in his room.
fotel, the Palace Hotel and also board the a President Jefferson, led to the arrest of the
Defendants were charged separately. the case against Pitts being taken frst
PITTS CASE.
QUESTION OF HANDWRITING.
"
Pitts was not defended by a solicitor.
maintained a pleasant” demeanouri throughout the hearing, put a number of but pertinent questions to witnesses and care sfully examined the documents the police had collected as evidence against him
•The case⋅
for the police was conducted by Chief Detective Inspector Morrison.
The Magistrate in opening the case said he desired to have all the evidence con- cerning the seizure of documents, etc., put in first, after which he would bear the evidence of Mr. E. R. Dovey (called as a hand-writing expert).....
The first witness called was Detective | Sergeant Andrew, who stated that about. 9,30 m, on 31st ult., he arrested the defendant on board the President Jeferson as the ship was entering the harbour, at the point off Kowloon Bay. The defend aut was arrested in the Chief-Steward'." cabin and was duly cautioned Witness asked him to conduct him to his room, which was searched in the presence of defendant and Sub-Inspector Shannon.
A letter was found in defendant's bed. "Another piece of paper was found on the person of a 'Chinese. In the cabin under. neath the drawers of the settes he found
3,850 rounds of revolver ammunition and 400 rounds of Mauser pistol ammunition Ho asked him to explain the presence of the ammunition. Defendant replied: "I know nothing about it. It is a frame up."
Asked if he had nny questions to put, the defendant said: Mr. Andrew, didn't you ask me in the Chief Steward's room
tor, mid he received word on November
13th from Mr.. Vanx (solicitor), who hauess that it is some more of their dirts formed that the arms had been found-in:
since
work
The statement finishes as follows:-
dropped out of the case, that the defendant wished to make a further state.
I asked, the polics to search the ment, Accordingly, witness visited "the
place well as you are liable to find any accused in the Victoria Gasol. Aced as
thing there. They soarshed well I to his wishes the defendant then told the asked if they had had breakfast. They Inspector that he was, prepared to answer replied: No, and they had a meal in any question the inspector cared to put my room. My room has a Yale lock, to him. He was cautioned and then made there are three keys for the lock one the Magistrate. It was a very long docu a lengthy statement. This was handed to
key is kept by me, one by the Chief Steward and the other is carried by the ment and occursed fully half an hour in-room-boy." T reading to the accused, who acknow Asked by the Magistrato if he wished Tedged its accuracy, "p
The statement was a rambling one and the letter purported by him in his state- full of extraneous matter but it con-ment to have been received from the tained many interesting passages It Chinese crew, to be now read to the THE BIGGEST SURPRISE OF HIS LIJE
opened up in the following manner:
THÌ MAN WHO JUMPED "EIS UNL
Court the defendant said he did.
The defendant then elected to go into labels for him. I said sure, come over the box and give evidence. He emphat to the steward's office I went over cally declared that he knew nothing there and he handed me five first-class about the arms and immunition found in State room baggage labels said his cabin.
What do you want written on them 1
the
Evidence was then giren concĘ cond charge by a Chinose clerk at gas King Edward Hotel to the effect that defendant called at the King Edward that be Hotel on October 25th, stating wanted to take a quantity of luggage away from room 95. His request was refused. The man said that he would call later in the evening for the luggage
Bub-Inspector. Shannon then gliye eri- The letter was dated from Shanghaidence of the arrest, The Bight before the Prenden October 18th. It contained threats of
-response to a Jefferson arrived in Hong murder and asked him to watch himself Manager of the Palace Hotel, witness telephone-mesenge from Mr. Oxberry, -(21/10/20). 'I had just left the dining/
rown on my way to the deck w I was in future.
visited the hotel and was informed that stopped by the steeragu steward, Marry
the arms and ammunition had been found Woo. He asked me to bil up some
in room 22. Together with Mr. Oxberry he visited the room and found four re- "volvers and one Tugard pistol and sound ammunition in a drawer. There was no luggage in the room and the defendang was not prescut The Inspector from thara wans to the King Edward Hotel and found Smyth in the public bar. In reply to the charge the defendant said: "This f my crew in the last two trips in my lio 1 can sure you I know is the biggest surprise haye ever had
nothing whatever about 1
it in the ferry, returning to Kowloon, the defend- ant said: That was not my room when the arms were found here. I left there
The Magistrate: How do you pecount for them being in your cabin?
The defendant: The only thing I can
· Ho.maid put 'W. Peters I put that on and filled the labels up. I then left him as I was in a hurry to see that all my passengers were being attended to On the following day about half-anay is that I have dismissed 60 per cent hour before our arrival in Hongkong
Harry Woe came to me and said Mr Sergt. Andrew, who discovered the Pitta, will you send some baggage by the sulmunition in the cabin, explained that runner of the King Edward Hotel IYAL
asked him where it was, and he replied he had great difficulty in pulling the
in state room No. 40. I asked him who drawers right out
ant Why did you do what you did for this mea Harry Woo?".
it belonged to You have no passenger Late the Magistrate naked the defend. on my list for room 40. He said it was Mr. Petera. I queried who is Mr. Peters and he answered it is me. I said What is the idea, Harry, why can't you go under your own name Queried by the Magistrate as to who Morrison said that he had been arrested have too much to think of to get intä
mischief myself. and had jumped his bail of $5,000.
The defendant: I did not think it was wrong was very much rushed at the time and did not give it much thought.
But you must have known that he was
In reply to the defendant, the Inspector said that on the following morning, 04 the instructions of Mr. Hing, Deputy Superintendent of Police, the defendant was released. from police custody,
Detective Inspector Murrison: He was re-arrested the same morning by Burgt
if that was my room and I said Nad this man Harry Woo was Inspector up to some mischief ---I did not, Sir. Andrew. Two seizures were made at the
come along I will take you there?". The witness: No, you did not, pl Contiuving, the witness agid that on the 3rd November in Victoria Gaol a paper was handed to him by the other paper. Smyth, Witness also produced another paper in Court, which he found on
ca Chinese at No. 98, Cochrane Stret
Continuing, the Magistrate continued DEPENDANT'S "EIFF RAFT CHEW.
same time. Later, as it was thought there was some connection it was consider, ed advisable to have Amyth brought in again.
He was drunk at the time. Witnes ordered the room-boy to feck the room, and not to allow him back. His bag and comd Papers were placed in the store room, m the following morning. A few minutes later the room boy reported the Ending
to road from the statement Harry The defendant then went on to say that Woo said It is this way. I am bringing the K President Jeferson was the last TURNED OUT OF THE HOTEL” my wife down from Canton and we want boat to take on a Chinese crew, and sho Mr. Oxberry was next exiled He gaid to stay in the King Edward Hotel for & got the ri-raff from all the other boats, that he dispensed with the defendant' few days until I can get a house for her, During the Inet voyage to Seattle he services on the 4th October. Sab Inspector Shannon gave corrobora. You know the King Edward Hotel do not stopped a number of them from smuggling him to stay in the botel until her tive evidence of the arrest of the defend like to give the Chinese a. said whisky into the States. They were a bad and a new job. He was given, a month' ant and the search of the cabin. He also Are you sure about that, Harry? He lot and capable of anything. Regarding salary in liet of notice, da med to found some papers in a drawer of the replied yes, Mr. Pitts, I am not lying to the ammunition, at Seattle he left the ship occupy room No. 2 until October 24t Cabin. The defendant and they were you I said: How are you going to get each day at 4 p.m. and as there were when he was turned out of the hotel up to your room over there? He said thren keys to his room it was not store lists which he had been making out. Oh I know all the Chinese over there difficult for the stuff to be plant. Owing to a complaint made by a lady.
The defendant denied saying this and the Magistrate explained to him that the said All right, I will do it for youed there documents were prodied in Court for will get a room. You can look for the If I was doing wrong and knew I the purpose of proving the hand writing number and then get up there the best was doing wrong, continued the de fendant. do you think I would have Inspector Marrison said that after the way you can."
been so silly as to go and sign the hotel third remand the defendant came to hig ORDERING THE ROOM BOE HARRY WOO) register"! I have also a reputation to Leshice: with Mr. Vaux, his solicitor, who The statement then went on to describe keep up. I have a wife; a daughter of the arms
was then advising him. He there wrote how, on arrival in Hongkong Pitts order-uine months old; a boy five years old In reply to the defendant, witness, said or a paper in his presence in both ink and ed the King Edward Hotel runner to an aged mother and an invalid sister to that the defendant's baggage was not spencil?
take the luggage to the hotel. He filled keep. Do you think I would risk them brought down stairs on the Tuesday even- Sub-Inspector Fallon gave evidence of up the runners, card. Later he went for this? I should be with them newing; neither was the room occupied, an searching room 98 at the King Edward ashore and met the other prisoner, Smyth, Continuing be said that the Chinese the night that he left? The arma" were Hotel. He there found a bag with a label and a man named James Chiu, Interfused to go his cabin and borrow his game not found until after the luggage had thearing the name of “W-Peters/ preter at the U.S, Consulate. Accord of the joong. The root was open to been taken down stain. Witness was
wording to the statement, there was much anyone to go in N
A not there when the luggago was packed. In all four packages of arms were dis drinking between them, both at the Kingaked by Inspector Murring if he had The room boy alter giving evidence of Edward Hotel and the Hongkong Hotel made any search of the stewards quar the find, was questioned by the defend- covered in the hotel. These arms were Whilst at the King Edward Hotel ha ters during the trip, the defendant zaid ant. He said he did not open any of the counted by Inspector Murrison, signed the register as requested by Woo, he had not. That was the duty of the drawers to get the defendant's clothes on of the King Edward Hotel (Mr. Job public bar of the King Edward Hotel and found on the ship during the voyage This was all the evidence called and Evidence was then given by the Manager. Later in the evening they called at the Captain and the Chief Officer, Noam the night when Smyth was turned out,
as far as he was aware, was they were lying on the bed Witchell) who described the procedure had some more drinks There Harry Woo Inspector Murrison: Did Harry Woo the Magistrate after a brief consultation adopted in booking a room at the hotel. came in and the following conversation bring you the ammunition during the with Inspector Murison announced that He knew nothing about the prisoner and took place was not present when the room
and Mr. Pitts, my wife will not
she had decided to discharge the defend The defendant: No, Sir, he did not sat on the second count, regarding the come here to-night 1 mid Why I have already engaged a room; He said:"That, trafe to question Inspector Muzzison as Hotel, he asked the defendant if he had The defendant then asked the Magis seizure of arms in the King Edward don't matter; I will bring my wife up to his character and the Inspector in any further explanation, to one regard there tomorrow if you want to use the formed his Worship that Fitte bore a ing the finding of the arms at the Pa room you can
AGRA splendid character amongst the officers of Hotel Fecording to the statement, the accused the ship.
THE BALLURE AT THE KING EDWARD HOTELA
A Chine cork gave evidence that he Temembered & than calling late one night and asking for a room" He signed the register as *** W. Fetera, Seattle, Wael! Hd Was designed room 98. could not
the man distinctly, but he was And about 40 years of age.
defendant, Pitts, was the adde
manition,
G DEFENDANT IN THE BOX
then went
got: the worss for drink that night and I have nothing more to add, said. finally decided to occupy the room. He the defendant, but if
the bed and woks.up the only kucw what I
during the last two trip
witness said he could following morning with his clothes on
During
the 23rd, accused was lost-12 pounds
produced in repared
Chuiry examining
There is a humor
ha, recupied et... hotel was topen
bola time he was there
clothes", wareð það
and decl
have
The Magistrate: In money weight
just
Over Jdmee
ons endpoint
ment which states that whenever Bocused ght wanted the doctor to reject & man gave the doctor dig in the
The detenta
agus of arms
couly undi, under
He added that he was
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that
noo Hotel.
Chim
stated that when he viK the night of,
In the uniform of a sec know
munitions Lor
engag
not likely that, he