Page
LAST NIGHTS BLAZE.
·DXCITEMENT IN QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRALA
FATHE FRERES AND THE HONGKONG ELECTRIO" CO, INVOLVED,
W
THE HONGKONG DAILY PERSS, TRUESDAY, NOVEMBER,
THE "SUI AN" FIRACY,
GOVERNMENT COMMISSION
-APPOINTED.:
A Government Goscite Batraordinary) |
Just before nine o'clock last night felt ned yesterday containing a pro!
by H.E. The Governor appoint
an outbreak of firs occurred in the hearsing a Commission under the Commission. ers Powera Ordinancs, 1896, to enquire
works and the Hongkong Electric Com
was nipped in the bud, for, within an bour from the time, they received the call the Fire Brigade was packing up for
SENSATIONAL AFFAIR ON WING WO STREET ROBBERY
THE HMŠ. “TAMAR,”
AND MURDER.
PAYMASTER COMMANDER ATTACK, THE PRISONERS. SENTENCED TO
ED IN HIS CABIN..
NOW IN HOSPITAL WITH
FRACTURED SKULL.
DEATH
THE DEAD DETECTIVES BRAVERY,
The Jury returned a verdies" of The story of a sensational attack upon gu
guilty," yesterday in the Wing Wo of the City which at first looked like into the circumstances attending the Paymaster Commander Rateliff on board Street robbery case, in which two men spreading into a serious conflagration;
the depôt ship H.M.S. Tamar because) are indicted for murder, Sih Chuen, -and spectators had visions of another such piracy on the steamship Sui An or
Sunday, November 19th and to conside? current yesterday morning. The officer having been killed by the ging. blaze as occurred just three months ago whether the existing precautions against o said to have been attacked in his cabin in Mesars, Kelly & Walsh's Printing piracy are adequate and efficient."
Mr. Campbell Prosser, opening the by Royal Marine early on Tuesday defence, said he would call no evidence. The Commissioners appointed are Mr morning. In the course of a struggle he The Attorney-General admitted that it pany's Store. Fortunately the outbreak J. R. Wood (who is to be Chairman), was hit over the head, with an iron bar, was not part of his case that either of Hon. Mr. C. Mol. Moser, O.B.E.. Com and rendered inconscious. Later at the the two prisoners fired the fatal shot. It mander C. M. Beckwith, R.M. Mr. H. P. Boyal Naval Hospital it was ascertained was a vital point in the defence that White, and Mr. P. M. B. Lake. Mr. that his skull had been fractured. His neither of these two men did fire the fatal shot. From the evidence it was obvious Secretary, W. J. Carrie is appointed to act a condition is considered serious
in neither of them did. In the case of the first accused, had he dropped a weapon The utmost reticence is observed by the it would most likely have been picked, up "Naval authoritics, on the subject and an and banded to the police. As to the second accused, the revolver which the yielded nothing but a guarded unofficial Prosecution alleged was found on him confirmation of the report that Paymaster was a 3. The bullet which was found Commander Ratcliff had been attacked in the unfortunate detective was 38, The reporter was informed that the matter which could not have been discharged.
from that revolver. was sub judicé; ».
With regard to the legal aspect, Mr.
bome.
The Bre, which occurred in Queen's Road Central, in the, block of buildings surrounding the Zetland Hotel, was first "noticed by some Chinese in an alleyway which forms the entrance to the Hong- kong Electric Company's Installation Department. The frantic blowing of Police whistles attracted the attention of members at the Easma Club. The Fire Brigade call was sent from the Club and the members dashed to the scene
·A· Royal Marine is under "arrest The Commissioners are required to reconnection with the affair... port their Endings and rocommendations at as early a date as possible.
CLAIM AGAINST THE CHINESEnquiry at the Naval Depot yesterday
GOVERNMENT.
"
The Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, by advertisement to-day, zotifies that it intends to prefer, in dus course, & claim against the Chinese Goverment, through the proper British
From other sources it is learnt that
of the fire across the road. The alleyway authority, for the losses which it sustain.aymaster Commander Ratcliff occupied roser agreed that if a number of men
was full of smoke and flames were seen rising from the first floor windows at the far end of the Hongkong Electric Com
I
LOOT PUBLICLY OFFERED FOR
SALE.
a cabin on the H.M.S. Tamar, being the gathered together for a felonious pur ed as a result of the piratical attack. Passengers who were aboard the Sus da Accounting Officer for the Depot and pose and it was found from their acts small ships on the Station. The Royal or the weapons found upon them, that pany's Store. The store door was locked at the time of the piracy and who suffer Marine now under arrest is said to have they were going to overcome any opposi but with the aid of a trolley, which thayed losses are cotified that the Company is been, en armed sentry go in the vicinity tion, and a man was killed by one of used as a battering ram, the door was prepared to receive and put forward, with of the cabin. It is anid that at about them, the whole were guilty of murder, the Company's own claim, any claims on 3,45 a. on Tuesday, the Officer was forced. A number of trucks lying in the
but Mr. Prosser made the stipulation- their behalf. alley, which might have impeded the fire-
awakened by a slight noise, and switching Counsel submitted that there was
provided they were present, men in their efforts to cope with the blaze,.
on the light, he saw a Marine in the cabin, were cleared in anticipation" of the
When the man was questioned as to the amplo evidence of dispersal of the Brigade's arrival."
reason for his presence, his only reply robbers. Practically all the witnesses who to rush at the Officer The Marine is from the houses were agreed that there said to have been armed with a heavy the fatal shot was fired. The persons were robbers left on the premises when
piece of metal and in the course of a
mander Ratcliff was dealt a heavy blow shot was fired: "Neither of the prison- struggle which followed Paymaster Com guilty were only the five or six men wha were in Wing Wo Street when the fatal on the head with the metal, and was renera was amongst those live or six. dered unconscious. The noise of the In the course of his address, Counsel struggle and the Officer's cries for help referred to the admission, under a aroused the others on the ship and they recent Ordinance, of the deposition" of u rushed to the cabin. The Marine was man who had left the Colony. The pris placed under arrest.
oners were ignorant men and could not The Officer's injuries were attended to cross-examine that witness. Counsel ex- and he was promptly conveyed to the pressed the opinion that prisoners charg Royal Naval Hospital, Queen's Road, ed with murder, who were too poor to where he now lies. Last night we were afford legal aid should be given that Informed by the Surgeon Commander insistance from the beginning, and charge of the case that the officer's condithroughout the Police Court proceedings, tion was us - satisfactory' as could be and not merely, as at present, when the expected.
case reached the Criminal Sessions. The master and one of the fókis of the
What motive there was for the attack The Attorney-General, replying for the jpak upon which the police discovered does not appear to be definitely known. Crown, submitted that actual physical veritable arsenal, including three Two motives are suggested in current presence within sight and earshot of the machine guns, 71,720 rounds of ammuni- gossip; which of them is correct may A quantity of electrical fittings stored
crime' was a necessary ingredient which in the Hongkong Electric Company's pre-tion, 157 revolvers, etc., were yesterday possibly be elicited as the trial. We learn must exist before persons who formed a mises were damaged by water.
afternoon committed by Mr. R. E. Lind. that a preliminary Court of Inquiry was common design were made liable for the Within half-an-hour of the arrival of sell at the Magistracy to take their trial man who was arrested at the same time at the next Criminal Sessions. Another held at the Naval Yard yesterday, but no sets of their confederates. It did not
The Tas Kwong Po publishes reports to Three Gre-engines were soon on the spot, the effect that much of the loot from the and several hoses were connected up with Nui di has been publicly exposed for the street hydranti Streams of water sale at Shanmi and other markets in the were played on the flames from the alley- vicinity. way and from the other side of the build that the commander of the local garrison, At the same time it is stated ng in Zetland Street. There was a grave besides issuing orders for the capture of danger of the flames spreading to the the pirates, has threatened that people Zetland Hotel immediately in front, having dealings with the pirates will be Residents in the hotel were busy removing treated as pirates. People are forbidden their belongings as a precautionary men- to purchase the stolen property yet, ure. The bremen were, however, able to apparently, it is allowed to be exposed keep the outbreak well in hand from the for sale in the markets. The paper states start. Later investigations indicating that not a single person has been arrested that it started in one of Messrs. Pathé Fréres romus used for storing gramo phone records. Fortunately the fire was confined to this storeroom, for, had the fire spread forwards instead of backwards it would have been much more serious, sa an adjoining room, separated only by a wooden partition was used for storing a large number of cinematograph films.
the Brigade the blaze was well in hand and-by 10 p.m. it was all over.
It is difficult to estimate the damage, but a large number of valuable Chinese records have been destroyed by fire or damaged by water, as were also a number of gramophones.
11.
ARSENAL ON A JUNK. TWO OF THREE DEFENDANTS
COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
as the other two defendants" was dis charged, owing to lack of ovidence. The defendants were represented by Mr. C.
Raas.
Evidence was given at yesterday's hear
ing by Bergeant Snare of the Water
statement as to its proceedings is avail- matter that individuals might have form- able for publication.
ed separate parties alterwards. The Paymaster Commander Ratcliff arrived in Attorney General suggested that the first the Colony about six months ago to take up accused was in the gang of five or six his present position on the China Station. men; he ran in the same direction as they
did. He contended, however, that all the
In the Electric Company's Store con- Police, who stated that he was one of the He served on the China Station about ten robbers were guilty, because it was clear siderable damage was done by fire and rearching party who on November 21st years ago.
electric shocks. ·
The Pulse Judge, in his summing-up,
water. The total damage must at least boarded the cargo junk, No. 20V, lying and two children reside in England. robbery by force of arms if necessary
He is married and his wife from their actions and arms that they amount to some thousands of dollars.
had formed together to carry out the as the junk anchorage. He went aft A feature of the blaze was that at one where there were three cabina. At the Prior to his joining the Naval Staff here, stage the inside walls of the burning back of one of them he found a cubby on this occasion he was serving at the said that the case had been laid before building became electrified, and a number hole, which had a sliding door that was of firemen reported having received, slight fastened. To gain entrance he had to break Chathan Naval Depot. During his pre-his accustomed fairness and ability, and the Jury by the Attorney-General with one of the panels of the door. Inside sent short stay Paymaster Commander also very ably by counsel for prisoners. the cubby-hole he found 15 encks all con- Ratcliff has become very well known The question was whether accused were taining arms and ammunition. He next amongst the residents of the Colony, part of the gang, and, if they were the visited another cabin and after lifting a especially as a very earnest worker at the further question arose; were they in fact THE FIRE AT THE HONGKONGumber of the flooring boards he defcend. Union Church, where he fulfils the duties guilty of the death of the detective
ed into a space below. He there dis of Sunday School Superintendent. CLUB.
covered the third defendant in the act of
In regard to the chase, the Puise Judge thought great credit was due to the With reference to the fire at the breaking up a box, a piece of which con-
police The detective's action was as Hongkong Club nanexe we are inform:tained the word cartridges." On seeing ed by the Hongkong Electric Com the witness the man rushed on deck and A THIEF ON A TRAM CAR. trench. Coming to the legal position, fine a thing as going over the top of a pany that the fire could not possibly there entered a cabin. Witness next
went for ard, and lifted another set of A PASSENGER'S POCKET PICKED. was to effect this robbery and then to get did the jury find that, the gang's purpose have been cauard "by the overheating and fusing of electric wires, as there were no boards which gave him access to a small such wires in any way connected with compartment close to the crew's quarters. A case of pocket picking came be appeared acessary? It did not matter away: peing whatever «force; or violence the electric supply in the immediate Stowed away in this space he found six fore Mr. J. E. Wood at the Magistracy, very much even if one of the accused bad vicinity of the portion of the building sacks and five boxes of ammunition yesterday morning. Two Chinese were no revolver. If it was part of the com- damaged.
The damage caused by the fire has been Russ submitted that there was not baker who was riding, on a tram-car, and revolvers should use them, that should be
sufficient evidence to commit the defend the other with aiding and abetting the sufficient, ants for trial. As to the third defendant offenge: - - he was found on board in the act of Mr. Leo d'Almada and Mr. G. Ban hour the jury brought in a verdict of breaking up some empty boxes, which he had been probably ordered to do.
estimated at 8500, --.
الراديو
CORRESPONDENCE. THE PRESS OF THE TAR EAST.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG DAILY FRES8:1
..
At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. charged, one with snatching 885 from men understanding that those who had
The Magistrate raid that no evidence had been offered against the second de fondant and he ordered his discharge, Regarding the third defendant his Wor ship said he bad admitted in his own
After a retirement of about a quarter of Haywood appeared for the defendante, guilty against both prisoners, and but after a brie consultation with their sentence of death was passed. clients, for which purpose the case was adjourned, both solicitors, intern an nounced their decision to withdraw from the case:
The complainant mid that when the statement that he was a foki car arrived at the Sailors Home, he and Mr. Rusubmitted that this statement his friend rose to get down, Defendants
WEDDING.
BUCKBERROUGE MEYERINGH.
signified nothing. It was very likely reached the top of the steps before bem. The wedding took place apietly yester Si, & people get the government they that the first defendant (the junk Brushlug pass the witness, the first day afternoon at the Hongkong Registry deserve and the Far East (European midator) would not want the crew to know defendaurt snatched the money, wrapped Office of Mr. William Rosk Bückberrough, section) is doubtless accurately reflected anything about the arms. They were up a handkerchief, from his breast ger agent of the Unnadian Pacific în als Pres. I agree that it is to use probably taken or board during the bucket. Both defendants then ran down Slemansalp Services Ltd, and of 194, "blaming the looking glass when you see crew's absence.
the steps. Watless and his friend follow Humphreys Buildings, Kowloon, to Miss a dull face in it.
The Magistrate thought this was a od: Witness fea Brat defendant sur Boss Meyeringh, of Empress Lodge, You draw attention to Pope'e said re-matter for a Jury 10 decade
reptitiously pass the money to the second Kowloon. The bride was attired in a marks on the subject of critics. I have an The master and third defendant were defendant in the first class compartment tailored emit of suas blue and fawn, idea that this gentleman also wrote then committed for trial
downstars. He seized the fint defend embroidered with brown, with hapita "! Cantens if hence th unlearned their Mr. Russ then asked his Worship to aut, and be friend caught the second match. She carried & bouquet of pink
wants may view
make an order for the release of the They dragged both men ont of the tram rodes The witresses at the curethony junk, which had been confiscated by the and then over to a constable. The men were: Mr. E. E. Anderson and Mr. D. 1. Police.
A were searased but the money was not Cuthill. The duties of best mat The Magistrate I cannot very wall recovered de that, The Judge may order the junk The Brat defendant was sent to prison to be confiscated, WANDA for four months on the strength of
Bub-Insppetor Pincott also added that statement made to Jur point is that- community gets the Tare might want to see the yank “better”Prets tand it deærves
The application was rel
The learn'd reflect up what before they
Yours obediently,
THE PASSER-BY. Hongkong, 29th November, 1922.
to lack of
were performed by Mr. Thon Monaghan, Catering Superintendent of the bride- groom's firm,
& reception wie hfterwarda held at the Hongkong Hotels. The honeymoon is to Abe spent In Zapan.
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