Page
LT,.COM. HOOPER'S TRAGIC
DEATH.
CORONER'S INQUEST. STORY OF, THE FATAL. RIDE FROM
REPULSE BAY,
Mr. J. R. Wood presided at an on- quiry, which was opened at the Magis tracy, yesterday afternoon, concerning the death of Lieut. Commander Geoffrey William Winsmore Hooper, R.N., of the B.M.S. Hacking, who was killed in a motor-car accident at Causeway Bay, during the early hours of the morning of the 2nd inst...
The following jury was empanelled:- Messrs L G. Scots' (foreman), HL Green wood, and Holger Dreyer.
Mr. H. L Dennys, and Mr. F. E. Nash, solicitors, wore present at the Enquiry, the former appearing on behalf of the Admiralty and the latter on behalf of the Connaught Motor Car Company,
The Ccroner, addressing the Jury, said it was they duty to enquire as to how the deceased had met his death and to find out whether any blame attached to anyone or not...
Plane of the Causeway Bay Road were put in by Mr. A. Grimes of the Public Marks Department.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,
Was there any racing between your car and the car that passed -No, nons that I know of.
SUMMARY COURT. JUDGMENT IN PARTNERSHIP CASE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5TMa** 1913,
THE APPROACH OF CHINESE
NEW YEAR. YU
ROBBERS AND POLICE GETTING
ACTIVE IN YAUMATI... With the approach of the Chinese Gomperts) gave judgment in a case in New Year, Yazmati, the haunt of which Yuen Wing Cheung, a trader, suud | many "Chinese criminals, guina greator,
Paymaster Lieut. Wallace, of the
At the Summary Court yesterday morn. H.M.ß. Durban, said he had had some experimes in driving cam Ho eating the Puiane Judge (Mr. Justice mated the speed of their car at 30 miles par hour most of the way back to towa. He was sitting alongside the driver Ha cocusionally watched him,
The Coroner: Did he strike you' as a
careful driver-He was driving very
well-vory steady.
Was there any racing on the road that night-No, we were going at the same speed most of the way.
Cheong Sing Loon Hing Kec, meat and notoriety. Gangs of robbers become cattle dealers, for the sum of $3,000, the exceedingly active and the nerves of balance of principal and interest' due on peaceable folk are kept more or less at a promissory note. The original suma high tension. Soarcely a night passen was $1,31.33, but the odd $351.33 was but what a report of some "hold up," or waived in order to bring the case within armed robbery, is notified to the Police. the jurisdiction of the Cours
In delivering his judgment the Puisne Judge said the claim was one against a partnership frm and two partners. One named Tang Fook had had judgment de
The livered against him by consent.. question remained as to the liability of the remaining partner Chan Fau
But if this activity is increased so is the surveillance of the Police, and many ne'er-do-wells are brought to book. Centinning, witness said that just
The other night a man was seen to be. before the accident he noticed the other
aimlessly lounging outside the Kwong Che Cinema, ir. Yaumati. A constable' car coming up. He first noticed it about It was
accosted him, and a search, revealed that 50 gards to the rear of theirs,
he had in his possession a dagger and two coming right behind them and appeared,
The partnership conducted a slaughter gaga, made of bamboo wood and pieces. to be travelling about 10 miles per hour faster then their car. There was cd house, the meat from which was sold at of string. He was invited to tell the aigual given. neither did the approaching a stall in the market. Chan Yau was police if he had any companions, and ha car sound a hora. When the approach the licensee of the stall. He gave up informed then that he had a friend ing car drew loval they were about two active participation in the management living at No. 5, Fakhoi Street. The The of the slaughter house in July, 1921, and house was visited and the arrested man's yards from the side of the road. car overlapped theirs just before they the business thenceforward was conduct friend was found to be in possession, of came to the curve where the accidented by Tang Fook as managing partner. a loaded revolver and three spare rounds The evidence was that in April of 1991 ammunition. He also was invited to took place.
It was doing well. Trang Fook had spend the night at the Yagmati Police
Station.
~
The Coroner: Did your chauffeur know of the approach of this car-No, I don't secured a loan from the plaintiffs with think so. I looked round again when the the ostensible purpose of adding capital to the firm's business. In was not sug- car was level with us,
grated that Chan Fuk was cognisant of the loan or that he in any way ratified it. The defendant Tsang Fook Had been drawing the firm's money for his own ase, and the proceeds of the loan were to partially replace what he had taken. Chan Fuk trust in his partner was so great that he had omitted to take the most elementary precautions.
What did your chauffeur dot-The car It may have in front ceased to gain. slowed down or it may have lost speed in turning. There was about three feet between the rear of the other car and the
front of our car.
N
Judgment would be given for the defendant Chan Fuk with costs, and against the defendant Tsang Fook with
costs.
SHOP-LIFTERS......
Yesterday morning the two men wero brought before Mr. J R. Wood and charged with unlawful possession of weapons Inspector Murphy asked for the two men to be committed to the Criminal Sessions for trial. Mr. Wood formally remanded the men until this morning.
In many cases the Yaumati Chinese assist the Police in tracking down criminals. Such a case was referred to before. Mr. Lindsell, yesterday, when [two Chinese were charged with having taker part in an armed robbery at No. 7. Portland Street, Yaumati, on the even- ing of New Year's Day,
The Arst witness called was Paymaster be Lieut. L. B. Webb who said accompanied the deceased on the night of
Was the chauffeur surprised I can January 1st to Repulse Bay in a hired
The other car, No. 118, a seven-seator. There were not say.. I did not see it. six Naval officers in the ear including car drew clear of our car just as we began Paymaster Lieut. Wallace, Paymaster to turn. The road surface was dry at Lieut. McBride, Lieu. Meakin and this point. Lieut. Capley, witnem and the deceased. They had been to a fancy dress dance at Repulse Bay, and started back from Repulse Bay at five minutes past two in the morning The average speed of the car on the return journey was between
In other words, the other crossed 25 and 30 miles per hour. He could not your course!-Yes.
What did the chauffeur do 1-Ee say whether they passed any cars on the
swerved the car slightly to the left in A watchman, in the employ of the Lai Inspector Murphy informed the Cours Witness was sitting in the back order to get clear of the other car. Ha Wah Company, Des Voeux Road Central, that a Chinese living on the floor below part of the car on the floor with his then tried to bring the car back towards noticed two Chinese in the store engaged where the robbery was committed, heard. back against the right-hand door. Pay. the centre of the road and then tried in the act of lifting a roll of silk from Lieut. Wallace sat next to the driver. to bring it beck again behind the other one of the counters. One of the Chinese stampede on the floor above and a few car. Having got the car atraight, the was seen to pick up the roll and with moments later noticed a gang of men Lieut. Carley sit on the right-hand side front left wheel caught a stone and the considerable dexterity, push it under his rushing down the stairs. He decided to of the beak sent, Lieut. McBride sat on rear of the car must have swung on to compagion's long coat. An alarm was given
Some distance down the and a chase ensued, in which the man his right. Deceased was sitting next to the tramway standard. The car stopped with the roll of silk was caught. The street the robbera separated and the
dead with a very heavy crash. I was Licut. McBride. The accident occurred thrown forward on to the wind screen. other man got away. Yesterday, Mr. Chinese followed two of the gang until just before reaching Causeway Bay. The I forgot to mention that during the Lindsell, at the Magistracy, sent the he met a constable who arrested them. At the Police Station they were searched party was sober but in good spirits. Wit bumping the engine was running free, shoplifter to gaol for four weeks
but nothing incriminating was found in their possession. The two arrested men ness, just prior to the accident heard the driver pulling out the clutch.
were identified later by the man from the another ear overtake theirs, and looking
floor below, as two of the men who came over his left shoulder, saw it pass by.
down the stairs. The people from the floor, where the robbery took place were, The speed of their car was between as
however, unable to identify them. and 30 miles per hour. The other ear was travelling much faster.
way."
The Ceroner: Did your party know the occupants of the other car 1--We did not know them but we choered as they passed.
What was the next thing you know About 15 to 30 seconds later there was
Pan awful crash.
The Coroner: Were you thrown out
of the Carl-No, I was still in the car.
Did the car overturn1-No, the left wheel was broken and the car wre lying, at an angle.
How do you think the accident occur- red 1-1 should my it was a combination of high speed coupled with the fact that the other car passed on the bend,
You don't think that the accident was due to your car swerving round the bend at a high speed 1-No, we were taking the bend quite well, and I am convinced that had the chauffeur held on to his ori ginal course, he would have touched the
aber car.
....
It does not seem very likely that the other car after passing you slowed down
The only thing I can think of is that it crossed right in front, which made it appear to go slower.
Brack them.
The Magistrate decided to hear the evidence in the case this afternoon.
**SWINGING THE LEAD.”
INDIAN CONSTABLE SENT TO PRISON.
The nert witness called was one of the gentlemen who travelled in the car that passed the car containing the Naval party just prior to the accident. He was John Melves Herdersen, a clerk in the employ of the Canadian Pacific Steam ship Offices. He said he travelled back from Repulse Bay in car No. 48. He was accompanied by Mr.Vaux They had both been to the Fancy Dress · Ballat Repulse Bay Hotel. They left the hotel' a little after 9 am. At the Hotel they did not come in contact, with any of the Naval party and he was not aware that this party returned at about the same. He has a very bad recordy' --Mr. time: The speed of their car varied. The Burlingham, Assistant Superintendent of car was discharged at Blake Pier be Police, informed Mr. Lindsell, at the tween 3 a.m. and 3,30 am, He remem- Magistracy, yesterday, referring to an bered overtaking a car but he could not who was charged with being absent from
Ladian constable, named Baggy Singh, say where. He heard the occupants of the other car cheer, and in repouse he daty parade at 10 o'clock on the night of the ad int He enlisted on June waved his hand. As far as he could 12th, 1922, and has already been before estimate, the speed of his car was 30 miles the Court recently on a charge of mal- per hour. There was no racing. He ingering. He was, however, discharged could not say exactly at what speed the on the doctor's evidence. He has been other car was travelling; it was at least swinging the lead ever since. He has five miles per hour slower. The distance also been before the Captain Superia- between the two cars when they passed tendent of Police on a charge of malinger... was about 8 to 10 Feet,
ing and has been fined $2. The Coroner: Now it is said that your
Mr. Dennys: Are you quite sure that you did not hear any horn blown by the approaching car 1-Quite certain.
And that you gave no signal to pass No. Continuing, witness said that the firs The Coroner (to the Jury): I think the thing he saw was Lieut. McBride getting point you have to get out is whether the up from the bank. He turned round accident was due to the action of the and saw someone else in the car. Lient, passing car, or whether it was due to the McBride called his attention to the swerve of the car in which these gentle deceased who was lying clear of the car. men were travelling, due to its own high The deceased was lifted to the bank. He speed going round the bend. That is was alive then. The next car that passed the pains wo want to get at was stopped. The car which had paned To the witness: Of course your car was them had gone on." He could not say very heavily loaded -Yes, what had happened to it as his glasses And the car was a very long one--car crossed in front of the other car? absent from duty and said that he got were broken in the smash. He then saw that the rear end of the car was close Continuing, the witness said that he to the turn together. to the tramway standard, but not touch visited the spot again next day and Continuing, witness said that he could ng it.
noticed the tracks of the car as it bore not say whether his chauffeur received The Coroner: Have you any theory as into the side of the road. He also saw the signal to pass or whether the horn to how this accident happened -No, I the marks of back wheels when the rear had been: bidwa hare no idea as to how, the accident oc
part of the car swing into the tramway. curred.
standard. N
Yes.
You are prepared to say definitely that In reply to one of the Jury, the wit your car was not racing with the otherness said that after the other car passed, car1-1 do not think the driver accelerat their car alowed down after a second or ked the speed, fre
80 as the driver immediately pulled out the clutch
Do-yan blitzin anyone in connection. with this accident 1---I cannot.
Lieut R B. Beachama aid that
I don't know. They seemed to come up
کوچه
"Mr. Dennys: After you had overtaken this car, did you hear any sound of a crasht—NON SPOR NË
The constable admitted that he was
drunk for the first time in his life. When he came to his senses he found himsell lying on the basement floor of the new Police quarters at Central Station. Ho turned into bed.
In answer to a further charge of leav ing the precincts of the Central Station without permission, the constable denied the charge
Mr. Barlingham said that one of the Was your car stopped at all 1-No. Did it slow down l-No....
Indian Sergeant Majore bad even him leave the Station at 6 am. on the morning And as far as you can remember you of the Sid He returned to the Station heard nơ horn sounded by the driver two hours later. can't say.
In view of the fact that be
pleaded
Mr. Nash: Previous to the accident was in his estimation the car was travelling Mr. G. J. Voux, Assistant Purser of guilty to the first charge, Mr. Burlingham the car in good running ortler Yes about 25 to 30 miles per hour. Near the us Empress of Ana, who was the said he would not press the second Had you any fault to find with the Causeway Bay be heard a car coming up other occupant of the parsing car, we charge, and the Magistrate withdrewilt. driver 1-No.
behind and he then had the impression next called, but before he was examined. In eontending the mantotsix weeks- Pay. Master Lieut. William McBride that their driver accelerated slightly. Inspector Garrod explained to the imprisonment, his Workup observed: said he was sitting in the outre of the The Corones: There was no competition Corner that a certain portion of the You have been in the Force only back seat. Lacnt. Copley was on his right of speed between the two cars fone road between Hongkong and Bepules Bay few months, and yet your have come and Lieut. Bescham was on his left except what Ishave just mid-when- the was closed each night from 1 to 6 with the meque that you were too Lient, Webb was seated on the Boor of other icar came up beltind us The other am for the purpose of road alterations to go on duty. I am going to send the car and the deceased was miting half car was going at least five miles an hour This meant that the cars had to journey to prison. I hope it will on his (witness e) knots and half on Lient, faster than ouren
back from Repulse Baysto Hongkong by lesson. The witness then described the swerving the round-the island roated in and fi Beacham's knees. The party did not
Mr. Vinx, czamined, said that as far interfere with the driver in any way of the car into the standard. His state
AN UNFOUNDED STORY. Jaat before the accident he watched the ment bora nut what Lett Wallace had as he could judge it, the speed of his car was 20 miles per hour. He remen- other car overtaking their'ait That car already told the Jury
MYTHICAL PIRACY STORY. The Coroner take it you have no bered passing one car and the occupanter we going faster than the ordinary speeds
The Coroner: Can you say how close idea as to how the docident occurred of that car cheered and he and his friend to your car it passed-I should say My impression was that the speed was too waved back. He thought the speed of With reference to the story of the attempted piracy of the Frenchistesmert about 10 To a bar righthand side, great for the curve. If there had been the say when they were actually paming Jade, long and detailed abse Before the smash occurred I felt a bamp, no other car in the middle of the road the other car was about 30 to 35 miles which was given in an evening followed immediately by ash it would have been an easy matter to per hour. His car wrewell over to the
The Coroner: Do you know what the negotiate it. It would be wory difault right side of the road. He could not say Harbour Of and the Water bunywele ended by I should any by to bring a hoary car round in auch whether the car passed in front of the fail to confirm the report.
state. I remember seeing some white short space eral
other car. The car were not racing The story was to the effect that fift
At this stage the Enquiry - was ad- mirutes, unarmed, attacked stones afterwards and I think? the car paced øver" "one of these,
jemned until Monday afternoon, and it and fighting was going on practic was arranged that the Coroner, Jury and throughout, he night, the crew repe
the butt end
Do you think the back part of the car akidded No, it was not noticeable.".
Llert - Copley also gave corroborative
foot of next column.)
ere you thrown buff I wan Have you any theories as to the cause cridercolor=
Continued? Elle-nevident filio.
olicitors abould visit the scene of the sedident this afternoon.
porary 1
madebyl m
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