HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1930.
WHY STATION WAS NOT RUSHED.
D.S.P. GIVES EVIDENCE AT LOK MA CHAU TRAGEDY
INQUIRY.
SMALL CHANCE OF ENTERING STATION WITHOUT BEING SHOT.
At the resumed hearing of the Lok Ma Chau inquiry before Mr. B. E. Lindaelk. (Coroner} at the Central Magistracy yesterday, both Mr. Starrow and Mr. Burlingham gave evidence. regarding interviews which they had with Dalip Singh, P.C. B543 On each occasion, Dalip Singh complained of his being transferred to the New Territories again after he had already served one year there, "aud stated that it was the ludian A.S.P., Mohinder Singh, who had got him trafiaforved. He alleged that the Indian A.S.P. had him sent out to Lok Mp Chau because of a grudge. Although it was explained to him that such was not the case, Dalip Singh did not seem to be satisfied with the explanation.
Further evidence regarding the fact why no attakk was made on the Station after the arrival of police parties was given, when it was stated that no light or torches were available for some time and it was deemed inadvisable to attack the Station in the dark.
DALIP SINGH'S INTERVIEW WITH A.S.P.
At the commencement of yestar- day's sitting, Inspector Brennan, who had given evidence at an earlier hearing, produced the record of P.C. B543, Dalip Singh.
Here He Is."
Warded About Dismissal. I see from his record that he was dealt with on May 9 for gam bling in barracks and was fined $2 and warned about dismissal; thero is also a note about $70 to he confiscated.
Mr. King: I think. Mr. Wolle will deal with that himself.
The foreman of the Jury (to wit meas): Did you have any conver-
Sergeant. Your was then posted. at the south-west corner of the gate and after that there was a long delay. Witness remained for some The witness then continued the time when he suddenly heard Ser story that was left off at the pre- geant Youe shout out Here he vious hearing which was that he is?" and fired his revolver a few together with the A.S.P. of New times. Witness himself fred one Territories and others arrived at round into the passageway be- Lok Ma Chau from Au Tau Police tween the latrine and the wall. Station shortly before seven o'clock. There was no movement or soundsation with, him.!
Witness said that on arriving at inside the Police Station, and after Lok Ma Chan, he met Sub-Inspector a while witness posted the Indians O'Conner and. Sergeant McEwen he had with him near a spot where and they informed him that the they could command the back gate, Indian (Daliy Singh) had the and he himself, together with Ser- Lewis gun in action and was firing geant Youe, also took up their at the main road. Witness said position near the gate. he went up the hilla on various sides of the police station, and with the aid of binoculārs tried to trace signs of movement in the Police,
Station but sny none.
The A.S.P. (N.T.) and witness then went up the hill on the south aide of the Police Station where
they could command a view of both the Station and the Indian married quarters. When they were elimbing up they heard rifle shots exchanged between the
The Coroner: What happened to the Verey pistol that you had brought from Au Tau ?
#
Witness: The pistol had been left behind by Sergeant Bayating, who, in the burry and excitement, forget to bring it.
was
FIERCE BATTLE WITH PIRATES.
27 KILLED, INCLUDING 7 WATER POLICE.
DESPERADOES FLEE AS MUNITIONS GIVE OUT.
On June 2, after I had referred to Headquarters, called Dalip Singh up again and told him, the allegations had been inquired into and were unfounded. I said, that the F.R.G. had effected the trans- fer. He insisted that it Mohinder Singh who had had him transferred to Lok Ma Chau. I'ex. plained that it was not the case.
P.C. B513 then asked if he could see the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kowloon.. I replied that
Seven members of the Woosung there would be no objection to his
Water Police and a score of pirates sceing the D.S.P. in Kowloon. Ho
were killed as the result of what seemed to be labouring under a
was probably the most fierce en- heavy emotion, but there was no-
gagement which has occurred be- thing in his demeanour which one tween the authorities and pirates could take exception to. He did
operating around "Woosung this not seem to be satisfied with the Sunday morning according to a re- yehr. The conflict took place last result.
The next time I saw him was on June 16. That was the occasion of the inspection at Lok Ma Chan, and I had occasion to report P.C. B543, who was present at the in- spection, on a minor offence, He was fined 50 cents. All the men in the Station, in accordance with the usual custom, were, asked if they had any complaint to mate. There was ao complaint, and none came from P.C., B543.
Reinforcements From Au Tau. „ ̈ Continuing, Mr. Sparrow said that on July 21 he was at Sheung- shui when he saw an Indian Ser- geant from the Lok. Ma Chau Police Station. It was about 5.50 Witness: I asked why he had. He then heard of the, trouble sent out to the New Territories if a Lok Ma Chau. An attempt was he had only gone back four months made to get in touch with the Lok previously. He said he did not Ms Chan Station on the telephone, know, I said I would report the but without success. He proceeded matter to the A.S.P. of the New to the scene and there he saw relief Territories and would arrange an parties that had arrived...... interview. Next day I spoke to Mohinder Singh and asked why this man had been sent out so soon and he replied that he had been seut put for gambling. I told the A.S.P. and he said he would see the
man.
Continuing, witness said: "The
The foreman of the Jury He D.S.P. decided to go to Sheung-(Dalip Singh) was apparently quite shui for lights and I went to Au upset over this transfer 7-Yes. Tau for the Verey pistol. On the way I ran short of gue, but I met poca bus and was able to continue. This delayed me somewhat and I did not return until about 11 o'clock when I rrted to the D.S.P. (K.). He told me that the Inspector
bad gone up to the Station."
Station and the married quarters. When they reached the top of the ridge, the firing had ceased.
Shouts in Hindustani then reach-
H
"Witness later went to Au Tau to communicate with headquarters. Collecting more reinforcements from Au Tau, witness subsequently left for Lok Ma Chau again. When he arrived at the scene, it was about
6.30 p.m."..
Replying to the Coroner, witness explained that it occurred to him at the time that they might go into the Station under cover.
The
Did he mention any other griev- ance about his being fined and machine gun was not forthcoming money confiscated 1-No, sir, he said for a long time. Witness eventual- he had been sent out for no realy went to look for if himself, but son.
he could not find it. He thought the chances of getting into the Station without being shot at were
position of P.C. B843. In the event of shots being exchanged there was a grave danger of the occupants in- side the Station being shot.
What I am trying to get at was whether the 879 to be confiscated
|
port in the Chinese Press.
Having received a report shortly after midnight last Saturday to the effect that three large five-mast pirates, had appeared at a place junks, carrying more than 200 known as Haico Ha Sha, outside Woosung, the chief of the Wooaung boats, Pingyang and Tainghai, with Water Police despatched the patrol a strong force of police to engage them.
Pirates Open Fire. Apparently the pirates- saw the patrol boats first for upon the latter's approach they opened fire and this was promptly returned by lasted for well over an hour but the the water police. The engagement desperadoes refused to surrender. They stood their ground and put up a resistance which surprised even the oldest member of the water police present. A tive, the commanders of the patrol Seeing that rifle fire was ineffes-
boats brought their machine guns into play The pirates were also armed with machine guns for they, too, brought then into nge.
Munitions Bun Short.
The engagement by this time had some time until the pirates, anding renched its pitch but it went on for themselves short of ammunition, turned their junka in the direction
Esiso Miao Hung and fled. Chase was given but the marauders escaped in the shallow water.
During the fight, seven membera of the water police were killed and a number were wounded but the
pirate losses were far beavier, some 20 being seen to fall into the sea, many mortally wounded, whilst other members of the gang are known to have been shot. the water police were lost in the. Eight of the rifles belonging to action and the patrol boats carry many marks of the engagement.
With the losses which the pirates suffer, the Woosung Water Police do not think they will dare to re
sent at least,
ed the ears of witness who said he General of Police had arrived and was his own money or how much it 'very sinali, as nobody knew the sume their activities for the pro-)
thought the people in the Police Station were trying to speak to the people in the married quarters. The D.S.P, and witness then went down to the married quarters to ascertain what was going on and understood from the interpreter that the people in the Station want ed to know whether they could come out.
Cease Fire | The interpreter was instructed to shout back to say that the men could come out if they would put their hands up and witness him- self went out of the married quar- téra to ask those on the South and
East of the Station to "cense fire." Three men then came out of
the Station, and witness understood that one other had come out before.
These men were interrogated and their arms were examined; after that was done it was decided to form a party and go into the Sta tion. The party was composed of the .A.S.P.,
I.G.P. Enters Station. "I went up to the Station and reported to the I.G.P. who was outside the compound, and after certain dispositions had been made I entered the Police Station with him."
Mr. King: After dark, had you seen any light or sound of moment in the Station 1-Yes.
In answer to another question, witness produced the records which showed that they had eight alarm Fractices at Lok Mak Chau between June and July 21.
The ammunition used on July 21 was checked up by witness who "found that 110 rifle rounds were red from Lok Ma Chau and rounds were Gred by the men from Sheungshui. Thirteen rounds of revolver ammunition were fired by
B722.
After he had seen the body of Mrs. Madgwick, witness looked for and found the body of B. He then Aspector Brennan,
found that the door of the Indian Sergeant Youe and four Indian barrack room was open while the door of the Charge Room was closed but not locked.
officers.
Continuing, witness said that the party got within the outaide barrier to the back of the Station com- pound. While they were there, Sergeant "Madgwick came up and witness asked him if he had, his (witness's) torch but the Sergeant replied that he had lost it. We wanted the torch to see where we were going, also to help us identify anyone if we should come across
them.
meant to him?.
The Coroner: Mr. King said that Mr. Wolfe would give evidence on
this.
Mr. Shields (to witness): Did you see him again after that? Had you anything to do with him over disciplinary matters after that 7-1 heard that he had been put on re- port for faulty inspection.
Mr. King After your arrival at
Coroner: Had you been told that P.G. B543 had the Lewis gun- Yea.
No Order to Rush the Station. Mr. Sparrow also stated that he gave no order to rush the Station, as he had not wished to risk the
DARING DAYLIGHT
SNATCHING.
CHINESE LADY'S BIG LOSS.
Miss Lee Chi, living at
"3, Con- duit Road, while passing Glenealy yesterday, felt some one pushing her from behind. Trying to keep hand-bng and a Chinese lad, ruah her balance, the lady dropped her
Lok Ma Chau, did Sergeant Magd-lives of any of the attacking partying forward, picked it up and made wiek make any report about his or any innocent person in the wife I had conversation with him while he was in my car.
The Coroner: Did he think his wife" was alive or dead-He did not seem to know. I think he was under the impression that the worst had happened.
Station. Moreover, there was rea son to suppose that Mrs. Madgwick and the Indian constable, Be, were still alive. Witness had been in formed by the Indians who came out from the Station that they passed the dead body of Be in the passage.
The Coroner: Who actually gave orders to wait after you had got Asked if he had thought of rush- up to the Station at about 9 p.m. 7-ing the front and back of the I did. Strgeant Youe suggested that the Thomson gun should be A.S.P. brought along and the agreed...
In answer to another question, witness said that he could not de finitely say that any shot came from inside the Police Station after his
Foreman of the Judy (Mr. A. Larrival. Shields): I suppose it was known "Unfounded Allegations." to the police that Mrs. Madgwick
Mr. W le Bart Sparrow, A.S.P., was inside and there could be no at New Territories, was then called evidence as to whether she has been wounded or killed or anything like
as the next witness...
that -No.
Coroner. When did PC. B643, Dalip Singh, first came under your notice 1
Presumably she might have been alive during the time that lapsed before the Station was entered Before seven o'clock, but after that
1 believe the A.S.P. had a they called from the married quar torch," said the witness, and we ters but there was no sign at all. --- unade for the Station. On the way,
Youe said it would be a led in the compound 1-Yea, I heard Sergeant good tuer RE tre Thomson gun could ↑ that be
He was woundeur
Did you know that Bo was wound
he brought m. Sergeant Madgwick Can you tell us baything, thour was sent to fetch that gun, but re- B543. What about his previous turned to say that he could not find history 1-He had been to Taipo but Sergeant Baysting Sergeant Madg he had never come directly under wiek was then sent to find some my notice. He did complain to me torches and Ave minutes later the about being transferred to Lok Ma
Ohay
A.S.P. left,
may notice on May 26, soon after he had been transferred to Lok Ma Chau Station.
Witness: He first came under
tion on w
Station at the same time, witness replied that he had been informed that the front gate had been locked up by the Station guard, and the idea of attacking the Station from the front had not occurred to him.
What was your exact idea in sending for the Thompson gun? I thought of rushing the Station from the compound and posting some men at the gate to cover the mèn going inside.g
He later met the Deputy Super intendent of Police, Kowloon, who then took charge of the position. B722 came out of the Station on one Jury Did you know that P.C.
ocension at 6.30 p.m. Did you know it at that time 1
Witness: I knew an Indian had appeared, but I did not know who
ib. was
thought it was B543.
In answer to another question, witness said that he might have
D.S.P. Evidence. Evidence was then Burlingham, D.S.P., Kowloon, who
transfer
|
dash up the hill. He turned into to hand the bag to somebody else Robinson Road where he was seen
who escaped with the bag which contained $561.70 in money, a pair. box valued at $10 and some other of spectacles worth $15, a silver articles.
European police officer, who was Miss Lee raised an alarm and a attracted to the scene, effected the -arrest of the original thief only to find that he had already got rid of the stolen property.
Ma Chau as a punishment. The other constable, B80, had been transferred to Taku Ling, Mr. Burlingham explained to B643 that at the moment the I.G.P. was in Shanghai, but when he returned B543 could interview him again and re-open the case
Mr Burlingham also added that previous to this visit by Dalip Singh, P.C. B80 had also seen him and had complained of a sum of $79 (money on gambling. table). being forfeited. P.C. Bo did not complain of his transfer to Tāku Láng
Regarding the incident at Lók Ma Chau-on July 21, Mr. Burlingham said that he first had news just before. 7 pim. After be bad collect ed some men on his way out to the scene, he arrived at Lok Ma Chan shortly after 8 p.m. He tried to. get hold of some bullet proof vests, with the object of ruching the Station: It was about three
quarters of an hour later that he
You interviewed him at Taipo
given by Mr. Yes He put in a written applica
found these, and it was then very etated that P:C. B543 came to see ged that to bacon June as the heterol our patio without sughts, Men were dark It was useless ching the had been transferred to Lok Ma Station Hot complained of hippotha Station as Chau by ABP Monder Singh.
mang akan pelem H. LOK ME Chatners: He pointed out that he had pre-explained that B543 had been there was no chance of B543 viously served in the New Ter-transferred to the New Territories escaping. ritories. I informed E513 that I because of a gambling affair between would refer the matter to Head him and another Indian constable quarters to see if there was any PC. B80, and that it was the truth in his allegations. He said Inspector General himself who had that A.S.P. Mohinder Singh had a thought of sending 3543 out to Lok grudge against him
(Continued at foot of next column)
Witness then went to Sheungahui to telephone to headquarters, and was told that the IGP had left Kowloon at 8 pm
After further evidente had been given by Suran Singh, the inquiry was adjourned till next Friday.
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