VERDICT OF SUICIDE
RETURNED
Inquiry Into Death
Of
Mr. W. L. Plew
The tragic death of Mr. Willam Lewis Plew on July 19 when he jumped from the eighth voor of the Gloucester Building was recalled at Central Magistracy yesterday when à Coroner's in- quiry was held into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Mr. Q.AA. MacFadyen conducted the inquiry, assisted by a jury comprised of Messrs, Chang The Yu (foreman), Lam Stu Man and Ng Chí Har
י ...
A verdict of "Suicide" was returned by the jury who 'recom- mended that iron spikes be fixed on the top of the side wall of Gloucester Building and that a fan-shaped iron barrier be placed on the corner of the front parapet and the alde wall.
was
There was no doubt that deceased was expecting a reply from the letters which were addressed to Mr. F. Plew, Craigmont, Peebles.
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST
ROTARIANS PAY
TRIBUTE
To Memory Of President Von Hindenburg
At the meeting of the Rotary Club yesterday, Rotarians stood up in silence for a minute as a tribute to the memory of the late President von Hindenburg.
PROGRESS OF ROTARY
IN HONGKONG
(Continued from Page 6.)
three years ago—or than there was even a year ago. That, if what y think is true, is an excellent sign of progress. I do not mean that I think we must call each other John or Bill That movement will take care of itself, and whether or not. the practive is ever adopted, the Club will continue to progress in the matter of developing better acquaintance and better fellowship.
Knowing Each Other
Addressing the meeting, the Chairman, Mr. M. K. Lo, said: The
A year ago I know most of you death of Fresident van Hindenby sight, and most of you know burg is universally mourned. By me by sight and knew the name, his death, Germany has lost one
know for whom you work, and It of her greatest statesmến and the
of the firm I represent. To-day world. has lost a man of inesicul- I think I know all of you by name. able influence for good, a very time know that you are interested in Jects of Rotary, namely, "Bervice and all of you know me by name steadying force. One of the ob the Club and in the community; before self" is most strikingly aid and you know that I, like your- happily exemplified in the person selves: have the interest of
the ef the late President of Germany. Club and the community at heart. I ask you now to stand in silence would like again to emphasize,
or a moment in his memory. ·
however, that there is more to be ing a Rotarian than merely attend- ing timins, listening to "speakers and Jending friendly ear
Mr. F. M. el Arculli, a member of the Hongkong Daily Press staff, told the Court that he first knew deceased about ten years ago. He then lost sight of him altogether so
and then presented him
$
2
·
1934.
constitution ̈are as follows:-15 members attended between 60. and 70 per cent.; 13 `atended between 70 and 80 per cent; 14 attended between 80 and 90 per cent.; 12 at- tended batwen 90 and 99 per cent.; and 7.attended between 100 per cent. (applause)............
However, looking at these figures, does not give us exactly the cor- rect picture of the 12 members who attended more than 90 per ċent of the meetings. I would like to say that I feel sure some of those showing attendance of 90 per cent. mesting only without excuse, are having been absent from
Opt
due to their having thoughtlessly forgotten to remind the Honorary Secretary that they were going to
avoidably absent. In my analysis be out of town or other wise un-
of the atendance I would say we class those for 95 per cent, with those showing 100 per cent. at- tendance and we will have to im- prove the astonishing "figure of 15 members, or 17 per cent, who were least 95 per cent of the meetings. interested enough to attend
attended less than 50 per cent, of the meetings.
at
The for some years, and he met him bit which deceased did not sign. to suggestions for aiding var i There were only 11 members who i
Dr. L. D. Pringle, medical officer: in charge of, the Victoria Mortuary, said that on July 20 at about 9.30 a.m. he performed a post-mortem examination on the body of Mr. W. L. Plew. The body which identified by Mr. F. M. el. Arculli and a Chinese "boy" from the Gloucester Building, was that of a British male; aged about 38. skull was very extensively fractur ed and all the ribs on both sides of the chest were also fractured The majority of the organs of the chet and abdomen were lacerated. There was a fracture, of the spine, The bones of the right shoulder, the right elbow and the right ankle were tractured. All the Internal organs with the exception of the heart, which had undergone some fatty degeneration, were healthy The cause of death was multiple injuries. The injuries were con- sistent with the deceased having fallen from a height. Death must have been instantaneous.
about
was
ious
again when he joined the "Hong-asking him to wait. About twenty kong Dally Press". It was early in minutes later, witness again pre- 1980. He joined as a night editor.sented the bill but deceased again In reply to the Coroner, witness told him to wait at the same time said that he knew deceased as a ordering another gin and tonic. very nice fellow when he was sob- After this had been done, wit-ever, that I believe too many of us er. He was very partial to drink.ness again tendered the bul but He remained with "Dafly Press" met with the same reply. Later till about the end of May this year. deceased went to the lavatory He was given three months' notice when he came out he ordered an- to leave his post, but he asked for other gin and tonic
and also a a chance to stay on. Witness was packet of "Captain" cigarettes. The told both by his employer and the bill was again tendered but deceas- deceased himself about this. De ex again made the same. reply ceased was definitely given Deceased remained there for some chance to remain on the under-time, reading the newspaper and standing that he would do his work smoking cigarettes. He appeared properly, that meant regular hours to be normal.
·
Mental Condition Good"
Witness was later called away
breakfast time. The last time he a deceased was shortly after §.30 am. He subsequently identified the deceased at the mortuary.
Detective-Sergeant T. Hemsley on the morning of the tragedy he went with Inspector J. Murphy to Das Voeux Road and there saw, a Euro-
said that at about 10.15
An Intimate Friend An intimate friend of the de-n the office. Witness was told by ceased, Mr. A. 3. Palmer, of the deceased that he "refused to be from the place by the No. 1 boy to Union Insurance Society of Can- treated like a schoolbog,” and ask- ton. testified that he had knowned him to type a letter for him to 80 and get a table cloth. When he
returned the deceased casually for
the deceased was not the, managing director stating that four years and intimately for the he could not remain under those there. The matter was at once re last two ycars. Deceased
circumstances. His notice expirea ported to the No. 1 boy as witness formerly night editor of the "Dally
on May 30, but he actually left be- was under the impression at the Press." He remained in that positore that as he turned out to work time that deceased had left the tion "the middle of May. He one night and proved very incap-building and did not pay for, his was then unemployed, and wtness able, and witness had to take over drinks. There was no one in the lost sight of him till June 7 when his work from him at one o'clock Verandah as it was just after deceased came to his office. He in the morning. Deceased was had a fracture of some sort in his given his cheque the next day and ankle, and witness took him to the was told that his services were no Matilda Hospital. He was aware longer required. that one week later, his wife left him. Witness saw deceased oc- casionally at the hospital, during Mr. Arculli then went on to say which time he had asked him to that he saw deceased only since he post some letters. On the day of left the "Daily Press". That was his discharge, June 11, deceased about ten days after his dismissal. Dean male lying at the junction of called on him in his office, and they Witness was working in the office an alleyway between Exchange had a conversation on general sub- at the time when deceased tele-Buliding and the Gloucester. jects.
Deceased told witness that phoned and said he wanted to see Enquiries were subsequently made he was going to keep off drinking him urgently. Ten minutes later and it was found that deceased and try to get a job. He asked if deceased came round to the office. had jumped from the eight floor witness was sure that he had posted He appeared to be under the in- of Gloucester Building. The body the lettera.
fiuence of dring and informed wit-was then taken in a sanitary box The next time witness saw de-ness that he had no money and to the Central Police Station where ceased was on July 18, the day be- had to sell some of his furniture. it was searched and a letter was fore his death. He looked quite e also said that his wife had left found in one of the pockets. The him and that he was going to get letter was addressed to Mrs. Plew. healthy and contented but witness
a divorce. thought he had been drinking.
(The letter states "Please forgive Before he left the hospital he look-
Coroner: Did he appear to be me. I want to be cremated and my ed quite at but on that day there depressed?
ashes sent to you." W. L. Plew)."
was a very marked alteration in
Witness: He was actually very Inspector J, Murphy then hand- his appearance. Witness Enew de- drink. I could not make out wheed the Coroner a letter received by ceased was a heavy drinker. They ther he was depressed or not. Hane bank from deceased's parents.
had a talk on
general subjects,
and witness suggested that he
time.
causes. I AM -not bere. to-day been remarkably generous to lecture you on the ideals of the have a pretty generai Idea of what Rotary movement. I think we all
It is all about. I will say, how- are too willing to alt back and let time goes on, I fully expect to see the other fellow do the job. As
many of our present shrinking violets "blossom forth into glorious sunflowers. We are not all of us brilliant public speakers would not hurt any of us to get on but it
our feet before our fellow Club members, who we all know so well, and whom e gather weekly to at least express the Club's thanks to a speaker who has kindly given up his time and effort toward en- tertaining as particularly if that speaker is not one of our members. But there are many other ways also of helping the Club and the community at large. While on this subject I want to say that, ilke my predecessors in office, I don't in- tend leaving office and merely sit back as a member, but like them hold myself at your disposal at all times to be of whatever assis- tance can.
The accounts of the Club are in
good shape. There are no out- standing debts. This is a good in- dication of the healthy condition of the Club,
During the year a dinner dance. was held, and those who attended are all in favour of making it an annual affair
Attendance Now 'Berter ̧ ̧ Attendance a year ago was, to put it mildly, not so good, parti- cularly during the summer months. I am very happy to say it is much better now. That, to me, is a sure Indication that we are making pro-
|
Children's Play- „nds
There is much more I would like to say about the years just" passed, but I prefer to look to the future, Our experiences in our 'three years of existences should help, us greatly in building for the future. The out- standing -eccomplishment of the Club ao far has been the very valuable impetus given the Child- ren's Playgrounds movement, We are still obligated in this respect; and we must not lose our interest Just because the association has been formed and is carrying," on the good work. We still have a financial obligation for this year and we have a moral obligation for the future. Every Rotarian should take pride and personal interest in the Children's. Playgrounds. Now we should be looking for another outlet for our energies. What are we going to do next to justify, our claim to being interested in "com-
mity service? I hope to see our motto "Service Above Self" Just- fled by some real progressive zer- vice supported whole-heartedly by the united efforts of the members, In looking back over the year I cannot help but feel that on the
whole the Club has made progress.
There are a number of things I
had hoped to see brought about but was a bit too optimistic. How- ever, I am sure they will come la- ter.
Rome Was Not. Built In a Day,
And the Rotary International of to-day was not born many years ago.
Rotarian Hill on behalf of mem- bers of the Rotary Club proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Wilson-for his address,
REPULSE BAY LAND
Lot Buyer
gress. However, there is still much room for improvement. In look- ing over the records for the Arst six months of 1934 I found some { very interesting figures. The total membership of the Club has kept steadily, around 98. There have st all times been some members away on long leare. There are at pre-
and a few oup of town on short leave. Of all members who were available for attendance during all or part of the months period, totalling 86 members, the records show a total attendance of 6,051, or an average per member of 70 per cent. However, I would refer you to our constitution, Section 7, clause B, which reeds as follows:
Membership of the active Mem- bez (continuously the city and in health, whose percentage of at- tendance is less than 60 per cent.
During the proceedings, there during the first or second was only one bidder, who at last months period of the Club's secured the lot at the upset price fecal year, shall automatically of $4,440. terminate, unless he is excused by
At the offices of the Public.. Works Department yesterday after- noun, a plot of Crown Land at Hong Kong, registered as Rural Badag Lot No. 380, was put up for public anction, the unset price being based at twenty cents a square foot.
Continuing, witheas said that he The Coroner informed the jury should live at the YM.C.A. because did not see deceased again until that that there was no evidence sent 14 members on long leave Intentions Of Crown he thought deceased had not got the day before the tragedy. Wit-contained in the letter apart from ness did not speak to him as he the fact that the deceased had ap- very much money. Deceased en- quired again if witness had posted saw bim Idom a distance. He plied for financial assistance from It contained a money the letters. He was looking for thought deceased was looking bet-his father. work but he had not got any. He ter than he had been for a long order from his father to be given
to him so much a month. did not appear to be unduly de-
The Coroner than suggested that pressed by the difficulty of getting' In his saber moment, deceased's work He told witness that he had mental condition was absolutely the jury should visit the scene of the tragedy before returning their been living in Hotel Cecil, and that perfect.
verdict so that might make some
After the visit, the jury returned
no evidence as to the state of his mind." They also recommended Perfectly Normal
that, If possible, the side wall Later in the same day, they met
A room boy employed at the should have iron spikes ased on again in Pedder Street, and de- Gloucester, Wong Kwong, testined the top and that an iron barrier ceased asked him to cash a cheque that at about 11 p.m. on July 18, (fan shaped) be placed on the fie did not mention the amount. deceased booked a room on the corner of the front parapet and Witness could do so, however, as sixth floor, and about half an hour the side wall,
he was going to Eve in Happy Mr. Arculli concluded his evid-recommendations. Valley with a friend namedence by saying that he subsequent- Thomas whom he met while in the ly identified the body at the mora verdict of "Suicide but there is
Matilde Hospital.
tuary.
-Booked A Room
it was then five minutes past Ave. later ordered a whisky and sodą. In reply to the Coroner. Mr. Pal-He gave instructions to "witness mer said that deceased was not of that he was to be wakened at 830 a sort of Jovial temperament but the next morning. Deceased, how- he was also not mentally depress- | ever, was not in his zoom when ed. "He was perfectly normal that time arrived.
even when I told him...I cannot In reply to the jury, witness said cash his cheque," witness added. that deceased was not under the Continuing, Mr. Palmer said that influence of drink when he first he would not say that deceased came to the Gloucester,
REFRIGERATION COSTS
the Board of Directors for good. The land has an area of about and sufficient reason." -
17.200 square feet and its annual rental 15 $190. It is situated al Repulse Bar Road in the Colony of Hong Kong.
That, of course, refers to indivi- duals From the above figures, and toking the club as an in- dividual, we can safely say that we comply with our constitution.”DA
The Lot is to be held from the Crown for a term of 75 years with the option of renewal for a further period of 15 years,
The average percentage of at The discovery of an ingenious tendance would have been much method of measuring the amount higher were it not for the fact
Spécial enquiries from the pur of heat leakage into and from the that some members showed very chaser elicited the news, that the hold of a refrigerated ship has 2 poor interest. One member at new owner, Mr. A H. Compton, sulted from tests which have been tended only 8 per cent of the manager of David, Bassoon, & Co., so much depressed by his wife The last person who saw the a feature of the work at the meetings, 2 between 20 and 30 per Ltd, declared that they intend to leaving him as he had expected it deceased alive, Wong Hung, a din- National Physical Laboratory at cent, 3 between and and 40 per use the site for the erection of a for some time, He was depressed ing room boy, employed at the Teddington. Although details are cent 5 between 404 and 50 Der because he had no money and of same Building, stated that on the not yet made known, une result of cent, and 14 betwen 50 and 60 latest private residence of Euro his difficulty in finding
day of the tragedy. he came on the tests made for this purpose is per cent. In other worda 20 per pean type with a small garden at duty sometime after 7 am. At that it has been found possible to cent of the members, during the the back of the house, but we were Questioned as regards the letters, about 8 a.m. he saw a European reduce by as much as 10 per cent first x months of this year were informed, however, that their, de- Mr. Falmer said that he was ra- male sitting on a chair in the corn the amout of power required to not enough interested in the Club tiled plans have not yet been
finally decided, upon ther embarrassed when deceased er, reading a newspaper. He had keep the cargo cool, which alone to attend 60 per cent of the most- asked him again and again if he a rather dark complexion. When will represent a considerable savings; or out of ave
Mr. E. B. Reed Superintenden had posted them, as deceased prob- he saw witness he ordered him to ing in the costs of refrigerated. The Agures for those who came of Crown Lands and Burveys con-
within ably thought he had been careless, get a "gin and tonic," Witness did | shipments.
ducted the sale
work
requirements of the
Elegance! Charm! Taste!
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