THE WRECKED "CHUKONG"
1 COURT OF INQUIRY,
14th inst
At the Harbour Office this morning, before Hon. Captain L. A. W. Barnes-Lawrence, R.N., Harbour Master, an inquiry was held into the circumstances altending the wrecking of the s.. Chukong off Breaker Point on the 27th ult.
With Hon. Capt. Barnes-Lawrance, as as- sessors, sat Licut C. K. McCallum, RN, Captain Wellesley M. Davison, of 1.1. Tarlar, Captain Percy M. A. Lake, s.1. Laitang, and Captain W. F. Turner, ss. Powhatan.
Bertram Rutter, chief engineer of the 3.5. CANkong, said that they left longkong on the 26th ulto, the weather then being fine and the sea smooth, but that same evening the sea rose and the weather became stormy, and can tinued so. until the next day, and the weather becoming worse that night, the vessel rolling heavily, the captain gave orders 10 slow, down, and if the weather did not improve he would run for shelter. Wit- ness did not get much sleep that night as the vessel rolled so much. At daybreak on the 28th ulto., the chief officer calleif witness and said they were in trouble and great danger. When he got up he noticed she had a heavy list to port, and he ran down to the engine room and found everything afright, and the telegraph was working, the port, engine being full speed astern and the starboard engine full
.
THE HONGKONG, TELEGRAPH SATURDAY MAY 19, 1906.
Kam Ny Lec, called, said he was the car- penter of the 1.1. Chukong. It was his duty to see that the ports and hatches were closed |. and secured before the ship proceeded to sen. There were two ports on each side. They which were held by screws. He also plugged were secured by iron covers, held by iron bars, up the scuppers. He could not close the ports properly; none of them were properly closed. The chief officer saw them all. When the ship
was roll ng about witness did not séo any water the water came in 'through the ash-skoots; witness saw it. There were no covers for those ash-shoots, nt least he could not find any. It was not his duty to cover them. Witness did not know what cargo, was on board, nor where it was stowed. He did not use any tallow of white lead to try and make the ports fit properly. He had been a carpenter at sea for about eight months; before that he worked as a carpenter ashore.
come in through any of those ports;.
Kao Yek was called, and stated that he was the boatswain of the Chukong. He was on deck when the steamer went down. He went on deck at 5, and the steamer went down', .30 a'clock. He went to bed nt
o'clock the previous evening.
At this stage his Worship ordered the man When he went to bed the wind was not very to be sworn and wamed bin to tell the truth. strong, but when he got up at art. the wind was very strong and the sea very rough. At midnight he got up once. Contradicting himself, winess said he got up at to p.m. When he got up on deck al 5 alin. he got the "sampans,"
as he found there was danger. Nobody
HONGKONG gymkhana CLUB.
A RECORD MEETING.
rath inst.
Splendid weather, though a trifle warm, ushered in the second meeting of the Hong- kong Gymkhana Club on Saturday afternoon
was
remarkably good, the turf was very fast,
The attendance at Happy Valley. and the times accomplished by the different ponies were the best attained at any single gymkhana meeting held in the Colony His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan and party arrived
his stand just before the first race had commenced, while the fine band of the West Kent Regiment gave a good ac count of itself in playing appropriate selections. The pari-mutuel did a good trade, but the dividends, but in one instance, were small, ow TURA probably, to the favourites being known. however, was $26.70. The race-the Gymkhana The biggest dividend paid during the afternoon, Challenge Cup-warasutpriseto many, for Blue Nile came in gamely with Mr. G. C. C. Master in the saddle. The description of the various races is appended:--
1.-3.30 PM.-FIVE FURLONGs Flat Racr. For Hongkong Subscription Griffing of any Season. Weight for inches as per scale. Winners of an open race and Winners at last Gymkhana barred. Winners of an official race to carry 7 lb. extra of two or more official races to lb, extra. "Off-day Winners in Carry 3 lb. extra. Unplaced Ponies in an official race allowed 5 ib. Non-winning Jockeys Cup presented by J. R. M. Smith, Esq, and Price: £25. (Entrance fees to go to winner.) Mr. W. C. Clarke's Pathan, Fest tolbs......
Boa Royal, and Glenburn came out for this race. At the fall of the flag, Glenburn rusbed to the front, and took a very long lead from The Quaich, Ben Royal having refused. Thislatler pony ultimately got over, but at the second outside course and consequently was cut of hurdle, ran out and jumped the rails on to the the running. At the black rock the Quaich closed on Glenburn, and running on at a faster pace won in a 'capter.
6—6 P.M.—ONE MILE AND A QUARTER FLAT RACE. HANDICAP. For all China Ponies. Non-winning Jockeys allowed 5 lb, Entrance fee $5. 1st Prize: A Cup presented by H. N, Mody, Esq.; and Price: $25 (Entrance 'ees to go to winner).
timated to produce
The mile and a quarter handicap was es- very representative race, Eight posies sallied forth and Sundial, Master up, was greatly fancied by bis backers: How ever, Pathan was in galluping moud and was from the fall of the flag, winning in the very not to be denied. He simply cut his field down excellent time of 2.42 3/5, with Preston second
proving himself to be coe of the best ponies and Maori King third, both beaten off, thereby
on the course,
THEFT OF EYE-GLASSES.
ACCUSED CONVICTED.
speed ahead. He went up on deck then, to the ready he got them ready himself. He pot allowed 5 lb. Entrance fee $5. 1st Prize: & and who was arrested recently by virtue of a
ས
told him,
all four sampans" ready. There were only four in the ship: two on each side of the middle of the ship. Three “
knt
into the water, but one was floating. When he got the boats ready he put plugs in them. He took the covers off and put them on deck.
His Worship: Who told you to do so?- The chief officer told me the night before.
His Worship: Then why did you not do it the night before?--I did it the night before.
His Worship: But you have just told us you got the boats ready when you went on deck at
a.m.-I-took the awnings off the night be
tore.
awning spread in the inorning.
Witness, continuing, said he did not see any His Worship:, Besides getting the boats ready, what else did you do?When the ves officer to spread out the awning on the star- sei was foundering I was told by the chief board side.
To Captain Davison witness said when he He did not know, when the ship first heeled went on deck at 5 am, the ship was listing,
over; it was before he went on deck.
To his Worship witness said when he was. decks. He slept on the other side and no going on deck he saw water in the 'tween
water came there. The water got in through the ash-shoots; they were not secured. They aught to be secured, but he did not know how they should be, because he only went on board two days before the steamer left Hongkong. He did not know whether they were moveable ash-shoots, or fixed to the ship's side. Efforts were made to get the water out of the 'tween decks, by the use of bucket. They were using
buckets at 5 a.m.
The owner of the Chukong was called and stated that he bought the vessel about three Any and the charierer had come to take her years ago! She was chartered by a party in. to Amdy. She was intended to be used on the rún belween Amoy and Chin-chiu. The rice was consigned to merchants in Amoy. The copinia had been a long time in the ship, as had the second engineer; all the rest of the ship's crew were new. The vessel was insured few days before she sailed, for $60,000, in the Union Commercial Company, and not in any other company.
It was an ordinary insurance
་
5lbs allowance (Owner) Mr. Outery's Red Herring, Jest selbs, glbs allowance (Mr. Gresson) Mr. A. C. Hynes' Ingat, 11st gība
Mr. Hickloff's
"(Mr. Hall Brutton) Roscommon, List 5lbs,
allowed (Mr. Hickman) Dr. J. W. Noble's Frechdachs, 118i 2lbs....
(Mr. Mackie)
I
2
3
Out of seven entries, a field of five was sddled up for the five furlongs race. The first saddling bell rang punctually at three o'clock and at 3:35 the panics were on their way to the post. The winner, Pathan, had a good many followers, as did Frechdachs and Roscommon. The field got away to a good sto the frost. At start, and Clarke oo Pathan, immediately Black Rock he was about five lengths in the lead and maintained this position to the finish, winning very easily, with pounds up his sieeves. Red Herring and Ingot filled second and third places, respectively. But the race on the whole was simply a runaway race, there 3 sec. Dividend Sg.10. being only one pony in it. Time: min. 18
2.4 P.M.-POLO PONY RACE.-Open to all and fide Polo Ponies, to be passed as such by the Committee of the Club, Catch Weights. Competitors to start mounted and gallop 100 Yards to a post, dismount, run 50 yards leading mount to another post, mount and gallop in Entrance fee $3. First Prize: A Cup presented
Dr. J. W. Noble, 2nd Prize: £25.
by
Mr. W. A. Cruickshank
Mr. C. G. Mackie............ Captain Casserly......
F
-
3
There were only six entries for this event, which was won by Mr. Cruickshank.
ATTEMPIED GAOL-BREAKING AT SHANGHAI.
ORGANISED RISING OF PRISONERS.
WARDERS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
THE DEATH OF VAH' MAO-MAO.
We take the following from the M.-C. News of th inst. --
.
A most determined attempt to escape from prison was made by the Chinese convicts at the Ward Road gaol yesterday afternoon and as a result two Chinese were shot dead, and one other died subsequently from his wounds, and everal persons were more or less seriously injured,
Between two and three o'clock an organised
sword of an Indian warder and then tried to attempt to escape was made by a gang of the prisoners. By some means they obtained the break out. The alarm was given immediately, rious criminal, in associate of Vah Kader, and another prisoner were shot dead and so veral were injured. The warders bad
pretty stiff time in defending themselves. The head, Kasler, Mr. W. D. Blabberhassett, received a sword cut over the right side of his head, and another sword cut on his left leg between the thigh and knee, and had to be removed to the Victoria Nursing Home, while two Indian warders were badly injured and had to be sent to hospital.
and a severe tussle ensued, in which a note.
The attempt to escape was, fortunately, pre vented by the brave stand of the gaolers and warders, who suppressed the outbreak with commendable promptitude, although they suf fered in so doing,
A DETAILED ACCOUNT.
There can be no doubt that the outbreak at the Municipal Gaol, Ward Road, yesterday afternoon, was a premediated one, notwith standing the report that the man who first attacked the Indian warder did so because the later had kept a sharp eye upon him when he wished to shirk his work. As a matter of fact, the warder who was first attacked was not the one who usually has charge of this gang of convicts. As the result of the fullest inquiries, we are enabled to place the following account, obtained from several sources, before our readers.
15th inst. Edward Cullen Elliot, who had lately severed his connection with Mr. Lazarus, the optician,
warrant made out by A. S. Tuxford, the mana ger, was brought up on remand at the Magistracy this afternoon on a charge of, stealing, during the month of April, a pair of rimless eyeglasses and leather case, valued at $5, the property of the firm. Sergt. Earner watched the case for the police. Mr. Otto Kong Sing informed the Court that he no longer represented defendant. A European witness said he knew the defendant. Some time in April last, at the Seamen's Instituc, Wanchai, witness saw the case and glassés, which were produced by the defendant. The question of eye-sight arose, and as witness remarked that his eye-sight was not good, defendant asked him to his room, where he showed him the glasses. A pair suited witness and defendant gave it him as a present, the case was handed over a day or so later. his glasses. I suppose you knew he was work heard of the affair was at 2.50 pm, when
His Worship Did you ask him if they were ing at Lazaras?
Witness-He told me they were his pro-Road Gaol telephoned to the Central Police Chinese employed in the office at the Ward perty. I did not know until later that they Siation for immediate assistance. When were not his.
asked where the foreign staff of the Gaol were, the reply was received that they were all fighting with the prisoners, who had broken out. The elaborate system' of communication from the Central to other Police Stations was at once set to work and all foreign
His Worship-D da't you think it rather strange that he should have a dozen pairs of glasses?
Witness-Na thought it quite feasible that being in that trade he should have glasses of his pivn
Defendant-Didn't you tell me that your cyes were bad?
.
Witness-I did.. Defendant (to the Court)-I gave him the glasses as he could not afford pay
A. S. Tuxford, manager of N. Lazasus, opti- for them, cian, said that defendant was in his employ
from 24th March until the 24th of April, when he left without giving notice. Witness got suspicious when he heard that defendant was in Macan doing optician work. The glasses and case in Cour: belonged to his firm.
Defendant-Do you remember me selling a pair of glasses when I was in your place, and. when you returned you gave me a calling down because I did not sell them for $5.
Witness-Yes, when you had been in the firm for two days,
Defendant-And didn't you know that myself bought those glasse for $1 for the first witness? I paid the money but of my own pocket. The glasses only cost fony cents.
Witness-No.
3-4.30 1.M.-GYMKHANA CLUB CHAL.. LENGE CUR-Distance One Mile.-Value to be declared when Cup is purchased. For all China Ponied. Catch Weights at 10 st. 6 lb. Winners of an open race or open Griffin race 5 lb, extra. Non-winning Subscription Griffins allowed 5 lb. Non-winning Jockeys allowed 5 lb. To be won by the pony scoring most marks in the races for the Cup, counting 4 and not taken out on account of any extraor-points for a first; 2 for a second; and i for a dinary risks. The cargo was insured for third. The benefit of marks already scored to $7,000 in the Yuen See Exchange insurance pass with the pony on a sale. Any winner of Company.
the race to carry 5 lb. extra-fortüch win in Court found as follows:-
Further evidence having been taken, the subsequent starts for the Cup, but in the event of a pony carrying the penalty not winning, 2 h 10 he deducted next time be starts, Penalties accumulative up to 15 lb. Entrance fee of $5 to go in the purchase of a memento to the winner of each race, and fag to second The stalement that he had a duzeu glasses at pony out of the Club funds., At the conclusion his house was incorect. As regards M cao the cason a Cup, value $too, will be pre-business, he went to Macao on theatrical busi- sented to the Owner of the pony obtaining the pess. His Worship sentenced the defendant
to three weeks' hard labour, second highest number of marks. Mr. S. P. C's Blue Nile, rast Ɛib, zlb over-
THE FINDING,
bridge, and the captain told him they were in the trough of a sea broadside on, and he wanted to get her head round to run before it. They tried it until 9.30 a.m. but could not get any way on at all. Her list to port was increasing, all this while, until finally they could not use the starboard engine; the in- jection was out of water. Witness then went up and reported to the captain that he could do nothing with the, engines, and he sent all the men out of the engine room on deck. The list increased until she turned over, It was a quarter to six when she went down. Just pre- vious to her turning over the boatswain lost the life-boat by, letting it all into the sea from the bridge deck. All the Europeans were on the bridge when she took the final list. He noticed that they were all fully dressed, but they had no life-belts; some of the Chinese had got them on, and some hadn't. Witness had no life-belt. He did not know if there was a life-belt in his cabin, but he could not have got there to get it When the ship was level with the water he had to jump over the side, and endeavoured to pick up a life-belt. By the time he had looked round he was some dis- tance away, and it was useless to try to get back on account of the heavy sea, He got into the lifeboat and tried to pick up any of the survivors. The boatswain was in charge of the tiffer, and they finally made Breaker Point, and they landed on the beach, just under the light. The consul at Swatow jooked after them. "In the boat was the charterer and nine Chinese the crew, besides witness. Two members others were picked up by a German steamer, but he did not know her name. They were on a raft. He learned that two others had been saved as the second engineer (Chinese) came to him in Swatow and told him that a fireman and he had been taken to Amoy in a German steamer that had picked them up, and that they had come on to Swalow on the Hai Loong. That was about a week later. They ali return ed to Hongkong in the flat Loong. The second engineer was in charge of the engines from 8 till" ra p.m., "the third"engineer from 12 till 4 a.m., and witness would have been called 'at
4 a.m., but the third called the second instead. Witness asked why he was not called and the second said he forgot in the confusion. There were all proper arrangements for pumping water out of the hold of the ship, and the arrangements were satisfactory. When he went down to the engine-room at 5 o'clock there was no water there then; it was principally ou the main deck. The captain told witness short- ly after that there were three inches of water in the hold. It was the water in the 'tween decks that caused the heavy list to port. She was a river boat, and there were three decks. Witness saw the water in the 'tween decks. His cabin was on the upper deck. After he went down to the engine-room he went to look' what water there was then in the 'tween deck. Water came down to the engine room, and through the port bunker and stoke-hold. The water came through the door from the 'tween deck and witness seeing it closed the door. He saw a lot of water on the deck, about three or four feet against the ship's side. He did not report it to the captain, as he knew the chiel officer had already done so. To his knowledge, or as far as he knew, there were no means of clearing the water on that deck. There were large poris, about five feet square. He did not know how they were secured, but the chief officer told him he had secured them. There were two hatches of that deck, for the - purpose of passing cargo down to the lower hold. There were 150 tons of general cargo on board consisting of 1417 bags of rice and 25 tons of coal, but that was coal for use
spare in the engine-room. The bunkers were full when they left Hongkong. He did not know the tonnage capacity of the bunkers as he had no records. He did not know how much-coal was on board altogether as it was received be. fore he joined the ship. They always carry a couple of days extra coal in case of bad wea ther. All the rice was stowed in the lower hold, the 25 tons being also in the lower after- hold. Witness did not see the cargo on board, He did not think the cargo would shift and cause the list bags of rice properly stowed would not be liable to shift. Witness stopped the starboard engine as it was useless to work it. The port engine was stopped by orders from the bridge. The engine room doors were not water-tight and the water coming down all the time. Before wit pess left the engine-room he whether he stopped the port engine. did not handle the engines at all; he gave orders for it to be stopped. After the captain "finished with the engines witness went to the engine-roam and told all the men to get on deck, and he went himself. The port engine was then stopped. The pressure at the time in the boilers, was 30-she usually carried 150|
The owner (a woman) and the master of the lbs. It did not occur to witness to blow off the steam launch Choysung were summoned by steam in the boilers before finally leaving the Inspector Langley at the Police Court this engine room. When witness told the captain morning for allowing the launch to ply in the made no remark, but walked to the telegraph harbour, at 275 am, on the 12th instant, with-
finished with the engines." He did out having a certificated coxswain on board.
The defendants both pleaded guilty. Mr. Hazeland-Where, was the coxswain op this morning?
Coxswain-1 was on board, but I left the wheel for a little time.
and mug
was
was not sure He
not know whether the hatches were battened down. The only way he could think of for the water to have got in was that something must have gone wrong with the ports. He did not know how the ports were secured.
If the
We find that the British steamier Chukong, afficial number 109,865 of Hongkong, of which Williams Bright was master, the number of whose certificate as master was 022,623, left Hongkong about 6.30 p.m. on the 26th April last, bound for Andy. She carried a crew of 28 all told, 40 tons of bunker coal and a cargo of 150 tons of rice. The Chukong was a steel vessel of 285 registered tonnage. She was built in 1899 at Nagasaki, Japan, and had two decks and four bulkheads. Her engines were invest. ed triple-expansion, two in number, and she had one steel huviler. It appears from the evidence before this Court that the Chukong when of Swallow, na the evening of the 27th April, experienced a strong north-easterly monsoon with a rising sea, which necessitated, about 8.30 pm, the slowing down of the engines. The force of the wind and sea in- creased to such an extent that by 5 am. on the following morning the amount of water shipped caused a considerable list to port. As this list increased the starboard propeller raced 10 such an extent that it was practically useless, and the pon propeller not having sufficieni power to control her movements the vessel be. came unmanageable, and, at about 5 45 am. on the 28th April, foundered. The only boat able to be used was one on the port-quarter, and by its means, and that of a raft-one of the four carried-14 of the crew were saved, all Chinese with the exception of the chief en- gineer, Mr. Kutter.
After carefully considering the evidence, the Court finds difficulty in forming an opinion as
weight (Mr. Master) [
Mr. C. K. Hall Brutton's Kingston, jost all
(Owner) z Mr. G. C. Maxon's Speculation, lést álb...
(Mr. Dupree) 3
Father O'Flynn's Dannybrook, rost rib......
5lb. allowed (Mr. Gresson) o Mr. C. G. Mackie's Quaich, rost 11lbs.......
(Owner) o This proved to be the most interesting race of the meeting, and was run in record time for gymkhanas. Several panies were, thought in have a good chance, notably The Quaich, who won it at the last meeting, Speculation and Exchange King. A the last moment Mr. G. C. C. Master, was offered and accepted did not tumble over themselves to back him, the mount on Blue Nile, and although people he was thought to have a chance. After three. false starts, the ponies were got well away Speculation taking the lead, with Blue Nile and Exchange King following, white The Pasaich was seen not to be galloping in his old style. Tamning into the straight for home excitement ran high when it was seen that Speculation, Kingston and Blue Nile were banched. Fifty yards from the judge's box,
to the exact cause of the casualty; but it apKingston came with a rush under the whip pears fairly conclusive that water found its way but ra very wide and thereby fost ground. between decks due to insufficient protection
Blue Nile, under great persuasion from bis from the heavy beam seas experienced, and jockey, who rode a desperate finish, wan by that this fact, combined with a possible shifting
a neck from Kingston, with Speculation very of the cargo, affected the ship's stability and
close behind. would account for her loss.
A DANGEROUS PRACTICE.
OWNER AND COXSWAIN FINED.
15th inst.
Mr. Hazeland-1 suppose you were asleep. Inspector Langley-The coxswain was not on board the launch on that night, your Wor- ship. This practice of handing over the wheel to deck hands, while the launch is under weigh in the barbour, is an extremely dangerous one. Mr. Hazeland-Yes. 1 understand that. Where were they plying?
• vessel was on an even keel they could open the scuppers and let the water out. The scup. pers were blocked up before leaving port.
To Captain Davison, s.s. Tartar, witness said that the engines were altered between half past four and five o'clock by orders from the bridge. Ila could not say whether the holds were full of cargo when she left Hongkong. The scuppers were three or four feet above the water, There were no sails up, and witness could not say whether there were any on beard. They were trying to get an awning up foreward. Ha did not think the boat was LEAVE of absence to the neighbouring coun
· meant to carry sails. Witness did not hear of Irics on private affairs has been granted to any oil being used. He did not know whether Captain G. Radham-Thornhill, Royal Garrison there was any on board,
Artillery, from 16th May to 15th July, bext,
Insp. Langley-In the southern fairway. The owner of the launch was fined $s, and the coxswain $15.
Time: 2 mia. 72/5. Dividend: $26 70. 4-5 F.M.-"BRAN PIE RACE LADIES NOMINATION-Ladies will line up in front of Judge's box, gentlemen with ponies (dismount ed) also lined up ten paces distant. On the word "go" ladies will run to the Brau Pies and search for rosettes hidden therein (there will be several Bran Pies but only one will contain raseites). On finding a rosette lady will run back to her partner and tie the rotelte on his pony's bridle on the near side, the gentlemes will then mount and ride to a point where # corresponding coloured rosette will be found suspended across the Race Course. He must secure this corresponding rosette, tie it on his pony's bridle on off side and return to starting post. First home with two corresponding
Ea rosettes property tied to bridle to win. trance fee $3 1st and 2nd Prizes presented by the Club.
Defendant is it not a fact that on several occasions entries were not made in the books until few days later?
Witness Yes, in one instance. Defendant said be paid for the glasses for the first witness, remarking that if they did noi 61 him, he could have them changed.
ATTACK ON EXCISE OFFICERS.
SERIOUS AFFRAY AT DEEP BAY.
To the outside world the first that was
a
police who could be communicated with or een on the roads were informed of the occur- rence and ordered to proceed without delay to the Gaol Carriages were commandeered on every side and in about ten minutes from the large force of police were on their way to the receipt of the message from the Gael quite a scene of the fracas. Fortunately, on the arrival of the majority, the worst was over.
141
na all the convicts, seemed to be trying to escape, and were so rushing about that 'some of the defenders were cut off in their endeavours to prevent this. There is one deeming feature about the whole affair and that it was proved beyond all question that the Indians were brave and loyal. At great risk to themselves, they not only fought to prevent escapes, but did so shoulder to shoulder with the Europeans, and in more than one case' dashed in to rescue, when it might have been reasonably expected that they had sufficient to do to keep themselves from being setionsly if not morally injured. The Europeans, too, bore themselves excellently; besides the head gaoler the only other one badly injured was Mr. Anderson, who had his left shoulder slashed about with a knife. So far as we can ascertained besides these mention- ed the other European on duty was Mt. Sims. When the toll of the "battle" was taker, it was found that o39., other Chinese besides Vah Mno-mao was dead. · A. third was dying, three were so seriously in- jured that they had to be removed to St. Luke's Hospital after Dr. Marsh had done what ha could for them, while four other prisoners needed assistance, and several had scratches,. bruises, elc. The head gaoler was removed to the Victoria Nursing Home on a horse ambu lance and an Indian warder, who was in a pre- carious condition, was sent to hospital, but it was not expected that he could live.". A second Indian was very seriously hurt, and most of the others bore some marks of the fray. About 6 p.m. the third convict succumbed.
At the time of the outbreak there were over
ninety convicts out at work on the roads in charge of warders, and the time of the attempt to break out was well-chosen.
4
A luge mob gathered outside the gaol during the trouble but the strong force of police kept them back. Last night the streets adjacent to Ward Road were patrolled by large numbers of police and the whole district seemed “alive” with guardians of the peace.
CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY. .
The writer of" Native Notes" in the N, C. D. News says:-The merchants and gentry of Canton have sent a petition to the hangpu to the effect that in view of the petitioners' con- tribution of twelve million taels towards the construction of the Canton-Hankow Railway without any assistance from official sources, they demand a guarantee that the Kwangtung
supervision or interference. To this end the portion of the line shall be a commercial enterprise for ever and entirely free from official petitioners ask the Shangpa to memorialise the Throne to issue an Imperial Rescript grapting them their wish. This is different from the Hupeh end of the line which is to he built by the merchants and gentry of Hupch province under the supervision of the officials."
this point that Viceroy Trên Ch'un-heuan
of Canton has been manwuvring for the past twelve months, resulting, as
may be remembered; in a deadlock between the officials and merchants and gentry, accompanied by high-handed and characteristic proceedings on
the part of Viceroy Tsen to coerce the Canion
entry into his way of thinking. It seems,. however, that the people of Canton are deter mined to carry out their object of keeping the line under their own control if they are to sub- scribe the funds to build it, and it remains to be seen whether the Shangpu will back them up against Viceroy Tsen.
POLICEMAN'S FATAL FALL.
Meanwhile what happened at the Gaol was' as follows:-Some twelve to fifteen convicts were at work making boots in a tailor's shop and included in the gang was Vah Mao mao, the associate and brother of the notorious out- taw Val Kah-der. These men were working under the surveillance of an Indian warder, | TRAGIC`DEAth in hongkONG.. who was armed as usual with a sword. Bome time between zand 3 pan., Vah Mas-mao, who was undergoing a twenty years' sentence, sud. denly sprang up, and with a shoemaker's knife in his hands leapt at the warder and cul
14th inst him across the throat, inflicting a dangerous Little did theatre-goers on Saturday night! wound. Thereupon the other convicts rose up think, when the performance had concluded and seizing tools, attached the warder. them drew the latter's sword and struck him had occurred before they were very far away Que of and they were returning home, that a tragedy with it, The Indian turned and fled down the from the theatre, as the result of which a Euro- steps the lower shop, and in his flight (judg- pean policeman had lost his life. It appears that
by the wounds on the back of his head) a few minutes after the conclusion of the per must have been struck with the sword two or fmance, Police Constable A. R. Owen-Wil. three times. He got through the door to the
hams was passing along the corridor of the shop underneath and it was immediately clos- theatre on his way to the invatory, when sudden. ed behind him by another warder. Led by ly he stumbled over some pieces of timber that Vah Man-mao, the excited gang charged the were in his way. He lost his balance, carcered our and with hammers sooo removed the against an open window facing Wardley Street, obstacle. They again attacked the warders and and fell to the ground, about 14 feet below. by this time several other Indians joined in the When he was picked up it was found that bis melee. The whistles of the wardere gave the skull was fractured and he expired shortly after- alarm, and the whole of the Gaol staff made forwards. It is stated that the accident was wit- he scene, the Europeans armed with revolvers.nessed by an Indian policeman, who imme. The head gaoler, Mr. W. D. Biehnerhasset, diately summoned assistance, and a man from went round to the east side of the matting shop the Royal Naval Hospital ran to the police. and there he was immediately attacked by a man's aid. An ambulance was called, and the kang of men who had presumably been engag-unfortunate man was removed to the hospital ed in making coir mats. By this time the but he died on the way, never having regained Convicts, howling and yelling, were rushing consciousness. Deceased, who, was about 32 about the compound with all kinds of working years of age, was a Welshman, and he had tools in their hands, and pieces of wond, in been about nine years in the Colo y-four of cluding the bamboo poles used for beating the which he served in the local police force, matting. The bead gaoler was being press having left the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, in ed hard when an Indian warder rushed to his which he was a 'corporal, in order to join the shouted to his fokis: "Men, kill them. I am sooper felt the works than their prisonerssistance and in warding off a blow from constabulary. He most popular officer a hammer, which was directed at the head of In the force, well liked by all, and was well- arrested." Instantly, a band of men, employed Mr. Blennerhasset, had his sword (which is by known in the Coinny. Deceased, it may be re
no means plaything) broken off six inches membered, was the first European to be knock- a view to releasing their faki, and bricks, from the bill. It was Vah Mao-man who deed down by an electric traincar in Hongkong. at the brickworks, attacked the officers with
Reinforcements for the attacking party arrived, bamboo poles, elc, were soon flying in the air. livered this blow, but it seems to have been his He was riding a bicycle near Wellington Bar- and the fight got furious, the brickworks men
last crime, for in the general fight he was shot racks, when his machine skidded along the dead about this time."
tram rails, and he was thrown. A car which giving those from the Opium Farm no quarter,
was coming up behind him could not be pulled cleared the raiders dff the and hilf. The excise men were losing ground,
up in time, with the result that he was picked
pole on the
injuries, which necessitated his being kept in head of an Indian constable cau
caused the officers and a terrific blow from a bamboo
bospital for 'several days. The funeral fook to take to their heels in order to seek assistance.
place at Happy Valley this afternoon and was few returning home-and the belligerants got to The then from the brickworks gave chase-a
well attended, bath by his confrères in the force and several civilians. close quarters on the sea beach. Here the tables thinned, in view of the fact that the officials were turned, for the force of brickworks then had
were nearer home. This time the excise men had the best of the fight and managed to secure three prisoners, whom they removed to the. lock-up. The fight was of a very lively nature, the excise men having bfuises and marks to nurse and to remind them of the nig affray! The three prisoners were caged before Mr. F. 1. Hazslood, at the Magistracy this morning, with being in postes sion, of illicit opium and assaulting the police. For the opium aftence they were fined, and for assaulting the place during the execution of their duty, each defendant was sentenced to
5th inst. A few excise officers, in company with a European constable, had a pretty warm time at Deep Bay, last night, during the execution of an opium raid, at the brickworks. They were successful in their raid, and sallied out of the works with some illicit opium and a coolie, held by the queue.
the
The excise men had no
one month's hard labour,
A DISHONEST COOK.
STEALING FROM HIS MISTRESS.
14th inst.
The assistant gaoler, Mr. Weatherhead, seeing how serious matters were becoming
stort, and was for some time engaged serving out carbines and ammunition to the warders. From all appearances, those in charge of the Gaol must have thought that the whole of the convicts who were on the premises were participating in the attempt to rid themselves of their keepers, Mr. Biennerhasset by this time had received a staggering blow on the right side of the head, which laid it bare to the bane, and also a slash with some sharp instru ment just below the left thigh. Owing to the was enabled to bravery of the Indian staff, rets retreat to one of the offices in a fainting condi tion. He recovered quickly and returned to the compound. While one lot of convicts were Attacking the gaoler and Mr. Weatherhead, a separate gang attacked the warder in charge of the ironworks,
cinc diat cly opened the arms and ammunition
up by the life-guard, and sustained some pasty
DISORDERLY ́AMERICANS AT HUNGHOM.
SERIOUS ASSAULT ON THE POLICE.
14th inst.
W. Isaac Rollins, a coxswain, and Henry Blackman, a fireman, on board the U.S.5. Barry, were charged before Mr. F. A. Haza land, at the Magistraty this morning, -(1) with The general encounter seems to have taken assaulting an Indian watchman, employed by place in the compound, as when the alarm was the Kowloon Dispensary, at Kowloon, on Satur Kiven Mr. Weatherhead rushed out to the mat- day night; (2) assanking P.C. 34 Lenaghan, ling shop door, where he was met by a prisoner Indian constables No. 597, and 808, and a with the sword of the warder who had been first lukong No. 145, at 1
597 to lose a silver
attacked, and others with stone-masons' ham. (3) with causing Constan Sunday; and
over
mers. The Indians were defending the gate watch, valued at $10.50, during the assault on when the Europeans ran there to make sure the 12th instant. The defendants pleaded that no-one could escape,
The police at Way- guilty to
to all the charges. It transpired that de- side Station must have heard the reports offendants were seen by the European constable fire arms before they were communicated with, to be assaulting the watchman, and he went to This morning, before Mr. F. A. Hareland, at and the small staff of this station were smartly the latter's assistance. Then the defendants his Mr. Master, nominated by Miss Master..the Magistracy, Wan Po, an assistant cook, upon the scene of the affray. The general turned upon him and broke a bottle Mr. Mackie, nominated by Mrs. Brutton... 2 about 14 years of age employed at No. 56 Elgin fracas lasted nearly half-an-hour and one man, head necessitating his removalto hospital with The other policemen came to Mr. Fergussen, nominated by Mrs. Mowatt. 3 Road, Kowloon, was charged by Mrs. May besides Vah Man-mao, was shot dead on the a scalp
spot and several others wounded, thren so his assistance but were badly handled. The 55.30 PM-HURDLE RACE.-For China Milton with stealing a five dollar banknote on Ponies. Distance about One Mile and a quar- the 12th inst. The defendant pleaded guilty to badly that it is reported that amputation of defendants cacaped, but were subsequently
captured. Mr. P. P.1.
Wodehouse, ter. Catch Weighis to st. 8. 1b. Winner of the charge. Inspector Langley said that com limbs may be necessary, Hurdle Race at First Gymkhana to carry 5 lb. plainant despatched defendant with a letter to With the assistance of the Police, the foreign superintendent of police, who watched the extra. Entrance fee # at Prize: A Cup the Kowloon Dispensary on Saturday to pur- gaolers were able to get the various gangs of case, said that one of the Indians received presented by Hon. Mr C. W. Dickson, 2nd chase medicine, On the way defendant tore convicts back into their cells. The main some serious injuries, and he asked for Priza: 525. (Entrance fees to go to winner). open the letter, extracted the 55 note and fail-fighting undoubtedly took place round the heavy penalty. The defendants had nothing Only three ponies turned out for this event, ed to return to his mistress. His Worship matting shop in the compound, but the to say, and his Worship sentenced them which, by the way, had better be eliminated ordered defendant to receive twelve strokes difficulty of the station can be understood to one month's hard labour each, without the from future programmes, as it produces very poor with the birch, and to be detained in gaol for when we state that it was impossible for option of a fine, and farther to pay $1,35 each
the defenders to concentrato tagle efforts, | or suffer a further two days in geolį, fields and very little excitement, The Quaich, forty-eight hours.
assistant