boxes with him on deck; they were not lashed and ware wasbed overboard. Wit news was on deck during the whole gale, He remained near the funnel. He was Kea-sick during the gale. He was inside an iron house on deck. There were three men in the house altogether. The door was afterwards looked from outside. Wit ness did not see anybody washed over- board, nor did he see any dead bodies.
Tan Tosy, a Chinshew man, said he embarked from Singapore for Hongkong. He had been in Malacos selling cloth for over twenty years, and during that time he had been six times back to China. He returned to Malacoa in July last. He had only one box, which he placed near the engine skylight. He had it lashed. Dur- ing the gale, witness was in some place which he could not describe and was conse- quently taken by Captain Cairns to the steamer to point out the spot. In the meantime,
Yip Amee, a Hakka man, was examined. Fle embarked at Singapore for Hongkong, He was a tin-miner at Hoi Yeong where he had been for more than ten years. He had one box with him, and he placed it on deck. He Isabed it to the iron railing. Witness was on deck during the gale, close to the engine room. He held on to some iron, and that was why he was not washed overboarti. He did not go down because he was not allowed; no one went below, There were 5 or 6 women and two children. They were also on deck and did not go below. He did not see anybody jump overboard nor anybody washed overboard during the gale. He saw one man jump. overboard while in harbour. Witness did not know why that man jumped overboard, perhaps it was because he had no money. He did not see that man stab anybody. His box was all right, and he brought it ashore. He was sure nobody went below, because they were not allowed. He tried to get below to the engine room but was prevent- ed. He belonged to a party of five, and they all landed safely in Hongkong. The women and children remained near the bell. He heard that some men drowned, but he did not see any himself.
Captain Cairns, having returned, the examination of the previous witness was resumed. It was found that the man was on the top of the fore deck house. Witness did not see any women or children during the gale. His box was lost. He wanted to go into the engine room, but they would not let him. He first went into the engine roots by paying 82, but afterwards another man turned him out,
were
On being asked if he knew anybody down below, he replied that he took care of himself, and he did not take care of other people. He saw a dead body thrown overboard, and one man jumped overboard while in harbour. He heard that 30 to 40 Chinese were drowned or killed during the storm.
The certificate for the carriage of pas- sengers granted by the Singapore authori ties was detected by Mr May to exhibit an erasure; the word "two," in specifying the number of passengers, was erased and the word "three" inserted before the word "hundred," followed by the figures "300" within a bracket. The Captain was asked if he knew anything about the alteration.
The Captain replied that he knew nothing of it. The certificate was handed to him by the Harbour Master himself in the pre- sence of Capt. Millar of the Hindostan.
Mr May observed that this was a very unbusiness-like way of dealing with doou- ments of that importance. He thought the matter so important as not only to be worth taking notice of here, but requiring reference to Singapore. This alteration and the subsequent part were also in differ- ent band-writings.
Mr Lowoock said the writing might or might not be different, but the alteration was evident.
Mr May was positive of the difference of the hand-writing.
Captain Thomsett remarked that it was evident that the alteration was not made with a fraudulent intention, as the ship could carry more than 300 men.
Captain Thomsett wished to know why Capt. Templeton did not record the deaths of the Chinese on board in the official log, as required by the Act of Parliament.
Captain Templeton replied that if he had buen in a fit state to write he would bave had them recorded.
Captain Thomsett said the ship had been in harbour several days, and he could have had the log completed,
Captain Templeton replied that the offi- cial log had been in the Shipping Office ever since. The Chief Officer who was in temporary command, made the entries in the official log, having reference to George Key's death. If witness had been in a fit state, he would have recorded the other deaths; it was an oversight they were not recorded. The entries were made on the day after arrival.
Captain Thomsett then formally asked Capt. Templeton if he knew anything about the erasure. It was evident it was not made with a fraudulent intention, as the ship was capable of carrying 300 or more passengers. It must be a mistake in the
office.
Captain Templeton said the document was handed to him in its present state by the Harbour Maater personally on board, and he did not even look at it.
Mr May questioned Captain Templeton if it did not occur to him to throw some rattans overboard in order to give accom. mortation to the Chinese.
The Captain replied that it did not strike him; but it was not safe to open the hatch.
The Court was then cleared.
471
C.