terms mentioned. He was not aware that his name was placed in a book. He saw a notice outside the door of the house and also some foreign paper which he did not understand. Ho saw the paper marked A now shown, or one similar to it, and it had a similar red stamp on it. He heard some men say that if he liked to go he could, but he need not unless he wished it, for the Harbor Master was not security as had been put forth by the prisoner. Witness who had believed what the prisoner had said, said that the Harbor Master was security, but he heard that he had been duped. He saw the assault committed on A-Keu.
Cheong Kwai Hung, a carpenter belonging to the Tong Koon district, and living in Yu Lok Lane, said that he had lived in No. 11, Yu Lok Lane, for eight months, that is, from the 1st moon of this year. On the 6th instant, he went to the prisoner's house, which is No. 8, Yu Lok Lane, and asked if there were any workmen wanted, and the prisoner said there were; he asked where to go to, and he said that men were wanted for Acheen, and asked what trade the witness pursued; he replied that he was a carpenter; he asked what wages were given, and he said $18 a month; the witness then said "Very good, is there any security, and the prisoner said "Yes, the Harbour Master will secure." Witness said that if the Harbour Master would secure him he would go. There were eighty or ninety men present at the time, and they must all have heard it. Prisoner said that, if the Harbour Master would not secure him, he need not go. The terms of the agreement were told him and he understood that his passage was to be paid there and back and he was to stay two years. He agreed for the two years but the prisoner would have to get him a ship to return in. Witness said that he gave no security to stay the two years. He did not have his name in the book to his knowledge. He had not been at work since the 11th inst. because he was out of the employ that day. He having been at work at Shek Tong Tsui market. He had to pay rent to the prisoner. With proper security he would have gone. He had not paid for his rice although he had been asked for it. He would still go if the Harbor Master would secure him. He learnt that it was false about the Harbor Master giving security on the 19th instant, when some people from the Tung Wah Hospital went to the house to make enquiries and told him that he need not go unless he liked and unless the Harbor Master would secure him. He had no passage ticket. Prisoner did not say anything about a firm being security, he only mentioned the Harbor Master. He saw Mr. Osmund on the 19th and he told him the same as the people from the Hospital and also that the Harbor Master could not secure him. He was in Yu Lok Lane when he saw the witness pass down and saw the prisoner seize him and ask him for the money for the provisions he had consumed; witness said he could not pay it and told the prisoner that he said the Harbor Master would secure him.
A number of other witnesses were called and gave corroborative evidence.
522