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very heavy sea, reduced the engines to half speed until 4 a.m. on the 14th, when they were put full speed. From thence to Port strong southerly winds and high sea, with thick cloudy weather.
As the result of the gale of yesterday, dead bodies are coming in fast to the Government Civil Hospital. To-day inquests before the Coroner, H. E. Wodehouse, Esq., and a Jury consisting of J. T. Lants, J. A. Ellert, and I. Hughes, were held on the bodies of Chinamen drowned in the harbour. The first had been drowned through the capsizing of a boat which had been taking passengers from a junk to the shore. Another boat went to their assistance and rescued eight, but deceased was drowned. The other was on the body of a Chinese washed ashore at the Sailors' Home. No one knew anything about him. This latter case was adjourned until Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock; further inquiries to be made by Inspector Thomson meanwhile.
Last night, about eleven o'clock, a serious accident happened to the Sukum-poo Market, whereby one Chinaman lost his life and some others were injured. At the time mentioned strong gusts of wind were prevalent, and one of these, striking the market, which is said to have been in rather a frail condition, blew in about half of it - roof, beams, and walls all giving way. The Chinaman killed was in charge of a butcher's store inside, and when found had one beam lying on his head and another across his chest, and was covered by a mass of other debris. When taken out he was quite dead. An inquest was held this afternoon upon his body before the Coroner H. E. Wodehouse Esq., and a jury comprised of Messrs J. T. Lants, J. A. Ellert, and I. Hughes. Dr Marques gave evidence. He could not say what was the cause of death. It might have been caused by an internal fracture of the skull. Tip Yau, in whose employ deceased was, gave evidence as to hearing the noise of the falling house, and as to finding the body of the deceased, whose name was Wong Atai, aged 55 years. Inspector Corcoran said that the timbers were rotten, and the building in a precarious condition. Some time ago Mr Orley reported the state of the building and some repairs were then done. The inquest was adjourned until next Saturday at the Magistracy.
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