-I could not tell you; it was shortly before the article appeared, but it was probably not on the same day, as it is unlikely the article would have been written on the same day.
What is the reason you remember about that article so well?-Because when my brother came back from Macao he gave me a good wigging about it. If he had been at home it would most likely have been torn up or thrown into the waste paper basket.
Can you give me the day he went to Macao?-I cannot.
You cannot remember the day?-No.
From your fund of information can you give us the name of the writer of the letter signed Hudibras?-Yes.
Will you do so?
The defendant-You are not called upon to do anything of the kind.
Witness-Am I bound to answer a question that will criminate myself?
His Lordship-Are you prepared to state that the answer will criminate you?
Witness-I have no objection to state on oath that the answer would criminate myself.
Mr. Francis-And did your precious brother see it before it went in?
The defendant-I don't see any reason, my Lord, why such impertinence as that should be used to me, and I think it ill becomes the learned counsel to use such an expression in his cross-examination.
His Lordship said Mr. Francis was not justified in using such an expression.
Mr. Francis to witness-Did your brother see the letter before it was inserted?
Witness-Yes, he saw it in the proof, and he wrote the footnote.
Is there any person but yourself who would be criminated by any disclosure about the author or writer of the letter signed Hudibras?-No.
Can you point to any article in the Hongkong Telegraph about that time entirely your own composition?-Yes.
Do you write the bulk of the correspondence which appears in the Telegraph?-I do not think I am bound to answer that question; it is only an interior detail of business.
Mr. Francis-Only an interior detail of business; that will do for me.
Defendant-You had better answer him; there is no objection to the question at all.
Lam Tam Chi said-I am a contractor, not a Government contractor; when I get work I do it. I do not remember about having had some conversation with the last witness and Mr. Rose; it is so long ago. How can I remember it now? I have a good deal of work to do.
Defendant-Did you complain to Mr. Rose about not being paid for your Government work?
Witness-No, I did not; I do not remember it. Is it a fact you were kept waiting six months for your pay at one time?-It is so long, how can I remember?
Defendant-I don't think it is any good wasting valuable time on the man; he evidently does not wish to answer.
By his Lordship-The defendant's brother came to me two days ago, and wanted me to go to his office, but I did not go.
Defendant-I call no more witnesses, my Lord.
He was about to address the jury again when
Mr. Francis asked for an adjournment of the court till this morning to enable him to call rebutting evidence. He was sorry to prolong the trial, but he had had no opportunity of knowing what was coming, and therefore he could not be prepared for it.
The defendant offered no objection, and the court was then adjourned to ten o'clock this morning.
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