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was of a very fair complexion, and seemed intelligent. His hands were very smooth and white, and those who saw him thought he had more the appearance of an officer than what he represented himself to be. The Russian Vice-Konsul here reported that the man, knowing but a few words of English, and taking a stroll simply strayed into Fort Palmer without having any knowledge of committing an offence (as he was not able to read the board prohibiting trespassing) and that he went into the fort without the knowledge of his superiors.
In the 8th March 1887, a party of young officers or cadets belonging to a Japanese man-of-war then at Singapore, visited Short Serapong. They examined the two guns mounted there, and several of them were apparently making sketches. The Sapper in charge of the works at the fort, endeavoured, by speaking and signs, to turn them out, and pulled several of the breeches of the guns from under the tarpauling covering them. They would not leave at first, but after remaining for 10 or 15 minutes, they went away.
On the 18th April 1887, a sailor belonging to a Russian man-of-war then in the roads, was found in Fort Palmer. Before he was two minutes in the fort, he was made a prisoner by the guard of R.A., and was handed over to the police. He was brought before the magistrates, and was fined $10 for criminal trespass. The man appeared to be a common sailor, his hands were hard and blistered. On being asked what he was doing in the fort, he replied, through the interpreter, that he had gone there to see the view.
Fort Palmer is under construction, and