FUNISHMENT ACCORDING TO LAW.
243
In our previous issues we gave detailed accounts of the explosion of a mine of dynamite at Hung Mun Lau in Tai Wo Hau, which event having come to the knowledge of the authorities, investigation was instituted resulting in the arrest of the man Sz, a descendant of one of the gentry. From information now received we find that the full name of Sz is Sz Kin U.
He was again and again tried before the Magistrate; but he steadily denied the charge preferred against him. An old woman named Chan Chiu Shi, but commonly known as 'Old Auntie' was then called as witness. She declared that Sz was the man who came to rent the house from her. Sz, now finding that further resistance was of no avail, admitted that he and Sung together plotted the rebellion. They obtained the use of the house and at first thought of digging eight feet (Chinese) into the ground, but, reflecting that this would cause the loss of too many lives, they only excavated a hole two feet and a half deep.
His Worship, after having taken down the statement, submitted the case to His Lordship, Mr. Ng, the Provincial Judge, with a request to him for re-trial. Next His Worship went to the house in question and made a careful survey there. He actually found a hole in the house, which was over two feet deep and in which was still discernible some trace of the action of gunpowder. He then made a report of his enquiries to His Excellency the Governor and the 17th (8th November) was the day appointed for the execution of Sz. However on that day His Worship