1950-03-07 — Page 3

Court begins inquiry into loss of blockade runner

Reminders

Today

Mr. S. G.. Haines, former master of the British blockade runner Wing Hing which was aban- doned off Chilang Point last month, gave the opening evidence when the Marino Court of Inquiry investigating the loss of the ship bogan yesterday.

The three-man Court, appointed by the Governor

to enquire into the circumstances attending the stranding and loss of the Wing Hing, con- sists of Mr. F. W. J. Skutil, President, Cop- tain T. N. Masterman (RN), and Mr. R. E. Smith Master Mariner).

JK Rotary Club luncheon, Itoot Garden, HK Hotel, talk on "Currency Cycle in Cathoy" by Mr. Findlay Androw, 12.30 pm, Feast of St. Thomas Aquinon, at Domintern House of Studies, Itosury Hill 4.30 pm

Mr. Marcus da Silva repre- European YMCA, Bridge

Drive, semed Mr. Halhes. The own v p.m.

ers, Ta Ring Company (Hong Nine Dragons Services

Ally Fingle (PT and Box-sented by Mr. F. D. Hammond. Club, Kong) Limited. were repre-

ing): G to B p.m.; Whist In his evidence, Mr. Hines Drive: p.m.

recounted the events from the Lecture on Jade by Mrs. D. Chum, time the Wing Hing left the Col- YMCA, Duddell Street, ony on February 7 to the tragic 3 p.m.

Triment when he woke up to Kowizon Uulen Church Women's fix the ship aground, and the

Gulld meeting, 10 am.

subsequent rescue of his men by 1IMS Concord. HK Light Orchestra rehearsal, 51. John's Cathedral hall, 6.45 p.m.

Coming Events

TOMORROW

Toe meeting. 50, Macdonnell

nond, 8.30 p.m.

British Counes]

sponsored Lec- fure by Mr. Robert Itritel. Council Library, 5.30 p.m. Europan YMCA Women's Sec-

· TO!" "WHIM Drive, 10 num.

THURSDAY

Y's Men's luncheon, Roof Garden

1K Hotel, 1245 p.m. Nine Dagons Services Club,

Hong Kong Band Call, b Royal Mariner. 8 p.m. Kowloon

Rotary Club, huncheon, talk on "Marketing in the

Mr. Haines told the Court that because of the misty weather no | bearings were obtained in jafternoon of February 9.

"We nude good landfall that day while off Chapel Island,” he added.

|

The weather Improved during the afternoon and The City of Kimberley was sighted. But she

1ghthouse to awult the arrival of turned away and disappeared.

Witness said he went othe

the rescue ship and

also to warn er of the danger of

During his vigashing

witness said he noticed the Iticbont of the Wing Hing broke away. from her mooring and drifted rapidly round the Island and sot off across the bay in, a Northerly direction. An empty fire extin guisher used previously took the some course.

Concord arrives

HMS Concord arrived on the scene at about 5.30 p.m. that day and affected the rescue. The men of

were taken back to

Witness recalled how he negotiated by radio with the Amoy port authorities and was warned to steam at full speed Away from the port because patrolling hostlie naval craft Oude the craf The Wing Hing proceeded out to sea for some 20 miles and slowed down. She made another attempt to call at the Red part and had some difficulty in finding Chapel Island due to fog,

The ship eventually entered port through Chingrel Light at 7.10 p.m. on February 10,

Hong Kong. AL. MANICE TONKırked ditt witle" keeping watch during the dark hours the Chlinng Point was not visible at

distance of 200 yards.

THE CHINA MAIL, TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1950.

Macao OC visits Colony

Colonel L. Catta Morals, Officer Commanding the Troops in Macao, returned to Maces yes. terday. He arrived here on a private vielt on March 1. During his, stay here he called on the Governor and the heads' of the Services. He was seen off at the Wing Lok Whart yesterday by the Bortuguese, Consul. Left to right: Captain Costa Gomes, Colonel Morale, hla Aldo-de-Camp and Dr. Brazao, the local Portugunda Consul("China Mall" Photo)..

No move to reconcile Wharf Company

Bao Đại, Ho Chi-minh

He attributed it to the fog.

No Questioned by the Court, wit- ness said the, weather

conditions

on the passage up and down from Amoy varied. There were light and variable winds with moderate

responsible or influential group of any politicali faction in French Indo-China is supporting! any move to reconcile Boo Dai and Ho Chi- minh, a foreign observer who recently return- ed from Indo-China said yesterday:

Mr. Ilaines said that no cargo swells. The ship was not rolling He said that a news agency report from Saigon

New Territories" by Mr. Ro-was loaded. There were only two bert Hart, Peninsula Hotel, passengers on the return trip. 12.30 p.m.

HK Women's International. Club,

Whist Drive, .30 p.m.

King George V School, Speech

Day, 11 nan.

Armed robber suspects in Court

Gunfire, searchlights

heavily,

The coinpass behaved

very

well on the upward trip, he said. Mr. Haines said he did not ex- disturbances On the perience compass en route.

He had no idea when the com poss was last adjusted.

The weather was misty. As the British steamer proceeded out of the Eny there was gunfre and searchlight activity ashore North of the port. A searchlight swept the ship three times "In Finy opinion our ship was not

sighted

agreed. because of the mist," witness stated.

Witness recollected how he set the course and reduced speed after leaving Amoy waters. Satis Seven Inen and one woman, died that everything appeared charged with nine counts of well, he turned over the vessel armed robbery, possession of to the acting second mate and arms and ammunition, accessory went to his cabin to sleep, at to armed robbery and receiving about midnight, on February 11. stolen property, faced committal Mr. Halnes declared that he proceedings before Mr. F. X. was awakened at 1.50 a.m. to find d'Almada at Kowloon yesterday. that the ship had struck bottom. Defendants are Tso Chiu, alles Witness recalled he went to the Tso Wal-nam, unemployed, Kung starboard side of the bridge and The enginee

Kwong-sing, unemployed, Kung saw mocks ahead." Yat, unemployed, unnumbered had stopped.

Diamond HMI; Lam Fun,

hut,

The chief officer was instructed

If the

dividend

-The-Directors-of-the-Hong~~~ Kong and, Kowloon Wharf, and Godown Company, Limited, announced yesterday that at the

forthcoming or dinary yearly meeting of the Members of the Company, they will recommend the

*

payment of a Dividend of $12 share, lesS tak. ($10.80 nott) in respect of the year andes December 31 1949.

Judgment reserved in tenancy case

stating that "political' personalities" of the Bao Dai government were supporting a re- conciliation movement between Bao Dai and Ho Chi-minh was untrue and unfounded. He added that the statement Both the standard type compass that "certain French partles"

actually "paved the way for and, the steering gear compass

Communists to gain control of the country

Americans were functioning very well. The were likely to support-such a deviation did not exceed one and solution in Indo-China would

"The same suggestion was put half degrees on either side.be true if by "certain French to the Allies in Germany by Mr. W.H. Latimer, Tenancy The normal procedure was to parties" was meant the French Russia, which, if it had been Tribunal President, yesterday set the wheelhouse compass and Communist party and their followed, would have paved the reserved judgment on an ap then steady the course

011 the supporters.

way for Russian infltration and plication for eviction against standard compass,

B. Wilkinson and other oc cupiers of 37 Nathani Road, third floor.

on

French

The observer, who is informed gradual control of Germany.

nnet Vietnam

Insidious suggestion affairs,

C Sald

did not know the motive In publishing

"French and Vietnam officials

There WI no access to the compass. "I have the key in my cabin," Mr. Haines sald,

Commenting on the subject d

steer an accurate course, The

The

น

not

In addition, he said: "Such a reconciliation on the part of Bao Dai or the French government would only be playing into the hands of the Communists

The report quoted six alleged proposals of the new movement supported by "polnical personali- tles of the Boo Dal regime and niany Intellectuals in Saigon and Hanoi."

The owner of the premises,

selt.

Besides this, the applicant, who is represented by Mr. A. di Ar- culli, alleges that Wilkinson has parted with or sublet the premises without his knowledge. The op- ponent conducted his own case.

of steering a ship, witness said such a story, and would not at in Indo-China are well aware of Manghanmol: Hiranand, merchant; that it is always difficult to tempt to define one, but he add such on hisiduous suggustion, and of 18A Queen's Road Central, obtain a quartermaster who can serves to discredit the Bao Dat they have never seriously con- clained, he needs the house, for

ed: The net effect of such a story government, the French authori-sidered such a move for the past the use of his family and him- average good steering is to be ties In Indo-Chins, and particu-several years."

"They are not considering I 10 degrees on either side of the lurly the American interest i course. alias Kam Sun, Leung Yung, to sound the tankts and bilges,

that country, with a highly un-

[now! Wing Hing

The observer said that the dis- likely dispatch." married woman, also of 16 Tung | Witness said he looked around' to Chol Street, third floor; Leung see if the ship could be refloated equipped with a patented sund-

patch sounded like it had been Pul, mill deliverer of the Wat in the meantime. He noticed ing machine. "We used a deep

"picked up from the Peking Kee

Dairy, Customs Pass Road; fairly clear rocks ahend to star-sea lead," witness said.

radite." and Fu Chi-kin, unemployed, of board.

Replying to a Court query, Mr. no fixed abode.

Mr. Haines said he ordered fuli Haines gald that sounding With the exceptions of Lam steam astern by the telegraph normally taken when in bad Fun and Leung Yung. all are system but there was no reply. weather. But under the pre- charged with the robbery of the The chief engineer informed Kwong Tak Scrap Metal Com-him shortly afterwards, witness pany, 48 Pitt Street, on January said, that the engines would not when they were alleged to function ond that it seems to him

craft have made off with $2,127, six (chief engineer) that the shaft

suggests, and-leave-Vietnam-de- Later when he felt that the fenceless to repulse had been bent. gold watches, four gold rings, one gold bangle, one gold bracelet "I formed the opinion then that ship was far out to sea, he re- munists. and eight fountain pens and the ship was on rocks," Mr.duced speed.

**This has been Communist He added that he had intended pencils.

Second, third, fourth and eighth Most of the crew were trying to pass Chilang Point seven to defendants are charged with rob- to lower the lifeboats. Witness 10 miles. bing 23 Pilkem Street, first floor, said he sent the second male The Court adjourned until to- on November 30, while. Arst, over to sco whether he could day at 10:30a.m. second, third, fitth and eighth control the situation.

defendants are charged with rob-

Haines added.

At 9 p.m. Mr. Haines told the

bing 178 Nathan Road, first door, wireless room and stand by to

on December 15.

Firth defendant faced five counts of receiving stolen pro- perty and of being an accessory to the armed robberies.

Leung Yung, the woman-defen- dant. together with the first defendant, is charged with pos- session of arms and ammunition. Detective Sub-Inspector B. A. Newman is in charge of the pro- secution's case.

Hidaring continues today.

C

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send out the distress signals,

First "SOS"

The chief engineer returned to the bridge and Informed witness that water, was coming In rapidly into the angina rbom. Mr. Haines stated that he sant out the first "8.0.8.” then,

he

valling circumstances then considered it dangerous to stop and take sounding with hostile

around.

"There is nothing the Com- munists would like better than to have French troops leave Indo- China, as this alleged movement The alleged proposals are:

The

In his grounds of application, Manghanmal laid down that bo let the promises to the opponent. on a monthly tenancy of $187. He desires it back for the reason mentioned, and has given notice to-the-opponent terminating the tenancy, he claimed.

1. Complete Independence...

2. A ̄ ̄promise- withdraw the Com-French troops.

"cease-fire" order. &A

The subletting or parting with United Nations to tactics In South Korea, where supervite the "cease-fire" and the to have occurred after March 1. possession of the house is alleged the Americans were asked to withdrawal of French troops.

The formation of a reconsent in writing.

1948, without the landlord's con- leave by "mutual consent” ́with. the Russians, which on the ciliation "comunission, composed of surfice looked fair enough, but

Defence counsel asks

change of magistrate in Marine Court case

Shortly afterwards, he was in- A request for a change of magistrate was made

formed that water was knee-high.

lu the engine room with all pumps working.

The chief officer then reported

titat, the forepeak

was empty.

by the legal representative of a defendant summoned on three Harbour offences at the Marina Coart. yastarday,

That was previously filed with "I am sure you will appreciate that I do not do.

salt water. His first report, wit-

ness said, stated the Numbers 1

and 2 holds word dry,

At 3.45 oun, witness said he

felt it was risky to keep so many persons aboard and instructed. the crew to abandon ship. -He remained aboard with the radio operator.

this in any spirit of imputation," Mr. P. J. Griffiths, of Wilkinson, and Grist, remarked. when he asked for another magistrate to take the case against his client, Yip Yu. Defendant, who gave Mits Fifteen minutes later the lanyard address as care of the Royal had drawn taut and the white Hong Kong Yacht Club, was Bound continuously. *This in summoned for being the per- dicated to me that the ship was son in; charge of an unregis=. breaking in the back," Mr. Haines, tered motor boat which was shid,

The main 9.15 a.m.

Both witness and the operater left the ship then

Mr. Haines recalled that

.

New

Vietnamese only, and represent- In defence, Wilkinson yester- ing all political tondencies.

day said in evidence. that the general elections and house was occupied by him. In the formation of the new nation-January 1846. In June the same al unity government.

year, the landlord refused to ac-.. The observer said that the effect cept rent from him. He was later of these proposals, in themselves notified that the rent was increased make it obvious that only Ho from $144 to $187 month. Chi-rainh's factions would be in- terested in the movement, and even they had not suggested it.

He added that: withdrawal of French troops, after a cease fic" order; the formation of an

In June. 1947, Winson anid he received notice to quit and in January 1949. ho got a letter from Mr. Arculli asking for ra- rears of rent amounting to $4,874. Opponent said he pald this account accordingly.

alt Vietnamesä commisiles and He continued paying rent until "new general elections" would | August, 1949, when the landlord only serve to "turn Vietnam to Jagaln refused the rent.

ry

Wilkinson denied the allegations

the mercy of the Communists, under the direction of Ho Chi of subletting or parting with pot- minh"

session of the house. He claimed he had allowed some friends Under these obvious circumst-from Shanghal to stay there until auces, no one should have any they could find accomodation, No Gimculty in belleving that neither rent was paid by the guests, and the Frencli, Bao Dai, the loyal their household expenses were Vietnamese or the Amerihas- looked after, by themselves, he would have any such proposals claimed.

Under cross-examination, op- their minds, he said. tluns are conerned if they

"As far as 'new guneral, elec-ponent admitted that at the time of his tenancy agreement with referting to the general lation the landlord, he had signed a thertly after World War II, then in the house for six months. Wil document saying he would stay It is only necessary to point out inson explained however that he that this election was not an did this, on the understanding

Bre

shee as to whether the motor boat in question, should be ex- empted or not from regulations tovering such He used for a dimnissal of the Mr. Cars declared, thất họ Junder way without à certified found the defendant gift guilty any way general, but gave Hofrom' some other party, that" the power falled, at engineer'", aboard, without nor the survej sunimóns, but bohéminh a majority vote of ingre: laudlord would not need the houso

radio

h

summonsca.

convicted Yip Yu on the others.

Counsel protested and requested leave to call evidence.

master in Possession of a cer-

than 98 per centimur to at all for his occupation. elections des stan and Irón”Curtain "countries*. The opponent's parents, Mir, and ficate of competency and for using the motor boat without

Mr F. Skutil entered the wit The voters were only Ho Chil-W R. Wilkinson, then gave. feit it was necessary to plan de rat obtaining certificate of fence measures against belligerent survey as required by Regula-ness box and gave expert (evid minh followers, and amounted to evidence on his behalf, after

ence on the rulings of private in Vietnam V

a minute percentage of the voters which Mr. Latimer reserved his

decision. elements ashore. But it was subtion & of Table E

yachts sequently found that that.

"However, common sense denies hat was xiệt

necessary,

About two hour

Mr.

Haines returned to the ship with the radio operator a and established contact working on emergency batteries,

Counsel for the defence pleaded Mr. F. Breit, of the flosing this entire story nitro electively

not guilty on behalf of defendant. Office-Marine Department, then than any ofetal denial."

So the cave formal avidamos regarding. defendent was stopped at 5 The defence then asked leave omeer, told the Court, the the motor beat, a fistele kwa

on Tebruary 22 near-

|Jaland. Ha was the only pallettio adjourți, the cash....... Mr. Grialiha

ACKNOWLEDGED DONATIONS

Ister declared that he would pro charge of the motor boat which for another magistrate should At 0.a.m. black smoke wa was subsequently found to be take the care.

coming from the crew unregistered. The craft wa

berlain, okr quarters all but there whene mainly used to carry member, pression ludil boch made before the Valon Chures Re-Buliding Find are

Medelpa “of the vandrinsted Mandilons do, ong in there thon. Beveral mind air of the Royal Huis Kong the taty eased that his client was asksówletaid 1—— sons aboard

Yacht Club to and from the 18-qulityala. am sure you will up-

rockets to warn thì in Kimberley which g

any pit

putation,

CORPSE WASHED ASHORE AT CHEUNG CHOW ISLAND

The dead body of an unidentli at about 0:0 dock "last night By fed Chinese man was dievored

tives on Obaong Chew Iladdni The "corpad wilch fi" bellovel 'have bom washed: achord wa

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