SC5
a result
Melancholy and. I approve the Measures which,
have taken to secure the
apprehension of
the Individuals charged
with this Crime.
CORONER'S INQUEST.
CENTRAL POLICE STATION, VICTORIA, HONG KONG, 1st March, 1843.
Minute of Proceedings held before CHARLES GORDON HOLDFORTH, Coroner, on view of the Body of FREDERICK AUGUSTUS HIPPOLITO DA COSTA, a Captain of the Royal Engineers, now Lying dead at the Military Hospital.
The following gentlemen having been sworn in as Jurymen, - ROBERT STRACHAN, Foreman; WILLIAM HENRY MITCHELL, JAMES SMITH, THR STANDALE, WILLIAM FRASER BEVAN, SAMUEL GRAY, proceed, in company of the Coroner, to the Military Hospital in order to view the body of the aforesaid Frederick Augustus Hippolito Da Costa, there and then lying dead.
The Jury aforementioned, having viewed the body as aforesaid, and having heard the statement of Dr Morrison, the Colonial Surgeon, as hereinafter embodied, are unanimously of opinion that no post mortem examination is necessary, they being Fully satisfied, from the appearance of the wounds on the body of deceased, but more particularly from the evidence of the Colonial Surgeon, that deceased met a violent death. The Jurors consequently proceed to the Central Station, for the purpose of proceeding with the inquisition.
CHARLES G. HOLDFORTH,
Coroner.
HONGKONG, TO WIT - Information on behalf of our Lady The Queen, touching the death of Frederick Augustus Hippolito Da Costa, now lying dead at the house known as the Military Hospital, within the township of Victoria, in the colony of Hongkong, on Thursday, the 1st day of March, in the year of our Lord 1843, and in the 13th year of the Reign of her gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, before Charles Gordon Holdforth, Gentleman, one of the Coroners of the said island of Hongkong, on an Inquisition then and there taken on view of the body of the said Frederick Augustus Hippolito Da Costa, then and there lying dead.
WILLIAM MORRISON, Colonial Surgeon, being duly sworn, states, - I examined the body of the late Captain Da Costa, now lying in the dead-house of the Military Hospital. There are three wounds on the scalp, which penetrate to the skull. These wounds are from 2 to 2½ inches in length. One, the most severe, is on the crown of the head, the Lesser one is near to and parallel with this, and the third is on the upper part of the head, where the parietal bones join the frontal bone. The wounds, in my opinion, have been inflicted previously to death, by a cutting instrument. There is a wound on the outer angle of the left eye. This wound has passed over the ridge of the orbit - the bone of which is broken slightly and behind the eyeball. It has been inflicted apparently by the point of a spear, which having cut the bony edge of the orbit, has passed into the cellular tissue behind the eyeball. There is a contused wound on the upper lip, inflicted perhaps by a blow from a stick. There are very severe contusions about the eyes, as if heavy blows had been inflicted by similar contusions, and superficial scratches about the hands, as if inflicted in the act of self-defence. There is a most severe wound on the right hip, a little behind and parallel to the joint. Superficially this wound, which was apparently inflicted by a sharp instrument, is about 3 inches in length, and in depth about 1 inch. I do not think any important arterial branch has been wounded, but there is no doubt it has been the occasion of great haemorrhage. The back and other parts of the body give evidence of slight bruises, shewing a prolonged and severe struggle. I do not think any of the wounds or injuries were sufficient to cause instantly death. I am of opinion that deceased, in a state of insensibility, either from syncope or concussion of the brain, was thrown into the water and drowned. The bones of the nose are fractured, shewing that the blows on the face have been most severe. I have no doubt whatever that the Injuries received were the cause of death, though not the immediate cause; it is probable that deceased was rendered senseless by the blows and wounds received, and then thrown into the water. I am of opinion that a post mortem examination would be unnecessary.
By Mr Gray - Would an examination of the brain go to shew that deceased was in a state of insensibility from syncope or concussion when thrown into the water? I think not. Whether the action of the water on the vital organs would be the same, the subject being in a state of insensibility or sensibility when thrown into the water? Yes.
By Mr Bevan - Is it possible that deceased could have walked after the injuries he appears to have received, were inflicted? No.
WILLIAM MORRISON, Colonial Surgeon.
FENWICK MARTIN TWEDDELL being sworn, states. - I am a Surgeon attached to the Ceylon Rifle Regiment, and am at present quartered at Stanley. I made an examination of the body of the deceased Captain Da Costa on Tuesday night, the 27th of February, about seven o'clock. I made the examination at the quarters of deceased at Stanley; the body had just then been taken out of the water. [This witness fully corroborates the statement made by the Colonial Surgeon regarding the nature of the injuries received by deceased, and further adds, that he fully agrees with the causes given by the Colonial Surgeon to the various questions put.] It is customary in the army for the medical man to make a post mortem examination of all Europeans who meet their death by violence or otherwise; but in this instance it is not my intention to do so, being fully satisfied as to the cause of death, as before described by the Colonial Surgeon.
By Mr Dale - At whose discretion is the post mortem examination made in such cases as you refer to? At the discretion of medical officers in charge.
F. M. TWEDDELL, Asst. Surgeon, H. M. Ceylon Rifles.
FENWICK MARTIN TWEDDELL, being again called and sworn, states - I am a Surgeon attached to the Ceylon Rifle Regiment quartered at Stanley. On Sunday afternoon last, the 25th of February, I left my quarters in company with Lieutenant Dwyer, Captain Da Costa, and Lieutenant Grantham, for the purpose of taking a walk. I accompanied the party some short distance, perhaps a quarter of a mile, and then separated, as did Lieutenant Grantham. I returned to my quarters about 20 minutes past 5; Captain Da Costa and Mr Dwyer proceeded towards the village of Wong-ma-kok, which is situated about a mile and a quarter from our barracks. We dine at 7 o'clock; as Captain Da Costa and Mr Dwyer did not return to dinner, I became anxious, and went out to look after them, with a sergeant, corporal, and three men. We proceeded to the village of Wong-ma-kok. I saw nothing to excite suspicion. I saw an old man there, who was very civil, and gave us oil for our lamps. In answer to some questions I put to this old man relative to the missing gentlemen, he said that he had not seen any Europeans about; I consequently returned homewards. When about 200 yards from the village, close to the pathway, I found a three-pronged spear-head broken short off, which I now produce. I took the spear to our station, and reported to Lieutenant McDonald, being the senior in command. He with a party of soldiers went out in order to make further search; I did not accompany them; They returned about 2 o'clock on the following morning. On Monday morning Mr May with a party of police arrived at Stanley; I accompanied them, in order to shew the road which the missing party had taken. We separated in various directions. I first discovered marks of blood in the immediate vicinity of the village of Wong-ma-kok - [Corrects himself] I first discovered marks of blood about 600 or 700 paces on the far side of the village, which I traced close into the village: from thence to the sea-side, which is perhaps but a mile from said village. The water was deep where we traced the blood, near to which place, say about 900 yards, the body of Captain Da Costa was discovered in the water. I did not see the body taken out of the water. I have very frequently visited this village, but always armed. The villagers have seen that. I was armed. I have always received civility. Captain Da Costa, when he left his quarters, was dressed in a white shooting jacket, a Chinese felt-cap turning up all round, blue striped cloth trousers, and common shoes. He had with him a gold watch and small gold pocket chain slightly exposed to view. I think he had two gold rings on his fingers, one of considerable value. He wore the rings on his left hand. Both hands are bruised; I cannot say that one more than the other. He had no fire-arms on him, but had a Malacca cane loaded with lead, say about 13 oz, drawn to 20%; it was a powerful weapon. I am not aware that he had any money on his person, &c. Lieutenant Dwyer had a gold hunting-watch with a gold guard-chain, and a locket on his neck, both of considerable value. The chain was slightly exposed to view. He had no fire-arms about him. Had a Malacca cane - no money.
By Mr Mitchell - Was the spot where you picked up the spear-head which you have stated to be about 200 yards from the village, in sight of the village? No, it was shut out by trees in the road and the wood. - Could the cries of men struggling for their lives be heard at the village where you took the old man into custody, from the spot where you picked up the spear-head? I am of opinion they could not be heard; am not precise as to the distance being 200 yards, but think it was sufficiently far to preclude human cries from reaching the village. The spear-head I picked up had the appearance of being recently broken; I cannot say with any degree of certainty that any of its prongs had blood on it at the time. On Monday last Mr May took a man into custody at Wong-ma-kok. He had a wound on, I think, the right side of his head, over the parietal bone, which had apparently been inflicted by a stick - such a stick as Captain Da Costa carried would be a likely instrument to inflict the wound. It appeared to have been inflicted 12 or 15 hours. He had marks of blood on his left leg and foot, also on the band of his trousers, which is produced. On my return home from the village of Wong-ma-kok on Sunday night, I did not see any fire whatever, save that which I myself caused along the pathway from the village. The fire was entirely extinguished before I left. I fired the grass to clear my way more clearly, the night being very dark. That fire which I afterwards saw at a later period on Monday was not a continuation of the ignition caused by me. It appeared to have been kindled in many places at one and the same time.
By Mr Strachan - When Captain Da Costa left his quarters on Sunday, he was in his usual good spirits. He was not excited by wine. The same remark applies to Mr Dwyer.
F. M. TWEDDELL, Asst. Surgeon, H. I. M. Ceylon Rifles.
CHARLES CALDWALL GRANTHAM, being sworn, - I am a Lieutenant in the Ceylon Rifle Regiment at present quartered at Stanley. On Sunday last, the 25th of February, I, in company with Captain Da Costa, Lieutenant Dwyer, and Dr Twaddell, took a walk at our quarters at Stanley about 2 o'clock. At about 4 o'clock we all four left for the purpose of taking a walk. I accompanied them for about half a mile, and on feeling tired, sat down to rest. They intended to walk as far as the village of Wong-ma-kok. When they left me they branched off the beaten track, and ascended the skirt of a hill, in a direction for the village. I saw them for some distance, and heard them laughing and talking. They must have taken the path along a ravine, which is perhaps about 120 yards from the beaten track. After this I lost sight of them. I never saw Captain Da Costa alive since that time. When I regained my quarters, it was perhaps half past six. Dr Tweddell had just arrived before me. We waited dinner for our comrades, but as they did not make their appearance at 7 or 8 o'clock, we became alarmed. Dr Tweddell then went out to look for them, accompanied by a sergeant and some privates. He returned about 11 o'clock, after a fruitless search. I, in company with Mr McDonald, left our quarters in search. We took a number of soldiers with us. Mr McDonald took a different course to what I did. We met at the village of Wong-ma-kok. Nothing particular occurred to me on my way to said village. At the village we enquired for our missing comrades. We saw there only 2 boys, 2 old women, and 2 old men. The village had the appearance of being deserted. On the boys being questioned, they said that they had not seen any Europeans about the village that day. On making search, I picked up in the village a spear; I cannot say that it had any blood on it. One of my men picked up a broken shaft of a spear, which had marks of blood on it, apparently quite fresh. I searched the houses; in some were heavy sticks, and several spears, and a great quantity of gunpowder of Chinese manufacture; in one of the houses I found an elderly man and woman. We took prisoners this old man and one boy. They did not make any further statement, than that they had not seen any Europeans about the village that day, and that the villagers had gone out to fish. When we took the old man and boy into custody, another old man followed on to Stanley, who was afterwards discovered to have a wound on his head. The next morning (Monday) I saw this wound on the old man's head; it appeared a fresh cut. He said he had fallen down, and cut his head against a stone. He, the former old man, was very dilatory in opening the door of his house. When Captain Da Costa went out on Sunday evening he had with him a Malacca cane loaded with lead; it was a very likely instrument to have inflicted a wound like the old man had on his head. He had no fire-arms about him. He had a gold watch and chain, and two rings on his fingers. I regained my quarters about 2 o'clock on Monday morning, without anything more having occurred. I did not notice any fire on the ground at this time, as it was very dark. At daybreak I again went out, and in the direction along the line, which I thought Captain Da Costa must have taken towards the village. I learnt nothing additional during this trip. I only saw one old woman at the village. I, with my men, scoured the neighbourhood of the village in search of the missing party, but without success. I did not perceive any fire in my beat. I did not at this time observe any marks of the country having been fired. I returned to my quarters about 9 o'clock A.M. Early on Monday morning Mr May with a party of Police arrived; I then with some of the men of the Rifles scoured the country again. When in the neighbourhood of the village, on a path leading from it towards the water side, blood was discovered. The blood was first distinguishable on this track about 150 yards from the village. If a struggle had taken place at this spot it would not have been perceived by the villagers; cries could have been heard. On some parts of the path, I perceived a considerable quantity of blood, apparently as if the person from whom the blood flowed had been resting there. The country round the village at this time (about noon) was in a blaze. I returned home about 5 o'clock P.M., and did not go out again on that day. On the following morning a body was taken out of the water and conveyed to Stanley; this body I identified as that of the late Captain Da Costa. The place where it was found was about 100 yards to the left of the terminus of the path which leads up to the village, as I am informed; it was covered with wounds. The spot where Dr Tweddell picked up the spear-head has been pointed out to me. I should say it is about 120 yards from the village of Wong-ma-kok. Between this spot and the village there is a thick wood, with a pathway leading through it. I should most certainly say that the cries of men struggling for their lives could be heard from this spot by the villagers of Wong-ma-kok. The quantity of gunpowder found in the village was about 100 lbs; quantity of bamboos, which are said to be loaded with powder and used by the Chinese in warfare; also a quantity of saltpetre and pounded charcoal. We had little conversation with the villagers, which was carried on through my servant boy, a native of China named ...
CHARLES C. GRANTHAM, Lieutenant Ceylon Rifles.
THOMAS FRANCIS FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MACDONNELL, sworn. This witness corroborates the statement made by Mr Grantham, as regards their going out in search of the missing party on Sunday night; and further adds. - When I approached within about 20 yards of the wood in the immediate neighbourhood of the village, I found one spear-head, apparently but recently broken off from the shaft. On this spear-head I discovered blood, apparently fresh. The spot where this was found is that at which Dr Tweddell picked up the three-pronged spear. I shewed him the spot afterwards. This place I should say is about 200 yards from the village of Wong-ma-kok. In my opinion the cries of people struggling for their lives could be heard by the villagers from the spot. I cannot say that beyond the finding of the spear-head, there were any marks of a struggle having taken place at this spot. On proceeding onwards, in the village, there were found one or two more spears. There was also the shaft of a spear found in the village; it had the appearance of being recently broken; there were marks of blood. On a pathway leading from the village to the water side, I discovered tracks of blood. The blood was first distinguishable on this track about 150 yards from the village. If a struggle had taken place at this spot it would not have been perceived by the villagers; cries could have been heard. On Monday morning, in addition to the spear-heads that were found at the spot before described, there was found a small hatchet hid under a tree. I was present at the time. I cannot say it had any blood on it. I saw on Tuesday evening the body that had been taken out of the water, lying at Stanley. It had several severe wounds on it.
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a result
Melarebsly and. I approve the Measures which,
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have taken to secure tho
apprehension and of
the Individuals charged
with this Crime.
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CORONER'S INQUEST.
CENTRAL POLICE STATION, VIDYOUTA, HONGxora, 1st March, 184a. Minate of Proccetings held before CHARLES|| GORDON HOLDFORTH, Coroner, on view of the Budy of FREDERICK AUGUSTUS HIPPOLITO DA COSTA, a Captain of the Royal Engineers, now Lying dead at the Military Hospital.
The following gentlemen having been sworn in as Jurymen,- 4. ROBERT STRACHAF, Foromen; WILLIAM HENRY MITCHELL, JAMES SHITH, THR STAN DALE, WILLIAM FRASER BEVAN, SAMUEL GRAY, proceed, in company of the Coroner, to the Military Hospital in order to view the body of the aforesaid Frederick Augustus Hippolito Da Costa, there and then lying dead.
The Jury aforementioned, having viewed the body as aforesaid, and having heard the statement of Dr Morrison, the Colonial Surgeon, as hereinafter embodied, are unanimously of opinion that no post mortem examination is necessary, they being Fully satisfied, from the appearance of the wounds on the body of deceased, but inore particularly from the evidence of the Colonial Surgeon, that dencased met a violent death. The Jurors con- scquently proceed to the Central Station, for the purpose of proceeding with the inquisition.
CHARLES G. HOLDE ORTH,
Coroner.
HonoreNG, TO WIT-Informatione of Witaensor save- rally takes and acknocledved on behalf of our Lady Tus Quens, touching the death of Frederich Augustus Hippolito Da Costa, now tying dead at the house bar as the Military fiospital, within the township of Victoriu, in the eating of onykowy, on Thursday, the 1st day of Margh, in the year of our Lord 180, and in the 13th tens of the Hain of her gracious Majesty Quser Vistoria. before Charles Gordon Holdfortli, Gentleman, one of the Curmers of the said island of ilonyking, on an Inquisition then and there taken on view of the body of the said Frederick Augustus ip- polite Da Costa, then mut there lying dereit.
WILLIAM MORRIRns, Colonis, Surgeon, being duly sworn, stater, a examined the body of the late Captain Da Costa, now lying in the dead-honse of the Military Hospital, There are three words on the sealp, which penetrate to the shurll. These wounds are from 2 to 23 inches in length.; One, the most severe, is on the crown of the head, the Lesser uno is noar to and porrallel with this, and the third is on the upper part of the head, where the parietal bores jelni the frontal bonu. The wounds, in my opinion, have been inflicted previoudy to death, by a entting instrument. There is a wound on the outer angle of the left cyc. This wound har passed over the ridge of the orbit - the bone of which is breken slightly and behind the eyeball. It has been in- licted apparently by the point of a spear, which having cat the bony edge of the orbit, has passed into the cellular tissue behind die eyeball. There is a contused wound on the upper Jip, indicted perhaps by a low from a stick. There are very severe contusions about the eyes, as if heavy blows had been anficted by similar contusions, and superficial scratches about the hands, as if inflicted in the act of salf-lefence. There is a mist severe wound on the right hip,a Ettle belund and parulled so the joint. Superthefally his wound, which was apparently inflicted by a sharp instrummut, is about inches in length, and in deptlinbuut 1 inch I do not think any imponaat arterial branch has been wounded, but there is no doubt it Dus been the occasion of great hetaorrhage. The back and other parts of the lady give evidence of slight brides, shew- Ang a prolonged und severe struggle. I do not think any of the womus or injuries were sufficient to cause tardisto death. I am of opinion that deceased in a state of insen- sibilty, either from syncope or concussion of the brain, was hrown into the water and drowned. The bones of the nose are fractured, shewing that the blows on the face have been most severe. I have no doubt whatever that the Injuries received were the cause of death, though not the immediate ense; it is probable that deceased was rendered senseless by the blows and wounds received, and then thrown into the water. Ian of opinion that a post morton exanrnation;
aald be unfecessary.
By Mr Gray-Would an examination of the brain go to shew that deceased was in a state of insensibility from syncopej or comeussion when thrown into the water? I think not,-! Whether the action of the water on the viral organs woul be the same, the subject being in a state of insensibility or sensibility when thrown into the water? Yes.
By Mr Bovna- Is it possible that decused could have walked after the injuries he appears to have received, were in Hicted? No.
WILLIAM MORRISON, Lu&umin? Anes?,Cha
(2)
FENWELL MARTIN TWEDDELL being sworn. Ktates.-I I am a Surgeon attached to the Ceylon Lifle Regiment, and
an at present quartered at Stanley. I made an examination ! of Clan body of the deceased Captain Da Costa ne Tuesday night the 27th of February, about seven a’eltek. I mida tho examination at the quarters of deceased at Stanley; the body had just then been, taken out of the water. [This witness fully corroboratca lie statement mode oy the Colonial Surgeon
rognosing the nature of'ike injuvies prerived by deceased, arit ļ further mids, that he fully agrees with the casers given by | the Colonial Surgeon to the various questions put.] It iu customary in the army for the rustical mom by make a post morten examination of all Europeina arandel to his Roy
ment that meat their death by violencs or otherwise; but in this instance it is not my intention to do ao, being fully raised na to the cause of death, as before described by the Culonial SurgOOD,
By Me Dale---At where discretion is the post mortem ez- animation made in euch cases as you refer to? At the discretion of medical officers in charge.
P. M. TWEDRELL, Aut. Surgeon II. M. Ceylon Rifles
(3)
PENWELL MARTIN TWEDOKLI, being again called and swarn, states me a Surgeon attached to the Ceylon Ritte Regiment quartered at Stanley. Or Sunday afternoon last The 25th of February, left one quarters in company with Lieutenant Dwyer, Captain Da Costa, and Lieutenant Gran- them, for the purpose of taking a walk. I accompanied the party some short distance, perhaps a quarter of a mile, and then separated, as als did lentorant Grantham. I return- ed to my quarters about 20 minutes past 5:* Caprain Da Costa and Mr Dwyer proceeded towards the village of Wong-ma-kok, which is siaunted about a mile and a quarter from our barracks. We dine at 7 o'clock; as Captain Da Costa and Mr Dwyer did not return to dinner, I became atceuued, and went out to look after thein, with a surgeant, corporal, and three men. We proceeded to the village of Wong-ma-kok. Tatchant tome sawnothing to excite suspicion." I saw an old man there, who was very civil, and gave as oil for our campa I answer to some questions I put to this old man relative to the ossing gentlemen, he said that he had not seen any Europeans about; 1 consequently returned homewards. When about 200 yards from the village, clono to the pathway. I found a three-pronged spear-head brukenj short off, when I now produce. I took the wear to our sta- tion, and reported to Lieutenant McDonald, being the seniory in emend. Ite with a party of soldiers went ont ini order to make further search; I did not necompany thenj They returned about 2 «'chek on the following morning. On Monday morning Me May with a party of police arrivedi at Staniey; I accompanied them, in order to shew the rad which the missing party had taken. We separated in various directions, Hirst discovered marka ni blood in the immediate vicinity of the village of Wong-ina-kok-[Correcis hirmaelf I first discovered marka of blood about 600 or 700 pants on the fler side of the villege, which I traced close into the village: from thence to the sea-side, which is perhaps batt a mile from said village. The water was deep where we traced the blood, near to which place, say about 900 yards, the body of Captain Da Costa was discovered in the water I did not see the body taken out of the water. I have very frequently visited this village, but always armed. The vil lazers have seen that. I was armed. I have always received divility. Captain Da Costa, when he left his quarters, was drestor in a white shooting jacket, a Chinese felt-cap turn- ing up all round, bine striped oleth trawem, and comicon shoes. He had with him a gold watch and small gold pocket clain sightly exposed to view. I think he had two gold ringa on his fingers, one of considerable value. He wore the rings on his left hand. Both hands are bruised; I cannot my that one more den the other. Ile had no firentes on him, but had a Malacca cane loaded with Tend, may about 13 oz, drani that to 20%; it was a powerful weapon. Iain net aware that he had ang money enlis pez, Ben. Lieutenant Dwyer had a gokl busting-watch with a gold genrdekaja coud lús neck, both of considerable raine. The chain was slightly exposed to view. 11e had no fire. arns about him. Jad a Malacca canet-ro money.
Ttta
*20 inc past six."-Register's Report, which is confirmed by Ale Granthan's leure
ly measurement une diance from the hamlet is 300 yards, EL.COM
Eht leaded' Register's Report-
three-pronged spear 1 Icund was a likely Instrument to have caused the wound in the eye of Captain Du Costa as before described.
By Mr Mitchell-Was the spot where you picked up the spar-hand which you have stated to be about 200 yards from! that village, in sight of the village? No, it was shut out by starn in the road and the worl.-Could the cries of men struggling for their lives to heard at the village where you took the old man into custody, from the spot where you picked up the spear-head? I am of opinion they could not be heard; am not precise as to the distance being 200 yards, but think it was sufficiently far to preclude human cries from reseling the villago. The spear-bead I picked up had the appearance of being recently broken; I cannot say with any degree of certainty that any of its prongs bad blood on at the time. On Monday last Mr May took a man into custoly at Wong-ma-kok. He had a wound on I think the right side of his lead, over the parietal bone, which had an parently been inftel by a stick-such a stick as Captain Da Costa carried would be a likely instrument to indict the wound. It appeared to have trave been inflicted 12 or 15 hours. I had marks of blood on his left leg and foot, also on the band of his trowsers, which is produced. On my return bone from the village of Wong-ma-kok on Sunday might. I did not see any fire whatever, save that which I myself caused along the pathway from the village. Ts18 tire was entirely extinguished before I left. I fired the grass to BR my way more clearly, the night being very dark. That fire wluch I afterwards saw at a later period en Mon- day was not a continuation of the ignition caused by me. It appeared to have been kindled in many places at one and the same time.
By Mr Strachon-When Captain Da Costa let his quar- tera on Sunday, he was in his usa good spirits He was not excited by wine. The same remark applies ta Mr Dwyer. §
F. K. TWEDDELL, Asst. Surgeon, H., Legion Mifter.
(4)
Friday, 20 March, 1949. CHARLES CALIWALL GRANTHAM, keing eworn,I am a Lieuocant in the Ceylon Hilo Regiment at present quarter- ed at Stanley. On Sunday last the 25th of February, I, in company of Captain Da Custa, Tieutenant Dwyer, and Dr Twaddell, took til at our quarters at Stanley about 2 o'clock at about 4 o'clock we all four left for the purpose of laking a walk. accuraanied them for about half mile, and on feeling tired, sat down to rest. They intended to walk as far as the village of Wong-na-kok. When they left me they branched off the beaten track, and aseended the skirt of a hill, in a direction for the village. I saw them for sme distance, and heard thena laughing and tacking. They must have taken the push along a ravine, which rating is perhaps about 120 yards bom the beaten. After this I lost sight of thein. I never saw Cap- tain Da Costa alire since that thue. When I regained any
road.
quarters, it was perhaps half past six. Dr Tweddell had just arrived before me. We waited diner for on connades, but as they did not make their appearance at 7 or 8 o'clock, wa became alarmed. Dr Tweddell then wens out to look i for them, Becorapanied by a sergeant and some privates He returned about 11 o'clock, after a fruitless seurell. I den in company with Mr McDonald, left our quarters in search. We took a number of soldiers with us. Mr McDonald took a different course to what I did. Wa mes at the village of Wong-na-kok. Nothing partientar occurred to me on my way to said villege. A the village we enquired for our misang commades We saw there only 2 boys, 2 old wamnen, and 2 old men. The village had the appearance of doing de serted. On the boys being questiomed, they said that they had not seen any Europeans about the vistage that day. On making search, I picked up in the village a spear; 1 cannot say that it had any blood on it. One of my then picked up abriken shaft of a spear, witch had marks of blood on it, apparently quite fresh. I searched the houses; in some were heavy sticks, and several spears, and a great quantity of ganpowder of Chinese manufacture; in ore of the houses I found an elderly man and woman. We took prisoners this old man and one boy. They did not make any farther! statement, dias that they had not seen any Europeans alont the village that day, and tint the villagers had gone out to tish. When we took the old man and boy into eustudy, another old man followed on to Stanley, who was afterwards d'ecovered to have a wound on his head. The next morning [onday) I saw this word on the old man's head; it appear ed a fresh ent. Ile said he bad fallen down, and cut his head against a stone. Ile [the former old war] was very dilatory. ir opening the door of his lose. When 3 Da Costa went out on Sunday evening he had with hien a Malacca cane baked with lead; it was a very likely instrumcon' to have inflicted a wound like the old man had on frig head. He and no fretros about him. He hind a gold watch and chain, atul two rings on his fingers. Tregained my quarters about 2 o'clock ou Monday morning, without way thing more having pecurred. I did not orice any food on the grond at this time, as it was very ark. At daybreak I again went out, and is the direction along the vine, which I thought Captain Da Costa must have taken towards the village. I learnt nothing additional during this trip. I only saw one d woman at the vilbure. I with my mea Acoured the neighbourhood of the village in scurch of the missing party, but without success. I did not perceive any ! bink in my beut. I did not at this time observe any marks! of the country having been fired. Freturned to my quarters about 9 o'clock A M Early on Monday morning Me May with a party of Palice arrived: I then with some of the men of the Rider scoured the country again. When in the neigh- bourhood of the village, on a path leading from it towards the water side, blond was discovered tened titis Boad dlowa to a smint but, a 6shing-but, on the water side, in which I found five men, who were taken into eustody. Oa Borne parts of the path, peronived a considerable quantity of bioot, apparently as if the enure from which the blad Howed lind bogn rested there. The country round the vil logo at this time (hout noon) was in a bla I returned home about 5 o'clock v.., and did not go out again on that day. On the following croning a bedy was taken out of this water and ornveyed to Stanley; this body 1 identified na shat of the keto Captaia Da Cost. The place where it was foun! was about 100 yards to the left of the terminus of the path which leads up to the villagogo am informed; itwas covered with wounds. The spot where Dr Tweddell picked up this spent lieal has been pointed out to ine. should say it is about 120 yards from the village of Wong-in-Be- tween this spot and the village there is a thick wood, with a pallway leading though it. I slid most certainly say tha the cries of caen struggling for their lives evil ho herd from this spot by the villagers of Wang-ann-kok. The quality of gunpowder found in the vilinge was about 100th; quantity of bamboos, which are said to he loaded with power and used by the Chinese in warfare; also a quantity of saltpetre and pounded charcoal. Whas little eonvers tion had with the villagers was enrried on through ay servant boy, a native of Chiun nanted [
There is a quantity of cultivated grad rend the village, frequently visited the village. I have seen 12 to 15 men there None of us ever knew that powder was maniu- at a tine. factured there. Ituever struck me that there was a fishing elation in this neighbourhood. When the old man that had the wound on his head was interrogated as to where the villagers bad gone, he replied that they were filting--lo had not seen any Kuropeans about the village un Sunday,"
CHARLES C. GRANTHAM. Lieutenant Ceylon Rifles,
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1 bave
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THOMAS FRANCIS FARDERICK AUGUSTUS MACDONNELL, sworn. This witness corroborates the statement made by Mr Grantham, as regards Cie going out in search of the mining party on Sunday night; and further adds.] Whea I approached within about 20 yards of the wood in the immediate neighbourhood of the village, I found one spear i head, apparently but recently broken off from the shaft. On this spear head I discovered blood, apparently fresh. The spot where this was found is that at whieh Dr Tweddell picked up the three-pronged spear. I shewed him the spet afterwards This place should say is about 200 yards from the village of Wong-ma-kok. In my ontrian the cries of people struggling for their res could be heard by the vil Lagers from the spot. I cannot say that beyond the Snding of the spear ads, there were any marks of a struggie having taken place at this spot. On proceeding onwards, in the village, there were found one or two more apears. There was ales the shift of a spar found in the village, it had the appearance of being recently broken: bere markı of lilood. On a pathway leading from the village to the water side, I discovered tracks of blood. The blood was first distinguishable on this track shout 150 yards from the village. If a struggle had taken place at this spot it would not have been perceived by the villagers; cries enuld have been heard. On Monday nerning, in addition to the spear heals that were found at the apnt bokore described, there was found a small hatchet hid under a tree. I was present at the time I cannot any is bad any blaod on it. I saw on Tuesday evening lady that had been taken out of the water, lying at Stanley. It had several severe wounds on
Mr Da Unista was in good spirits when he set out. They a glass of Champagn, but were ranked by winir."—Regizim's Report.
MT
When he wached the bench he saw them sitting on a Tork showe They end to blen to come on, but he was tired, and sħid not agr
Imer pork. Mr Thwyer helped him up, had they
Da
both
Eida half me on twice 123 yards.-B.C.M.
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