CO129-366 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor May - 1910 [4-5] — Page 111

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Raat 14 MAY 10

Hon.C.S.

I beg to report that I went to Nam Tau on Thursday last the 24th with 6 witnesses and assisted at the trial of Leung Tau.

The hearing lasted some 3 hours: the prisoner made several

conflicting statements but after prolonged cross examination and confrontation with the witnesses he ultimately admitted that he

together with Mak Tin Fuk, Wu Ngai and Leung Fuk planned the murder: that he accompanied the 3 persons named to the gap on the morning of the murder: that he was armed with a knife: that he received $36

from the booty after the murder: he persisted however that when he

reached the gap he became frightened and handed his knife to Mak Tin

Fuk and took no part in the killing.

for f

The Magistrate at this point remanded the case and said that he

would require no further evidence. Leung Tau cannot be convicted for

murder in the first degree until he admits having taken part in the actual slaying. The Magistrate is satisfied of his guilt and proposes to administer further interrogatories he will report to me when

the necessary admission has been obtained. The Magistrate Cheung Wan Ching has only been in the district for a few days. He treated

me with great courtesy and entertained me to two light meals. In a Chinese trial the part of Hamlet is played by the Interpreter

P

but

I was struck by the shrewdness of the Magistrate's questions and his knowledge of the case. If any report of this case is sent to Canton I

would ask that the ability and courtesy of Cheung Wan Ching be brought to the notice of the Viceroy.

The Magistrate's Interpreter receives no salary and I had to expend $12 in tips to him and the Yamen runners. This amount may be

regarded in the light of fees of court and I therefore ask whether it

would be proper for me to recover this amount from Incidental expenses.

(ed) S.B.C. Ross.

29.3.10.