CO129-449 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [7-9] — Page 526

Enclosure 1.

RECE

C.O

55743

20 YOY

Extract from the Hongkong Daily Bricks 2 8.18.

520

The Coroner, in summing up, said the ' easiest way for the jury to return their verdict was by answering the following questions:-

Do you find that Sergeant Glendin- ning's death was the result of shot, fired by Bis Tija Singh on July 17th, at 10.30a.m., at Tai Of

It was B18 Tja Singh, when be fired the shot, of gound or unwound mind i

Did Tija Singh take his own life?

If so was he of unsound mind?

Do you find any person or persons criminally Praponsible, excepting the deceased, for the death of Sergeant Glendinning?

As this was a public enquiry, connected with the Police, they might make any ronments. The station was in an ONG- ying part of the Colony for the protec- ton of His Majesty's subjects. The ques. on as regards the Police was, when the Bergeant met his death, did they do their duty or neglect it? As regards the means of communication he wished to point QUL that both the conduct of the Police and the presence of the communications would not have saved the Sergeant's life. They might, however, make comments as to the desirability of future precautions, a conclusion, be referred to the Sergeant Baterpreter, the only man who did not fail to do bis duty. He was practically the only man to make an attempt to get to the station, and his conduct was admir able. He recommended his action to tila Government.

Fear

The jury retired and after a minutes deliberation returned - allows. ing verdict: -

We lint that Bergt. Canning's

teath was the result of a shot fired by Bis Tija Singh on the 17th inst., at 10.50 m., at Tai (. (2.)--We and that B18 Tija Singh, when be fired the shot, was Cf sound mind and therefore guilty of mur- der of Sergeant Glendinning. (3) We find from the evidence that Tija Singh took his own life. (4.) We find he was at the time of

sound mind ↑

(5) We do not find any person or persons criminally responsible for

The death of bergt. Litendinning. The jury also read out the following riders:

We are of opinion that the Indian Con- stable who was on station duty at the time gealy neglected his duty and that his conduct should be investigated.

We commend the action of the Sergeant Interpreter in attempting a rescue.

We also think that the other constables stationed at Tai 0, and who were in the station at the time with their arms and ammunition easily accessible, grossly neglected their duty in this time of emergency and that their conduct should be investigated, although they would not have been able to prevent the murder of Sergeant Glendinning, they could, least, bave prevented the fire, and the injury to Mrs. Glendinning and the suicide of the Indian constable.

at

We also think that, under the circum- stances of the Indian constable's position on the Island, he should have been put in charge of a guard whilst on the island.

We recommend to the Government the advisability of seeing that:--

(a.) At least two European officers be

stationed at all isolated out-sta tions.

(b.) That telephonic communication ba installed at all out-stations, con- necting same with each other and the Colony.

(c.) That such of these stations which use a boat as an access or only means of transit be provided with

•

a fully-manned and armed steam -- or motor pinnaco.

The jury desire to express their pro found sympathy with the widow and family of the deceased, and recommend that the Government consider the case of the widow and child and contribute a substantial pension or donation over and above the ordinary allowance.

The Coroner said he was in accord with the sentiments of sympathy expressed by the jury. He thanked them for the careful attention they had paid to the case and also complimented the Police on presenting their case so skilfully.