1913-12-12 — Page 3

THE YAUMATI FERRY DISASTER.

CONCLUSION OF THE INQUEST:

The third day was reached yesterday of the inquest which is being conducted by Mr. F. A. Hazeland, on the body of Leang Hoi, alius Leung Koi, one of the victims in the Yaumati ferry disaster.

Kwang Tsung Kau, a draughtsman employed at the Refuge Works at Yaumati, who was another passenger on. the ill-fated taunch, said that the launch blew a blast before it passed the Blue Faunel steamers. When the Soshi Mara was eighty feet away, and the collision He did not hear the Japanese steamer

much the launch bell ring as there was so confusion,

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,

P.C. Macaulay was the first witness after the tin adjournment. He said that at 8.40 a.m. on the day of the collision ho was crossing from the Naval Yard to Kowloon Foint in No. 8 Police launch. He saw the Soshu Maru under weigh in the central fairway, coming from Green Island, and a Hongkong ferry launch was leaving the Hongkong side and going to Yaumati. In the centre of the fairway the launch was run into by the fosh Verit and sank immediately,

By Mr. Kemp-He could not say if either of the vessels altered their speed He went to the scene of the collision and picked up two Chinese-a male and a female. He did not pay much attention

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12rm, 1913. THE EXTRADITION CASE.

The hearing of the ease in which the extradition of Chung Sau Nam to Chica is sought was resumed before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Blagistracy yesterday.

HONGKONG FOOTBALL

ASSOCIATION,

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of this Association was held at the Royal Engineers' Theatre last evening, Mr. R. Hancock presiding over a representative attendance, which included Messrs. F.

Mary was that she was going too fast. and the second was that when she dropped anchor the anchor dragged and the evidence of the Government Marine Surveyor was to the effect that the steamer must have been going fast to

Mr. M. W. Sinde, K.C., and Mr. Eldon cause the damage she did to the launch Against that they had the evidence of Potter (instructed by the Assistant Crown the Sou Maru witnesses, that if the Solicitor, Mr. P. M. Hodgson, and Mr. launch had kept to its course and gone-on, F. C. Master of Messrs. Johnson, Browne and A. B. Storrie and Comman, the collision would not have occurred. Stokes & Master), appeared in support of der M. B. Buillie Hamilton R.N.⠀⠀⠀ They said that their excessive speed. if the extradition, and Sir Francis, Piggott,The minutes of the previous meeting it was excessive, was not the cause of the und Mr. C. G. Alabaster (instructed by having been disposed of the meeting Another point urged against Mr. G. K. Hali Brutton and Mr. W. B. welcomed Commander Billie Hamilton on his taking up the duties of councillor. the Sushu Marn was that she should have find, of Messrs. Brutton & Hett) were

The Honorary Secretary (Mr. F., W. disaster.

slowed up sooner than she did. Well, for the defence..

the Bager) reported that owing to D.G.LI. men being away in camp it had. according to the laws which governed

vessels was such that the launch would

plaints against a referee and a player She was showing

until the interested parties could be have the right of way. her port-3ide to the Socha Moru.

The next examination for the position of present, and this action was confirmed. official referces was announced

was inevitable, he heard the whistle of to where the Yoshi Horn went after the open sea traffic, the position of the twoYaw Ting, said he went into his present:béen resolved to defer the hearing of com-

confusion --Well, everyone was afraid.

""

What were they doing or saying?—The shont raised by the passengers was autora.'

secident.

By Mr. Harris-At the moment of the collision, and as far as he would see, the

hour.

That

qualification: all the rules of avoiding

was also the rule in the barbour with this.

Previous to Mr. Kemp's address to the jury, Mr, Harris asked permission to refer to the Crown Solicitor's opening state-The first thing alleged against the Wa meet, and this was given,

Mr. Kemp-What do you mean by auch was travelling at four knots an P.S. Fox spoke to going to the scene of the collision, where he received the body Roof Leung Kol from Naval Yard launch

No. %. By Mr. Harris The Suche Maru was going very fast. Ile had nothing with which to gauge the speed of the launch, but the speed suddenly became slower when the Soshi Morn was about to run into the launels. The launch he might have been rang, but he did not hear it.

Mr. Davidson also asked leave to question witness on what he had said about the speed of the Soshu Maru.

He asked Was the Japanese steamer going as fast as the Fu Seng -Faster,

Very much faster ?—Yes.

Twice as fast That I cannot tell. Assuming the lamich was going at eight knots an hour, how fast do you assume the Soehne Mari was going?-1 do not know much about speed.

Mr. Harris (reading from the Daily Press) then remarked that in his opening statement the Crown Solicitor remarked that," According to my theory of the collision the coxswain of the Fu Sang lost his head, and apparently stopped his engines. I have evidence of that... If the steam launch had kept going at full speed it would have cleared the The immediate cause of

steamer.

the disaster was not that the launch was going across the fairway at full speed, but the coxswain not going ahead at the Mr. Davidson endeavoured to discover last moment.". It did not seem any part something about the real speeds, but of the duty of the Crown Solicitor, Mr. finding this impossible remarked--As a Harris commented, in a case of that kind, It was for the matter of fact you don't know anything to indulge in theories. about, speed on the sea, do you No, Inry to do so; if they liked to embark in And the Crown theories they could. don't know very much about it.

on the launch, Solicitor should only deal with facts and Another passenger -named-Ho Fat, also said that the Seshu those things which would be admitted by Mara did not slow down, but he could witnesses, and not state as facts those not say if the launch did not, because he things which were going to cause conflict. The only evidence which was given to was confused and excited.

support the theory was that given by the It was officers of the Soshu Maru. directly negatived by those in charge of the launch and also the expert, Mr. Macdonald, and they might say that it was directly negatived by the only Euro- Mr. Kemp should peen, Mr. Carwen. have opened The officers of the Sashu Mord will say that the launch stopped

Mr. Kemp How fast was the steamer going -Oh, she was going,

Yes, but how fast -Oh, just ordinarily Another Chinese witness gaid that when he noticed the launch slow down the steamer W2S two or three "cheungs" The Soshu Maru, he also said. away. was going very fast. He did not hear

the launch sound n whistle.

His Worship suggested that. Mr. Harris

was endeavouring to show contributory negligence.

A clerk in the Treasury, named Ngai

office on the 20th July, the defendant being appointed some eight or nine days later. Defendant came and asked witness for He was in the Treasury on the 4th August, collisions at sea are to be observed with the principal paying-out book, entries in due regard to the special circumstances which commenced in the first month of in each case. Therefore, the Soshu Maru the first year of the Republic and went could say:

We acted in error of judg up to June. Witness got the book from ment thinking the Wa Sang would go a cupboard and handed it to the defer on, but we were not grossly negligent, dunt. The latter looked at it whilst Sany was that she went too fast into theit, going to his office. By 11,30 the same holding it, and then walked away with fairway, yet the Sashu Maru said this morning the fugitive had not returned the was not the real cause of the collision; book. Witness went to look for him, but failed to find either him or the book, and it was the stopping of the engine.

Mr. Harris-My friend should moa- tlie book had never been returned as far as tion to the jury that if the a Sang had he know changed her course or speed on seeing the Cross-examined by Sir Francis Piggott, other ship on her port bow, she would the witness said his department was have been committing a breach of the newly-created on the 20th July. It was the would hare. been held department which paid out and received regulations, responsible for anything which might money in answer to a further question happen, and also be liable for prosecution as to why old books relating to the receipt by the Harbour Authority for commiting and payment of monies should be sent to and pay the office for future receipts that breach.

ments, the witness said that they were sent there to be filed. They were only books of the Republic, not of the monarchy.

The

Where two

معرف

more

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for

INTIMATIONS

XMAS GOODS

OUR CONFIDENCE JUSTIFIED.

-We undertake

to

refund the Cost of ang

January."

Mr. Eager presented the Association's | Article if any of our Customers are not satisfied, Handbook for the season, and it met with

It was Sich an offor could not be nude if they wag hearty reception, the compiler being as we know how reellent our Goods are. complimented on his work. and that the books could only be obtained the slightest danht about our Goods. All we

ask is your inspection. pointed out that the issue was limited, through an affiliated Club or from the Association Secretary-

PROPOSED INTERPORT MATCH. The report of the conference re

The

proposed inter-port match with Shanghai H. Evotball Association submitted that the II.K.F.A should invite the SF.4. to visit Hongkong during the coming Chinese New Year holiday (January 20th, Hongkong F.A. represcatatives, The 1914) to play an inter-port match with the report further suggested that. Shanghai should be informed that the II.K.F. Club, the H.K. League, and the Enited Services

the

..

RUTTONJEE

& SON,

WINE AND PROVISION MERCHANTS.

[31.

League would be prepared to put repre- MAPPIN&WEBB, sentative teams against them on occasion of their visit. It was also recom

mended that in the event of Shanghai's

Sir Francis Piggott-When did the acceptance, a working committer should Rapublican régime start?--Everybody be formed to carry out the whole of the knows when the Republic started. It was incidental duties (entertaining, groñnt, the year before last, but I don't remember advertising ke..) in sub-committees, and The names of the this was approved. the date. (Laughter.)

Mr. Alabaster-Evidently he thinks he is not included in everybody.

Sir Francis Piggott-I thought you persons agreed on as the General Com-

mittco were:--:

Nominated by H.K.F.A.Messrs. R. said everybody knew.

Hancock and A. P. Storrie, Captain T. A. Robertson, A.O.D. Commander M. B. Baile Hamilton RN. and F. W. Eager (Hon. Sec.) Nominated by H.K.F.C.-Messrs F. Browne, J. II. McMurtrie, and J. C Taylor.

The witness further said that there was

trouble in Canton on the 4th August, and all the officials, including himself, went away. He met two other officials on the 18th, and reported the matter of the book. then. When he returned on the 19th the offices were not in a disorderly stat

everything was just as he left it.

Nominated by H.K, L.-Messrs. F. F.

Long and A. S. Elli Nominated by D. S. Lengue:-Lieut. E. K. Jenkins (or another nominee by the D.C.LT) and Sergt. A, A. Wilson R.A

The report was unanimously approved; and the next step will be the sending of the official invitation from the Association to Shanghai.

LIMITED.

NEW CONSIGNMENTS

STERLING SILVER WARE.

PRINCES

PLATE

(GUARANTEED FOR 30 YEARS)."

CUTLERY,

From the

The Crown Solicitor I don't think so. Mr. Harris-The local rule says that Fall vessels, irrespective of size, or whether in the fairway or not shall observe the International Collision Regulations, and no vessel whatever shall anchor in any of the fairways. So we have got t

And the regulations say observe that. very clearly: vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on the starboard side shall keep out of Therefore the the way of the other." Sustar Staru, having us on her starboard side, should have kept out of our way. The Wa Sang kept her course and speed. It was hardly fair to suggest to the jury that the 'a Song should have deliber ately broken a rule and gone to starboard. The Crown Solicitor-I do not suggest it, and I do not think so.

Mr Harris-You are putting it possible catrici qua we were legi ligone

Crown Solicitor-Certainly

Ho added 11. pussible cause. the officers in charge of the launch and is

Mr. Harris that the International Collision rules due also by other evidence."

mast be observed, but with a

It was added People have read Mr. Kemp's regard to the circumstances.

The United Services League. asked rules, but in special circumstances opening in the Daily Press and they have a very risky thing to depart from those

might be deemed feasible to do so.

approval to play."Army Navy" at mentioned it to me."

The Crown Solicitor replied that they thought the Fa Sang stopped, that

that theory forward put convenient

of course the request for Mr.- as would be the approximate and imme-

Happy Valley on Buxing Day. This was diate cause of the collision. However, Irauc upon

they had evidence, which showed that the

icons givre, and for neutral income CHS. J. GAUPP which the jury might, for the time launch must have been going at full speed

to his position, and came to Canton with ferees' Board.

The Honorary Secretary, then made an Mr. J. Macdonald, Government Marine being, place the facts, while hearing the at the time of the collision, proceedings. He was recently appointed to be appointed was referred to the Re-

carefully before they accepted it. jury could say if there was any criminal about the Rebellion, but not much, and that fourteen qualified official referees He had heard wers on the books for active service and negligence, but he would ask them to find that enly from hearsay,

to that several provinces declared their that all had paid their subscriptions. and not to express any opinion as only a verdict of "death by misadventure' whether one or both were to blame. independence. He was not aware of the Eight senior clubs were also shown to he in the same happy position, and of the The Coroner, in his summing up, said fact that Chan Kwing Ming was an cut fourteen junior clubs in existence exist- the Jury had to decide whether death was due to criminal negligence, or whether law.

to misadventure. He reminded the jury that criminal negligence was equal He quoted authorities and went bu to to a felony, the felony of manslaughter. say that there were only two points in Maru, or whether the a Sung did or that case: the excessive speed of the Roshe did not stop, With reference to the excessive speed of the Seshu Maru, he should mention that the evidence which had been adduced showed that the speed ed by the Ordinance. was not over 9 knots, and that was allow

Mr. Harris denied this. It had not launch the shown that yet been stopped. He was not suggesting that the launch was negligent, and that the Soshu

·Marn was equally negligent.-

The witness, replying to Mr. Davidson, said that the steamer was going much faster than the launch.

ho

being

16

The Superintenden of the Military Bureau and Marine Surveyor at Canton, Lau Yu Fun, was next called, and in answer to Sir Francis Piggott said that he had been deputed by the Governor General to come down to. Hongkong to He did not know look after the case. whether the Foreign Bureau in Foking had been consulted in regard to these

Surveyor, said he had examined the, Taovidence. He understood, according to would ask them to examine his theurs the prescut. Tutuh. He knew something cteresting unicuncement. He reported

The

Sang twice since the collision.. vessel was totally eut in two; there were two seperate pieces and these were lying 900 or 300 yards apart. The two sections could not have been drawn apart since; the vessel was cut right in two...

his instructions, that certain facts would be proved, about the stopping of the launch, and possibly the evidence had been slightly different from what he expesteti.

The Crown Solicitor then reviewed the facts which had been adduced by the Mr. Kemp Would she have been cut evidence. Dealing with the law relating in two by a vessel going fast or slow

to the collision, he said that an act of Oh, going very fast.

His Worship -How many knots?gligenec, if there was one, must be the approximate cause of the disaster, and He added that, from the damage the the act of negligence must be gross launch must have been cut into at right if it was to result in a charge of man- angles, Speaking of his examination of slaughter. They night find that both the the launch engines and the valves, witness Seshu Maru and the Wa Sang were to said that the engines were ahead gear-blame. They might then ask if they were not astern and the stop valve was full justified in finding the Captain of the

About nine.

open.

Soshu Maru guilty of manslaughter, and- Mr. Kemp-You mean that if the the coxswain of the Wa Sang, or both. launch had been cut in two when she was going full steam ahead, that was the condition in which you would expect to find the engines 1-Yes,

·The

He had heard that his arrest had enge thirteen had met their obligations

icen ordered by the President, but he had not seen the order.

Sir Francis-What would you do if you found Chan Kwing Ming suddenly at dinner with you ?-I don't know. I don't think

I should eat (Laughter.)

any dinner.

If you suddenly met him in your dock

avoid each other (Luugliter.): yard, what would you doWe should

You know that the Tutiahs have had an order from Peking to arrest certain people-among them Chun Kwing Ming

-Yes, I know that.

The case was again adjourned.

SOLE AGENTS:

& CO.,

ALEXANDRA

BUILDINGS,

CHATER ROAD

CALDBECK,

as the exception, and it was decided to subscriptions. The B.O.C. were nained. give them till Wednesday next to settle up, failing which membership will cease. The meeting thought the state of affairs most. ment that the printing and distribution eatisfactory; as was also Mr. Eager's state- of the new handbook would not cost the MACGREGOR&Co. Association a cent. This concluded the business

CANTON NOTES. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]

CANTON, December 9th. DUMPING BOMES. Over 100 explosive bombs had accumu

·lated as a result of the Lumerous seizures effected lately. Yesterday. Tutuh Lung. caused experimente to be made with several of these bombs at the Five-Storey Pagoda on the Koon Yum Hill, and ordered the remainder to be conveyed on steam launch to Bueca Tigris to be damped into the sear

Mr. Harris-Would your Worship in form the jury that the speed given by Mr. Macdonald was the speed at the actual time of the collision. Previous to that the They might think both were to blame, and that, he submitted, would be a fair Soha Marg had dropped anchor and all His Worship did so, and then went on solution of a civil action, ter the that sort of thing. evidence they had had before them. But to say that when they considered the ques Mr. Harris-Did you give instructions before they returned a verdict of man- tion of speed they should also remember. the weight whieh was behind a vessel. for the engines not to be tampered with slaughter against the Captain of the Sos But I put it to you, gentlemen, pro- THE "KWAN CHAU WAN" PIRACY.

that upon the —No, I did not; when I went the first are they would have to disbelieve the ceeded Mr. Hazeland.

Our Macao correspondent informs as time the tide was too high to get at the evidence of that ship's officers, and if evidence which has been adduced, von would not be justified in saying that the

THE GAY QUARTEL.

vessel.

against the coxswain of the Fe Sang speed of the Sashu Aaru was over mine that the pirates who looted the ten

Some weeks ago, it was reported that Mr. Kemp also put a question on this they would have to disbelieve those in knots, That being so, I put it to you, Chau Wan made off with money and goods point. Could the engines," he asked, chargo of the launch. If they disbelieved there cannot be gross negligence. She is

allowed to go at nine knots. With refer amounting in the aggregate to

The pirates had embarked at a monopoly for the "gay houses" had been granted to the Tak Hing Co., who The promised to pay a very substantial tax. ence to the Wa Sang, Mr. Hazeland said $30,080. have been tampered with ""I do not the evidence of both sets of witnesses a think so.

If they had been the quadrant verdict of manslaughter would have to the question was whether she did or did Kwan Chau Wan as passengers.

so-called Company had inadequate capital would have shown it. Two of the high be returned against the Captain of the not stop. He referred to evidence on the

The pilot was also and consequently the monopoly was with did not shot: wounds. pressure eccentric rods were bent, and steamer, and the coxswain of the launch, point, and said that whether she stopped body of the Captain was covered with Soon afterwards it was found that the or went ahead, in his opinion and the matter. If the Wa Sang that made it almost impossible for any Speaking of the speed of the Soshu Biar collision had happened, it would have wounded. Captain Jesus leaves an drawn. Notices were then issued by the

added.

They

Over

one to tamper with the engines," had not been in charge of a watchman, he --In reply to Mr. Davidson, witness said that if the valves had been tampered with the screw thread would have shown it, and it did not. There had been movement of the valve after the collision. Witness added that the launch was a very old wooden one. She was built in

had evidence from both sides that the men 1884, and was practically re-built in 1906,

in charge of the two ships thought they being thus new in very good condition.

His Worship asked a question regard could clear if they kept or and to their ing the weight of the Sochu Maru, and respective course. Therefore that might with the verdict. Having regard to the not allow these steamers to run unless in question was issued at the request of

have been an error of judgment.

Juwest offer must be $1,160,000. Up-to-date the Crown Solicitor said she appeared to collision that he ought to have gone aged mother and two sisters to mourn his Civil Administrator inviting tenders for be within the maximum of nine knots, shead. If she had one ahead and the loss. Great sympathy is expressed with the monopoly on the condition that the not a single offer has been received, although it did not follow that ships were collision had happened, it would have been

held that that was tot a case of criminal Captain Jesus was very promising because none of these houses are allowed Civil Administrator has now issued fresh allowed to go at that speed. It would be said that she ought to have stopped. He the family in Macao in their bereavement.

Colony, very negligent and careless for them to negligence, the highest they could put it young officer and was well liked in the in the Chan Tong Nam district. The not go at that speed under certain circurs at was that 16 was an error of judgment.

Our correspondent suggests that as two notices to the affect that the order pro- hibiting the establishment these Both the captain of the Soshe Maru and stances. But, in face of the regulations, the coxswain of tho We Sang thought they

monopoly has now been reduced to could they say that the Captain of the would be able to clear one another, and illustrations have been given within about houses in Chan Tong Nam has been Soche fare was grossly negligent. They whatever they did it was but an error couple of months of the dangers to life rescinded and that the upset price for the

of judgment.

and property from pirates on the steamere $1,000,000 per annum, $300,000 of which. plying between Macao and Kwan Chau um may be spread over a period of three the French Consul, and petition after Wan, the Portuguese authorities should years. It will be remembered the order

aent in since without success until now. petition asking for its reveation has been

was informed by Mr. Harris that she had a displacement of 1,100 tons.

Subsequeally the jury, after a brief verdict of consultation, returned Coroner remarked" I entirely agree "death from misadventure, and the The facts of the case, any other verdict would first piece of evidence against the Seshu not be proper."

they carry an armed guard for protection from these piratical outrages.

(ESTABLISHED 1864).

THE OLDEST FIRM OF WINE AND

SPIRIT MERCHANTS IN THE

EAST.

CHAMPAGNES,

SHERRIES,

MADEIRAS.

MARSALAS,

PORTS.

CLARETS.

BURGUNDIES,

HOCKS,

MOSELLES.

WHITE WINES.

die.