1918-05-23 — Page 3

Page

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL

A moeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council--the first for the despatch of ordinary business since February lat will be held to-day at 3.30 p.m.

Notice has been given of the following questions:--

PUBLIC SAFETY AT PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.

[BY THE HON. MR, LAU CHU-PAK.] Will the Government make arrange

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

[DEFORE HIS HONOUR THE CHIEF JUSTICE (BIR WILLIAM REES-DAVIES,K.C.)]. THE VANCHAT MURDER. PRISONER SENTENCED TO DEATH.

alcoholic beverages yet it stood to reason that when men met at a party thay would partake of spirits on the understanding that their doing so should not be divulg ed. Well, the prisoner and his friends came ashore and did indulge in drink, after which they gambled. There was in the case in which Sarro Din, aa row in the place, and prisoner was Javanese, was indicted for murdering another Javanese on April 18th at Wanchai.

The hearing was resumed, yesterday,

The Hon. Mr. J. II. Kemp, C.B.E. ments to have all the permanent public (Attorney-General), prosecuted, and Mr.

places of amusement periodically ex- amined as to their stability, and the adequacy or otherwise of the provision of

The following jury were empanelled to fire-exity, and fire extinguishing applitry the case-Messrs. H. P. Allgood, J. McCubbin, E. Ezra, A. C. Botelho, A. Bouct, E. Howard, and J. G. Garra

ances?

Will the Government state what condi- tions they propose to impose to ensure the safety of the public in the case of: "temporary structures used as public places of amusement ?.

HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. BY THE HON. MR. P. H. HOLYCAR.] When did the Victoria Hospital on Barker Road was taking in maternity cases and for what reason Was this decision came to?

How many infectious cases of disease: have been taken into this Hospital during the fortnight ending March 9th?

THURSDAY, MAY 28HD, 1918.

ณ

Mui when he noticed three men conceal

bush. The men,

who were ed behind armed with knives, stopped him, pushed him down, and robbed him. They then went away, but were stopped by nu Indián constable, who arrested one of them. The other two attempted to escape, but another constable, who was near at ejected by the deceased. Prisoner was the time, arrested the second man. The later informed by another man that two-third man escaped. When the men were men were waiting, to molest him and, searched a parso, containing $1 and some being terrified at this, be armed himself odd cents, was found on one and a knife with a knife. It was quite possible that on the other.

Prisoners stated that they were hungry und asked the ricsha coplie to give them money to purchase rica. He refused, so they took it from him by force

His Lordship passed sentence of eigh-

teen months' rigorous imprisonment in

R. E. Bolilies (instrusted by Mr. P.all the men were drunk at the time. He submitted that the principal witness was W. Goldring) defonded.

nothing less than a bully, The jury must bear in mind that when prisoner stabbed deconsert he was under the influence of terror of his life. He asked the jury to each case. drink, and, also, that he was in mortal bring in a verdict of manslaughter with The Attorney-General said there were a strong recommendation for mercy,

three defences offered in the case,

way.

The principal witness in the case, who was in the company of deceased on the afternoon of the murder, contradicted, in his evidence on Tuesday, the statement he mad at the Police Court that he saw the prisoner stab the derased in the back and shoulder. He now said he only saw prisoner running away. He added that prisoner was drunk in the morning and

afternoon.

In the first instanco the prisoner said he was not aware that he was breaking the laws of Hongkong by killing one of his own countrymen, from which it could be inferred that a murder would be coun- tenanecd in his own country. Such a thing was not possible in a civilized coun try, or even in a semi-civilized country. The man, although having cause for annoyance during the earlier part of the Diy Lordship impressed upon the wit-morning, had plenty of time to cool down, but, instead, he waited for his Victim and killed him. The second de fence was that the man was in great fear, but not a word of this was meation.

In answer to N, Belilies, witness serted that he only heard the sound of thumping, as if some person were throw.

a load down on the ground,

Why are infectious cases imported into an area which was previously free from infectious diseases 1

How many cases of Measles have beenness the importanes of his admission, taken into the Victoria Hospital during whereupon the witness again emphatical the past 3 weeks and how many of these y contradicted the statement to which he had just given utterance, and adhered

emanated from Kowloon

Are auch discuses as Measles, Diph

notified theria, Scarlet Fever, etc. diseases; and if not, will the Government take immediate steps to make them go?

acxt Estimates for increasing materially Will the Government provide in the the size of Victoria Hospital?

(a). Seli z portion of the present site of

the "Government Civil Hospital und with the proceeds erect (b) A Hospital for Europeans in the Cantral district of Hongkong " (e) A Branch Hospital for Europeans

in Kowloon?

(d) Improve the present Lunatio

Anylum?

THE POST OFFICE AND BANK HOLIDAYS

[BY THE HON. MR. P. H. HOLYGAK.1

Will the Government give instructions that the General Post Office shall remain open on all Bank holidays, other than. Christmas Day and China New Year's day, until 12 d'eluck noon for the despatch of mails?

THE RACE COURSE DISASTER BY THE HON, MR II. E. POLLOCK, E.G.] In connection with the recent disaster at the Racecourse, which resulted in the

-death of over 570 pernous,

(1) Is it the fact that the Coroner, netr the close of his charge to the Jury, said as follows:-

"It would appear that this cala-

away.

and ran away-Witness: Yes..

Have you seen him drunk? No. You take drinks yourself? No It is customary for men un ships to take a few drinks when they go ashore No, I was not aware of that.

* [DEVORE X19 HONOUR THE PUISNE JUDGE

(ME. X. H. J. GOMPERTZ.))

THE YEE WO STREET MURDER.

PRISONER FOUND “NOT GUILTY.!!

The hearing of the case in which Pun

Lum, alias Kai Ks Lam, is indicted for

Street on March 30th last, was resumed the murder of Lai Man, at 43. Yce Wo

yesterday.

Mr. F. C. Jenkin appeared to prose for the Crown, and Mr. C. G. Alabaster (instructed by Mr. F d'Almada) appeared for the defence.

The following comprised the jury -- Mesars J. Hooper, T. C. Nixon, J: H Donnithorne, W. P. Nelson, C. A Franco, G. Stark and C. R. M. Young.

Mr. Alabaster, addressing the jury, to the former statement that he sawed at the hospital. No such complaint prisoner stab deceased and then run even made to the Police when they said they must be absolutely satisfied went to the place in the afternoon. In from the evidence that the accused was

suner was drunk in the morning and in

His Lordship: You said that the prifact, the prisoner's mind at that time guilty of the murder. If there was any Was in a state of truculenco. Un his own doubt that must be to the benefit of the the afternoon when he stabbed deceased showing, the prisoner started the quarrel, prisoner. He thought the jury would be and he only spoke of being afraid when of opinion that the Crown had absolutely at the Police Court, aflor having had failed to make good its care. It was time to invent the statement. The third undoubtedly a case of murder, but if they defence was that prisoner was drunk at examined the probabilities they would sec the tins. It was rather a dificult de that the murder was probably the work fence. It was confined to two statements, of one man, with ons instrument. One made by the principal witness and had been tried for the murder, was another man

Mohammedans were re-convicted and now stood under sentence was a motivo, a poor one, but there was luctant to charge their co-religionists of death. In the case of that inan there- with being drunk. Prisoner, however, did not mention a word at the Police Station about being drunk, and the Police stated that he was not under, the influence of liquor. Counsel submitted that i The man felt the indignity of being turned out of a house, broaded over it, and three hours later committed the murder.

When you saw deceased fall you called out to the prisoner, "You have killed him?"When I saw deceased fall I cried out.

›

Did he say anything No. Did he ran as soon as he saw deceased fall

Did he run fast ?—Yes, fast. Did you think he was running with the intention of escaping?—Yes, because

ho ran fast.

He was not too drunk to run fast? Well, he ran pretty fast.

If he was drunk now could be have run

I was a caso of ungoverned rage.

motive, nevertheless-the greed of money. There was some money due to deceased a fact which was known to the condemned man-nud this money found on him. Prisone

Prisoner did not draw the money, and there was no motive in his case which could be suggested.

was

Mr. Jenkin said prisoner's defence was a two-fold one, the first being an alibi,

His Lordship pointed out that accorda common defence, but one which needed maity was one which could most at all-Well, I saw that his face was ing to law, a man who was drunk became proving; and the second a direct accusa-

red and arrived at the conclusion that so voluntarily, and was responsible for he was drunk.

probably have been provented hy the exercise of foresight, and foresight which one might have reasonably expected before the event and which one, certainly

Now we know from the Doctor's evid

solely concerned in the murder. In both tion against the other man that he was of these defences he had miserably failed,

found it easy to expect after the enco that decensed had five stab wounds brought in a unanimous verdict of Witnesses for prisoner had been called,

evont."

in the back. You wero walking quite

you not arrest prisoner --He ran away immediately.

(ii) Is it the fact that the Jury, in close to deceased at the time. Why did

their findings, specified certain neglects and omissions of duty on the part of the Public Works Department and the Police Depart- ment?

It must take some time to inflict five etab wounds?-He did it very quickly.

You bad another man with you 1-Yes.

(iii) Is it the fact that the Jury re

commended the making and cu- forcement by the Government of certain classes of regulations for the purpose of minimizing, so far as possible, the risk of & future Javaness had informed him that deceased recurrence of such a disaster?

any crime he committed.

The jury, after a short deliberation,

"Guilty of murder."

His Lordship accordingly sentence of death.

passed

DISOBEYING AN ORDER OF BANISHMENT,

Chu Kong pleaded guilty to returning

The prisoner made a statement at the from banishment. Police Court that one of the other

Mr. G. H. Wakeman (Crown Solicitor) prosecuted.

If the answer to the last question is and yourself were waiting to assault

in the affirmative will the Government prisoner. Why do you think this It was stated that the prisoner was taks early steps to pass the necessary

Regulations, and, in the framing of such Regulations, will the Government take especial care to epact that certain definite Officials in the Government Servies shall be personally responsible for seeing that such Regulations are carried

onti

znan

would inform prisoner if it were not true--I don't know..

Is there any truth in it--None at all. The Attorney-General: Your Lord- ship will remember that the other witness Will the Government also direct the emphatically denied prisoner's assertion, His Lordship then went on to read a early revision and the enforcement of all- Regulations relating to the stability and statement made by the prisoner at the construction of and overcrowding in and fire precautions in theatres and other Folioo Court, in which he said that, places (including ratsbeds) of public being informed that the principal wit- entertainment 7

Will the Government state whetherness, deceased, and another man were Any, and, if so, what Regulations exist waiting for an opportunity to molest For the inspection and testing of lifts in him, he armed himself with a knife and buildings? If there are no suck Regula-hid behind the room door. He noticed tions, will the Government introduce such Regulations?

the principal witness and deccased com ing, and, being afraid of the former, who had terrified all his shipmates, prisoner rushed out. He stabbed deceased several times.

His Lordship wished to know from witness why the men were afraid

ORDERS OF THE DAY. The orders of the day include the Following

First of a Bill intituled, "An Ordinausend the Bill of Exchange" Ordinanum, nauk

First Ordinangg bo mau Propert

Firat

Ordinu Offence:

First

Ordinan

Bmolti

Sec

#An

Stater

Sec

An

Publi indoo matare

of a Bill intituled, “An of him equire certain returns to Lustodian of Enemy

Witness replied that the reason' was due to his being rather smart at his ta Bill intituled, At work, and also being able to command and further the Summary

be, 1845"*9.

labour,

arrested in April, in connection with

another charge, and it was then found

that ho had been twice banished for life. The first vecasion was on November 3rd, 1910, and he returned on 25th July, 1816, when he committed a larceny and was sentenced to nine months bard labour. Prisoner said he was pool to Canton, where be had no relatives or friends. found it difficult to live as he had

money.

but had failed to substantiate the story which he asked them to believe,

The jury, after an absence of five minutes, returned a verdict of "Not Guilty." The prisoner was accordingly discharged

AT

ARMED ROBBERY

WANCHAL INMATES HELD UP WITH DUMMY PISTOL

CHINESE ADMIRAL AMONG THE DEFENDANTS,

At the Hongkong Magistracy, yesterday, before Mr. F. DO. Wolfe, seven Chinese were charged with committing an armed doy last, and stealing property valued robbery at No. 7 Wood Road, on Satur

the mon at 32,500

The prosecution allege that gained an entrance into the house hy Heiying that they wore postmen and that they later held up the inmates with no dummy pistols. The inmates were gagged and bound and the house ransacked. The men all got away, but later were arrested.

Two of the defendants admitted the offence.

His Lordship sentenced prisoner to two years' hard labour,

Chan Shing, alias Chan Si; pleaded guilty to returning from banishment

The Crown Solicitor, who prosecuted, said prisonar, had been banished four times, the last time for life. He had, however, persistently returned. On one occasion he amitted a larceny and was sentenced to three months hard labour, Prisoner esid he came to Hongkong with the intention of removing some goods.

His Lordship sentenced prisoner

Bill intituled, "An Why, then, did prisoner select deceas three years' hard labour.

And the Dangerous

Ordinance 1900,"ed-I don't know.

the Bill intituled, Was it because deceased knocked him repeal the Malay downstairs --I don't know. Ordinance, 1003,"

the Bill intituled, Mr. R. E. Belilios, addressing the rohibit exhibitions jury for the defence, said that despite tisements of an the fact that Mohammedans were forbid iting, or offensive

den by their religion from indulging in

ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE

Keang Kom and Lo Nam pleaded. guilty to robbery with violence,

W

Goldring appeared to de- adjournment also asked for bail to be fend another man, and in asking for an granted,

Inspector Sin stated that he had been instructed to oppose bail.

Mr. Wolfe remanded all the defendants refusing bail.

for

Another Chinose was charged with aiding and abetting the others.

Mr. Balmer Johnson, who appeared for him, stated that the man was an assistant Watson & Co., and was needed at the to the compradore of Mesra A 9. office The compradore was prepared to stand as security and was willing to put up Wolle fixed bail et

$5,000 bail. Mr

Was

charged with a Another man similar offence. It was stated by Inspector Sim that the man with others had re- hearsed the whole robbery in Shanghai Streets

Yaumati The man was one of Lung Chat kwong's men in fact, was an Admiral in his fleet.

The Crown Solicitor, who said that on the night of April 29th & riccha coolie was going to the village of Test Tset without bail

The case was remanded for a week

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