1918-08-08 — Page 3

AN ECHO OF THE TAI O TRAGEDY,

INDIAN CONSTABLE CHARGED-

WITH NEGLECT OF DUTY.

STATION UNDER ARREST,

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH, 2018.

L

that a man who had committed a larceny Mr. Shenton-That is to say you know slept in the room on the night before the tragedy t-Witness: Yes.

particular regulations dealing with Tai

The Sergeant Interpreter said he saw O. He did not instruct the men on the defendant on the hillside at the back of whole of the regulations contained in the station near Shek Tai Po He was the book, but only on the particularia uniform and armed with a carbine. sections dealing with the Indian Police.

BIS was in the room and had access to He also instructed them in other regula.

the files. SENIOR INDIAN SERGEANTS OF THE tions not contained in the book given him. He had no instructions' as to what particular portion of the Police Regala At the Hongkong Magistracy. yestertions he had to teach the constables. The day before Mr. J. R. Wood, Indian book given him contained the main constable 3145 was charged with neglect points of the Police Regulations. ing his duty on the occasion of the murstruction in some portions of the regula. der of Sergeant Glendinning at Tai O

tions had been ordered by the .C.S.P.," on July 17th, -

others he taught, using his discretion. There was

a Sergeant-Major who also instructed the Indian constables. The instruction was given at the Central Police station for a month and then at the various stations to which the men

Mr. T. H. King (acting D.S.P.) pro- secuted and Mr. W. E. L. Shenton appeared for the defendant.

Mr. King said, first of all, he would prave, from a section of the Police Re gulations the action defendant should have taken when he heard rifle reports, and when he had good reason to believe that something unusual had happened at Tai O. He would prove that defendant

was on duty at 10 a. mi. on July 17th till 12 noon, armed with rifle and twenty rounds of ammunition. He was on station duty at the time, his post being just outside thị, charge-room at the Tai O station. On that duty defendant

was not allowed to leave the station com.

pound; he had to patrol on the west and south side of the station. He would also prove that when Sergeant Glendinning

was shot at some time abou: 10.30 .. defendant was on "duty and that he ran

away.

Mr. Shenton wished to know whether the Crown intended to call any superior offer of the Police with regard to the Pulier Regulations.

Mr. King replied that he did not in-

Ia-

case he did not think Mr. Shenton could Mr. Wood said for the purposes of the

ask that question.

Mr. Shenton submitted that he could. ordered him to watch the station and Witness also said he saw defendant and shoot B18 if he came out. This defendant promised to do.

ro

The Asherman stated that he saw tragedy. guard at the station at the time of the He was waiting outside the

A KIDNAPPING CASE

BUY'S STRANGE TALE.

At the Hongkong Magistracy, yester day, before Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, a

his parents. Chinese was charged with kidnapping a little boy, aged 13, from the custody of

Defendant stated that while walking

from home, as he had been ill-treated. along the street be, met the little boy, who informed him that he had run away

He had no place to go to, and was stary.

homeless. He, however, suggested to the him. Defendant replied that he, too, was ing, and be appealed to defendant to help

box that the latter could sleep with him in the verandah of a house in Queen's Road. The boy agreed, and for some days they lived together. On July 31st be informed the bay that he was going to Sham-ui-po to visit a friend. The boy fbegged to be allowed to accompany him. Heing that defendant's duty as station guard he consented, and they both art out for Being unable to resist the boy's pleading was to patrol inside the barbed wire 1-bis friend's house, "yhere they were well- pound. Jr. King: Yes, inside the station com received and kindly treated. There de

fendant was arrested.

were transferred. Tai O station was not in his district; it was in the Sergeant- Major's district. He thought the station duty at Tai O was the same as at other out-stations, but he was not certain. never went to Taï 0.

Sergeant Major Bhagat Singh said he the Indian constables as to their duties. was at Tai O up to April. He instructed

He was sure that defendant was amongst those whom he had instructed. There were also certain verbal instructions

which were not very long. These were in regard to the station guard. The Brst duty of the guard was to challenge any- one who came to the station; if no reply was received the guard was entitled to fire: he should blow his whistle and call to the Police in the statier" to turn out which did not deal with the station guard There were other verbal instructions

at all. The instructions were the same at all out-atations. One guard was on

station for a license.

witness-box.

Mr. T. H. King then went into the

Mr. Shenton-Are we correct in assum.

the hill at the back Yes.

The fence, as a matter of fact, goes up

duty for which defendant is charged?

Can you give us the various breaches of

opinion, hind broken every rule on the Mr. King replied that defendant. in his conduct of a "policeman.

and Mr. King then referred to various Mr. Shenton asked for a specific charge, sections in the regulations dealing with the conduct of policemen. It seemed to him, he said, that it was defendant's duty action according to his instructions. to have remained at his post and taken

Mr. Shenton-Do you consider that was defendant's duty; when there were three

Staunton Street.

Од

Bergeant Spears stated that the boy

by his mother, who lives at No. 12. was brought to Hongkong from Shanghai

food, and the boy never returned. him some money with which to purchase On July 91st she gave

July 31st she received information that'

at Sham-sulipo, and she antified the dafendant was attempting to sell the boy Police who arrested him. The little boy related a most remarkable story for one of his age at the Police Station. He said he was kidnapped at Shanghai when a child and taken to Ping Chow, where he A sold to a man who subsequently

for some years in a shop, until a disas trous fire broke out destroying the shop and burning his master, who died from the effects. Another man then took him under his care, as he was destitute, and brought him to Hongkong, where he was apprenticed to a shop-keeper. The treat- ment he received, however, was so bad, that he decided to run away.

tend to do so. He would call the Indian duty during the day and two at night.superior cfficers there-Mr. King: Yes. removed him to Canton. He lived there.

Jaspector who instructed the men as to their duties. He, too, would not mind going into the witness-box.if any neers. aity arose.

Evidena was then taken.

The Indian Inspector of Police stated that when recruits joined the Police Force they were given a month's instruc- tion on Police Regulations; when the men were drafted to the various out-stations the instruction way continued ante a month.

Mr. King--At certain stations in the New Territory, of which Tai O is one, there is a special duty called guard duty -Witness: Yes.

"What has the man to do when ori station daty 1-Guard the station

4

The guard's beat was within the fencing he did not know whether they were there. of the station. So long as he was upon It was his duty to have called one of the the inside of the fence he could go any three superior officers." where. Other verbal instructions were

Continuing. Mr. King said-If the Police to the effect that while one constable was had no regulations at all a constable had searching a man. two others should have to abide by his oath of allegiance. De their rifles ready in case of emergency, fendant would be under the senior officers They had to give an immediate warning at the station. On this occasion his duty if anything occurred.

was to have summoned one of the senior officers and act under his instructions. That was the discipline in the Army and Police

Mr. King protested that all this evik ence was unnecessary, but, Mr. Shenton was of another opinion, remarking that the instructions were given verbally, from month to month.

Mr. King then remarked that he would like to have some time to look over the re gulations in order to define defendant's

This was agreed to.

Mr. King said Mr. Shenton's state-particular disobedience of orders. ment was incorrect and promised to go into the witness-box and prove it.

Continuing, the witness stated that the

I put it to you that his duty is to givel warning of the approach of any suspici-instructions for out-stations were given

Yes.

Continuing, Mr. King stated that when the constable found the superior officers had run away it was his duty to take

nus' persons, or craft or launches, etc, 1-by Inspector Lammont, who was at pre-independent setion in the matter.

sent acting as A.S.P, for the New Terri Mr. Shenton I be aaw bis superior tories. Apart from these special regula- officer on the hillside was he justified in tins, a constable had his general duty going up and reporting to him ↑-Mr. to perform,

King: That depends on what the other man was doing at the time.

He would be responsible for giving in formation to the officer-in-charge of the station of any occurrence which he con- Bitlered ought to be reported to the sergeant 7-Yes.

'

In fact the safety of the station is in his hands primarily 1-Yes.

As a matter of fact this day and night duty at Tai O station and other places was started after the Cheung Chow piracy in 19121-Yes..

on

Mr. Wood-No station guard duty has a right to leave his post for any. thing whatever?

Supposing he saw the superior officer run away-Then the responsibility rests on him.

further stated that that regulation was in post. In the absence of any superior Witness replied in the negative and What responsibility His duty at his the Police Regulation Book. It was not officer he should remain at his post. a verbal instruction. He could only leave his post at the command of the officer-in-charge, or when somebody came

Br. Shenton Did you "yourself in struct this man' in the regulations you to reileve him. "speak of 2-Witness: Yes.

force ?-No.

Supposing he tries to find the superior officer to take certain action and if he cannot find him, what should he do?-I! he thinks he can get into communication Sergeant Perkins, who was the next with his superior officer he may be justi. Did you do that when he joined the witness, related the incidents of July 17th.fied in following him. On the other hand, When did you instruct this man-uniform and carrying a carbine, but was his own responsibility. Certain rules He said he noticed an Indian dressed in if he cannot, he must remain and act 'on "After he joined the force at some station, unable to identify him. He thought the were laid down for certain cases.

Can you tell me which station?I do constable was waiting for him. There Mr. Shenton asked witness whether the not remember, because they are tracs were other Indians as well farred frequently from one station to quest they followed him to the station.

At his re- duty on the present occasion rested with another.

the senior officers, and witness replied in. Mr. Shenton-I should be fair in staf the affirmative. ing that your presence" undoubtedly re- stored conidence-Witness: I think so.

Then how do you know you instructed this man? Because he belongs to the Palice Force and my duty is to instruct all Indian Police officers. I, therefore, must have instructed him.

な

Continuing, Mr. King said that assum- ing a man had been shot it was defend, Do you think it would be fair to say ant's duty to report. Then he qualified that had there been another white man this statement by remarking that the con at this station" a great portion of the stable should first of all" attend to the

man shot and then report to the officer.

You cannot remember any occasion on tragedy would not have occurred 1-I do which you instructed. him -No.

not think it fair to say that

Are these instructions written in a book-Yes; in the Police Regulation

i Book

In Hindustani No, in English Mr. Wood-You translated the English

Mr. Bheaton I say that and defendant will also say that. Ali the Indians want ed was someone to lead them 1-The Indians, as far as I understand, ran away, If there had been another white man he too, would have been shot."

into Hindustani?-Witness: Yes.

Bir. Shenton--Are those station regula. Yes, he might or might not have boon, tions contained in this book--Witness: but the Indians rendered assistance

Yes,

Can you point out the regalation is to utation duty-No.

Mr. King explained here that the prin. cipal station duties were contained in a all book given to the instructora Mr. Shenton-Can you give any ten document to show what the station duty at Tai O is-Witness produced

writ

■ book which contained those regulations.

He said they applied to all out stations. As far as he was aware there were no

Yes.

Mr. Wood remarked that he did not think those questions relevant, hat Mr. Shenton submitted that they were in view of the attitude he meant to adopt in this

CARC

Mr. Shenton said he did not agree. The man heard a shot fired and he saw men running. His duty was to find the senior officer.

When confronted by his mother at the Station, the boy burst into tears and said defendant had taught him the story which he had related.

:

Mr. Welle remanded the case"

SIKH WAR « WOUNDED gasir, (SOLDÌERST:FUND. SUBSCRIBED ON THE 4TH WAR ANNIVERSARY.

Mr. King replied that it defendant heard a shot fired he must satisfy himself trom where it came, as it was his duty; or and out who fired the shot; whether i was an unlawful shot or an accident.. If. plain it he was to report immediately to ho did not see the soot or could not. ex. į his superior officer as intelligibly as possible

At 6.30 p.m., Mr. Wood adjourned the hearing until this afternoon..

Mr. King zazd in view of the rider Mr. Shenton applied for bail.|| passed by the jury at the death enquiry he wished to oppose bail being granted.

Mr. Wood said the defendant had the right to

demand bail, and Mr. Shenton urged that they should not be biased by au outside case. It was a minor charge.

Mr. Wood replied that it was of import

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GERMAN PRISONERS ON STRIKE

Mr. Shenton (to witness)May I ask you whether Tai O is not regarded as the most dangerous station in the place!ance to the Colony. He, however, would; A farmer who was advised by Mont-

Yes

From piracy 1-Yes, because it is near Chinese waters,

And an out-post of this Colony-Yes

fx bail at $250,

been apprehended for neglect of duty.

The two Senior Bergeants have also German-prisoners said that be employed gomeryshire. "Appeal Tribunal to employ

Their case was remanded till Saturday at opening the drains because it was too 'some the previous day, and they struck morning, bail being fixed at $250 each.

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