1922-08-25 — Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

TELEPHONE CONTROVERSY.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE HONGKONG

DAILY PRESS,”}

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS FRIDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 1922

GASSED IN A SUBMARINE. ENQUIRY INTO A FATALITY AT THE NAVAL YARD

tanks, and on the second day to do the TWO TRIALS, AT THE CRIMINAL SESSIONS. -- interiors. Some of the tanks were opened up on the 10th and left open all day CURIOUS LEGAL SITUATION., and closed down at the completion of they The story was told, at the Magistracy, day's work. In some enses the tanks" Curious developments occurred in two yesterday afternoon, of 4 With regard to Mr. Parker New

distressing were kept open a day or two. It all trials at the Criminal Sessions, yesterday,|| occurrence as the Naval Yard a few days depended on the number of men he hail before the Fuisne Judge (Mr. J. R Jeply

the report of the Committee on days A number of Chinese paintscrapers for the job as to how long the tanks) and a jury of which Mr. E. M the Telephone question. I see he states,

has the true Capital has-risen until it in dock for overhaul, when they were to go down.

were working on the submarine L8, now were left open before he ordered "than is now £280,000. On this 19 per cent, is to be paid, and I wonder whether the assed in one of the rising and diving publie realis. that by this deal tanks and one died from suffoention.

mirket value of the Telephone Company's phares, assuming a return of a per cent. was considered the normal market rate, where no risk attaches to the Capital invested, would really he increased to 120,000. Bearing in mind the fact that 14,761 was the original Capital put into the bustaces, the additional £23,000 being In the nature of the Bonus Shares, this represents an appreciation in the shares of 9,7000 per cent. It is not a matter for Jurprise that Mr. Parker Ness is fighting | to strenuously to turn the local Telephone;

The Coroners Why was this.

The Coroner:

Wilson

was foreman. In the Police Cottet, four men stood in the dock together, theve charged with committing

highway robbery in Canton Read The witness; If I had a large number Kowloon, and one with receiving part of afternoon. Mr. R. E. Lindsell acted as do the castings and the men would be various statements to the police, in A Coroner's inquiry was held yesterday of men it would take a shorter time to the stalen property. The three, in their Coroner, god the jury consisted of Mr.ready to do the interiors all the wooner, w, M. Pittendrigh, (foreman), Mr. R. "D. Baptista and Mr. J. Gomes.

kriminated the receiver as one of the Of all the ships you robbers, but the man was not identified have done, have you ever had any ex-by the witness for the prosecution, so he perience of gas forming inside the tanks was not charged as a robber but only -I have never experienced gas.

as a receiver. As the knowledge of these statements by the prisoners might pref How many ships have you done --In judice a jury's mind against the receiver if he were tried last, his case was taken separately and taken frst.

The Coroner, after briefly outlining the Medical Officer in charge at the Public facts, called Dr. Faler, Government Mortuary, who said that on August 19th be held a-mortem examination on the body of the deceased. Death was due to asphyxia. In reply to the Coroner, Dr. Esler said that death was apparently due to breathing air which was defcient

all, 10 submarinėa,

You have never taken any other pre. the first day -Xc. cautions except "opening up the tanks on

,"'.

You knew that there was gas in the

Company into a gold mine for the holding of oxygen. “Air," said the Doctor, in tanks or that, there might have been Not guilty."

Company in London.

remain normal.”.

hermetically sealed receptacle would

Further, if as Mr. Parker Nesa says the true Capital is £280,000, and that the profits earned over and above the dividj

Lieut. Wilfred, Aubyn Malleson, V.C., R.N., said that he was je command eads paid were put into the business of the R- then it must be manifestly clear that the which the submarine L, "was one. "This

group of submarines, "of¦ rates previously paid by the subscribersubmarine was in the hands of the Dock must have been excessive, seeing that the Yard for re-fitting. No naval ratings Company's initial capital of £14,781 has were on board, but a sentry was posted been increased by £23,000 out of accumu Iated Reserve, and that further sus

on the ship as night. He would come off have been added to Reserve which with daty at 8 am, and would have witnessed.

carry forward "now

any casualty on board before 8 aan.

A plan of a submarine was produced in Court similar to that of Ls and witnes explained that the tanks on the submarine i

the 13906,000.

amounts to

The subscribers, therefore. appear to have hail a very large share is building

No.

"

The difficulty then arose that the proof of receiving was found to depend on the word of a woman in a brothel, and insuficient and returned a the jury decided that the evidence was verdict of "Before doing so," the Foreman put, this question to the Court, Then why is it necessary to open up prisoner with the netual robbers?" To

"Is there any evidence to connect the f the inside of the tank. I did not know the case, as it is before you, there is the tanks on the first day To cool down, the question the Judge replied. On

no such evidence." waa gas inside. there

"Then, not guilly' is our verdict," said the Foreman. The Continuing, witness said he opened up prisoner was discharged. the tanks in the ordinary way. At 7 à.m.

The indictment of three men for high- removed. Witness instructed his men to the statements of the prisoners, read in on the 17th, the tank covers were again the same jury being capannelled, nud way robbery was the proceeded with,

The the course of his opening statement by to work in the ordinary way. drerased was one of the gang who des Shu (the receiver) in familiar terms, the Crown Solicitor, all mentioned To, cended into the task whilst he went to and one of the prisoners (No. 3) declared get some candies. He was away about that Ln Shun, and not he, took part in the robbery. In the end the Jury decided seven minutes. On his way back from the to believe No. 3" and acquitted him store he was toki that some of his men also. By this time Lo Shun, the man charged as a receiver, had gone out of some time, listening with interest to the proceedings.

up the Company, but apparently they were used for admitting sea water and had been poisonel. On the boat he was Court à free man: "He had remained for

ejecting it for diving and rising purposes. On the top of these tanks was a man

told that a man had been suffocated Witness with several Europeans went down into the tank to rescue the suffocat ing man.

are to benefit not at all by this, but, an the contrary, Mr. Parker Ness has the brazeness to propose that they should be mulcted for it by a "stroke of the pen," hole, which was closed by a flat plate,, as the Committee aptly "describe it, by bolted down with screws and nuts, demanding 12 per cent, on an unrealised

ccretion of E125,00 in addition to ample regulations to be observed before enter aliwances for depreciation and Reserves, ing such tanks were: to fill them with inside.

The

The at in the tank :

The Coroner: What did it feel like

The witness: I did not feel any ill

nostrils.

Mr. Parker Ness must have a very poor sea water and then pump out the water.efects. There was a funny smell in my opinion of the intelligence of the Honger blow it out. kong Community if he thinks he can get would then be tested by lowering a light away with his gigantic bluff.-I am, Bear Sir, Yours faithfully,

POKER PLAYER. Hongkong, August 24th, 1929:

THE TELEPHONE RAMP. WHAT TRANSFERRING TO A NEW

"

COMPANY MEANS.

in exchange 30 fully paid up shares of

inside. Failing the possibility of flood-

Rs. 10 each in the new Company. The form of gas inside the tank? dividend of 12 per cent, which the Gov-

cent.

+

gasseck

יד

of

features as it dragged its slow length The case developed other Various along. The two lads who "were the com plainants alleged that the three men had pretended to be Government searchers

No and robbed them. On their protesting! and had stopped them while in rickshas

3 ". threatened them with a Logger. One last $7.50 and the other) $140 and a cigarette holder, in case. Continuing, witness said he assisted in.

The first defendant declared that he ing the tank and pumping out the air, pulling the deceased out of a pool only took 21 cents-whatever his com the tank would be opened up and left water at the bottom of the tank. Four panions took, and when one of the lads pleaded with him for the return of a open for some considerable than. Then a other men of the gang were also suffering rieksha fire he gave him back the 20 fight would be lowered into the tank he from the effects of the gas. They were tents. The boy complainant laughingly In the case of Submarine La the flooding gassed and the other two were slightly will believe anything." fore anyone would be allowed to go down, also taken out, Two of them were badly denied this story; his expression wemed to say, If people will believe that, they and pumping gear had been dismantled. The Coroner!

The Judge cross-examined both lads, The following extract, from a leading i

Asked by the Coroner as to what length told you to lower a light into the tank and where they got it from." In the end, Has your No I ever nt length, as to the money they possessed article the Englishman is deemed of time the tank would have to be left before the men are went down i worthy of reproduction because of the open before it was sale to go down, Never told you to be on your guard in guilty of stealing only the balance,-one

The witness: Never.

the Jury decided that the No. 1 pris similarity of the position in Calentts and Lieut. Malleson said it would be very any way?-No.

oner's statement was true and found him

•Hongkong-

No explanation has been given of the hard to give any definite time as the Sin Kwai, the Head Contractor, was article such as is sold at Home in six- cent and the cigarette-haider in case, an position as affected by the formation of gas in the tank was heary and remained Chief Contractor to the Naval Yard for

next called. He said that he was the penny-ha'peany bazaars. a new Company to take over the under at the bottom unless it was blown out. supplying painters. On the 13th inst. he Jury wished to ask a question before they As to No. 3" the Foreman said the taking of the Bengal Telephone Company it should have to be tested first before received instructions from Mr. Brook gave their verdict. Was No. 3 one of at a greatly enhanced vahiation. Accord ing to our infuriaution holders of Rs. 100 anyone went down.

shaw to commence work on submarine the men mentioned in the statement made shares in the old Company, will receive

LS. The instructions were to scrape the by "No, 1," (in his confession that he The Coroner: Can you explain the boat as bad been done on the previous took part with two others)?

boats. He had never personally superin tended the work on the submarines, but you, I think, that whatever the first pris- The Judge replied: "I should warn ernment agreed to as the dividend pay a new host the tank is not hermetically it. He had never received any warning prisoner is not, in law, evidence either Lieut. Malleson: Except in the case of after the work was finished he inspected oner said in the absence of the third nble before rebates were made in the closed. The Kingstone valve charges will thus be equal to a dividend bottom would probably let in a little sea

at the as to gas in the tanks. of-374 per

upon the capital water. The tank, though empty, would Contractor opens up some of the tanks read the statement if you like.""

The Coroner: How is it that the Sub should have warned you of that. I will for or against the third prisoner. I originally invested in the concern. What coutain a little sea water and this sea for one day before they are entered ! the public are desirous of knowing is water would become stagnant. Stagnant

The Foremen: whether the agreement between the Gorsen water gave off a dangerous gas. The

The witness: To let out the bad air.

It is not necessary; Terament and the Bengal Telephone Com gas to formed would be composed of

The Coroner: Gas?--Yes, "gas.

We return a verdict of not guilty pany was made in the knowledge of these 0.0.2

against him. So that you knew that is was necessary facts, and whether it can be transferred monoxide and marsh gas. They are

carbon dioxide, C.O. carbon to open them up-Yes.

The third prisoner was accordingly dis- to the Company without so much is by heavier than air,

Had you ever heard the Europeans talk as the Judge told the Jury, he was not

charged on the present, indictment but, f your leave.""

Whatever precautions about gas in the tanks?-Yes, but I was being set free because he had already had been taken, the air would have to be told that one day's opening up was been convicted and sentenced for highway tested before the tank was entered. The sufficient. man-hole of No. 3 tank, where the de

robbery, at the present Sessions. "Never- ceased met his death, had been opened let down a candle?

You never told the Sub-Contractor to theless," added the Judge "I agree for seven or eight hours on the 16th inst. Witness made a reply not distinctly with your verdiet.' Previous to that the tank was last opened audible to the reporters about an electric pleaded guilty) were then achtenced to No. T and No. % (who had already about 19 months ago. Under ordinary light and the Coroner replied, "What is three years' imprisonment for highway The man who committed a sensational

circumstances

Links ure blown the good of that!" robbery at The department store of the through about once a week, which would

robbery, the proceeds of the crime, as set The Coroner: Do you admit that you forth in the indictment, being amended to Sun Company, Des Voeux Road West, could not be carried out on L, which, be let down into the tank The accidense."

probably make it safe:" This procedure have ever keep told that a candle should Rome weeks ago was sentenced yester being, on the reserve, was practically unent was due to a mistake. The foreman

one cent and ore cigarette holder in day at the Criminal Sessions to ten years' imprisonment and twelve strokes of the about submarines would know that the returned they had already gone down manned. Anyone knowing anything went away to get the candles; before he cat. On the indictment that he fired or tanks of L.8 were filthy and dangerous. the police in order to resist arrest, the prisoner made this picturesque statement Inspector Blackman: With the pumps 1 see, he told him to go down1-The

"As the bes borrows the tiger's skin, out of order, how long would it take to coolies went down on their own. the revolver was used to terrify people Pump water into the tank by hand Have you given any instructions to SOUTH CHINA AA, “. THE KING'S. to get out of the way. In reality my tank..

Lieut. Malleson: One working day per your fareman to that effect-about intention was to rob their property and

candles-He knew that himself; although Under the auspices of the Hongkong Inspector Blackman So that it would I had never warned him before. not to injure them."

Ile Football Association a charity football be better to leave the tank open than to should have known Mr. HK Holmes, the Crown Solicitor, flood it?

match-South China Athletic Association Well, he says that he knew nothing. The King's-in-aid of the Swatow related that the robbery occurred on June Lieut. Malleson said the best method about it-He was the foreman. Bath in the evening. The prisoner went would be to blow air into the bottom of You are responsible and you should Saturday next, at Sokumpo, kick off ab Typhoon Relief Fund, will be played on: Into the Sun Company's store, smashed a the tank through a trunk by means of a have told him. He says that he has done 4.45 p.m. showcase and stole valuable articles of, fün... INA

20 jobs like this before, He anys that he South China:-Lau Hing Cheung; Chan The following will represent Jewellery worth more than 38,000. He In reply to further questions, Lieut. did not know that taking off the covers 30 and Fung Tai; Cheung Wing Shing, produced a revolver to intimidate the Malleson said the Dockyard people, would had anything to do with the gos. He Leung Tai Fong and Leung Yuk Tong; man in charge and it was, with the butt have to ask his permission before they thought it was just because it was hot Lau Tak Chung, Wong Sui Wah, Wong bf it that he shattered the showcase opened the tank. Submarine L.8 was one inside?I was not aware that the gas Pak Chung, Ip Kau and Chu Kwong Afterwards he bolted; and there was of the reserve boats under his command, would be so terrible; so poisonous. Chuan Early in the purauit two shots He gave permission to open up thị tánk Do you eny that it was part of his

Yeung. wore fred, but no charge was mide in on the morning of the 16th inst. The duty to let down a candle into the tank regard to them because, said Mr.Holmes, tanks would have to be closed down at before he let anybody go into the tank - they might have been just fröd wildly, the end of the working day. This would Yes, he should have done that. Lap On, yho, Whatthe men in charge of be at 5 p.m.. He did not know when the omitted to perform that duty. the Sun Company's jewellery department, Bang actually started work on the tank. At the request of the foreman of the twould any that he was leading the pursuit The Sab-Contractor in charge of the jury, the Coroner asked if the witness

and

(primper fred-it him in order to paint-seruping gang was 'next called. He knew that the ship had been out of com Ecored six goals, Watson, 2; Ragmussen, 2

said that he had been employed on that mission for a long period! Broid-apture. An Indian castable, too kind of work for over three years. On The witness replied to the effect that and Stewart, 1. MeDade scored twice for would tell them that the prisoner fired the evening of the 15th inst, he received it was the first year of his contract, directly at hira, checking his paos for the orders from the Head Contractor to take moment to take aim at prin

Have there been nay previous cases of In the second match the L.R.C. defeated a gang of coolies on board the submarine this sort-An occasional fainting. The jury found the prisoner "guilty." Ls to do some painting work, as had coolie fainted once in a tank

A the Kings Regt. by 8 goals to 3.MA On the robbery charge the sentence was already been done on other submarines,

Carvalúo and G. A. Carvalho scored four even years and the cat on the shooting On the following day they started work made regarding it1-1 made a few innern, whilst Franco scored once. For the When that occurred were any inquiries sad three goals respectively for the win zharga three gidheadlin nt and on on the boat, Witness had done similar quiries and the result was that the faint losers Paul scored twice and Parry once,

charge of returning from banishment, work on other submarines. The usual ing was due to gas two years, the Test sentence to run con- programme of work on the first day was At this stage, the inquiry was adjourned currently with other

to scrape the exterior canings of the to Monday next.

A ROBBER'S PHILOSOPHY.

A POLICY OF FRIGHTFULNESS.

the

into the tank.

L

He

SPORT.

FOOTBALL.

WATER POLO.

Last night's league game at the Victoria Recreation Club Baths resulted as follow

The V.R.C. defeated the R.GA. by 11 goals to 2. For the winners. Busschaert

the R. G.A.

The matches for Tuesday are:-

The Kings Regt. v. RG.A.. V.RO

U.A.C

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