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CAPTAIN WILLOX'S DEATH. STORY OF THE PIRACY, OFFICIAL ENQUIRY. OPENS.

Au'enquiry into the circumstances sur rounding the death of Capt. Willos, Inte master of the Tri Lee, which was pirated recently, was held at the Harbour Office yesterday. Mr. H. G. Lindsell (Coroner)

presided..

י

Sub-Inspector Shannon (Hongkong Folie gave evidence of removing the dead body of the Captain from the ship! to the mortuary on the night of January

gist Inst

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19TH, 1934."

A LOG OF WOOD.

STUDY IN VALUES:

'In the Supreme Court yesterday, be lore Mr. Justice Gompertz (Puisne Judge) the N. V. Di Lan Yun Hie Hon tioniessics Company. 312, Queen's Road Central, sued the Tung Cheong Co., 47, Connaught Road Central, for the sum of 8716, the value of a log of wood alleged to have been lost by the defendant firmu. Mr. R. E. A. Webster appeared for plaintiffs and the defendants were repre sented by Mr. E. Nash.

Ar. Webster said that the plaintif firm were large exporters of timber from the Dutch East Indies. In March last, Dr. E. I Minnet, Government baca shipload containing 683 legs of Yacle wood was consigned to Hongkong and teriologist, said he conducted a post the local manager made arrangements mortem on the Send January on the body for defendants to unload the logs from of Capt. Willox. There were four bullet the beat and take them to the Kwong The art entered near the endow Hing foreshore at Kowloon Bay The receipts showed that 881 logs actually of the right collar bone and came out at left the ship. The defendants liability the back of the neck. The second entered ceased when they were delivered, but

wonnus.

|

HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE

ASSOCIATION."

ANNUAL MEETING.

At the annual general meeting of the members of the Hongkong Automobile Association, the following. members were present:-Mesars, D. G. M. Bernard (in the chair), C. D. Lambert, D. J. Lewis, C. P. Marcel, E. M. Sleigh, Robert Yip, G. H. Wilson, G. H. Bannerman, E. C. Tregilius, J. Smith, C. A. Middleton- Smith, W. J. E. Mackenzie, Capt. Riggs, E. V. Sorby, C. C. Hickling, G. M. Shaw, R. Pestonji, C. Lauritsen, T. Oliphant. J. Owen diughes, and P. M. Hodgson (Hon. Secretary).

In his report the Chairman said that since they had last met, the membership of the Association bad considerably in- creased, and there were now just on 300 members. There was also a marked in crease in the recognition of the Associa

JAPANESE MILITARY MISSION

IN HONGKONG. PASSING THROUGH ON A Toth TO EUROPE AND AMERICA.

There is on board the s. Hakusan

Mar, which arrived yesterday morning from Japan, a Japanese Military Mission, en route for Europe, where they will make an extensive tour of Europena countries and from there proceed to the United ed by Lieut-General Kameji Wada, Com- States of America. The mission is head. mandant of the Japanese Stal College,

and the seven other members comprising:

Major-General Jinzaburo Mazaki, Com- the mission are:- mandant, Oflicers' School..

Major-General Enjiro Kurosaki, a tech- nical expert.

Colonel Miakiro Furisho, Chief of Staff di Mission.

on the left side, in front, and came out only 682 were delivered and the loss tion as being a body of usefulness to Military Headquarters arranged a very

at the back fracturing á bone. third, the wound of which had

The been The

atitchell entered on the left, side. fourth rutered on the inner side of the left leg. below the knee. "

The Coroner bere explained to the jury that Capt. Willox was removed from the Tai eta ahospital in Fong Wu He was them alive; he died in hospital,

Dr. Munt, continuing his evidence, said that deceased's organs, for a man of his are who had lived so long in the East, were in a healthy condition. All the wounds could not have been self- inflicted. It was difficult to say at what distance the shots had been fired.

Chief Officer Fletcher, of the Tai Lee, said that on the night in question hal

could only have occurred during the tran sit of the logs from the boat to the fore

ahore.

Crosa-examined by Mr. Nash, plaintiff's local manager said that one log of wood Asked how he accounted was missing. for the amount of the claim if this wood was sold at $3.30 per foot, witness said he could have sold the others at a better price if the log in question had not been missing.

Mr. Nash said the defence was that A contract to his clients entered into deliver the timber and that they duly carried out their contract,

At the conclusion the case his Lord. ship congratulated Mr. Webster on the very able way in which he had conducted the case for the plaintiff but he felt bound on the evidence before the Court to give judgment for the defendant.

OBLIGATION WHICH COST

$1,000.

A Chinese, described as 2 Bonham

Strand breker, and who was said to have resided in Hongkong for the last 30 years, was yesterday afternoon fined $1,000 with the afternative of six months? imprisonment with hard labour for having unlawfully in his possession 170 Mauser pistal springs.

motorists. The recognition given to the Association by the Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Association and Motor Union at Home was gratifying.. and mombers who went home armed with a certificate of membership and an intro duction would always find those Home institutions of great assistance and bene fit

The

Reciprocal facilitics had been or ranged with the Home Association where by members of either Association were able to join each Association at a reduced annual fee. without entrance feo. new badge of the Association, which was the badge of an Associate of the R.A.C., London, with local colour, was attractive, and it was desirable that all members should procure one from the Hon. Secre-

There was now a much larger number of British cars in the Colony, which was mest satisflowïy, and he felt confident that as taur merits were more fully ap- preciated they would become increasingly popular.

went to relieve Capt. Willox between JUST TO OBLIGE A FRIEND.. 19.15 and 12.30. The captain was neither on the bridge nor in the wheel-house. AN Two minutes later the boatswain came oa the bridge with another man. The banta wain said the Chief Officer, There are pirates on board. Go into the wheel house and you will not get shot." Shots were then fired in several parts of the ship. The chief officer went into the wheel-house. The boatswain came in and said. Sit down and don't show your "bend, above the window." After a quar tor of an hour the pirates brought the The Magistrate (Mr. E. W. Hamilton), Chief Engineer into the wheel-house. in imposing the fine, took into considera The quartermaster was also there Wittion that the defendant had a clean ss could not say whether the hoatswain police record; otherwise he would have was antied, but some of the Chinese who sent him to prison without the option of accompanied him into the wheelhouse a fine. were armed. One pointed a revolver at the Chief Officer. The Tare, continued on her course until about 4 a.m. when she came to anchor. There was only the pilot and the boatswain on the bridge. At about 4.45 a.. it was reported to the Chief Officer by the pilot that the pirates had gone. Witness then camo out of the wheel-house. It was still dark and he did not know exactly where he was. He estimated he was between ten and eleven miles from Kongmoon. He saw the Captain lying on the deck. He anid he had been shot. Witness saw bullet wounds in the Captain's neck, side, shoulder, and stomach. Witness placed him or a mattress and put a Bercea around him. On the starboard slide of the deck witness subsequently found the dead body of one of the Indian guards, shot in several places. Two of the guards were wounded. Several of the ship's

Robin was met as the Tai Lee WAS

p.

The man told Mr. Hamilton that friend of bis naked, him to hold the parcel whilst he went away for a few moments. He never returned. He did not know what the parcel contained.

Asked by his Worship if he knew where his friend was now the defendant said as far as he knew he was now in Canton.

Armourer Q.M.S. Greggs of the R.A.0.C., gave expert evidence to the effect that the springs were identical with those used in Mauser pistols, though he was not prepared to swear that they were Mauser pistol, springs,

"It seems clear from what you tell us," said the Coroner," that the passen gers could not have got aboard except as passengers at Hongkong.

Witness assented. He said that Capt. Willox never carried armis when he was on duty.

Surgeon-Colouef Michiaki Mircoka. Major Shohei Washizu, Majer Taka- In conjunction with the Japanese Con- masa Exeki, nad Major Masaze Kawabe, sul-General in Hongkong the Staff at

At interesting programme for the reception. and entertaining of the Mission. 10.30, a. m. E. the Geucral Officer Cora. manding the Troups in China, attended by two staff officers paid a call an bohrd the vessel and shortly after Lieut-General Wade and H.E. Major-General Sir John Fowler were brought ashore in the Com modore's barge and an official landing took place at Murray Pier, where a Guard of Honour of the East Surrey Regiment with band and colours was draws up. On landing, the Japanese National Anthem was played after which the Head of the Mission inspected the Guard of Honour. General Wail then motored to Govern- ment House to pay his respects to H.E. Later in the morning the Governor. General Wada visited Headquarter House where he was joined by the remainder of the Mission.

At 11.35 a.m. the Mission left Head- quarter House and travelled across the Harbour by the" Star Ferry to Kowloon, where they inspected the 2/4th Grenadier Battalion and a Pack Battery of the H.K.S. R.G.A. The Mission later re- turned to Headquarter House where they were entertained to lunch by. Sir John Fowler. In the afterncer they motored round the Island,

In the evening a dinner party in honour of the Mission was given at the Borgkong The Committee during the past year Hotel by the Japanese Consul-General had had a good deal of correspondence Besides the Military Mission the other with the Government upon matters gener-principal guests were: H.E. Major-Gen- ally affecting motorists, and he wished eral Sir John Fowler, the Hop. Sie Claud again to record the courtesy and assist Severn. C.M.G., Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, ance which had been shown to them in C.M.G., Major L. C. Trench, Capt, Ben matters to which they had considered nett. Capt. Magready, and Lieut. Searle, attention to be desirable. The roads in Lieut. Goy and Mr. T. Nishiyama the Colony had suffered very much from (President of the Japanese Association). The Japanese Military Mission leaves the big typhoon last August, and the heavy raius in the Autumn, and their Hongkong to-day for Europe ri Singa- upkeep had been a difficult matter. With pore. increasing traffic and more motoring roads, the need of a large staff of work- men and constant attention was neces- sary, but the surface of the roade was gradually being improved. By the end of the year he thought they would find all the motoring roads in first class condi- tion.. Traffic control of vehicles had much improved, and the system, of lights it night at certain spots had proved success- ful. Ble regretted he could not report any improved transport of cars and cycles across the harbour. They were still in debted to the Star Ferry Company for what they had given them, and grateful as they were for an obviously non-paying privilege, it was, of course, totally inade- quate, and they would urge the Govern ment to give this dutter its early con- sideration.

During last Summer, the first Motor Trials had been held, and the entries ind been good for Motor Cycles, but poor

SUSPECTED MURDER. ANOTHER BODY FOUND IN THE HARBOUR.

The Water Police have recovered from the Harbour near Yauinati the partly decomposed body of a Chinese. From all appearances, the body had been badly hacked with a knife and the police are of the opinion that the man was murder. ed. The matter is being investigated.

S.S.

HEUNGSHAN" STILL ON THE SAND. The ss. Htungshan, which was beached on the sand at Rock Shan on-the 29th February has not yet been released. the vessel is gradually lifting. It is not Salvage operations are proceeding, and known, however, when she will be freed, although the bead office, questioned in the vessel being eventually got off the yesterday, expressed complete confidence sand and brought (in safety) to Hong- kong.

company had disappeared with the pirates. together with three of the Tai

Further questioned. witness said that Len's boats. The boatswain had also. gone. Witness had the boat anchored off after the piracy the charterers attempt Kingmoon just before 8 o'clock. Capt. to put aboard the Tai Lee as boatswain for Cars. There was no reason why fur a man whom witness believed to be a ther successful trials should not be held. Willox was removed ashore soon after.

Two unfortunate fatal accidents bad oc- His body was brought aboard the ship friend of the boatswair who turned an hour before she sailed from Kong pirate. Witness protested, and, after acurred at the Trials, and the Association moon and conveyed to Hongkong. H.S.lot of argument was allowed to take his had sent expressions of deep regret and own boatswain. After his third trip sympathy to the near relatives. The les making into Hongkong and the former subsequent to the piracy witness was told son learnt was, he thought, that it was. clearly demonstrated that high speed handed over one of the latter's missing by the owners of the vessel to go.

The Coroner here explained that trials by amateurs wero not desirable, boats, Hongkong was reached at 9.5

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING. Witness. the next morning, identi- witness had refused to give evidence to and the Association would not lend its fied the body of Capt. Willox when Sub- the Commissioner of the Customs of support to such contests.

At a special general meeting of the This official reported thel Garage accommodation was becoming -Inspector Shannon removed it from the Kongnioon.

ship to the mortuary.

watter to the Hongkong Government. increasingly scarce in the Colony. Most members of the Hongkong Automobile Questioned by the Coroner, witness and it was probably because of this in- private owners were largely dependent Association held yesterday evening the aaid he saw the passengers being search cident that "witness was dismissed his upon the Hongkong Hotel Company for following members were present:-Messre. the storage of their cars, and the new D. G. . Bernard (in the chair), C. D. ed before she left Hongkong on the 20th ship. January. He did not see any searching Witness agreed that this matter might Garage that Company was erecting at Lambert, D. J. Lewis C. P. Marcel, E. 1. Sleigh, Robert Yip, G. H. Wilson, G. conducted on board. The Indian guards bave had something to do with his dis the entrance to Stubbs Road should re- wore on duty when the ship sailed from miesal but so also, in his opinion had the lieve the pressure considerably. It was H. Bannerman, E. C. Tregillus, J. Smith, Hongkong, Capt. Willox was on the incident of the selection of a boatswain, hoped that the Association would be able C. A. Middleton-Smith, W. J. E. Mac bridge and the grilles were locked. When Deputy Superintendent Purdue (Hong to accumulate, fands sufficient to enable kenzie, Capt. Riggs, E. V. Sorby, C.-C. it to own its own garage, contrally situ Hickling, G. M. Shaw, R. Pestonji, C. witness went to relieve the Captain ho kong Police) produced the log of the 8.5. fwitness) did not notice whether the Tes and questioned witness as tanted, and where facilities and expert Lauritsen, T. Oliphant, J. Owen-Hughes, The Chairman said:-This moeting has guards were there or whether the grilles when the report of the firing incident mechanical advice could be sought and and P. M. Hodgson (Ho Secretary). were locked. His cabin was on the inner was written. Witness said he wrote part obtained. It had been suggested that the side of the grilles. These shut off the of it on the way back to Hongkong on Association should form a branch section been called, as you will gather from the bridge, wheel house, European officers' the afternoon of the 21st January. The for Motor Cyclists, and he thought this notice coaveaing the meeting, just read, rooms, five saloon passengers' rooms, next was written by the new Chief Officer a very good idea. He was sure that the to ask you to sanction the increase of the in-coming Committee would give this sub- sannal subscription of members owning In accordance cars to $10. As you know, the present dining room and pastry from the rest on the next trip up the river.

Further questioned by Inspector jeet full consideration.

to of the ship."

at the last anuual subscription is 85, and when this Purdue, witness said he had no time to with the decision come raise any alarm after being warned by aunual meeting, they had given up the Association was formed in 1918 it was not the boatswait. He could not say exactly Club Room last year, and he did not anticipated that there would be much Witness: There is no companion-way, what the interval was between the time think the lack of one had heen felt at all need for money, as there were at that Before proposing the adoption of the time very few motorists in the Colony. but anyone could climb over the rail. be received his warning and when the

He reached the wheel Report and Accounts, the Chairman"said Times have changed, and the number of Corener: What is the use of the firing started.

house just as the firing commenced. he wished to refer to their fon. Secre- motorists largely increased, and with this grilles, then I

Witness: That is all I can say about Arms, rockets, etc., required under the tary, Mr. Hodgson, who took the keenest a demand for increased facilities. With- it. In my opinion grilles are useless, Piracy Regulations were in a chest on interest in everything pertaining to motor. out money it is impossible to do much, but my opinion does not count for much the bridge. The Captain had the key ing, and put in a lot of time on their and your Committee trust that you will behalf. He was constantly devising ways give your unqualified support to the re- I could climb from the lower deck to be of the box in his cabin.

The Coroner adjourned the enquiry and means of making the Association of solution contained in the notice, and hind the grilles in two seconds.

intimating greater benefit to members, and it was which I am about to propose, as the ad- Further questioned, witness said he until Thursday afternoon,

sure, will repay the small exira yearly was not armed when he wons to relieve that the jury would be asked to accom- great pleasure to express their thanks vantages generally to be gained, I feel The Report and Accounts were unsubscription: I therefore propose the the captain: His revolver was locked pany him aboard the as. Tai Lee in to him for his hard work. up in his cabin,

order to ascertain the exact position of

animously adopted, and the following following resolution- Coroner, Is it not usual to carry the grilles, etc.

Lieut. R. R. Beauchamp (Assistant officials were elected for the current your arms?

Witness: It would not have beon Harbour Mastory sat on the Bench with year-President: Mr. FF. W. Bird. Vice- much use for me to have had there the Coroner, Mr. C., G. Purdue. A.B.P. President: Mr. Robert Yip. Hon. Trea volver, especially against sixty pirates and Assistant Director of Criminal There were no spare arms on the Intelligence, watched the enquiry on bridge or in the wheel house, continued bebalf of tho Polier. Mr. G. K. Hall witness. They were all in a steel box Brutton appeared for the China Coast Su the Captain's cabin. Witness's cabin Officers' Guild and the Marine Engineers' was entered into and his revolver taken, Guild of China. The Jury comprised: but nothing else.

Messrs. H. RB. Hancock (foreman), (Continued at foot of nezt-column.)" | F. A. Perry and A. F. B. Bilva-Netto.

The Coroner: Is there any access to tise parts fromthe lower deck, other than aid the grilles?

rece: Messrs. Linstead and Davis. Hoa Secretary: Mr. P. M. Hodgson, Committee: Messrs. C. H. Bannerman, D. J. Lewis, C. P. Marcel, W. J. E. Mac- kenzie, C. A. Peel, W. E. Roberts, E. H Bleigh, C. A. Middleton-Smith, J. Smith, and G.. H. Wilson

(Continued at foot of next column.)

"The following Bulo aball be sub stituted for Rulo No, e of the Rules and Constitution of the Hongkong Automo- bile Association :-

8. Each Member shall on election pay

an Entranco Feo of $6 and Bubscrip tion of $10 per annum in the case of owners of Cars, and 35 in the crac of owners of Motor Cycles only." The resolution was seconded by Mr. Lambert and carried unanimously.

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