1924-03-21 — Page 5

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THE "TAI LEE" PIRACY,

ENQUIRY CONTINUED.

ENGINEERS STORIES OF THE PIRACY.

Lieut.

DOWN IN THE ENGINE-BOOM.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 185, 1995.

Mr. Joseph Laiz, the Second Engineer, said that he was in the engine-room "at the time of th piracy. He was on the starting platform when be heard shots

extrane

The Coroner's Inquiry into the circum-fired. Immediately afterwards six men stances of the murder of Capt. Willox, came down below from the upper deck Some of them were armed. Jate master of the s.s. Tai Lee, who was shot by piratas on board his vessel on Two of them stopped on the top grating, January 1st, was continued as the two more stopped by the engine-room Magistracy yesterday before Mr. R. E. platform, and twa went into the stoke Lindsell (Coroner) and a Jury consîsting hold. The two in the engine-rooms told of Messrs. H. R.. B. Hanerek, (foretnan), hirn (witness) not to move. One of them W. A Perry, and A. F. B. Silver-Netto. said: No wanehre move," This mun R. Bauchamp (Assistant then said Work according to the move. Harbour Master), sat on thể Bench with ments of the telegraph." Witness said the Coroner. Mr. C. G. Purdue, A.S.P. that he stood on the starting platform and Assistant Director of Criminal until about am. At this time one of Intelligence, watched the enquiry on the pirates pointed to the stop valve level behalf of the Police, Mr. G. K. Hall pins of the part and starboard engines Brattan appeared for the China Coast and told him to take them away. Wit- Officers Guild and the Marine Engineers' ness, ordered the fourth engineer to do Child of China

BU.. The engines had already stopped then. Ho heard the blowing of whistles and the pirates went away.

CHIEY OFFICER RECALLED. Mr. Fletcher (Chief Officer of the Tai Lee at the time of the piracy) recalled, Wits questioned by Mr. Brutton.

Witness and that after the pirates left he went to his cabin and found that it In reply to Me." Brutton, Mr. Eetcher had been forced open. Inside he found aid that the pilot gave orders to the the Chief Officer's hat. Witness had his Quartermaster whip was at the wheel hat, raincoat, revolver and ammunition when the pirates were on board.

Mr. Brutton: From whom did the pilot "get his orders I cannot say," awas told to sit down"in the wheel-house.

stolen.

La reply to Mr. Hancock, witas said that the skylights above the engine-room were always kept open except in rainy weather. There was an eight fret drop between the skylights and the top plat

Do you mean to say that you did not have the curiosity to see who was on the bridge, hul not the curiosity. Iform. was told to sit down or I would be shot. Ihat the bosun's voice at intervals very close intervals.

In reply to further questions, witness 'said he did not hear the order given for

the vessel to stop

Crew

Mr. Brutton : What members of the "were missing when you went out ate or deels?"

Witness: Eight ilors, the bosun,

and his bratjær,

i

Inspector Robert Shannon gave 'avi deres to the effect that when the Tai Lce went ashore during the recent typhoon a number of arms on board the ship were stolen. A bullet extracted from the body of Capt. Willox was of the same, calibre as those used in the stolen pistols.

Was the brather member of the

th crow bedrag lie was brass polisher and was on Us articles.

SEARCHING THEM SHIP,

Tuspector Fallon, in charge of the searching parties on the wharves, said the six, Tai Lee, before leaving Hongkong thuight of the piracy, was lying an Tag On Wharf. He visited her in the course of the afternoon and the usual search of the passengers and crew was inade. He was present when the crew's quarters were searched at 2 pan. There were no passengers on the Nothing suspiciong was found.

to

The Cinder: In spite of a search. would it be possible for the crew serete arins on the ship without arousing suspicion ---Cortainly, unless you had in formation.

Mr. Hancock Was there another ship ring on the opposite side of the what?

Witcess: No, the G Lee was lying on the outside of the Tai Lee.

THE CHE ANINEER'S EVIDENCE Mr. John Dwyer, Chief Engineer of the x. Tal Bec, said that won t night, of the piracy every "ime he went from his roots to the engine room the deek grill had to be unlocked. He was quite clear about this. The engine-room, grill was not fucked. It could not be kept locked as the engine-room staff had to have He heard access to the steering gear. shots fired and two men, strangers to hua, rushed into his room. Each had a torch in one hand and a revolves in the other. They spoke to him in Chinese which he did not understood and motion. od to him to step outside his room. Here they were joined by another man and they continued to ask him questions: all

ys from the Captain to lock the thres of them, the last one more parti- lower grills. Bis instructions did not cularly. He heard the bosun talking to cover the locking of the grills on the someone on "the bridge and witness called upper deck. After he had locked the out: "Boxen, ask the men what they grills he handed the keys over to the want," because be could not understand Captain.

The Compradore of the ship, Li Chan

Witness went on to say that it was very difficult for his four searchers to keep an eye on sampant as well as to watch the wharf and to keep an eye on the, ss. On Lec.

Sergt Armitt said that between 6.00 Pn. and 6.15 p.m. ho superintended the searching of passengers on the wharf. This appeared to be done properly. At 0.15 p.m. he went on board to get the

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. [FOR HIS KONDUR THE CHIEF JUSTICE (SIR WILLIAM KRES-DAVIES)}.

"A DISGRACEFUL OFFENCE"

Mr. Dyer-Ball, in his address to the Jury, asked how could the prisoner really have mistaken.the amount of money given him by the shroff at the Bank He (pri sonet) must have known that he was Twa Chinese, Lau Chung and Liu Siugiven more than 3300 Coming to the Cho, were charged with stealing on reference to the $10,000 which the shroff's February 16th, at Sham Shui Po, cloth-son bad overpaid someone the previous day, Counsel for the Crown said he did ing, 4950 in money, and other articles,

not know exactly what the other side suggested. It would be absurd to infer that the father was attempting to obtaîn money to refund the amount lost by the son, or that the father was dishonest because the son had made a mistake.

Prisoners pleaded not guilty.

Mr. H. K. Holmes" (Crown Solicitor), in outlining the case for the prosecution, said that four men entered the timber yard of the Wing Kai Cheung Company. The fokis were overpowered and threat ened with revolvers, and various articles and money was taken from the premises On February 2nd one of the prisoners, who was then under arrest, was ideati fed by the manager of the timber yard. The next day the other prisoner was identified,

Concluding. Mr. Dyer-Ball said the Crown's case defcuded upon the evidence of the two shroffs of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and the employé of the Bank of Canton. The shroffs' sevidence was strongly supported by that of the last named witness.

The Puisne Judge said there were a Lau Po, assistant manager of the tim-few points he would have to deal with. ber yard, giving evidence, said he was The case was one which presented un- bound with wire, gagged and had his usual difficulties and was a painful one, for, whatever way the outcome of it, it hand covered with a blanket, The man

was always painful to see a man who who trussed witness took $30 from his like the prisoner, had always borne an pocket. The robber obtained possession excellent character standing his trial on a charge of felony. The lad (prisoner) of a key and zided the safe. When wit had told them that his salary and bonus neas released himself be found that 360 amounted to but 8250 a year, out of had been remoyed from the ante. A sum which he had to support his mother." If of 10 was also missing. Witness could he had taken the money he would have had ten years' income. He could have disappeared. not" identify either prisoner

Instead of that, he is brought up at the police court, listens to the evidence of the shroffs and of the man from the Bank of Canton, then at tends ngain and again, being released on bail in the meanwhile, and finally comes to this Court and stands his trial. These facta, continued the Puisne Judge, should be considered.

The manager of the timber yard then gave evidence. He said he also was tied up. A wrist watch and 5 in ash was taken from him. There were, witness stated, four robbers He recognised one of the prisoners as the robber who point ed a revolver at him (wituess).

The second prisoner was identified by another witness, Au Tso.. This prisoner interjected that witness and himself had quarrelled over a gambling gaine, and that witness was accusing him out of spite.

His Honour then briefs dealt with the evidence. Regarding the first shroff's evidence, he said it would not be remark. able that a man who had been foolish enough to pay out 83,000 for $300 would do and say anything to justify his action. A man who admitted he was concern- ed in the robbery said that six men took His honour added that he placed no the fact that "Four entered the place and sinister significance on. part in it. two remained outside. The prisoners If he had received the larger sun and prisoner tied the notes up with string. were among those who participated in the affair.

had done away with the difference be- Questioned by Ilis Lordship he said between 23,000 and $300, it is just as likely was arrested on another charge, at Yau- that he would have done away with the mati Ferry Wharf, and in that ease the string.

After summarising the evidence of the two prisoners hore witness against him, and that was why he was giving evidence shrofts. His Lordship said it was open two Hongkong and Shanghai Bank against them. He denied that he was

to assume that there were so many dis- giving false evidence in this case.

The second prisoner said that if the crepancies in it that it would be unsafe to convict. There were certainly discre- inst witness asked him to be present at the robbery. why was he not asked to bepancies of some gravity, and there was present when the proceeds were shared. this point against the shroffs: they had Witness replied that prisoner had had honestly, it could he presumed-paid over the money by mistake to someone, his share of the proceeds, viz., $6.50. O his Lordship pointing out, that a large and it was very much in their interest to run someone ia. It was, concluded His sum had been stolen, witness replied that the mer supplying the arms, ut took Lordship, for the. Crown to bring home beyond all reasonable doubt his guilt to larger shares. The first prisoner was one

the prisoner. of these.

in

The Jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of guilty against both prisoners.

His Lordship said he agreed with the verdict. It was a disgraceful offence. He thought it his duty to inflict some of the physical torture that prisoners had inflicted on their victims.

Prisoners were sentenced each to seven

Cat."

BEFORE HIS HONOUR THE PUISNE JUDGE MR. JUSTICE GONFENTŻ}},

The Jury, after retiring, found prisoner "not guilty," and he was, as stated above, discharged.

FIVE YEARS FOR INTENT TO ROB.

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Ching Taky a Chinese, was charged cars hard labour and 15 strokes of the with assault with intent to rob.

pleaded not guilty."

Mr. H. K. Holmes (Crown Solicitor) prosecuted, said it seemed that prisoner and others went to commit a robbery at a small shop in the Quarry Bay district

There was no actual robbery, as the women in the shop, after being assault- cd, raised an alarm, nod the would-be robbers ran away. Prisoner was arrest ed the same day on the Shaukiwan road, and was subsequently identified by one of the women in the shop.

A SHROFF'S MISTAKE

OFFICE BOY "NOT GUILTY OF them. After a short conversation, the Ting, after outlining his duties to the

RECEIVING THE MISSING MONEY, bosan said: You come along here, Chief Coroner, said that when the piracy com- Euginer." Witness added: "I went menced he laid himself fat on the Boor of his cabin to avoid the bullets which

The offer hoy employed. by Messrs. along to the bridgy carefully."

were being fired in the adjoining cabins Fang Tang and Co., who was charged

· L was followed by two of the The firing crased and started again and with stealing 82,700, monies of the Hong- pirars, Sogoce opened the wheel-house he heard an Indian guard had been kong and Shanghai Bank, was yesterday

He crawled back on to his found Sit down, wounded.

not guilty" and discharged. door and the bosun said: Chief Engineer.' I did so. The Chief bed' and a little later his cabin door was About the middle of last month, it may Offer was already there. I heard the fored open and a pirate, armed with be remembered, a report was current that engine room telegraph. answering the revolver and holding an electric torch,

shroff of the Hongkong and Shanghai came in. Witness pretended to be asleep Bank had overpaid a client to the extent deck signals. The quarter-master was at the wheel"

and the pirate went away and came back of a large sum of money. The sequel was Wit a police court case in which the office later when to asked who he was. mess told him be was a passenger and boy was charged with stealing $2,700. invited him to take all he had and get The lad was committed for trial, and rich. The pirate went away again and accordingly appeared in the Supreme a little later he heard a noise outside Court on Monday and yesterday.

This is the compradore's saying: cabin. It sounded like the voice of a member of the crew, added witness.

The Coroner: You told the police that you recognised the voice--I did not re- cognize it.

The Corough: Could you soe who was at the telegraphe outside?-I know the pilot was there, because I had seen him when I came in,"

Witness said that state of affairs con-

tinued until the anchor was let go, some hours later. After the pirates had gone ho went direct to the engine room. None of his staff was missing.

In replying to the Coronor, witness said that when he was motioned out of his cahin the Captain was lying on the deck. I did not hear Capt. Willox ery or fall

when he was shot.

Lient. Beauchamp: Do you consider shat you have full control over the engites!

Mr. Dyer Ball, Assistant Attorney- General, appeared for the Crown, whilst Mr. F. C. Jenkin defended.

Mr. Jenkin, in addressing the Jury, said that one fact which was established and unchallenged was the integrity

to the shop for cakes and

away.

.. Prisoner, from the dock, said he went then went

Prisoner was found guilty and sen- tenced to five years with bard labour and ten strokes of the eas

The Jury comprised: Messrs. D. E. Donnelly, Choa Po-yew, D. Bone, II. W. Pomeroy, J. Edgar, D. Harvey and J. A V. Ribeiro,

:

41

A CHINESE WHO FELT.

"THE COLD.

WEARING A NAVAL JERSEY.

Chak" Fat, a Naval Dockyard coolie, was charged before Mr. E. E. Lindsell, Continuing, witness said the pirates of the prisoner, who had had opportunitat the Magistracy with the larceny of of one woollen jersey from the Kowloon shortly afterwards ordered him to hold ties of a very tempting character but who

Naval Depot. up his hands and asked him for bis had never taken advantage of them. Yet, according to the evidence of the He explained that the money money. was in the sales on the dock down below. shroffs of the Hongkong and Shanghai He was ordered to go below and open Bank, prisoner was a daring opportunist the safes. Ho did not see any members of the Grat order. The body of a dead Indian guard was

The Inquiry was again adjourned:

Witness: Yes, I so to all repairs, but I do not ngago the crew. The Chiness of the crew on his way to the lower deck.ld ask the Jury to say that the evi. the man had been in the employ of thei

engineers actually work the engines."

Mr. Brutton: This bosun-what stand-all be rosiced.

ing had he in relation to the crew

Witnies: All I know is that be called

m along and said "Sit down there, Chief Engineer*!

No.

Hara, you got him since When you called him did he appear to bo afraid of the pirates-No, his con

versation was normal. -

They didn't threaten him in any way! -No.

Did you see him after you had been placed in the wheel-house 1 Tea, ho pass ed to and fro in the dark, or the figure looked very much like him. I heard his voice from time to time.

To whom was he giving orders-The pilot probably. I cannot say definitely whether the bosun was giving orders.

Witness said that directly the pirates went away he went to the engine room.

Mr. Brutton: Who told you they were gone?- saked the quarter-master if oonid come out and he said "yes."

You asked the quarter-master, chi- Xer

HOME AFTER 40 YEARS' ABSENCE." AMMUNITION IN RETURNED EMIGRANT'S SUIT CABR

Mr. Jenkin went on to say that be denes of the shroff was wholly unsatis- factory and unacceptable, and, in regard to some details, was wholly false. The Compradore Branch of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, which apparently em plored shroffs who were liable to go at any moment into a state of insensibility, and from which £3,000 sterling was taken within two days, without anybody know. ing anything about it, was a wonderful establishment indeed! And it was on the strength of such people that the Jury was asked to deprive prisoner of his liberty.

When asked to plead, the defendant said he felt the cold and put the jacket on and forgot to take it off again.

Mr. Whibley, Inspector of Stores, said Naval Yard for the last three years. The jersey was identical with those stored in the Naval Deport. At present the stock was correct, but about twelve months ago number were found to be missing. The jersey in the case was apparently onn of those.

His Worship reserved sentence,

SNATCHER'S ASSISTANT SENT TO PRISON.

A. Chinoso named Leung Tak," who was apparently working in association with a |* snatcher in Queen's Road Central, was yesterday morning sent to prison by Mr. Hamilton for three months with bard labour. It appears that the snatcher had snatched a necklace valued at $18.00 from

An old Chineno aged 65 years, was ar rested on the Prays the other day for

Mr. Jonkin referred to the fact that one having in his possession 10 rounds of ammunition which worn found in his suit of the ahres had spoken to seeilg "black Can Yosterday he was brought before spots" on a certain paper.

Well, Mr. E. Hamilton, and charged with Counsel obaczved, "I have seen 'black unlawful possession, Mr. A. el Arcalli apots and perhaps some of you gentle- annenged to defend and said that his men have seen them too. When you are client had been in Amerien for 4 years reading you often see black spota trail-

h he was the partner in a shop. Heling aernes the paper. What the cause of a Chinese small girl. The alarm was was now returning to his native village it is I do not know and I dare not ven- raised and ho was pursued: Eo passed turo a gupas, but if all that shroff saw on the necklace to his confederate who Hak Shan.

His Worship nused - Eink of 8100 that morning was black spots then I do was arrested on the spot with the acck- in his posVERSION. The snatcher with the alternative of one month's hard not think his evidence is worth very lace labour.

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