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ECHO OF AIR TRAGEDY. INQUIRY INTO DEATH OF

MR. R. EARNSHAW.

EYE-WITNESSES EVIDENCE.

The inquiry into the circumstances sur-

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY

KOWLOON GOLF CLUB, FIRST ORDINARY GENERAL· MEETING HELD YESTERDAY:

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

From their viewpoint the man seemed to be coming down almost straight, per- haps drifting a tride out to sen Fle

YAUMATE POLICE RAID SEQUEL seemed to be making strenuous move-

A police raid at 198, Woosung Street, ments with his legs, and they thought he

The first ordinary annual general meet-on December 29th, had a sequel at the was trying to get his boots of Some ing of the Kowloon Golf Club was "hold Criminal Sessions yesterday, when be- rounding the tragic death of Mr. Reginald small object dropped from him, which yesterday evening at the Kowloon British fore the Puisne Judge (Mr. Justice Karnshaw, which took place on Chinese might have been his up. Suddenly, the School, Mr. E. Cock presiding. There Gompertz), Lau Cheung, was charged

parachute dropped very sharply into the New Year Day at an exhibition of flying.sea,, and made a big splash. The man Messrs. T. Allen, A. C. S. Burfuri, E. six rounds of ammunition; and with were present:-Captain Chippindall, with the possession of a revolver and when he jumped from an aeroplane to immediately disappeared and the para- descend by means of a parachute, was chute collapsed to the right of where he Pregillers, V. C. Labrum, G. Breceiving the revolver, well knowing it opened before" Mr. W. Hamilton at had disappeared. It did not fall on top Labrum. IL Edwards, B. Fetheram, J. to have been stolen.

D. Thomson, D. J. Brown, J. Smith, A. the Kowloon Magistravy pesterday after. of him. They distinctly saw him come

Mr. H. K. Holmes prosecuted. up clear of the parachute, and her sister Brookshank, A. W. E. Davidson, J. His Lordabip asked if the case had Squadron Leader Cordina sat with the exclaimed "How are they going to get aceh, F. Claxton, H. Overy, J. H. anything to do with one heard the pre-

hi! They looked round and saw Kynock. . E Jordain, W. Paterson, Jivious day, in which Li Wing was "senti Magistrate in an silvisory capacity.

boat of Kowloon City, and when they H. Gelling, E. Dewhurst, J. Curwood and tenced for shooting with intent. The Jury comprised Mr. H. W. Page booked back at the spot her sister ex-

J. Hart. (Foreman), Mr. B. E. Fielder and Mr. Cclaimed: "There is not a sign of any-

Wing had tried to say something about The annual report showed that there exonerating - another thing. The man has gone," and when were 95 ordinary members and one honor- charged. they looked hath man nad parachute bad dry member. The members of the Coin- Mr. Holmes said that both men were disappeared. They were absolutely unmittee last season were Mr. E Cock arrested in a raid ou prepared for tragedy, and looking again (President), Mr. R. E. Lindsell (Vice Street. Yaumati If prisoner required, she (witness) thought she saw a small President), Major J. F. Drake and Mr. Lt. Wing called, it could be arranged. speck fforting on the water further away. it might only have been the cap. When the parachute was descending, she heard shouting, and tried to quieten the child-

noon.

D'Almeida

His Worship, opering the inquiry, said they were there to inquire into the cir cumstances of the tragedy which occurred On January with They were probably familiar with the published circumstances, but he must warn the Jury in the first place that they rust not farm opinions on the accounts in the newspapers. In acuse like this, the reporter laboured under a difficulty, and a good many statek it ments by eye-witnrus would out he borne oat by the evidener, and they roust enter the inquiry with open minds. It was for them to decide whether or not the ar rangements at this exhibition were 'die- tated by common Bradenee; and if not

TED.

She was ander the impression that

but it was impossible to be positive about was the cmn in the parachute calling, that. People were Beginning to run up from Kowloon City, and these might have been responsible for the shouting." There was no one at the actual spot, however.

In reply to a question by the Coroner,

74

H. F. Jackman (ex-Ofcio), Capt. Chip. pinda, Messrs. T. F. Claxton, W. McKay, H. Kynoch, J. C. Fletcher. A. C. S Burford, J., Smith, S. J. Jordain (Hon Treasurer), WL Paterson (Hon. Secre-

tary).

period ending December 31st, 1994, show The profit and loss account, for the ed a balance of 833.39 on the right side of the ledger.

ال

Li

who WAS

122, Woosung

Prisoner signified that he would like

Li Wing to appear on his behalf.

said that a man was seen trying to escape Outlining the prescat case, Mr. Holmes from the premises by breaking through

17

Tyler and a Chinese constable would bamboo fence on top of the wall separating Nos. 100 and 124. state that they identified the prisoner, Sergt.

and another constable would say that it was a fat man. dressed, in a dark suit..

The adoption of the report which was carried unanimously was proposed by Mr Later a revolver was found in the back-

what degree of blatne was to be upper witness said the parachute did not re./4. W. E DAVIDSON and seconded by Mr. yard of No. 121, just below the spot)

tioned to the various people responsible for the exhibition. There was no diff culty as to the actual" cause of death, The Doctor would not be there to give

evidence as he was suffering from in- Auenza and Mr. Abbott would not be there, as he had been called to Manila

on Lusiness. His Worship had had a cable from him stating that he was fear ing Munila yesterday (Tuesday) for Hung- kong, and would he here for the next Brearing.

<

Inspector Bond, who was the first wit. reas, gave evidence as to the recovery of the body. He said he was in charge of police motor launches, under Inspector Angut. He did not witness the calamity but on the same night he received general erders to keep a lookout for the body Og February 5th, he was patrolling in Kowloon Bay at about 5 pm, and when off the reclamation land about 400 yards from the reclamation wall, and about 400 yards off the North side from the Glass Works, he saw something white, and realised that it was the body of Mr. Reginald Earnshaw.

He went close by and saw the head and shoulders appear

main on the surface for more than two

Iminutes.

until six a'rlock that the hody had not "Witness said that she did not learn

been recovered.

His Worship complimented Mrs. Ingram on the splendid manner in which she had given evidence.

Mr. Claudle Earnshaw, brother of the deceased, then gave evidence, and said he had nothing to do with the School of Aviation. He knew about the exhibition and the parashate jump by his brother and was present when the calamity occur brother when he knew about it, and was red. He discussed the matter with his told not to merry or get the wind up," as it would be all right. His brother told him he had jumped once before in Manila, Witness asked him where he proposed to a baseball ground. land, and deceased said he would come down on land all right. He was not going to make the jump unless it was a fine day Witness tried to persuade him not to go up at all, but the reply to this was that the event had been published and he had

when he landed on

A CS BraFoxɔ.

where the man was standing.

Evidence bearing out these statementa

Chinese constables while another Chinese, was given by Sergt. Tyler sad two

giving, evidenes in respect of the second charge against prisoner, said he identi- fied the revolver a his property, and one which he missed after an armed rob- bery had taken place at his house on. December 11th.

Later he wAS

THE CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH.

CHAIRMAN said: Gentlemen, Since the After the adoption of the report, the

middle of 1994, a large amount of work has been done both in Committee and on the land I have already referred to this on the occasion when H.E. The Governor and HE General Sir John Fowler jointly opened the Club and, I don't think it calls for any further.remark. I think we may Prisoner made a statement from the claim that we are at present on our feet, dock, in which he denied ever having we still have little pitfalls ahead but I had possession of the revolver. He said believe everything will come right. The he saw Li Wing hide it under the stove Club have been materially helped in the the police came they said they were outgoing officera and Committee of the the night before the police came. When support they have received and I'venture searching for epiun to express the hope that equal support him to go and shut the backyard door, Li Wing skel will be afforded to the new Committee and that was why he went into the buck- financial and while I ask for both I through & bamboo fence and said he was Support must be of two kinds-moral and yard. He denied attempting to break, should particularly like to call your at not on top of a wall. tention to debentures which are of the low arrested on suspicion, together, with so denomination of ten dollars and which 30 other men. carry quite a reasonable interest. view of the Committee is that it is pre said the revolver was thrown into the The Called on prisoner's behalf," Li Wing ferable for one hundred members to take yard of No. 121 by him. It was he that ing above the surface. The body was fell into the water there would be a motor UP one debeature each than that one climbed the wall, Ee bought the re-. noating in a perpendicular manner. He bust ready. Witness left the matter at between à few individuals

hundred debentures should be divided volver from a Chinese and intended to took the boat-hook and got the body by that, as he took it that the arrangements

Therefore, take it to Canton. Prisoner never had. the belt, and managed to slip a rope would be in the hands of the School any gentleman who desires to do some possession of it. He threw this revolyer under the arms. He could not get the Befort his brother nude the ascent, he he can and help those who are trying to coming and intended to do the same with thing for the Club, should take up what over the wall when he saw the police body up properly, and found that some asked him to take his boots off, but de- make the Club à success. (Cheers.) thing was holding it. There was a ball ceased said as he might strike hitch of rope from the parachute" round boulders he would rather keep then on. the right ankle, which he would say was He knew nothing-shout the harness and one of the stays belonging to the para chute. The body seemed to be held by parachute, except that it was identical aomething in the front also; but even-

the possession of Mrs. tually he got the body clear of the gear.

Abbott at the present time. The aero- plane had been up several times that day Ilis Worship: The Chinese would not but his brother was never in it. He bad, elected on the Committee:-Messrs. S. jury found prisoner "guilty" on the After conferring for four minutes, the touch the dead lady! The fact that the discussed ne matter with Mr. Abbott

to do it. Deceased told him that if he

With LOU: in

some

ELECTION OF OFFICIALS,

the other revolver, which was found under his bed.

The following officials were elected for, In answer to His Lordship, Mr. Holmes next season--President, Mr. E Cock; said he did not press the second charge Vice-President and Captain of the Club, of receiving, and His Lordship directed Capt. Chippindall; Honorary Treasurer, the jury not to take this into considera- Mr. J. D. Thomson; Honorary Secretary, tion in their finding. Mr. W. Paterson. The following were

ruan had died on Chinese New Year Day just before he went up and asked what Jordain, J. H. Kyooch, J. C. Fletcher charge of possession, and His Lordship

only made the matter worse.

Witness: They would not touch the body. All the gear came away but was not recovered. The two boots revovereil were on the body,

chance his brother had of coming down C. Burford, J. Smith, and T. F. Claxton.

His Worship: Have you formed any. theory yourself?

Witness: I think myself that when he saw he was coming down into the sea he tried to direct himself towards the land, and went into the water with such a splash that he forget to unfasten his belt. If the belt had been undone the parachute would not have been with him

chance was 10 to 1 against dropping into on land, and Bir. Abbott replied that the

the sea. In witness's opinion, when his brother jumped, the machine was over. His Worship: I thought he dropped one the sea and going senwards. Flis brother of his boots when he was coming down! unce explained to him that it was po

Inspector Angus: That was what Isible to guide a parachute. As soon as the jump was made he witness) thought thought, but apparently it was his hat that something was wrong, and ran to he dropped.

wards the spot where he thought the Continuing, Inspector Bond said the parachute would descend. When he ar

rived he saw nothing but the motor boat Mr. Joseph Dolezal, the next witness, Lady was sent to the Victoria Mertuary, circling round the spot.

said he was sitting on the rocks" about In his opinion the parachute kept the inan His Worship: Were you aware that 300 yards from the spot where the para down, but he might have tangled himself responsible person was in charge of the while kicking and trying to get free.

motor boat, and were you aware the only erder given was to the Chinese coxswain to stand by?

flis Worship: At our next sitting I hope we shall be able to produce a similar parachute and belt. You were not able, Inspector Bond, to get the parachute up

Witness: We dragged two days for the parachute, but were unable to get it up.

Sergeant Hope, in charge of No. 5 Police lausen, said that on February 5th

no

passed sentence of seven years' hard Inbour.

SECOND ACCUSED DISCHARGED.

Arising out of, the same police raid, Wu Sau Shan, was charged with being in possession of a revolver and five rounds of ammunition.

was in the same house at the time of the Mr. Holmes said in this case prisoner raid and the revolver was found near his bed, but there were many other men about at the time. A Chinese, the only witness called, said he was at 122, Wood sung Street at the time of the raid. Be caute dropped. He saw the aeroplane sawa Chiness with a revolver, but he over the sea and it was moving towards did not see prisoner in possession of the land. The parachute at first travelled one. very fast, and then slowed down. When Mr. Holmes, said he did not wish tọ the man was about 30 yards from the sea offer any further evidence and the jury be called out "Oh Oh'!! and dropped returning a verdict of "not guilty," His something There was a big splash when Lordship discharged prisoner.. be hit the water. He was under the sur face for about 20 seconds and then hobbed" up again, and was apparently switaming. Ho called out

thrice and then Help Witness: No, I would have gone on motor boat turned up five minutes after fung up his hands and disappeared. The Witness, continuing, said he knew his the parachute hit the water. brother had a share in the Company, and

In reply to a question by His Worship, witness

said he could swini but slightly

Witness: It never entered my mind, though I thought of going on the boat myself.

His Worship: Had you known that only Chinese coxswain was in charge of the motor boat would you have considered that satisfactory!

be received the body, and had it taken | board myself, or asked a friend to do 50:

to the Victoria Mortuary.

His Worship: Before going into the

41

·GAOL FOR GUNNER. MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF THE LAW

matter of the Company. I think we might 9 a matter of fact it was his iden to form the distance the man was out was three years' imprisonment with hard

take the evidence

as in a bouse overlooking the Bus when

Lho tragedy occurred, and saw what hap pened from the window,

and

it. He enlisted the other two gentlemen and

as President and Secretary. His brother

as financial backers, and nominated them His Worship, he adjoursing the case, told him that during the War he went said that there was no doubt but that through an air force teat, but they would the deceased failed to get out of the Mra F. F. Ingram, of Ngau Szę Wan not pass him out because blood rushed harness. They had now to find out why Villas, then gave evidence. She said that to his head at a certain height. His he failed to get clear, and also to find the watched from the window of her brother made a jump at Manila, but never out what was in the minds of the people bouse the various stunts done by the at Macao.

running the show, and why there was ariators. They were expecting to sce His Worship: By the time you got not soune responsible person in the motor the parachute event, ne they bad seen across to the scene was there any hope boat. They would adjourn until 2.15 on it advertised in the newspapers. Sud-of saving your brother?

Wednesday Boxt araly

her oldest son, aged 12, called to Witness: No, I arrived there nhout 20. P. F. J. Wodehouse, said he under The Deputy Superintendent of Police, her "Come on out; the man is coming minutes after he dropped into the water. down now." Her sister and herself went When the motor boat went on the rocks stood that a telegram had just been re- out on the verandah and saw that the they called out, and Sargeant Simpsonceived to the effect that Mr. Abbott had parachute had opened and the man was told me that my brother had not been had a fatality in Manila. Ho understand descending. Her sister said to her found. **Burely he is going to drop in the pea." (Continued on next Column).

*

that someone had walked into the pro peller of a machine during an exhibition.

The maximum sentence of the law,

labour, was imposed by the Chief Justice

said:

(Sir Henry Gollan) at the Criminal Sessions yesterday on Guhner James Element, who was found guilty on the previous day of an attempted offence against an eleven-year-old Chinese girl

His Lordship, in passing sentence, * You have been found guilty of an offence less serious than the one with which you were charged, but the moral character is equally blameworthy You were guilty of girl. It is a monstrous thing that girls a deliberata and brutal attack on a little proceeding from school on the King's highway, should be treated as you treated this girl. The maximum sentence of the law is three years' imprisonment, and I propeso to give you that sentence.”

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