1925-04-22 — Page 5

SANITARY BOARD, THE TYPHOID QUESTION UNDER DISCUSSION.

A meeting of the Hongkong Sanitary- Board was held yesterday afternoon. Mr. N. 1 Smith presiding.

The following communication from the Coverament relative to the suggested in- vestigation-on-the-subject-of-typheld. was laid on the table by the Chairman, who mid the matter was open for dis- cussion.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong,

24th March. 1995.

Sin,With reference to your letter No. 155/1924 of the 28th February, 1993, I am direted to forward for the information of the Sanitary Board a copy of a minute by the Principal Civil Medical Officer dealing with the proposal to have a thorough investigation of the persist cue of typhoid fever in the Colony. The Government concurs in the views of the Principal Civil Medical Officer am, Sir. Your obedient Servant,

(n.) A. G. M. FLETCHER,

Colonial Secretary, The Secretary, Sanitary Boar:).

(Minute)

Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY,

Were there an epidurale of typhoid, the sourer of infection of which had not been -discovered, I think that there would be

call for a special investigation but is is not the case and with the excep tion of the small non-Chinese epidemie of Inst summer. the rigin of which wILS investigated by the Medical Officer of Health, who came to a conclusion-which I think was a right oue, there has beets nothing in the nature of epidemic typhoid. The cases which have been accurring are all isolated, ones and there is nothing to suggest that the exact means of infection ja the same in each "Any person or persons asked to in vestigate the occurrence of typhoid would Arst of all consider the two sources, which are the most common causes of and pultair typhoid namely water milk, bus these are already carefully and regularly investigated by experts. We know of the waterte-

*

(1) That there is some pollution in

the watchmmt, arcus,

(2) That the Bluer beds dis not ade

quarely remove the effects of this patintion.

The water is therefore chlorinated in wirder to ensure safety. As to the milk It is regularly examine bacteriologically and the standard is known to be gene rally good. So far then the work of the investigators would only bring to light facts that are quite well known,

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1995

THE EARNSHAW ENQUIRY.

SENSATIONAL ARREST. SEQUEL TO THEFT OF TRAVELLERS' |→ DEATH QUE. TO MISADVENTURE."

CHEQUES.

As a sequel to ive travellers' obeques, stolen train the American Express Com- pany's Shanghai Branch, being cashed in Hongkong, the police yesterday male a

sensational arrest.'

The man who eashed the cheques alleged to be an American-who gave his name as Maurice H. Janes was arrested yesterday afternoon in Kowloon.

Yesterday the following statement uppoured in Police reports

FIVE TRAVELLERS' CHEQUES.

A report made to the Police by the American Express Company states that tive travellers, chequer, issufid by their branch at Shanghai were cashed in Hong. kong recently. "It has since been learned that the cheques were stolen, and the description of the man who cashed them in Hongkong has been given to the polise. The cheques were made out in favour off the Kwan Hing jewellery shop of Welling ton Street and the Wing Sing curio shop, of Praya East.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS. [ESFORE THE CALF JUSTICE. (SIR B. GOLLAN).J

JURY'S VERDICT AND RIDER ·

INDIAN DRIVER DISCHARGED. The enquiry into the circumstances

There were seven cases down for trial attending the death of Mr. Reginald Earnshaw who was killed as the resalt at the Criminal Sessions yesterday, of of jumping in a parachute from an aero-which only twe were concluded. plane at an exhibition of flying at Kew, loon, was concluded yesterday, when the Jury brought in a verdict of "Death by

misadventure.**

","

When the enquiry was resumed at the Kowloon Magistincy yesterday afternoon, the Coroner. (Mr. E. W. Hamilton) ac- pouncel that Inspector Angus was unwell and would be unable to attend.

fell into the sea.

..

Mr. George Bing of the "motor-bout company was next called.

The Coroner: Were you personally acquainted with the late air. Earnshaw:

When the Police visited in Jones, at the hotel at which he was staying, they demanded his passport. He said that he had not ons in his possession, but that he would produce papers to establish hix-Yes. identity. Thereupon he produced several travellers choques. The Police then took him into enstody.

It is alleged that the cheques involve the sum of 2000.

A NASTY ACCIDENT.. JAPANESE PHOTOGRAPHER IS

BADLY BURNED.

The Jury, were Mr. A. Shaw (foreman), Messrs H. T. Albarda, G. Gompertz, A. D'Almada, H. Goldenburg, J. A. M. Graca, and M. A. Gomez.

The first case was that of Bakshish Singh, a' chauffeur in the employ of the Hon. Mr. H. T. Creasy, charged with the unlawful possession of a revolten Mr.

EK. "Holmes, Crown Solicitor, pro- secuted, whilst Mr. H, S. Fitzroy (ia. structed by Messrs. Lee and Russ) de fended.

The first witness was Dr. G. W. Hope who received the body of the Late Mr Earnshaw at the Victoria Mortuary, He gave evidence to this effect, and said that.

The prosecution alleged that on the he could and no clue on the body which

Des Voeux Road showed why Mr. Earnshaw failed to ridd March defendant went to the Fire himself of the parachute-belts when he Brigade Station in

Central, and told Jumme Khan, a police. man seconded to the Fire Brigade. to whom he owed $50, that he would give him a revolver in lieu of half the money, On March 27th defendant came again and told Jumme Khan that he had given the Do you recollect him calling on you revolver to Bachen Singh to bring to him. shortly before he met his death -Yes, Jumme Khan then consulted Lau Kai but he did not visit me about the motor-Chau, a "motor driver also seconded to the police, and they decided to arrest beat.

Bachea Singh. He was eventually seen on the Praya and the revolver found in his possession. In consequence of a state- ment be made, the defendant was arrest ed. At the Central Magistracy defendant had denied having any knowledge of the revolver, and also said he did not owe Jutume Khan $50.

Did he not tell you that he wanted a motor boat, and that he was about to jump from an aeroplane (No.

Then you did not know until later that it was your motor boat which failed to arrive u time to rescue him 1-No, the chit was seat to the wharfinger.

Did you see this chit before the moter. bout started out No.

Yes.

Jumme Khan, giving evidence, said that

He

Lau Kai Chau gave evidence of arrest- Just after His Excellency Major-General |

When did you first see it --In the evening Bachen Singh, after he had been told by Jumme Khan that he had a revolver Luani, C.B, C.G. (the (LO.C. the Forces in China), had presented the ing when he was dead. cup and medals to the winners in the if you had seen this before would you it his possession. Garrison Hockey Competition at the have gope in the motor boat yourself-defendant pred nim 250 and asked him Soldiers Club on Monday night, Mr. Yukihama, a Japanese photographer, whe had attended to take a flashlight photo graph of the proceedings, aet with a Basty accident.Thinking that his ribbon had gone uut, Mr. Yukibara lowered his apparatus and picking up a tin of mague sium powder dropped some more into the tray. The charge suddenly went off and the received the full force of the explosion

his faur, being badly burned and over cone lay the fumes. Re was led out, winded by the accident, and given first

in the Medical Inspection Room, being later taken to the Government Civil Hospital.

::

Mr. "Westley (Foreman of the whether he would take a revolver which coatiescended. When defendant told him Jury): How many men comprised the he Vesired to sell in bali-payment. crew of the motor-boat-Three.

The Coroner: I suppose there were one oa March 27th that he had given the engineer and two small boys-apprentices, revolver to Bachen Singh, he and Lau

Kai Chau decided to arrest the latter. I think-Tes

Questioned by Mr. Fitzroy, witness said

THE COXSWAIN'S EVIDENCE Yeung Tak Wal, the coxswain of the motor boat, then gave evidence.

The Coroner: Do you remember being ordered to go to Kowloon City in order to pick up a gentleman if he went into the sea -Yes.

Who gave you that order?-Ah Sun, the man on the whart-

left

Where is Ab Sum now ?-He has epidemic of typhoid. That was not one Hongkong.

Did you see Mr. Earnshaw before he ī of their criticisms they were not talk-i

ing about an epidemic of typhoid. But went up in the aeroplane-No

My

But as I has said above there is no epidemic of typhoid and the mere fact he went on to say that no general inves-orders were to keep my eyes open and that the cases are isolated cues is strong tigation could he expected to be of any to get the boat to where he would drop. evidence that the soures of infection utility. He (the speaker) must say that Were you told to stay in any particu

he was surprised that such a deliberate far place-Yes, it Kowloon Bay..

ConveyancT*

opinion was expressed by an official of the standing of the P.C.M.O. It had

SAY

5

try to get me to have full con- fidence in us that is how we get cues."

Bacben Singh, a watchman at Sir Paul. Chater's bungalow, in whose possession the revolver was found, said that it was who told witness to meet him later in given to him on March 27th by defendant

the day. He also said that if he did not mect defendant, the latter should give to Banta Singh, another watchman as the bungalow. Defendant had that day given him half-a-bottle of rum, which made him drunk. He was arrested soon. after the revolver had been given him by the defendunt. Inranswer to Mr. Fitzroy witness said he was not told to take it to Jumme Singh. He had seen the re volver in the possession of defendant before the day on which it was given him, but it was kept in a box owned by Banta Singh, who lived with himself and

defendant.

Banta Singh said he had known defen

a revolver in his possession.

Defendant. answer to Fitzroy, said the story told by Bachen Singh was false. Witness was an enemy of his. Junime Khan was also an enemy of his. He also knew that Jumme Khan was a policeman. He had on the date when he was alleged to have given the revolver to Bachen Singh been out driving members of the P.W.D.

A general our such as water or milk and this ling so no generat investiga-

Were you told to keep your engine tion could be expected in be of any

aing Yes. I was to follow the aero utility. Each case is an individual one been adopted by the Government and plane. I followed it as best as I could, and has to be investigated as rate entity. All that is required for the in. this seemed to be the policy of the Goy but it turned round and then the man fection of a person with typhoid is the "rament in all these matters. He might jumped.

How did you get down by Kowloon Pier further that they could attribute to into the human body et this policy the bad reputation that then? When Mr. Earnshaw reached the dant for two years but he had never seen. material which has become infected with Hongkong had abroad with regard to water you were at the other cad of the typhoul bacilli and the number of the health conditions. The P.C.M. only embankment?-I followed the machine, Tarious articles of food which may be stated well-known facts as regarded con- but it turned round and the boat was not so infected is very eat as are theyance when he spoke of articles of food-quick enough to get to the spot. The ways by which the articles on the in- being infected and of carriers, but when The Coroner: This is very clear.

coxswain tried to follow the aeroplane Focted

he spoke of the detection of carriers as It is unfortunately the case that a certain number of persons who have had absolutely an impossible and hopeless in the motor boat at a rate of seven knots, typhoid can carry the bacilli after rask and that investigation was not while Mr. Abbott, was traveling at a rate covery from this disease and the exereta going to help, the speaker could only of 40 miles an hour. an infective nidus from which others such a pronouncement from the chief (including urine) of such person form express his absolue astonishment at susy be infected. Any effort to delectath officer of the Colony. He still maintained and urged that serious" re- these carriers" is in a community such as this is an absolutely impossible arch should be undertaker in spite of the P.C.MO's opinion that general in- and hopeless task. In isolated cases such as we have, one may be due to the Yestigation such as is asked for was not cocaumption of food which has been in-ssary and that it would have no beneficial effect contrary to what was fected by n dy which has previously covered in the opinion which had been alighted on infected material, another aid on the tables from the Government. from eating infected vegetables in a raw He (the speaker) maintained, that the state, and investigation is not going to tip in cases of this nature. What is general investigation such as was asked required is individual carefulness and

DAIRY REGISTRATIONS. the gradual improvement of the sanitary conditions generally. Under the living. The next item of interest on the conditions of Hongkong with its tree agenda was a motion by the President jug population and confined space it on the subject of appointing an ad hoc would be extraordinary if

Committe for the grant of Dairy regis 4yphoid did not occur. am not of

trations at Diamond Hi opinion that, a grueral investigation such as asked for is required or would be likely to have any beneficial results.

(sd.) J. B. ADDIRON.

P.C.M.O,

17th March 1925.

DR.

easy

of

WIK DYLORK?ry.

Explaining this motion, the CHARTMAN said it was suggested that an unofficial member be appointed to this committee. fle did not think there would be any

What did you do when you saw him drop from the aeroplane-I went full speed ahead towards the spot.

How long was it after he struck the water that you arrived there -About five You say nothing of him?-There was nothing there except the cap which was floating on the water.

minutes.

The Coroner recalled Mr. Abbott. How do you account for the parachute sinking so quickly?-1 am afraid that Mr. dowa. It only weighed 15 pounds. When Earnshaw's weight must have dragged it I came down myself in a parachute of exactly the same type it floated for 15 minutes. On land, of course, a parachute remains open and is just like & s

Could Earoshaw swim --I don't know.. People said that he was a good swimmer.

"

Mr. Claude Earnshaw was recalled. The Coroner: Was your brother u good swimmer-A fair swimmer. -

Had he any experience of swimming objection to this. He would very shortly with his clothes on 1-No. I don't think explain the position of this scheme. The so. idea was to renova & number of small milk supplies from a number of scatter- ed Chinees villages to a central ares

CORONER'S SUMMING UP.

The Coroner, in summing up, said the evidence on the facts seemed to be clear. The rumours had been cleared up. Mr. Earnshaw had made a parachute jump

Both Mr. Holtries and Mr. Fitzroy ad dressed the jury. Mr. Fitzroy said that both Bachen Singh and Jumme Khan said defendant was their friend, whilst defen- daat said they were enemies of his Defendant knew Jumme Khan to be a policeman and he asked the jury to be lieve that defendant. would not have been such a deliberate fool as to have put bis

head in the lion's mouth.

His Lordship addressed the Jury For 20 minutes

The Jury, after deliberating in private for 15 minutes, returned a verdict of not guilty and defendant was discharged.

On Being told the decision defendant turned to the Jury and saluting them raid

Thank you, gentlemen."

WHY HE RETURNED. Wong Ming, alias Woug Ching Kan, pleaded guilty to having returned from banishment in contravention of the Ordi-

nance.

His Lordship pointed out that. this was the fourth time he had returned after he had been sentenced respectively to 6 months with hard labour and 2 years with hard labour. Defendant said that he had returned this time because there was a general commandeering of cooliea for the army in Canton He was sen.

KOOH'S REMARKS. Dr. Koch said he would like to make a few remarks on the reply of the Gov- where the supply could be guaranteed ernment, which he took it, had been far as possible. The site had been carefully thought out. The P.C.M.O. carefully, chosen and a number of the

land on the earth, but certain precau stated that there was no epidemic and tote had already been sold. They would age before in Manila. He intended to torced to 3 years hard labour. that the cases which occurred were isolat be used as small dairies, and thereforo tions were taken in the event of his od cases and that there was nothing to registration by the Board was more or dropping in the sex. He had arranged suggest that the exact amount of infee. less of a formality. The only point was for a motor-boat to be present. There and followed the aeroplane. When he saw the aeroplane turning he turned back tion was the same in each case. That, that every particular plan would have were only three unecrtain points. Why, to his mind, was exactly what they said to be carefully examined by, the tech- when he landed in the water, did he fail but it was too late. If you think that it and why they wanted an investigation. nical experts of the Department 1 to release the belt which secured him by was the duty of the people concerned with Epidemies occurred in definite cireum-If an official was added it would poss the reason why he disappeared so quickly, will find they were to blame in this unt It was, of course, a fact that where would entail an extra amount of work only one buckle? Another question was the School to make enquiries as to how many motor-boats, there were then you scribed areas, investigation soon settledibly delay inatters, but that did not and whether the parachute was a suitable the source of origin. No one could dis master so very much. He had so ob- one, or was it responsible for causing his ter What you have to do is to assess pute much a self-evident statement. The jection to an unofficial member being death? If in the opinion of the Jury the whether any reasonable precautions were

of the School." importance of research, he urged, was added if that was the wish of the Board parachute was in, order, and the de tot taken by Mr. Abbott or other officials that work should be done in thess isolat The CHAILMAN moved:-"That a ceased failed to anlasten the buckle, no ed cases to find out, if possible, where mitte be appointed consisting of the blame could attach, to anyone concerned

The Jury then retired for about ten ia the infection arose, because it was President, the M.OH. and the C.V.S. with the School of Aviation. The case pvident that at any time any of these to examine the plans of the dairies at was one, obviously of accidental death,minutes, and on returning gave a verdict sources of infection which caused these Diamond Hill and to grant registration but if proper precautions were not taken that death was due to misadycature" isolated cases might cause a serious of dairies to lot-holders in this locality." it was the Jury's duty to censure the with a rider that considering the close people concerned with the School. With proximity of the sea insuficient precau epidemic when conditions were favour- Dr. PEAKSE seconded.

The motion was carried unanimously. regard to the motor boat, Mr. Earnshaw ions were taken in order to rescue Mr. able. When, years ago, cases of typhoid

Those present at the meeting were ordered it himself, and we were told at Earnshaw. The Jury also expressed sym- occurred after eating oysters, investir gators were not content to sit down and Mr. N. L. Smith (Chairman), Dr. W. the beginning of the enquiry that the pathy with the relatives of Mrs Earnshaw, and especially Mr. Claude Earnshaw, fold their hands and attribute it to well: V. Koch, Dr. J. C MacGown, Dr. W. W. motor-boat was right out of the way. known means of conveyance, as milk and Pearce (M.O.H.), the Hon. Mr. H. T. The coxswain had told a very clear story deceased's brother. water. They set to work and discovered Creasy (Director of Public Works), the to the effect that he followed the nera where the infection arose and by suit Hon. Mr. C. G. Alabaster, Mr. S. W. plane, but it turned round and he could able measures were able to indicate these Tso: Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, and Mr. not follow it fast enough. This and thus prevent further pollution. Kennelly Skipton (Secretary). Others think," said his Worship, was an error That happened not very long ago. The present were: Dr. Severn (Assistant of judgment, but the witness is a simple P.C.MO, reiterated that there was no M.OH.) and Mr. D. Davies (Assistant sort of man, and he went straight ahead

(Continued on nezt Volumn), (Continued on next Oğlumn).

Becretary).

THE JURY'S. RIDER,

The Coroner: I may say I agree largely with your verdict. I too would like to associate myself with the expression of sympathy to Mr. Claude Earnshaw and the other relatives of the deceased.

The Jury comprised; Mepers. R. A. Westley, Gutteres and June.

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