1930-01-16 — Page 7

1.

2

THE PEAK SHOOTING TRAGEDY.

INQUIRY INTO DEATH OF NEWSPAPER PROPRIETOR AND HIS WIFE.

11

WHAT THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE SHOWS,

AUDITOR'S EVIDENCE OF MR. BURNETT'S FINANCIAL STANDING.

The Inquiry was opened by Mr. E. W. Hamilton at Central Magistrney yesterday into the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. G.. W. C. Barnett, which took place at their house at the Peak on New Year's Day. Almost the only persons present were Press repre sentatives and those directly interested in the case.

"..

According to the medical evidence, Mrs. Burnett's wound was not self-inflicted, but the two medical nen who were called as wit- nesses were agreed that Mr. Burnett's wound might have been self-inflicted.

Dr. A. Cannon in the course of his lengthy evidence said that Mr. Burnett was, suffering from angina pectoris, and he was of the opinion that the deceased was, at the time of the tragedy: temporarily insane.

ti

· FULL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS.

The jury was as follows:-Messra, FG. Korloy (foreman). H. T. Buxton, and W. J. Waddington,

Addressing the jury, the Coroner said: The occasion for this inquiry, Gentlemen, as you are probably aware is the death of Mr. George William Cade Burnett and Mrs. Burnett. It occurred on January 1 of this year. Both of them were

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1930.

"Concerning the cause of death it was primarily due to a gunshot wound in the bead, which could not have been self-inflicted. The secondary cause was intra-cranal haemorrhage. As regards the general physical condition of the body there was no evidence of organic disease beyond early senile changes. The direction of the wound was from the crown of the head downwards, fixed in the base of the skull and travel ling internally to the right ear. The wound was roughly 45 degrees from the wound, must have been fired the horizonal. The shot, causing from the back and the deceased would be lying back at the time. The party firing the revolver would be at a higher level. The result on the medical evidence and two was a fracture to the base of the doctors will be called. As Dr.skull. The wound fitted in with a Strahan's evidence will be much32 automatic bullet. I extracted a

found dead, with in-shot wounds,

in their house. You will have no difficulty whatever in arriving at the facts. The great point before you will be arriving at the mental con- dition of the principal actor in the tragedy. A great deal will turn

nickel bullet. Death was, to all in- shorter than Dr. Cannon's I propose tents and purposes, instantaneous, Lo call him first. He was the first doctor who saw the bodies. So far also made a post-mortem examina- Witness proceeding said that he as we know, it proves that the tion on the body of Mr. Burnett, currence took place between and 5.30 in the evening.

aged about 62.

Mrs. Burnett's Instantaneous

Death.

Witness

further

The cause of death," said Dr. Cannon, was primarily due to a through nad through gunshot wound Dr. S. Seguin Strahan, senior the hend roughly from the left partner of the firm of Drs. Alla temple, just a finger's-breadth in and Strahan, said that on January front of the left ear. The bullet ; he received a telephone message passed out of the head roughly two from Mr. T. H. King to go to Mr. fingers breadth above the right Burnett's house. He met Mr. King car. The bullet travelled horontially (who lived next door to witness) and slightly in an upward direction.. and they went together to the house, The size of the wound was, con- where they found the bodies of Mr. sistent with a bullet which the Burnett and his wife, both of Police found. There was slight whom witness knew personally. Mr. smoke mark around the entrance of Burnett was sitting in an armchair the wound which indicates that the and Mrs. Burnett was sitting on weapon was fired at close range and Chesterfield couch, with her feet up. was consistent with a left-handed They were both dead. The cause of suicidal wound.. death in her case was due to a

Angina Pectoris. bullet wound in the head. In wit- ness' opinion, death must have been condition of the body, the heart "As regards the general physical instantaneous. stated that the wound could not havention which really means exces-

showed marked myocardial degen been self-indicted.

Mr. Burnett, said the witness, wassively weakened heart musele." As also dead, and the cause was also regards the brain, there WAS ho due to a bullet wound on the head, evidence to indicate any organic In his case, however, death could disenge beyond the fact that con- have been self-inflicted. There was gestion Was universally

revolver in Mr. Burnett's left hand throughout the brain. All that I and the wound was on the the left in a position to say is that that side of the head. Judging from the a condition which is found in temperatures of the body, witnessses where the arteries of the thought death must have taken brain have become thickened and place about an hour or so before hard and it is not uncommon in his visit.

heart conditions which have become acute, a condition known as Angie Mr. Burnett's Illness. Pectoris. I mention Anyina Ped Mr. Burnett had consulted witness toris because the condition is be- as a medical practitioner in both lieved to be due to a similar thicken- 1028 and 1920, Dr. Strahan stated ing of the arteries of the heart." that deceased was then suffering, Continuing, Dr. Cannon said that from blood pressure and a weakness he was a personal friend of Mr. of the muscles of the heart. Wit- Burnett's. The latter; had consult- ness saw Mr. Burnett' about foured witness and had mentioned some or five times in 1928 and three times months ago that everyone seemed to in July and August last year. he so busy and no-one seemed to The Coroner: Knowing his medical be able to give him n "' thorough history to a certain extent, what overhaul." Witness examined Mr. effect would his illness have on his Burnett (a purely personal matter) mental condition, in your opinion?and arrived at the conclusion that Witness: On account of the he had marked high blood pressure, changes in the blood vessels there and an enlarged heart with its would probably be changes in the notion weakened. He also found brain which would lead to deteriora- that Mr. Burnett was in a nervous tion of the brain,

state.

present

In answer to another question. From the physical signs, nothing witness said "I think he was of dise was found. but from the rather an excitable disposition. He symptoms which Mr. Burnett gave consulted mo last year and com- witness, he felt that Mr. Burnett plained of depression and of being evidently suffered from attacks of easily irritated. On his last visit he Magina Pectoris which" must have said he was feeling much better and commenced many years ago. did not come back again."

Dr. Strahan further stated that

Mr. Burnett was

had committed suicide.

Yes

The Post Mortem.

Perfectly Normal But Continuing, Dr. Cannon said that

New Year's Day.

The Coroner: Assuming for a moneat that Mr. Burnett first shot his wife and then shot himself, can you foria any opinion as to what was his state of mentality at the time 1

Witness: Yes, my own opinion, based on my knowledge as a doctor and a friend is that the excitement

and pleasure of New Year's Day had been, a considerable strain upon his heart and that this in turn had resulted in another attack, maybe, more severe that any he had before, but certainly a severe attack of Angina Pectoris,

Dr. Cannon explained that it was a known fact that people suffering from this disease should never go anywhere where there was the least excitement, as it had been known to prove fatal.

Deceased's Letters,

At this stage Mr. Hamilton ob- served that the jury would be shown certain letters written by the de- ceased. He asked Dr. Cannon whether it was possible that the attack could have come on before

dianer.

A Kind Mastor. The Coroner; Did you see a gen in your master's hand when he was in the chair, and did not speak to you-At first I thought he was holding a book, but on closer examination I saw it was a gun.

Was it in his left hand Yes. Witness added, that Mr. Burnets had always been a very kind master to him.

The Day's Programme.

Ship Yuen, who was then called, said he had been cook-bay at the house since 1927 On New Year's day, Mr. and Mrs. Burnett had tiffin at about one o'clock, and re- tired for a rest. Mr. Burnett came back about 3 o'clock, and he (the cook-boy) called Mrs. Burnett about 3.30. His master and mis. tress had ten about 4 and went out about 4.30.

They both returned to the house About 7.35 p.n., he himself admit ting them. They both seemed per fectly, normal. They had dinner, which he served, Mr. Burnett having his normal meal. They finished dinner at about 8.15, and after serving them with drinks, he went. down to his own quarters at about

8.30.

Dr. Cannon replied that it was The Coroner interposed at this usual for attacks of this kind to point to explain that the servants come on shortly after sunset. quarters in the house were "under- The Coroner then naked Mr. King,neath the drawing room, in the base- if Mr. Burnett's movements were known.

Mr. King replied that Mr. Burnett on that day had been to Kowloon and had returned before p.m. when he went to his office and from the office to his house.

Dr. Cannon said that it was bill to Mr. Burnett's office would quite possible that the walk up the be a strain on his condition.

Mr. Hamilton explained that letters were found after the suicide, written on Newspaper Enterprise paper, but no loose stationery was found in the house and it looked possible that the stationery was ob tained from the office sometime be tween and half past. Dr. Cannon might have come on while deceased had shown clearly that an attack was walking up to his office.

Dr. Cannon asked for his opinion said: "I consider at the time of the tragedy that Mr. Burnett was temporarily insane. That is my personal opinion as a doctor and a friend."

Morbid HumOUT."'

which he described as

Dr. Cannon related an episode humour."

"morbid He said that once when he called on Mr. Burnett in the the office, the latter gave him a photograph, in his everyday man- ner, with the observation that when up. Mr. King (A.S.P.) might like he cane to the Mortuary to be cut the photograph and that no doubt he (Mr. Burnett) would make a useful anatomy specimen for the students.

On the morning of the Baiching piracy, said Dr. Cannon, deceased had asked for permission to visit the Mortuary, and did so.

Mrs. Burnett was perfectly sound, said witness, and the couple were very affectionate..

Auditor's Evidence,

Mr. J. H. Seth, of the firm of Messrs. Perry Smith, Seth and that he had known Mr. Burnett for Fleming, was next called. He said

nuditors to the Newspaper Enter about twelve years. His firm were prise, Ltd. The Company publish- ed the China Mail only.

The Coroner: Was there any thing in the condition of Mr. Burnett's company that might lead to the tragedy?

Witness: Nothing, apparently It had diffenities at times since the boycott of 1925. He agreed with the Coroner that this was a fairly general experience.

The Coroner: Was it Mr. Burnett's

personal company- There were only two shareholders, Mr. Burnett and his wife.

Was the Company, perfectly sound financially Perfectly.

Do you know what happens to the shares 7-I have no real iden

Witness added that he was a close personal friend of Mr. Burnett and his wife. They were greatly attach- ed to each other. Their only worry, so far as he knew was that Mrs. Burnett was afraid about the state of her husband's heart.

sujeide to you?-No. He was not a Coroner: Had he uyer suggested

man to commit suicide.

Did Not Speak!

The next witness, Ho Cheung, said that he was house coolie to Mr. Burnett at the time of the tragedy. On January 1, he went up. to close the windows in accordance with his standing instructions.

ment

Questioned further, witness said he saw his master as he went down to his quarters. Mr. Burnett was then going upstairs to his bedroom. He was fully dressed, except that he had discarded his coat. That was the last time he saw his master alive.

Noise Not Unusual. Witness continued, "while I was reading a newspaper, I heard a p.m. It sounded something like a About five minutes later he heard large fork falling on the floor.

a similar sound. "I did not do

noise. It was then a little after

|

TROUBLE AT SEATS

OF LEARNING.

STUDENTS ON STRIKE IN CANTON

UNPOPULAR CHANGES,

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

CANTON, Jan. 15. The students of the Caston Avia- tion School at Taishatau went on strike to-day, as a protest against the change in the President of the institution, The Government at once put all the recalcitrant ones under arrest. Unlike other schools in the city, the Canton Aviation School is nad controlled by the 8th Military a military institution, organized

Route-hence the military interven- tion.

unaware, and locked them up in the Soldiers took the strikere

School. There was no bloodshed. the unarmed studenta submitting without a struggle. It is not known what sort of punishment will be meted out, but they will no doubt be tried under military law.

NOT WANTED!

Trouble first arose when General Chang Wai Cheung, Chief of the Nanking Aviation Department, ap- pointed himself president, thereby ousting Chow Po Ilang from the

pet.

Several members of the

Yuk Poci, Deag of the School, were teaching staff, including Mr. Wong

anything, as it was not unusual to hear sounds as of things falling up-ents, who strongly resented this summarily dismissed. The stud.

noises." stairs. I had often heard such action, issued a manifesto support-

Dean Wong Yuk Pooi, and" asking ing President Cho's Po Hang and

General Chang Waj Cheung to re- consider the matter and cancel his edict.

coolic came down and roused him. After a little time, the house Witness thought, this would be about 10 o'clock. "He told me the master had a gun in his hand. I

The circular to the went upstairs, but I was afraid to public sets forth in strong terms go direct into the room. Instend, the reasons why the existing ad- I peeped in under the door curtain.

ministration should be allowed to ance, I thought he was dead Atand Dean Wong. it went on, had Judging by the master's appear continue. Both President Chow the time, I did not notice my mis-rendered invaluable service to the tress. I did not notice whether the development of aviation in South

ront door was locked or not.' police-station, and made a report.

Witness said he then went to the

On the question as to whether the European "police sergeant who first front door was locked or not, the arrived on the scene said that he entered the house through the base- ment. Mr. T H. King said that he

also came in that way."

downstairs.

Mr. King: You say you went Did you hear your master walk down again from his quarters-No,

a

Has your master a heavy or light tread -A very heavy trend.

Mr. King pointed out that in a Previous statement to the police, witness had spoken of hearing his master come downstairs again, but, questioned again, witness repeated that he had heard nothing.

had a pistol-Yes, I had seen it Mr. King: You knew your master in his bedroom.

Replying to the foreman of the jury, witness said that Mr. Burnett was left-handed.

A Lady's Statement. A statement made by Mrs. Bevan, of Kowloon, was then read by the Coroner. Before reading it the Coroner emphasised that the state ment was not evidence, but he would give it for the benefit of the

jury,

that she had known Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Beyan said in the statement

Burnett for a very long time. They were very old friends.

China, They are airmen of note and had participated in the war against the Kwangel troops under

Kwangsi-Ironside coalition. They Pei Chung Hsi last May and in the recent campaign

against the..

Beat in the spring, which action were also, responsible for the sur render of the rebellious Canton

saved the city from falling into the hands of the Kwangsi invaders.

In addition to the above mani- festo a telegram WAS Rent.. to General Chen Taai Tong in Wu- chow, eeking for support. But ap parently no satisfaction was obtain-

ed, and the strike was declared. A second manifesto, in similar terms to the first, was afterwards issued.

The Government has so far made no statement concerning the affair, and the local newspapers in Canton have nothing to say.

MORE DISSENSION, Eneasiness is also being felt at the Kwangtung Technical College." The Canton Government, through the Department of Education, de- vided to change the headmaster. Mr. Yeh Chin Chun, who has pro- sided there for the past two years, having been appointed to the post by Mr. Wong Tsi, the former Com- missioner of Education. Mr. Wong, former Kwangsi clique, and left the however, was a close friend of the

eity a long time ago. The present Canton regime therefore appointed Mr. Yau Chung to take charge of the Technical College.

about 6 o'clock, on social call, On New Year's Day they arrived

explaining that they had come esi Although the appointment was pecially to wish her a happy New nade come weeks ago, the newly- Year. There was nothing at all un-appointed President has not yet usual in their manner. They stayed taken up the portfolio. In fact, for some time. Mr. Burnett had according to a professor of the Col- one glass of brandy which he diluted lege, he has not even made an ap- with water. When invited to take more, he declined. Mro. Burnett refused any refreshment, Whilst in the house, Mr. Burnett spoke of his sou, who, he said, was on his way to Hong Kong

They left at about 7.30, in rick- shaws, in the direction of the Star Ferry. They were a most happy and affectionate couple.

pearance on the campus, because of the hostile attitude of both the students and the teaching staff.

The faculty members have ad- dressed a petition to the Depart- ment of Education painting out the unwisdom, of making sweeping changes in the middle of the acade mie year. They profees, great ad- miration for President Yeh and ask The Coroner remarked there ap- that he should not be removed. He knew peared to be some discrepancy as

But so for the Government has that his master and mistress were to the time, but agreed with Mr. turned a deaf ear to these blandish- in the house at the time. When he King that possibly there was n ments. It is now reported that the went to close the dining room slight error in the statement. They present staff of the College will window he saw Mr. Burnett sitting had adequate evidence on the point, resign en bloc when Mr. Yau Chung on the sola. His master as a rule

however.

comes to take office.

in a conditione considered. Mr. Burnett a per-used to say "Good-night" to him, which led to depression but he had fectly normal person, so far as any but on this occasion he did not

What Happened at the Office. no reason for thinking Mr. Burnett would commit suicide at the time, person in that condition (angina apenk

Leung Chan, watchman at the Happy New Year. He seemed pectoris) could have been. He was

I very although, the witness was

Continuing, the coolie said he be- China fuil offices, was then called. cheerful. nut in full control of bis senses" except "enormously surprised" to hear he when the attacks of Angina Pectoris called the "bay,"

came frightened, and ran below, and He stated that Mr. and Mrs.

Before leaving Mr. Burnett had Burnett came to the office at about cleared the letter-box, opened the occurred. "It is a known fact that Mr. T. H. King: August was the then, a person may, for a varying ness said that previously he had both walked up the hill from contents: He appeared to be per- Questioned by the Coroner, wit7 p.m. on New Year's Day. They letters and cables, and perused the last time you saw Mr. Burnett-time, from seconds to hours, not heard a bong like a brass cymbal Queen's Road. He switched on the fectly normal throughout.

be in full possession of his mental falling on the floor." This was lights and Mr. and Mrs. Burnett powers. I wish to make it quite about 9 o'clock. There was only one

The cook-boy was then re-called, clear that a person suffering from bang. He was working in the cook there about ten minutes. He did his master and mistress dccupied went into the office. They were and in reply to Mr. King, said that that. complaint is quite capable of house at the time, and did not take not see what took place. carrying on his work, but he has a much notice.

Mrs. Burnett separate bedrooms. "On January 2, this year at 11.45 warning of the attack and as soon

Upon coming out, Mr. Burnett slept in the front, and Mr. Burnett As regards his master's carlier could not get the key out of the at the back. At 3.30 p.m. on New a.m., I conducted a post-mortem as he feels right again his hend movements, witness said he saw lock. He himself tried to release Tear's Day he had seen his master examination on the body of a Euro will feel thickened for a matter Mr. Burnett when he returned be it, but failed, so it was agreed to in the drawing room reading a book. pean lady personally known to me of hours and as soon as the thick-fore dinner, and also at dinner. He leave the key there until the follow- As Mrs. Caroline Burnett, nged ness ie removed he becomes normal and Mrs. Burnett returned at about

The Coroner then annodnéød that about portar Mewardner TUINALLY The 100 CU

Logan was also present.

way.

Burnett seemed quite normal.

Dr. A. Cannon, Medical Officer in Charge of the Mortuary, was then called. He said:

11

ing day. They left about 7.10 p.m. he would liquen the aracordings PERU Tff Burbott Wild, fi & until Monday, January 20, at 9.15

(Continued at foot of next column). I.p.zi.

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