1930-08-09 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. SATURDAY, AUGUST 1930.

SGT. MADGWICK'S POIGNANT STORY.

BEREAVED HUSBAND'S ACCOUNT OF TRAGIC NIGHT

AT LOK MA CHAU.

"I CALLED MY WIFE BUT SHE DID NOT REPLY."

The "shooting tragedy at the Lok Ma Chau Police Station on July 21, which resulted in the death of Mrs. Madgwick and two Indian policemen, formed the subject of a Coroner's In- quiry at the Central Magistracy yesterday. Mr. R. E, Lindsell sat as Coroner.

The principal evidence came from Sergeant C. S. "Madgwick, who gave a vivid account of the shooting affray.

It was stated in the course of the Inquiry that Dahp Singh, the Sikh constable, was rather' "indifferent" to everything and sometimes orders to him had to be repeated. The constable, however, appeared to have taken part in the games and sports of his compatriots in the police station. It was also mentioned that he had protested against being transferred to the Lok Ma Chau Station.

At one stago Sergeant Madgwick stated that Dalip Singh had intimated that he had in- tended to resign from the force in spite of the fact that he had only four more months in which to complete his five years' service. Sergeant Madgwick had on that occasion advised the man to carry an as he had only such a short time to complete.

The jury comprises Mr. A. L Shields (foreman), Mr. C. A. da Roza and Mr. A. G. Coppin. Mr. T. H. King and Mr. T.. Murphy, Assistant Superintendenta of Police, were in Court.

.

WOUNDED INDIAN CONSTABLE'S DYING WORDS.

At the outset the foreman of the Jury asked the Coroner to state the exact scope of the inquiry and what the Jury were to inquire into. They were not very clear as to the meaning of the verbal statement which the Coroner had previously

made.

Ir. Lindsell said that the main purpose of the inquiry was to in- vestigate the tragic affair at Lok Ma Chau last month. The Jury's primary function would be to ascer; cain the exact circumstances in which the three persons killed met their death. It was further with in the province of the Jury to deter- mine whether any precaution could or should be maintained by the police, authorities to guard against the possibility of such an affair occurring again, and secondly, whe- ther the tragedy' could have been avoided by any action on the part of the police officers in or near the Lok Ma Chap Police Station at

the time. The Coroner said that

covered all that might be in the Jury's province to decide.

|

Sgure of an Indian, and later re- : cognised it because of the orange- coloured turban worn to be that of Dalip Singh. Witness said that he then attempted to cross the path, but found that the Indian con- stable was directing his rifle at

him.

Fully Exposed to Fire. Witness was fully exposed to the rifle fire but was too far away to make use of his revolver and an attempt to rush at the Indian at the moment would be extremely dangerous. The Indian was about 70 or 80 yards away at that me ment.

Station's Armament, Witness said that there were

three automatic guns in the Sta- tion, there being two Thompsons besides the Lewis gun. The last named were kept in the charge room ready for emergency That

was a practice handed down by witness' predecessors. There were. three pans of ammunition and there were four Lewis gunners in the Station, these being B72, B315, B9 and B4. Dalip Singh knew "a little of the Lewis gun as he had volunteered, to learn something of this gun when an opportunity for acquiring this knowledge was ac corded to him. He had very little

Mr. King: When you failed to WATER RETURN FOR

get an answer from your wife, „did you form any conclusion in your mind?

Witness: Yes, I came to the con clusion "that she was dead.

Mr. King: During that time be tween the first shot till you saw. Bo lying in the compound did you hear any shot fired in the Station except those, fired by B5431

Witness: No, Sir..

Mr. King: After you had seen BO, did you hear revolver, shots i

Witness: No, Sir.

After that, how much more fire from the Station did you hear?--- Very little, Sir. I went to Au Tau.

When you returned did you hear any more shots from the Police Station -No, except the two shots that were fired at me.

The Station guard carries the keya of the cell and the station gates and grilles 1-Yes..

JULY!

TYTAM LEVEL WITH OVERFLOW.

The level and storage of water in reservoirs on August I 'were as follows:

City and Hill District Water Works.

Tytam: Level with overdow in

1949 and this year, Tytam Byewash: Level with over flow in 1999 and this year. Tytam Intermediate: Tit. 10ips. below overflow iz 1929; level. with overflow this year. Tytam Tuk: 57ft. 9ins. below over, flow in 1999; 2ft. 11ins below overflow this year. Woog Nei Chung: sins. below over. flow in 1999; 1ft. vins. below overflow this year. Pokfulam: Lavel with overflow in 1999; 10ins. below overflow this year.

Storage in millious and decimals of gallons:-

Tytam Tytam Byewash Tytam Tuk Tytam Intermediate.

Woag Nei Chung Pokfulam

POWELL'S

10, Ice House Street.

1920. 1030:

381,80 384.80

037

2.37

154.42

195.00

383.00 1,345.08

20.91

98.34

€6.00

1.16

UMBRELLAS

GOLOSHES

When he changes duty, he hands them over to his relief-Yes,

The Indian constables take turns at doing Station duty-Yes,

So that B543 Dalip Singh had taken his turn previously as Station Guard-Yes. He was Station Guard on the afternoon of the 16th. At that time he had access to the

Total

1,040,40 2,010.05 keys to all the ammunition 1-Yea." barracks the morning after

Consumption of water in the City Did you examine the Indian and Hill District in millions and tragedy 1-No, Sir. 1 was at the month of July were:-

the decimals of gallons during the

hospital,

Iron Grills On Stairs." At the top of the stairs leading. to your quarters, there is an iron grille 1-Yes.

Consumption Estimated popula

tion Consumption per head per day....

IL

1929. 1830. 124.19 *389.37

434,280 444,600

9.2 28.2 * Includes 92.31 million gallons

Has it ever been let down since from mainland.

Supply by street fountains only during July, 1999:-

you have been in the Station 1-No, Sír. I understood, it was to be used in case of an attack on the Station.

On July the hours of supply On bis transfer on May 11, B543(Peak district four hours daily).

were 5 to 8 m. and 8 to 8.30 pm: made an application to

From 2nd to 22nd inclusive the Superintendent I arranged for hours of supply were 6 to 8 amo. him to make his complaint through and 6 to 8 p.m. (Peak district three the D.I.E.

hours daily).

see his

Mr. King informed the Coroner that he could call evidence to show that the Indian Superintendent had nothing to do with transfer of Dalip

Singh.

Bort

From 23rd to 31st inclusive tha hours of supply in the city and high level districts were 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tank supplies were suspended on July 20, 1929.

Constant supply during the whole month of July, 1930, to districts Mr. King (to witness): Had you Marray Road and Eastern Street.

North of Queen's Road between any inkling that anything of this Fifteen hours' supply (5 a.m. to was going to happen 1-No,|9 p.m.) to all other districts from Sir. The man appeared to have a July 1 to 23, 1930, inclusive. grudge against the force in general. city, bill and high level districts Constant supply throughout the He had only four months to do, from July 24 to 31, 1930, inclusive, and I advised him to finish his four months and then get his discharge.

left the path and ran towards the instructions but he might have, ang-

Sergeant Madgwick, therefore,

Indians' married quartera Hemented it from the knowledge he shouted for a rifle as he ran towards picked up from other Indians while the buildings. There were then they were cleaning the Lewis gun. three or four more shots from Continuing the story, Sergeant Dalip Singh. A witness was ap Madgwick said that he got back to proaching the quarters, he heard the Indians married quarters at the alarm bell ringing. On enter about 5.30 to 5.45 p.m. He waited ing the premises, ho found Con for assistance which presently "ar stables Mastan Singh and Santa rived. Sub-Inspector O'Conner and Singh arming themselves.

Acting Sub-Inspector McEwan and other officers appeared. They were Replying to the Coroner, witness said that from the time he heard going along the branch road when the first shot till the moment he.

witness heard what he thought was heard the alarm bell was only about

an automatic gun being fired. As

Mr. Shields (foreman of the the party was making.for the Sta- Each Indian con-

Jury): The Jury would like to stable in the Station and in the tion, witness blew his whistle to know the impression on the mind married quarters possessed a rifle yarn them and later personally of the witness as to the state of and 30 rounds of ammunition,

went out to the road to do so. the mind of B543, something about

his general demeanour.

say anything about that.

Witness replied that he could not

Mr. Shields: Did he strike you having his mind unhinged and morbid ?

Bereaved Husband's Evidence. Acting Police Sergeant" C. H. Madgwick said that on July 21 last he was the officer in charge of Lok Ma Chau Police Station, where three minutes. he had been transferred as from May 23 of this year. Residing with him at the Station was his wife, Dora Winifred Madgwick. There were a number of police officers and others, a list of whose names

was handed to the Coroner,

..Resuming his story, Sergeant Madgwick said that he got a ride

was and he thought it would be better to get assistance. He there fore, sent B135 to Sheungshui Police Station.

he was rather jolly.

Witness: As a matter of fact,

How do you mean, jolly!

of cards and throwing the iron shot He would always join in a game

and other games and sport.

sent back to Lok Ma Chau

Did No. 543 protest against being

He had been at Taipo and bis idea, No, not against being sent back.

transferred back to the New Ter was to inquire why he bad been

Kowloon Water Works,

Kowloon Reservoir: 1lins. below overflow in 1929; level with overflow this year. Sheklaipui Reservoir: 20ft. Gins. below overflow in 1929; level with overflow this year. Reception Reservoir: Level with

overflow, in 1929 and this year, Storage in millions and decimals of gallons:-

1920. 1930. Kowloon Reservoir 342.87 332.50 Sheklaipui Reservoir 40.55 116.10 Reception Reservoir 33.16 33.16

429.67 501.73

Total Consumption of water in Kowloon in millions and decimals of gallons during the month of July were:-

Consumption......... Estimated popula

tion ..... Consumption per

head per day...

the

1999. 1930..

93.29 139.09

171,160 176,200

15.4 17.3

daily supply in all districts From July 1 to 16, 1929, inclusive was am, to 6 p...

A.S.P. Arrives, When witnesa arrived on the road from one of the two Indian officers he found that the A.S.P. of the he found at the quarters. He gave New Territories had already arrivas P.C. B343, Dalip Singh, was the man his revolver and told Santa ed and the A.S.P. took him on the transferred to Lok Me Chau Police Singh to go to the front of the back of his motor cycle to Au Tau Station on May 11, shortly after station and try to draw the fire, Police Station. The object of the witness himself went there. Pre-as the Sergeant's intention was to trip was to get in touch with the vious to July 21, Dalip Singh "ap attempt to go to the back of the D.S.P., Kowloon, by telephone. peared to be rather indifferent to station and then rush it. When The A.S.P. duly sent a report everything. He was rather lazy, witness got to the back he decided through, and then witness came but did not give much trouble. to send for help, because every back to Lok Ma Chau. When wit- Orders had to be repeated to him thing, was so quiet and silent that ness got there mere police officers time and again, and on July 18 he did not know where the Indian had arrived. He himself took a a report was sent in to the A.S.P.

rife and went up a hill on the south regarding his behaviour. He was

side of the Police Station to find found sitting down while on duty as

out if he could see his verandah. station guard. Till July 21, witness

On the way two shots were fired had received no answer to his report

at him, and he actually heard the regarding Dalip Singh. The Indian

Was his protest sent in 1-Yes. Witness then looked into the comed two shots, directing them at bis bullets flying past him. He return- constable was aware that a report

Sent Back to New Territorios, had been sent in regarding him.

pound where he saw Chujja Singh

own front verandah.

At this stage Mr. King explained Mr. King (to Coroner): I can lying wounded in the centre. The

At this time, Sergeant Madg-stable todo, que rear's service in

that it was a custom, for a conis let your Worship have the papers, man called out "Sahib, sahib,"

was just getting wick saw a motor boat on the river the New Territories and then to if you want them.. The A.S.P. in and witness charge of the case had fined Dalip ready to go to his assistance when and he rushed down from the hill

he saw Dalip Singh just inside. bis to warn the people "not to go to for two years' service in the city. Singh-50-conts.

Continuing, Sergeant Madgwick verandah. The man appeared to the Police Station. Previously he said that to his knowledge Dalip be getting the Lewis gun into posi had warned the villagers of Lok Singh was reported by an A.S.P. tion, and when Sergeant Madgwick Ma Chau to keep in their houses. on another occasion at an inspec saw him was stooping over the tion. He was then also fined so weapon.

centa.

Sahib, Sahib !”

After that he worked round to the foot of the slope of the hill: It was dark by now, about 8 p.m. and witness said that from that point until he entered the Police Station, he did not do anything further but he had no idea what the time

WAO.

When Dalip Singh "heard the Dealing with the events that oc- wounded Indian call out "sabib curred on July 21, witness said that he trained the Lewis gun on Ser he left the Police Station at about geant Madgwick. "I fired one 2 p.m. At about 5 o'clock he was shot from my rife," said Sergeant returning and climbing the path Madgwick, and he returned fire leading to the Station, when be with his rific. We were sniping &

A Tragic Moment. beard a rifle that being fired Wit cash athes for thout the minutes. On entering bs in Dalip Singh xas, then kant his ever on the I think I fixed about seven shots living deud and he also found his station and saw a crowd of men He was firing more shots than I wife lifeless in a sitting room. on the right side of the gate. Im was. As there was no chance of mediately after, a second shot was taking the station I retreated back fired, but Bergeant Madgwick still to the married quarters. While we could not any where the bullet came were snipping at each other I call from. Looking to the north-west ed to my wife by name several side of the Station, he saw the times but received no answer "

ritories.

come in to Hong Kong or Kowloon

This particular man, however, had fairly recently been to the New Territories and was taken back to Central. He was reported for mis conduct and was sent back to the New Territoris, partly as punishment and partly to separate him from others. His "complaint was that he should be sent to the New Territories again.

to

B

Mr. Shields: Who explained that

Mr. King: He himself saw the Superintendent.

From July 17 to 31, 1929, inclusivo a constant supply was operated in all districts.

Constant supply in all districts during July, 1930.

+

The Government Analyst'e reports. shew that the quality of the water

satisfactory.

1929, 37.08 inches; 1920, 60.44 ins.

The total rainfall to July 31:-

OPIUM TRAFFIC,

HEAVY FINES FOR SMUGGLERS:

Three Chinese opium smugglers were severely dealt with by Mr. B. E. Lindsell at Central Magis- tracy yesterday.

One man, who was arrested on the Ping On Wharf on Thursday afternoon, had 84 taels of raw opium bidden in a specially made A houseboy employed by Sergeant waistcoat which he wore next to Madgwick said that at about 5 p.m. his skin. He was fined $2,500 or

file or the carvacticamente a

aranci quarters in the Police Station when A fine of $3,000 or six months was Le heat shot fired. He

"He looked imposed on another Umnere, Wad out of the window and saw an was arrested in Wing Lok Street In answer to Mr. King, Sergeant Indian constable with n rifle. The with 28 taels of prepared opium Madgwick stated that when he man was wearing a pair of shorts, tied round his legs, while a third went out at 2 o'clock his wife was and was in his shirt. He was bare-Chinese who was caught in Des in his quarters. As far as he could footed and witness could not say Voux Head Central with 39 tuels gauge it, the time between the first if the man was wearing a turban at of the drug (prepared) hidden in

hot and the time when he was the time.

the same way was ordered, to pay: sniping at the Indian was not more The inquiry will be continued "at a fine of $4,000 or go to jail for than five minutes:

p.m. on Tuesday.

eight months.

It is bound to

RAIN AGAIN.

Be prepared by purchas ing now one of celebrated"

our

"RAIN GUARD"

Waterproofs.

The Raincoat with the

GUARANTEE

Ax

$16. -60

".

EACH.

Less 10 % Discount for Cash.

Stocked in Navy, Fawn and Grey with and without a

Belt.

Gaberdine Raincoats from $39.50.

Peltiavain

Burberry

39

35

$55.00.

$75.00.

A call of inspection is invited without obligation to purchase.

HUMOROUS RECORD

SUCCESSES

MR2 MANDALAY

Columbia

RECORDS

TWO GILARRES

BILLY BENNETT

(THE COFFEE STALL KEEPER

MR22

JTO HO YE LUBBERA THE JOLLY TINKER

9775

(SHEILA MACKAY.......

WILL F77F7

THE TRAIN TAKES YOU HOME

2039D

IN THE MORNING

SANDY MOFARLANE

HEATHER BELLS ARE BLOOMING

The Anderson Music Co., Ltd.

GABERDINE

TROUSERS

$28.50

FOR

TENNIS

These Trousers are specially cut

for sports wear."

Made in a fine quality unshrink- able gaberdine, fully cut with pleats at waist-they-are-particu larly suitable for tennis wear.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

LONDON TAILORED

UNSHRINKABLE

THEY HANG CORRECTLY

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

MEN'S WEAR STYLISTS.

Кто