1930-08-23 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 1930.

OFFICERS ASLEEP

DURING

FIRING.

CORONER'S SCATHING COMMENT ON INDIAN POLICEMEN'S

EVIDENCE.

FURTHER DETAILS OF LOK MA CHAU TRAGEDY,

The contradictory statements made by Indiań police witnesses, at the enquiry regarding the shooting affray at Lok Ma Chau Police Station, on July 21 in which Mrs. Madgwick and two Indian policemen were shot, drew forth some pointed remarks from Mr. R. E. Lindsell, who sat as Coroner, at Central Magistracy yesterday. Replying to Mr. Shields, the foreman of the July, who expressed difficulty in ascertaining what exactly had happened from the evidence of the Indian policemen, Mr. Lindsell remarked that it was quite obvious that they were trying to save their own faces. It was impossible to hope for a true story.

Further evidence regarding the absence of the Lewis gun" soon after the shooting started was given by Phuman Singh, who stated that immediately after he was roused from his sicep he went into the charge-room. The Lewis gun was not there. The Indian Lance-sergeant, who was in charge of the Station while the shooting was going on, said no attempt was made to attack Dalip Singh, the man who had run amok, as it was known that he had possession of the Lewis gun.

RIDDLE OF LEWIS GUN'S

The first witness called waa L/S. Jewan Singh (B349) who told the Court that he had been stationed at Lok Ma Chau since November 3,

1099.

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REMOVAL.

window and shouted to the people to cease firing as some of them might have been hit. Some one from outside then shouted that Mr. Sparrow's instructions were that they were to go out if they could do so. They then got out, one by

The First Telephone Message." Questioned as to when he first put through a telephone call, wit ness said it was about 5.13 or 5.14 p.m. when he got in touch with He came off duty at 4 a.m. on the Taipo Station. However, the July 91 last, and as his clothes were station guard had done that one or wet then, he went to have them two minutes earlier. Witness fur-one, and on the way he saw Bo changed and then sat under a tree ther stated that Taipo was the only where he stayed till 6 am. when station he could get in communica he had his "ten" and bath Hation with through the telephone. did not go to bed till about 245 His message were re-transmitted p.m. that day and he did not see from there. the Sergeant go out, neither did "he know that he was senior officer

at the Station that afternoon.

Before he fell asleep, he saW P.C. B545 go into the barrack-room where he took a handkerchief and then went out again. He did not see him again after that and at 5 pm, when he was still asleep, he was aroused by Bra who made a Teport of the affair to him. Wit- ness said that he realised then that he was officer in charge of the Station and immediately put on his boots and turban, got his rifle and pouch and then guarded the bar rack-room door.

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lying dead. Witness said that he knew from the beginning that this man was shot and the reason why he did not go to his assistance was that there was too much bring out side."

The Coroner: Did any one of the four of you go outside any time between 5.30 p.m. and p.m.1

Yes, the station guard "did. The Coroner: Which side did be go out by 1--I don't know.' I only knew he had been out after be re- turned.

Mr. Lindsell said that evidence from Taipo would be to the effect that the first call they received was at 3.45 p.m. but witness said he was sure about the times he stated. He could not say whether the telephone clerk at Taipo was correct when he said that the first call came through at 6.45 m. but he persisted in saying that when he made the call, the clock in the station showed it was, 5. 13 or 5.14 p.m. Witness add-to the witness, and answering in ed later that he believed the station the affirmative, Mr. King said clock was slow.s

When B722 returned, did he give you anything --He handed me a revolver:

The Coroner then asked witness how long it was after he was aroused that he made the calls, and when told that it was about 13 or 14 minutes, Mr. Lindsell put it to the witness that he did not 'phone till forty-five minutes had elapsed.

At this stage, Mr. King said that as far as the time was concerned, he could prove the station clock was correct at 11.30 p.m. that night. Witness, continuing, said that after he heard the first shot from

Mr. Lindael then asked whether Mr. King had any questions, to put

· Mr. King: Was it loaded?--Yes, it was fully loaded.

Mr. King: Now, you fired 25 shots, you say. What time did you fire the last shot-I cannot reinem- ber.

Four Men Insuficient. Has it ever failed to wake you up" before The alarm failed to wake me on one previous occasion.

When you were aroused, were you told that Sergeant Madgwick's wife was upstairs-No. I don't know whether she was upstairs or not.

Coroner (to witness): You did not inquire then -No, I did not,

Jury: Is there any good reason why you or any of your men did not go upstairs to protect the people in the top floor?

Witness: As Dalip Singh had the Lewis gun, nobody dared to go up. Four men were insufficient.

B316, Phumar Singh, the Indian constable who was found asleep together with the previous witness by the station guard shortly after the firing commenced, was the next witness, Hotated that he was on duty the previous night with two Indian Police Sergeants, and also B543 (Dalip Singh) and B9.

A 4. a.m. he was released. He did not go to sleep till 213 o'clock in the afternoon.

At about 5 p.m. he was awakened by Brus, the Indian station guard, who told him and the Inidan lance-

sergeant what had happened. The alarms was ringing. He at once knew that his duty would be to take the Lewis gun and station

COMPLICATED LAND DEALS.

FURTHER EVIDENCE IN. THE LAU CASE.

PUZZLING - BOOK' ENTRIES.

The difference."between repay- ment" and "deposit as appearing

in Chinese account books was dis- cussed with witnesses at the further hearing yesterday of the action in the Supreme Court in which Lau Yick Cheuk is the plaintiff and Lou Lam Shi (his sistor-in-law) is the defendant.

~! Plaintiff, as- adminstrator of 'the' estate of Lau Ping, claims the right, to certain property and also, the re-assignment of one of these on the ground that the property was purchased by plaintiff and Laa Yu Fong, defendant's deceased) husband, from the funds of the estate. Defendant, who is the executrix of her late husband's estate disputes this claim,

La

Un Ting Kwong, who was called

witness, said that the late

Ping and Un Hoi U held the En Un godown, one of the propez- in Wo Lok Tong and the Las ties in dispute, in trust for the

himself on the front verandah of the uppon floor. When he went to

Kwong Yu Tong, frms in which the charge-room, he discovered that they had interests. After their the Lewis gun was not there. He deaths the executors of Un Hoi returned to his barracks, armed U's will and the administrators of himself with a rifle and acquainted Lau Ping's estate continued to B792 with the latest development. bold the trusts. He heard B722 communicating the property was undivided and com- news to the Indian Lance-Sergeant. Witness himself told the Lance-

that the Lewis gun was missing. Sergeant about 15 minutes later

mon between them.

The whole of the

Witness, who is managing part- ner of the Un Wo Lok Tong and an executor of the late Un Hoi U's will, went on to explain that when they assigned their Half share of the property they received $70,000 which was paid by Lau Ya Fong and Lau Yick Cheuk out of money belonging to the Lau Kwong Ya Tong (Lau Ping's estate).

Firing at Nothing.. Proceeding, witress said that he then stationed himself by the door of the barracks, which were op- posite to the charge-room. The door was slightly open in order to enable him to see outside. Be-

In cross-examination, witness sides this, he also went out to the agreed that there was a cash book barrack-room verandah and the entry for 1919 to the effect that the charge-room verandah to see if there Lau Kwong Yu Tong had been was any sign of Dalip Singh.

credited with 820,000 by a trans- Coroner: You fired any shot !

ferred account and not by a cash, Witness: I fired 22 shots.

payment. He was shown another' Where did you see anything to book containing an entry of the "fire at -I did not see anything.

repayment of $20,000 to the Kung Why did you fire then 1-When-Yuen on the same date, but he said.

he could not give any more" ex- planation other than given by the entries themselves, ̈··

Mr. King: It was about 7.30 p.m. when you left the station. However we heard a shot, we fired in long before that did you fire the return towards that direction.. last shot?-About half-ari-hour.

Heard Shots From Upstairs. He then heard shots fred by Gurdit Singh and there were also some shots coming from upstairs. He actually Ba Gurdit Singh ring, and he (witness) would say that he saw B722 rushing out into the passage towards the back door. No shots were fired in the passage or back door and the shots that upstairs, four or five more were B553 fired were towards the flag-fired at intervals, and during the staff. Although he looked out of the next two hours, 18 or 16 more were window, he could see nothing. discharged. The last shot from Continuing, witness said that the upstairs went off at about 7 p.m. next step he took was to order the There were shots fired from outside as well, but he was convinced the med to their alarm posts," and to fire whenever they saw B553 shots from upstairs were fired by ordinary.

post was in case of an "emer-

B543 (Dalip Singh).

As regards

Asked by the Coroner what, his own those from outside, witness said he gency, he said it was at the window thought they were fired by two other Indian - officers. at Dalip looking out from the barrack-room -the north window.

Singh.

Mr. Lindsell Did you at any Mr. T. H. King: That is correct, time look up the inner staircase 1— your Worship.

Yes, at about 5 p.m. The grills were down then.

Mr. Lindsell: There were four of you armed at the beginning of the affair 1-Yes.

Witness went on to say that the station guard's place was, in the charge-room, but he (the station guard) did not go there. He knew that the guard was not in the Mr. Lindsell: Did you not con- proper position and ordered him to sider it your duty to go and look go at once to his post, but the for B843 and kill him -Yes, but I man ignored his order. Witness was told by B722 that the Lewis suggested, in reply to a question gun was missing and we thought put by the Coroner, that the guard EB543 had it. It would have been might not have heard him.

very dangerous to try and tackle Placed as they were, B316 and him then. himself could look into the charge room and he did not see anybody go into this room.

* You Were Afraid? "ma

Mr. Lindsell: You were afraid then 1 Yes, if he had the machine Coroner: How do you account gun, it would have been dangerous for the fact that B643 got the even for forty men to try and get

Lewis gun and took it upstairs un- him. observed ?

Mr. Lindsell: Was he one of the Witness He might have taken machine gun team No, but he it upstairs before the incident. knew something about the working

Coroner: Only you policemen think that. You say that to Bave your own faces. Impossible!

of it

The Night Before.

When you went on duty the night before this incident happened, was B543, Dalip Singh, with you on the same patrol?—Yes.

Was his conduct ordinary or did you notice anything strange about him at all 7-Yes, his conduct was

he should have committed this Do you know of any reason why murder -No.

Had you any suspicion whatever that he murder i-No. Absolutely no sus- was going to commit

picion."

Jury (to witness): After the in- cident, did you hear anything to account for it 1-No."

Do you think a man with normal mind would do such a thing -I cannot say what was in his mind.

Have you ever heard of B543 com plaining that he had been unjustly, punished 1-No.

Have you ever heard of such a thing before, committing murder. and then taking one's own life 1– I have never heard of such á thing,

Witness, however, corrected him- self and said that in his 18 years service in the police he had heard two cases of Indians running amuck, Both cases happened years ago, one being at Tai O, and the other at Kennedy Town.

The foreman of the Jury also ask ed if it was possible that witness could be found asleep after seven revolver shots had been fired in the passage near his bedroom. The hewithes.replied that it was paisible

Mr. Lindsell: Was B315 one of tfre: Lewis gun team?—Yes.

Mr.. Lindsell: Did he make any As for an he was concerned, attempt to get the Lewis gun Witness Eura heated 20 shots Duro after be put on hie-boote

want into the shower room f ho never saw any target to fe

Mr. Lindsell: Did he get it at. He merely heard shots being fired and he returned fire from the direction in which these shots came: Mr. Lindsell Can you suggest what good could come of your firing blindly

No.

Mr. Lindsell: Did you believe, in fact, that B543 could fira a machine gun 7-Yea

Mr. King: Had you seen the Lewis gun at any time before you Lewis gun in the charge room be went to bed that day?—I saw the

fore 12 noon.

Had it been cleaned that day 1- Bo bad cleaned the gun before noon.

Did you clean the Lewis gun on the day after the murder-Yes, B4, B722 and myself cleaned it.

Did you find that the gun appeared In what state did you find it.

to have been fired since its last cleaning or not 1-No. I found that a stud was out of the channel, so it could not be fired.

Witness was also asked the same questions put to the last witness re- garding the fact that he was found asleep although the alarm was ringing and a good number of shots had been fired, near his bedroom. He replied that if those shots had been fired, he must have slept despite the noise...

When asked if the Jury had any further questions, Mr. Shields said that he would like more light to be thrown on one or two points, bat it appeared that the evidence of the Indian witnesses was rather contradictory. Perhaps, the witness might be asked the reason for Dalip Singh's action, if that was of any use

Saving Their Faces. Coroner: It is obvibes, that they were trying to save their own faces. It is impossible to hope for true story (to witness): Can you suggest any reason why B643 did auch an act-1.

that he could not be roused by the reason firing Staven alots near his bed room, as he was very fatigued. He

An accountant who gave evidence

820,000 appearing in one book as was referred to the entries of

# "repayment", and in another as a "deposit" and was asked to ex-.. plain the difference. Witness agre- ed that different characters were used and they would be entirely different things in the Chinese me- thod of keeping books.

case until Monday, allowed Mr. His Lordship, in adjourning the

Potter's request to be allowed ac ceas to the account books in order to save the time of the Court.

EL

Lance-Sergeant. A. F. Gardner, the other European officer besides Sergeant Madgwick at. Lok Ma Chau Station, said that he let the Station for patrol on the river at p.m. on July 31. Everything then appeared to be normal. Coming ashore at about 7.30 p.m. on sampan, he was told by a Chinese ing in the Station. He went back villager that there was much shoot- to his launch and gave instructions for his crew to be armed. The small party then climbed up the steep path leading to the Station. When they were below the Indians' married quarters and in full view of the Station, witness heard two shots fired. The bullets appeared to be aimed at them.

At about the same time, there were cries from the Indian married quarters shouting to them to Get back, get back." Witness and the party then attempted to cench the Station by another route. On the way they found Sergeant Bastings, of the Au Tau Police Station, in ambush. Other officers also arrived Ister,

Replying to questions put by Mr King, witness said that he had Witness. I cannot suggest any, taken Dolin Singh five times on riyer patrol. He did not notice Dalip Singh seemed to be very iny thing tinige d

putting the shot, and be away participated in the Indians' pas Utumes, Vip S

Jury You did not discuss the

whole of the previous night. cussed it, and ye said that he had had been on duty practically the matter after it happened -We djovial. He was the champion in

Jury Would the Alara bell

alles de la pagina Witness then said that at about asleep 1-If ons were not so tired Did you find any reason why he

awake you if you were sound done a very bad thing. p.m. there was a lot of firing cut- as I was, the alarm should have shot Ba ?—No, side so he looked out of the west woken me up,

(Continued on next Column.)?

Hearing of the inquiry will be continued on Wednesday, August 97, at 2.25 p.m.

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