1931-12-18 — Page 9

BRUTAL MURDER RÉCALLED.

INQUIRY INTO DEATH OF MR. DOUGLAS CARSTAIRS.

MYSTERY STILL UNSOLVED.

Who killed Douglas Carstairs? That is the problem a Coroner and jury are trying to solve, seven months after the brutal murder in Luna Buildings, Kowloon, 'that skicked the whole Colony.

At cloven o'clock on the morning of May gi the body of Mr.. Carstairs, are manager of the Navy, Army and Air Force In- stitute, was found lying on a bed in his fat by his bay and

neighbour who had been called when repeated knocking. at the bedroom door" had failed to elicit any respons

♫

Since that time the polles have bem conselessly working on the caso, and the culmination of their efforty enim yesterday when Mr. A. Frasov, assisted by a "jury consisting of Mr. A. D: Humphreys (foreman) Mr. Nolasco Silva and Mr. K. H. Tam, "opened su inquiry into the circumstances of the cise..

Mr. T. Murphy, 4.8.P. and Detective-Inspector Elston were in charge of the "polien evidenov.

GRUESOME FIND BY AMAH.

i

20,

He

Dr. Court, Medical Officer of the cashier in the N.A.A.F.I. He had Kowloon Hospital, said that he known Mr. Carstairs since fomad the body lying in bed, with when he met him in Shanghai. the knees drawn up and the army first met him in Hong Kong in folded.

December, 1936, since when they had metalart daily up to the time of the death.

The body was lying on the right wide, and there was a knife reating in the crook of the right elbow.. Mr. Carstairs was of a very There were bloodstains on the bed, Leheerful disposition, and witness, and from their position he conclude was stries to see that his ed there had been no struggle. The malers work enrried out, but Flikel body was identified at the public Mortiary" the same day in his pre- aukce by Mr. Walter Spelling as that of Mr. Carstairs.

him and the other Europeans liked him, I think the Chinese might not (have fitted nim heranse of his strict

ae, Personally I got on very woll | with him."...

..On

He performed a post mortem examination, and found that ex

night preceding the ternally, there was a stab wound tragedy, said Mr. Shelling, he had about inches hig slightly to the been one of a party of four which right of the middle tue of the body, ho dinel and played bridge at about one or two inches from the Mr. Carstairs' fat. "They had n margin of the ribs. The lower end cocktail before dinner and about hail a clearly defined junction there bears after dinzer: Mr. Car- while the upper and was somewhat stairs dank no more than anybody mgged In his opinion the woundel, and that night was somewhat was formed by the cutting edge of the cheerful than usual, and was, ahnite.

In Fact, the life of the party.

Saw Guests Of

Internally he found that the wound bail penetrated the abdom inal aorta, the main artery of he lower body. There was very considerable harmmorhage round the wound in the adrbà,

Doctor Cort then went on to

describe the angle and exnet nature of the wound, and mid that there was an enlarged spleen, which was caused by malaria. The stomach and the contents he had sent to the Government Analyst, whose report he had with him in Court: His Worship ruled, however, that it could not be read by withes, such a procedure was against the vules of evidence. No doubt the Guvernment Analyst would be call ed Inter in the case to read it.

Not Self-Indicted.

f

two guests left hatween two and He M. Soelling) and the other two-thirty in the morning. Mr. Carstairs let them out of the front door and closed it after them. though witness would not say if he

bolted it.

He first heard of the death by a beley hone mesange next day at about 11.30a.m. Enter in the day he identified the body at the Public Mortuary.

his work, and had no money troup

Deceased was very successful at lea. His accounts at the office were perfectly in order. So far as Mr. Snelling koew, Mr. Carstairs had no enemies and had not been threatened by anyone.

The house boy employed by the In answer to Mr. Fraser, witness murdered man was the neat to give said that from the direction and evidence. He said that he was at slant of the wound he would any present employed as a boy in the that it was given by a right-handed Engineers Mens on the Empress at standing on the left side of of Russia," but he had been for derenser, don't think it likely that such a wound was self-inflict merly employed by M, Carstairs.

He said that Mr. Carstairs was

d, Boetor Court, although a good master to him and paid him it was able to do it." Witness 830 a month, which was 6 more added the it, was unlikely in this than he had promised him when he ceanu, because if it had been wolf.

afisted the wound would probably was engaged. The work was not pass from the side of the body to say, and his master always insist- warda se ad-line: also that theed on the work being properly done. line of the wound would tend to be was very strics and quick-sem

pered; iorizont rather than vertical.

The

After the injury the knife, was dinner for four persons.

On the night of the 20th he served fund rutside the budy, und be thought it had been withdrawn, as cocktaila before dinner had been it was difficult, if not impossible, mixed by Mr. Carstairs, and dur for it to come out of such a wounding the evening witness served his of its own accord. The position in mastor with not more than two

beers. which re body was found, with the arms folded and the knees drawn up would have been asenmed after the weind and been inflicted.

Mr.

At midnight when Carstairs came to the kitchen, to tell him to go to bed he had had some liquer bat was not drunk, Witness then went to bed and look- ed the kitchen door.

الم

"Master Dead!"

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1931.

BULL TERRIERS AS COLLISION CLAIM. HONG KONG STOCK

GUARDS.

LIFE IN LAICHIKOK PRISON.

HOW CONVICTS ARE HOUSED.

conger at p.. withi

Breakfast at 61.m. 1a.m., and dinner at work thrown in between those hours: day in and day out; the same thing carried out with a mono. tony which must at times try even those who are known never to have grumbled or complained--that is the life of the prisoners at the Laleli- kok Prison.

KIANGSU CAPTAIN'S

CASE OUTLINED.

DEFENCE ALLEGATION, ..

MARKET.

YESTERDAY'S OFFICIAL QUOTATIONS.

There was no material change in iha rates yesterday morning, the buing quietly steady.

The claim and counter-olaim in the Supreme Court arising out of the collision off Kowloon Dockmärket Point bewoon the .s. Kinngau and, Tokook Maru was continued yes terday before the Chief Justice (Sir Joseph Kemp) with the Harbour Master (Hon. Comdr. G. F. Hole. R.N. sitting us Assessor.

The China Navigation Compaty ar elaming against the Nippon Yusen Kash for 840,000 damager and coats, while the latter counter- claim for $10,351.

Plaintifs were represented by Mr. Eldon Potter, K.C.. together with Mr P. C. Jenkin, K.C. in- 4ructed by Mr. M. M. Watson, of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Ma

The prison itself is situated in delightful surroundings and the new quartera for the European staff, which have only just been complet. ed, give the impression that, far from being a prison, the place is just an ordinar privately-owned, while Mr. H. G. Sheldon, in- piece of ground, even though it has of Messrs. Hastings. Dennys and, structed by Mr. E. S. C. Brooks, walls all round it,

Bowley, was for defendants. The writer happened to be on a for the Finintiffs case, Mr. Potter Resuming his arguments on behalf visit at the prison a few days aggstid that they were disenssing the and, while there, took the opportu weight and effect of anchors the nity of looking round the place. the two anchors of the Tokookov. previous day, desubmitted that if First of all he went into the offer,

Maru had been dropped, the colli- where, on a piece of beard, hung in would never have occurred up on the wall, was a list of names

Coumel went on to emphasise that Capt. Ritchie-knew as pre- of the staff. The room next to this eisely it was possible to know, was the prison hospital while the

without taking the exact position, floor above contained cells for some

"where he was, as he was about in the middle of the fairway in which sixty prisoners, who looked happy he knew it was the duty of both enough as they peered curiously out inward and outward-bound" ships to keep to the starboard side. The of the windows to see what the

rappain a ship was. in law, stranger Wanted. They were all entitled to asume that the other elad in khaki toats and trousers,

aptain would obey the rula of the road: with heavy grey underwear.

The Inmates."

All the wards, were the same size

sxty prisoners being housed in

In addition, Capt.. Ritchie knew that there was no other ship behin him in front of him on the star- board side, and he was only concern- el with the one outward-be and

Tokooka Position.

cach. Boarda were arranged neatlyvessel, the Tokooka turu. over the door and here the prisoners K or slept, and chatted. One man

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looked particularly, wistful and when have to stay in prison replied, asked how much longer he would

only eighteen days." Another lanked rather defiantly around, him and proudly announced the fact that he had been in the place several times. He added that he Ind been a "boy" in one of the local restaurants before be turned thief.

Work in prison is, divided into- many classes the laundry, rope. factory, and even a prison garden whero vegetables are grown; on his way to the prison the writer saw a number of prisoners at work 'in the vegetable garden under the supervision of a European officer.

They were quité orderly and one

Also, being in the fairway, he -could... navan anticipate that ha would fing an outward-bound ship

the other side of the fairway, whore he eventually found the To kouka Haru.. He was not bound, in law, to anticipate such a man ruvre.

Counsel went on lo say that the Kiangsu had a following current, and he submitted, as a matter of santaushop, that it was essential for Cant Ritchie to keep proper and effective steerage way on his ship so that he might keep to his ewn course and prevent "his ship drifting into the course of an out- ward-bound ship:

it

Bales.

Wharves; $154. Hotels (ald), $15. Trams, 891/891.10. Lane, Crawfords (oid), $6.60. Providenta (old), 5. Humphreya (old); $18: Dairy Farms, 820.20. Hong Kong Amusements, $20.

Buyers.

Hotel (old), $14.80. Baubs, $42.

Humphreys (old), $18, Chinese Estates, Ho Trams, $20.90. Hong Kong. Electrics, $78. Canton Ices, 15 Dairy Farms, 826). « Entertainments (now).. $16. Hong Kong Lands, $50. Providents (old), 85.15. Providents (now), Ewos, Ta. 184.

.30.

Poak Trams.(new), $71. Telephones (part paid), $253. Cements (combined) $18.80. Hong Kong' Amusements, $19.00. Hong Kong Government Loan, 2 per cent, premium.

Sellers.

Ewo4, Tls. 15.00, S.0. Enterprises, $10. China Lights, $27.60.

AFTERNOON SESSION,

The market throughout the day was entirely featureless and only a trifling businesg was transacted:

Sales.

Hotel (old), $14.80. "Landa, 880.

Buyers. Trams, $21. China Lights, $27.

Sellers.

Trama, Sell, China Lights, 8971.

BOOM IN POLICE MARRIAGES.

QUESTIONS REGARDING LIGHTING ALLOWANCES.

SHORTAGE OF QUARTERS.

www.wix.com

He would subunit on the evidence that the only conclusion to which Capt. Ritchie could come was that

At a meeting of the Finance the other ship was outward-bound. He heard a fog signal from the Committee yesterday, in anawer bq Japanes bout 1 7.43.

and,h question put by Hon. Dr. R. H having heard that signal on his Kotewall regarding the increased port bew, he enar to the only con- clusion to which he could come. cost of light and fans in the pohce

Captain's Conclusion.

Mr. Potter remarked:-"No sane

married quarters, the Hon. Inspec Captain would cross this fairway married police officers were given ter General of Police stated thas in a fog and the only conclusion certain allowances for lighting and that Cat. Ritchie could come to was that the other bont was dut-if the consumption exceeded such ward-lound, moving about cast allowances they had to pay out the northeast, and would, inevitably, difference out of their own pockets. clear him, as an outward-bound. ship would clear him." Capt. "There is" said Mr. Wolfo, "I Ritchin never had any reason to admit, rather a boom in the intri alter that conclusion.

Counsel went on to deal with the monial markat among the officers matter of the Tekooka Maru's and it has put me in a very signals becoming "fer"

on the awkward position, especially as Kiangaa's part bow and submitted' that that would be no indication to certain flats, which were to have Capt. Hitchie that she was, in fact, been completed in December, de a crossing ship, had was not on

not seem Jikely to be completed for her proper side of the fairway. It only indicated that the ships were another, two months and we have approaching closer, as they would had to lodge the officers in the St. do in any case when passing in op- Francis Hotel for the time being. pesite directions in the fairway

The Chief Justice remarked that he thought it would be difficult,

of them was even heard to remark, to draw conclusious as to "another day done," as he was

a ship's position by means of suel being marched back to the ward agreed, anying that, at the most, signals, with which Mr. Potter after working hours.

the signals would give to the bearer only the approximate position.

Hon. Sir Henry Pollock: When are the flats likely to be ready at Morrison Hill?

.New Police Tais.

Mr. Wolfe: The flata belong to Mr. Van Epps and we were pre- mised them on December 1. Pro- greas bae been extremely slow on

There seems to be a general im- pression that Laichikok Prison is for long term prisoners only but

Crossing Fairway in a Fog. that is definitely not the case. Only Capt. Ritchie might have con- those serving sentences up to a yeasidered that the Japanese ship was are accommodated" while some on a more northerly course, but that the building of those data and it

of the unhealthy ones are taken she would, inevitably, at the proper looks as if they will not be ready be

moment. pert har helm and take the

IL

there to recuperate. A now female prison is in the course of construc.ordinary and proper course of an form March 1. I have written to tion.

uutward-hand ship.

would never enter Capt Ritchie's brain that a ship would be crossing the fairway in a fog The captain of the Tokooka Maru was the one man who knew the whole of the position, as he knew

One particularly interesting fen. ture in connection with the gaol is that there are some twenty buli terriers about the place. These

The cause of death in his opinion was a stab wound in the abdomen penetrasing the abdominal norte.

From all the signs witness con- cluded that Mr. Carstairs had died. That night he heard no sound, eight on twelve hours before he saw and at 8 o'clock the next morning him at noon; that would make the he rose and attempted to enter the time of his death between twelve flat through the door lending from

midnight and four a.m.

the kitchen, but found it locked. In answer to Mr. Murphy, Doctor. He received no reply to his knocks, Court asid that the depth of the and returned to the kitchen. Bo wound was not quite the depth of tween then and 0.15 he went to the knife produced. He would have the door three times but could get expected the decensed to double upno reply to his knorks, and so as in the position found after having about 11 o'clock he went next door received the wound in the stomach, and called Mr. Miller. She said In his opinion death had taken "Allright, I go look-see, and went place within three or five minutes to the front door, while he went of the atab being given. The de- round to the back, as he had benn censed would certainly not live told by his master that he must longer than that.

not use the front door. Mrs Mil-dogs, the writer was told, do work Knito in Crook of Arm.

ler, opened the door to let him 'in

as gutada particularly well. and said "Boy, front door open. Further questioned by Mr. Mur-Where master sleep The boy, ro phy, Doctor Court said that as to plied This is his bedroom and the knife being found in the crook | Mra. Miller than said "Co lock- of the arm it might have been put see." He thereupon looked into there by the nurderer purposely the bedroom and saw his master He would not expect a person to lying downs The amah entered the walk after receiving such a wound, room and Anid Mastor dend." but he might posibly have raised Witness was afraid and dared not himself from the floor to the bind go into the room. afterwards. Doctor Court added In answer to questions put that he saw nothing suggesting any Mr. Murphy, withon said that trace of poison in the abdomen, but there were two keys to the front the abdomen and the contents had door, both of which Mr. Carstairs beca

tho Government carried in his pocket by day and Analyst.

placed on the dressing table at The next witness to be called was night. The front door was self- Mr. W. Snelling, living at the locking. Y.M.CA., who said that he was n (Continued at font of nest column.)

to

by

Lamp Covered Up. That night all the windows were open and the light was burning, though the lamp was covered by

n silk handkerchief, belonging to the deceased, which was usually kept in a drawer. Ho had not seen the lamp covered like that before.

This concluded the evidence, His Worship remarking that the boy would not again be available, and he therefore had deal with him a considerable longth.

The hearing was adjourned until December 30 at 2.30 p.m. when the inquiry will probably finish.

him to say I don't want the fals unless they are ready by the first of March unless he is prepared to pay a monetary penalty,

In connection with the Hong

he was crossing the fairway against Kong subacription towards the an in-coming ship, while Capt." Results of International Upper Ritchie id not. If the Japanes"

to

The

captain had thought for a moment, Air Research," questions. Weru he would have done something, but asked by Sir Henry Pollock and he did nothing.

Hon. Mr. J. J. Paterson 34 Mr. Jenkin then read Capt. Ritchie's evidence which appro-whether a copy of the publication ximated to the facts contained in could be laid on the table. Mr. Potter's address, after which Colonial Secretary replied that he the case was adjourned until this would be pleased to show it to Mr morning.

Paterson and Sir Henry. Mr. Mr. Buldon indicated that he Paterson observed that he was not would argue that the Kiangsu was thinking of himself, but he thought travelling at an excessive speed that there were air-minded people through the fog, and that Capt: in the Colony who might like to Ritchie's proper course would have so it. been to stop the engines on hearing The votes totalling 814,040 were the signals from the Tokopka Mura: daly approved,

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