1934-01-25 — Page 7

MARINE COURT OF

INQUIRY

Sinking of "Tommy Atkins"

$11

KWONG FOOK CHEONG BLAMELESS

January 3.

the

..

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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1934.

THE SERVICES

Royal Navy

(Special Air-Mall Service)

A Cruiser for China.

Loudon Jan 2

THE PIRATES OF MORE PAY FOR

PENZANCE

Or The Slave Of Duty

Although

SOVIET TROOPS

"Active Service" In Far East

(Special Air-Mail Service)

London, January 2 An order algned by Stalin suggests In effect, that Barlet troops posted to the Far East are on "active service." This order increases the pay of

Subalterns, no'c'o's and other ranks by 50 per cent.;.

Senior officers by 20 per cent. The order also has application to peasants and workmen in the

Those who still find pleasure in Gubert's wit and Sullivan's music will shortly be given an oppor- tunity to indulge their taste at the Philharmonic Society's production of "The Pirates Of Penzance."

The opera is one of the earliest of the famous collaboration, being

it produced in 1879. simpler in design than some of the ister ones, it yet has special features which distinguish it and par 16.

explain its lasting popularity. The male voice choruses are outstand- ing-that of the Policemen in Act 2. being a "masterpiece. Each of the two Acts contains some fine songs, interspersed with catchy recitative and sparkling choruses.

Gilbert's wit was never more trenchant. . In Major-General Stanley, then father of.... many Chorus of Victorian maidens, he has portrayed the versatile soldier statesman of the period, withal a bit of a humbug and a great snob

H.M.S. Adventure is to recommission at Devonport to-day with a full com- plement for service on the China Station. She is the only cruiser minolayer in the Service and was com A Marine Court of inquiry sat s.3. Kwong Fook Cheung, of Hong-pleted in 1927 to replace the Princesa yesterday to inquire into the cir- xong, of which Mr. Reginald El-Margaret an ex-Canadian Pacific liner, cumstance, attending the collision vidge is master, left Hongkong at which did duty during the War period between 4.3. Kwong Fook about 8.30 p.m. on the evening of and after. The Adventure will leave Cheong and the Army steam 3rd January 1934 on a voyage to Devonport on January 9 to call at Portsmouth, and is to leave the latter launch Tommy' Atkins, The lat-Kongmoon. ter, it will be recalled sank with-1 That at 7:40 pm whilst entering port for her new station on January

Captain W. H. Gell, D.SO., who bas in half an hour of the impact" in the Cap Bul Mun Pass, sighted Capslumun pass on the night of the steam launch Tommy Atkins been attending the 1933 course at the Defence College, assumes on her port bow. She proceeded command to-day in succession to

the starboard

the Captain J. V. V. Magrane, and Com channel. At 7.12 p.m. she heard mander W. O. Scrymgeour-Wadder- one short blast which she ans-burn, B.SC. late of the Naval wered with one short blast and intelligente Department, be

becomes ex- later these signals were repeated. contive office in succession to Com At 7.15 pm. while her engines mander H. T. W. Pawsey. Particulars have already appeared in The Times. Paymaster Commander F. W. Wedg- wood, who joins as accountant officer in succession to Paymaster Commander G. E. L. Hargreaves, was promoted in June last after three years as Secretary to the Captain of the Fleet, Mediter ranean Station.

Comdr. Hole was assisted by Lieut-Condr. "E. H. C. Branson, RN. (HMS. Tamar). Capt. C. Benstead," master of the sa, Ban Nain Hol, Capt. A. Campbell, mas- ter of the 3.5. Sal On... Capt. W. Greybrook, master of the ss. Liang Chow,

Mr. G. K. Hall Brutton appeared on behalf of the master of the Kwong Fook Cheung,' and Mr. Leo D'Almada senr, was for the owners of the ship. Mr. J. B. Prentis watched the proceedings on behalf of the War Department and the coxswain of the Tommy Atkins.

Master's Evidence. Reginald Elvidge, master or the S.S. Kwong Fook Cheung, tn evid-

ence

held certificate of competency 44446 of Hongkong. which he produced. On January 3, the ship left Hong-" kong for Kongmoon at. 6.30 p.ni

up

side of

East: All coalminers, for instance, get a 30 per cent. in- crease in wages, and everybody else 20 per cent., except sedentary workers, who get 10 per cent.

St more significant is the fact that the entire peasantry of the Russian Far East are to be ex- empted from all grain taxes in cluding the tax on rice. Peasantá on collective farms are exempted

were stopped she came into coll. of the carears of both the new officers daughters who form the Beauty for ten years, and "free" peasants

sion with the starboard side of the steam launch Tommy Atkins which subsequently sank.

We and that the size of the

collision

steam Was that the launch "Tommy Atkins" was on the wrong side of the channel and that no blame is attributable to the master or officers of the 3.5. Kwong Fook Cheong.

sald he master's EARL BEATTY AS

Describing the incidents which culminated in the collision, the master said:"At about 7.10 p.m. I was steering north-west point north approaching the Capsuimun. The Capsulmun white light was nearly abeam on the starboard hand bearingN48E true. The distance was about one-and-a-half cables

"I"Arst observed one green and one white light on my port, bow about one point. About a minute later, looking with my glasses I could now see two white lights close together, vertical, and still a green light. Shortly after this I heard one blast. This was about 7.12 p.m. I answered with one. short blast. I then saw that this vessel did not alter her course.

BEGGAR

Nearly £10,000 For

Social Work

It was

The programme of the Adventure shows that she will call at Gibraltar, January 19-22; Malta, January 25-97; Port Said, January 30 February 1; Suez February 5; Aden, February 6-8; and Colombo, February 18-19, and she is due at Singapore on February 36.

Royal Air Force

New-Air Vice-Marshal Air Vice Marshal P. H. L. Playfair, C.B., JL.C., promoted to that rank in the New Year list, will be the youngest of Air Vice-Marshals. He was 44 in November. Hitherto the youngest officer of this rank has been Air Vice- Marshal W. R. Freeman, commanding in Palestine and Transjordan, who was 45 when prometeil in July last.

By dint of Earl Beatty's ham- mering eloquence, the "sum of nearly £10,000 was raised, at the Air Vice Marshal Playfair passed R.M. Mansion House at the Dockland from Cheltenham into the

Academy, sal was gazetted second Settlement dinner.

case of alternate ea-lieutenant, Royal Artillery, in July, 1910. He learnt to fly two years later, Jolery and insistence, tinged with

was seconded to the RFC, and in characteristic humour

Amid a persistent hubbub of August, 1914, went to France with No. 4 Squadron. By January, 1916, the great sailor cheers.

be himself a prince of beggars." and infused At

his enthusiasm into an audience of 600 guests-the largest number the Mansion House has ever. held in its history.

that time my speed would be about eight knots through the water. I stopped my engines.

Shortly after

had my engines stopped I heard another short blast from this vessel which again answered with one short blast. I did not alter my course in either case.

snowed

The Duke of York had shown his interest in the Settlements and their work, as "one of the largest, if not the largest, of boys' and men's clubs in the country." The Earl of Derby had recalled Still this vessel did not alter what he knew of the miseries and

her course and I saw then that a collision was about to occur, so I put my

engines at full speed astern. giving three short blasts on the whistle. Almost at the same time I heard two short blasts from the other vessel. Ten or fifteen seconds later we collided I could then see that it was 2 steam launch with a large lighter made fast on her port side and that the launch had been struck or her starboard quarter. She was practically at right angles. collision occurred at about

The 7.15.

No Lives Lost.

temptations of dock Ble, dating from the great Liverpool dock strike of years ago. He also re called how he had formed the Dockers" Battalion in war-time 1.200 strong-and discovered what a fund of discipline existed even in this field of casual labour."

had obtained command of No. 8 Squadron, which did well during the battles of the Somme, and by August, 1918, he was commanding the 13th Wing and was a temporary lieutenant colonel at the age of 26. He became Commandant of the Central Flying School in January, 1919. Ele com- manded the British forces in Palestime in 1928-30 during the operations for restoring, order between Arabs, and Jews, and was made C.B. in 1831. In October last he took command of the Western Aren, Audover.

Air Commodore Babington. Of special interest among the promo tions to air commodore is that of Group Captain J. T. Babington, D.S.0, as he began his career as a | naval cadet at Osborne College when it was opened in September, 1903. The highest to which any of these eadete has attained in his own Service the rank of Captain, R.N., with onwards whereas Air

gan when Earl Beatty rose, and seniority of. December, 1931% bington,

Five Figures Wanted. The business of the evening be- announced that the stewards had collected cheques amounting to $8,081 18. This touch put the company into the best of humour, and with a resolute avowal of of Ave making the sum one figures," the Earl took things in

at the age of 43, has reached one grade higher, equal to Commodore, first or second class, R.N. He learnt to fly on a Short biplane at Eastchurch before the R.N.AS, was constituted. Alis promotion follows two years' important work as Air Representatives at the With the plausibility of an ex- League of Nations during the Dis pert auctioneer, without a ham-armament Conference. mer or a thing to sell, he pro- ceeded to coax fresh contributions out of a willing audience." First

"After I stopped my engines, I immediately, ordered the emer-hand. gency boat away in charge of the first mate who after Investigations came alongside and reported to me that no lives had been lost, the crew of the launch being safe aboard the lighter which was un- damaged and that the launch had sunk

Frederic, the Pirates' Apprentice, whom provides the Sub-title to the Opera, exemplifies the Victorian slavish adherence to duty which, at times, was carried to such ex- cess as to savour of hypocrisy.

The Pirate King, who regarded his profession when contrasted with respectability as "compara tively honest" ts delightfully drawn, and his sentimental fol- lowers are a joy for ever. "

Then Gilbert's kindly humour at the expense of the Police, serves to remind us that the force whilch Sir Robert Peel created, took a long time to live down the derision which greeted its advent.

But one might continue "ad in- anitum" pointing out the features which serve to make the opera one of the most popular, If rumour does not lie... The Philharmonic

Society will present a finished and pleasing performance at the King's Theatre early in February, and it is hoped that the public will shew their appreciation of the hard work put in by the Producer. Cast and all concerned by patronising the booking office and ensuring a financial success to the venture.

P

WARNING TO SHIPPING

Waterlogged "Junk Danger To Navigation

The Harbour Master has issued the

a warning to shipping to effect

that the master of the

British steamer "King Yuan" has reported having sighted a water- logged junk while he was on his voyage to this port.

derelict The position of the which is considered to be a dan- ger to navigation is given as follows:-

Latitude 20 deg. 06 min. Narth. Longliude 110 deg. 18 min. Bart.

PROGRESS IN CHINA

Success of Mission Work

for five years. The taxes on meat,

milk wool. potatoes, sunflower seeds. Bax, vegetables and soya

cancelled-again

beans are - also for ten and five years respectively. The cancellation applies, to the whole coastal zone facing Japan and further north

Collective fishermen and collec- tive peasants who fish on their own account will be paid 20 per cent. more for their catch. These privileges take effect on Jan. 1"and" sre officially justified by the "great flow of einigrants" to the" Far East and the need to make life easier for them:

FREEMASONRY IN 1933

53 New Lodges

(Special Air-Mail Service)

London, January 2. Firty-three new Lodges under the Grand Lodge-of-England were officially announced during last year, seventeen" being in the Lon- don area, thirty in the provinces, and six overseas.

The total number of Lodges now working under the English Con- stitution is 4,754, London having 1,168, the provinces and Wales 2,870.

Since the Grand Master, the Duke of Connaught, was installed. in July, 1901, there have been 2,576 new Lodges' formed.

"BABES IN THE WOOD"

Pantomime Is Well Received

Babes in the Wood" a panto- mime produced by the European YMC.A. Amaieur Dramatic Club was given at the YMCA. last even- ing. Those who have seen Walt.

at Disney's cartoon the King's Theatre recently can well imagine what an excellent show it is, and, although the "Y" players would (Special Air-Mail Service)

be the last to consider their effort in th- ame fight with Disney's London, January 2.

en, they nevertheless de- "The Rev. Arthur Taylor, Scot- magic

fine performance. Those who saw Mission, preaching yesterday in

'evening" will Do Renfield Street Church. Glasgow, the show last

doubt hope there will be more of reviewed the trend of events in

He this China during the past year.

kind to be held. and the committee and organisers are to be congratulated for the initial

came a series of £25 cheques, then TRAGEDY AT SEA tish secretary of the China Inland serve the greatest merit for their

Afteens" (started by Lord Derby), ther tens (headed by the Duke of York who was laughing in open

r,

admiration), and another ten Naval Officer Found

from Lord Derby...

"I then pointed the launch out to him which I had seen was not sunk and was drifting a short distance away. I told him to see

"Think of it," cried the Earl in if anything could be done for this ringing voice," "you've only to win launch while I kept my eye on the the Derby next year"-and here lighter. Nothing could be done he waved a genial hand in the for her and she sank at 7.45 pm direction of his sportsman friend with the Mawam Red Light being and you will get it all back south-east about one cable's dis-¦ tance. At the time of the colll-

I

sion the Mawam Red Light was bearing N36E from the ship about three-quarters'. cable distance, got my boat on board and took the lighter in tow and brought back to Hongkong.

Coxswain's Story,

11

Shot

The tragic news of the death of Lientenant D. E. Gillespie the most junior officer of H.M.S. Verity, which again.", The laughter that this occurred night before last, must have quip aroused set the wheel of far-coms as a shock to his many friends. tune going once more, and a Strict se recy is being preserved by stream of £5 notes and cheques the naval authorities for the present kept the game, of persuasion but it is understood that investiga alive in a worthy cause.

tions made on board after the firing of a shot had been heard revealed the Lord Beatty then,, announced dead body of Sub Lieutenant D. E that if Lord Wakefield would Gillespie

Report has it that the death was Mr. Percy Trenton would double due to suicide, but no information is his £500, and cheers drowned the yet available from authoritative quar- Test.

It is understood that HMS. Verity was returning to Hongkong when the shooting occurred. She is now lying alongside the wall at the Dockyard.

double his gift af 1,000 guineas,

Shower of Notes..

tere.

*

Investigations.

stated that despite the unsatis

factory conditions in some parts

FASCISM IN HONG KONG

of China, especially in Easternį success. Szechwan and the Province of ·A full-report of the pantomime Kiangsi, where the activities of will appear in tomorrow's issue. Reds had necessitated the evacua- tion of many mission stations, it had been a year of good progress. The baptisms up till the time the figures for 1933) had last been re- ceived were actually 1200 more than in the corresponding perlod for 1932, while large areas of the

had enjoyed ́a country

great The picture which the majority measure of peace and tranquillity:

of people in Great Biltain and

Preliminary Meeting At Peninsula Hotel

A new institution nas been creat- ed lately in Hong Kong, by the foundation of the. Circolo Fascists.

other Western countries had of China being a land overrun with brigands was not altogether cordi Cultura whose main object is rect, although it was still true of several districts where conditions were deplorable.

the furthering and spreading of the Italian culture in Hong Kong and South China..

The fast lecture will be held on

Tain Fat, coxswain of the "Tom- my Atkins" said he was proceed- ing from Castle Peak to Hongkong towing a lighter. At about 7.30 p.m. in the neighbourhood of Cap-

A cataract of £1 notes follow sumun Pass he kept close to the ed: For the next twenty minutes mainland, shore. He noticed a

That China was progressing was people flocked to the top table,

In the preliminary meeting will clearly evident from the fact that held by the Italian community at steamer on the other side of the while the great Egyptian Hall of

transport facilitles нете con- Pass coming from Hongkong. He the Mansion House hummed with A naval inquiry was held on board tinually being greatly improved.

the Peninsula Hotel on the 18th gave two blasts as he headed to a murmur of approval,

H.M.9. Keppel yesterday afternoon, and that from the viewpoint of sketched of the activity of the Instant, a programme has been wards Tsun Wan. At the time his At the finish Lord-- Beatty (an- the presiding officer being Captain material things China was de Circolo A speed was approximately twonounced that the total amount C.H.G. Benson; D.S.O., of B.M.B. veloping and progressing, possibly knots. The steamer did not alter now reached £9,300-and more Cumberland. 1:a course so be again blew his still coming in" he added trium-

The naval authorities decline i much faster than Western nations February 27 (Saturday) by Mr. G. either realised or appreciated. In P. de Martin, M.BE., former whistle and altered his own phantly. As he spoke, a cheque disclose further information but wo

some areas “Old China" had to- course a little to port. The Kwong for another £50 came in from an have learned that Lieutenant Gillespie day completely vanished, and Inspector General of Education in Fook Cheung answered with two anonymous donor, and before the

was found with a gunshot wound in

Hong Kong, on the subject "Im- blaste which he took to mean that night was at an end, the five- the head, the shooting occurring while New China," with, however, many pressions of Italy in the Year XI." The second lecture will be H.M.S.Verity was engaged in a piracy undesirable features, had taken its place, with the result that licence

held by Rev. Father G. Braga, The destroyer camo

China to-day constituted one of Superior of the Balesian Institute Warden)- ́ ́ and ⠀ Sir, Courtauld Sub-Lieutenant Gillespie, who was the most dangerous countries in in China, on "The Missionary Life Thomson (Hon. Treasurer) valged promoted to his rank in 1932 joined the world for missionary activity, in China, the third one alad in the cordial thanks of the govern- the Verity on the China Station in yet despite this fact 35 new English by Commandatore A ing body, and Sir Courtauld, pro- February last yearm ti

workers from the home countries Bianconi the Italian Consul Gen- .onRer. posed a vote of thanks to the The funeral will take place this reached. Shanghai during the tal in South China Lord Mayor which awoke the morning, leaving the Naval Hospital autumn and were now studying in Father Matteo Ricci and the echoes with its enthusiast

at Webchai at ten o'clock.

the Society's Language Schools. Jesuits in China."

the other vessel was altering its figure, sum he had indicated was patrol ät Bias Bay into port with was being mistaken for liberty.

course, but it still came on He practically assured. aignalled to the engine room for Sir Reginald Kennedy-Cux (Hon. the body and to report on the incident. more speed ahead and at the same time gave two blasts. Then the collision occurred..

Court's Finding: After a retirement of half an hour the finding of the Court was read as follows:-We and that the

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