1934-08-18 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY

PRESS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1934.

..

MISADVENTURE VERDICT BY JURY

FLYING OFFICER MURPHY'S

DEATH ENQUIRY

Dramatic Evidence By Deceased's Servant

Death by misadventure, the discharge of the pistol being accidental, was the verdlet refurned by à jury at the Coroner's "Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of George Robert Murphy, Flying Oficer and late Adjutant to the Royal Air Force, who, died as a result of a ballet wound in the left chest an the evening of August 9 at the Kowloon Hospital.

Mr. E. Wynne-Jones sat as Coroner, while the Jury was comprised of Mr. A. H. Harbord (foreman), Mr. A. P. Brown and Mr. Jao Yu Nee..

Mr. Prent appeared on behalf of the Air Ministry while Inspector E. G. Post conducted the inquiry on behalf of the Crown.

Inspector E., Post of Kowloon City Poilçe Station in the witness box said: "At about 7.30 pm. on August 9 I was informed by the Tuspector on Duty of a message from Field Cottage, Kai Tak Aero- drome and immediately went to Kal Tak Aerodrome where in a room on the second floor I saw a European sitting in a chair facing his writing table. I made a sketch of the room and of the front window

"I entered the room again and commenced to make one parcel out of his uniform, shoes and ac cessories when he again pulled the revolver out, this time from his trousers pocket and motioned me to get away. I looked at him and he appeared to have tears starting in his eyes. I went down- stairs and told the No. 1 Boy about Mr. Murphy's behaviour. The No.

Boy saw Mr. Summers and told him to go and see what was the matter. Then Mr. Summers went upstairs. When he had got half way I heard two bangs as if coni-

ing from a gun. The two bangs were separated by about 2 seconds and did not immediately follow one another. I did not go upstairs again but stood inside the bar."

In answer to Mr. Wynne-Jones |witness said, “Master did not keep the gun wrapped up and it was always loaded. . I was always afraid to touch it.

"Get Ont"

From a standing position and fring from shoulder high, I fred Cross-examined by Mr. Prentls three rounds of similar ammunt-through His Worship, witness said Lion supplied by Warrant Ofter he was always afraid to touch the Herbert. The first shell fell 13 revolver. feet to my left rear, the second shell fell 9.2 feet to my right rear while the third shell fell 7.10 feet to my left rear, the shells being ejected over my head.

I also fired three shots from squatting position as it fired from a chair. The Arst shell fell ont

The Europear. In the chair was at my feet after describing a small dressed in mufti and was bleed-loop. the second shell tell to my ing from the chest, there being -a | immediate right and the third large hole in the left lapel of his shell fell 3.8 feet to my left rear, coat which appeared to have been fired the gun which had a very

made by a bullet.

On the right of the chair on the floor was an automatic pistol and rear is an empty shell case of 455 † calibre. To the left of the chair I saw a second empty shell case and on the writing table I found a bullet.

Witness said he had watched his .overy movement and

master's

YOUR VIEWS

VIEWS AND MINE!

A

Weekly Column of

Local Gossip

By The Scout

THE COMING OF "EVA"

Practically everyone in the Co- long has seen the new "automatic traffic signal at the junction of Peddar Street and Des Voeux the merits of the newcomer in 'Road, Opinion seems divided as to

our midst. Working as it does at present by changing the lights at regular intervals it does not ap pear to have failed to direct traf- fic during the rush hours, but at night when the road is absolutely clear, it is a bit trying to have the red light against you. At present the time space between the chang

ng lights has not led to any big confusion, but when "Eva" is in proper working order and when the light changes according to the flow of the traffic, we may be in a better position to judge whether it will or will not give satisfaction.

when his master drew the revolver from his trouser pocket, he looked the deceased in the eyes, the la- | JUVENILE REMAND HOME ter saying, "Get Out."

From the acounts appearing in the papers of the work that is done

Mr. Prentls: I put it to you that when you say you saw Mr. Murphy at the Juvenile Remand Home it wathering in his eyes, you were look very distressed with tears

would appear that some of the boy's sent there will leave the home. imagining these things?

after having learned a useful trade. The list of rattan articles

noted him in the eyes which ap- Witness: No, that is not so, I

which they are able to make is a

heavy pull, heavler than the Pollpeared to be zed. I pever, saw him lengthy one and it is hoped that

revolver.

Speaking of the night in ques- tion, "witness sald-

I saw a glass of beer on the writing table, it was three-quar- ters full. The deceased's left hand was resting on his thigh while his right hand was hanging over the right arm of the chair.

Dr.

Medical

Immediately so the rear of the chair I found a broken back chair support and a similar object to the

Doctor's Evidence... right rear of the chair. The wooden chair had a movable back.omcer of the Kowloon Hospital

Smalley, Sexkor The man in the chair was unsaid he saw the deceased who was conscious and with assistance admitted to hospital at 7.45 p.. removed him into the passage on August 9. Continuing, witness way and at the same time in-. structed the ambulance men there to render first aid.

A pad was put on the wound in the chest and the European was removed downstairs and taken to the hospital in a RAF ambulance I accompanied the man to the hospital in the ambulance and saw him at the Hospital when he was still alive.

.

At 10 a.m. on the morning of August 10 I identified the body at

said:

WES

suffering

like this before.

Lel Sung, No. 1 Boy at Field

he had been working at the Royal Cottage, Kal Tak Aerodromne said

Air Force Mess for the past six years.

He corroborated the last wit- ness's evidence from the time he was told of Mr. Murphy's be- haviour.

Murphy's room following the shots, "After we had arrived in Mr.

Mr. Summers said, 'What's the matter George?' hut Mr. Murphy only groaned and said "Oh, Oh. “ Small Operation

"The deceased from a bullet wound in the left chest near the outside of the Summers said: I met the deceased The next witness Mr. A. W. nipple. The exit wound at the in February and went out with back of the chest was at the same him quite frequently. On August level as the entry wound and pass- I met him at 12.30 p.m. at the ed through the scapular. The de- Hong Kong Hotel and we had tiffin ceased was semi-unconscious and together. not able to speak. He had pro- fuse hemorrhage at 9.45 p.m. just before he died.

He told me he was due at the Royal Naval Hospital at about p.m. and asked me it I would care The cause of death was a bullet to accompany him there, I said the Kowloon Mortory in the prewound in the left lung, bemor-I would and we arranged to meet sence of Warrant Officer Hebert rhage and cardinal failure. Just at the Hong Kong Hotel at 5 p.m. and Dr. Smalley.":

before the end the deceased waWe met at the pre-arranged time coughing up blood.

and then came over to Kowloon,

The Room Reverting to the room, Inspector Post said: At the back of the chalr mentioned the woodwork was pierced as if a bullet had passed through. There was only one hole in the chair and it appeared to take a downward course.

1

At the rear of the chair was a mark on the floor-about a yard away-which appeared to be made by a bullet in line with the hole in the back of the chair.

On the wall to the rear of the chair and about 9 feet high was another mark which showed the course of the bullet. On the win- dow casing of the right hand front window was a chip which had the appearance that it was made by a bullet.

The window mark resembled, a chip while the mark on the floor to the rear of the chair looked more like a dent. The height from the floor to the window casing was 46 inches.

There was an iron bed in front of the window and the head rail of the bed was the same height as the mark on the window. There were no marks on the bed rails,

The bullet was fired fairly close

We arrived at the Aerodrome to the body, there being a scorch-shortly after 5.30 p.m. or there.

ing of the nesh. The pistol was abouts when he gave me a maga- probably fired from half to three zine and told me to wait for Him quarters of an inch away.

The body was identified at the hospital mortuary the nex morn ing by W. O. Hebert and Inspector rost...

Lee

as he had to pick up his "gear." As it was warn I sat outside and

witness coming up the next thing I knew was the last

to me and asking me if I would go and see Seck, deceased's personal what was the matter with Mr. buy said he had been in Flying Murphy, and repeated the third Officer Murphy's employ since witness' story. February.

I started to go up the stairs and "On the morning of August, when about half way heard the the deceased went to work at the sound of a shot and a second shot came back at a second or two later. I called out usual time and about 10.30 a.m. to change in to and got no reply. I then sum. mufti. He went out again and at moned the No. 1 Boy and the two about 2.15 p.m. telephoned to the of us went upstairs together. No. 1 Boy whom he instructed Mr. Murphy was sitting in a and pistol, which was to have right lapel of his jacket was a big to tell me to pack his uniform chair facing his desk and in the been ready by 5 o'clock.

hole his chest being covered in "I packed his uniform and ac. blood. He groaned but could not cessories but did not touch the speak. I saw an automatic pistol pistol for I was afraid it might to the left of the chair. beloaded.

those who desire to place an or- der for chairs, settees or small tables with get in touch with Mr. of The Remand Home, C. P. Fallon the Superintendent I have been assured by one of the report ers who visited the Home during the week that the articles turned out by the boys are quite good and will not suffer by comparison with similar articles offered in the shops of Hong Kong. Hong Kong will be sending up to M, DE LA PRÁDE..

Although it is rather iste in the day to write about M. Dútuare de La Prade yet I think some men-

popularity in which the former tion must be made by me of the

French Consul in Hong Kong, was held. Both at the "Farewell' at the Hong Kong Hotel and at the

social

"At Home" on the D'Artagnan there was a very large assembly of M. de la Prade's friends. The former French Consul in Hong Kong while enjoying the friend- ship and esteem of a large circle of people in official arid circles, was at the same time a great friend of the Press, to mem- bers of which, he had been from time to time most helpful. His de- parture creates a gap which wil be very hard to BJL

CHINESE HOUSES

The proposal by the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. J. M. Gray with regard to the construction of

L

proper latrines in Chinese houses must have the approval of all re- aldents who are familiar with conditions as they exist in some Chinese tenements.

In the case of some of the poor- er classes the demand for space within a house is so great that no provision whatever is made for sanitary purposes.. It seems to me to be a waste of time to teach the principles of hygiene to boys and girls who are compelled by circumstances to live in houses such as those described above. When one considers the over--| crowding which exists in some of the tenements, and couple that fact with inadequate latrine ac- commodation, it is really remark- able how these people manage to remain in good health! The mo- tion is a move in the right direc- Boa

THE "HEAT WAVE

Hong Kong has much to con- gratulate itself over this year. While other places are sweltering under the heat we are enjoying comparatively cool weather. The rain, of which we have had such an abundance, this season appears to have been pretty scarce further North where the Arst effects of a drought are being felt. Although we are now well past the middle of August we have not had a

thing considered it must be con- typhoon to speak of arid every-

ceded that we have been pretty fortunate this year, so far as the weather is concerned. Our re- servoirs are filling. but the crops In the New Territories may suffer if the summer proves too "wet."

THE INTERPORTS

At the beginning of next month, Shanghai, two interport teams. one to represent Hong Kong in lawn bowls and the other to try and wrest the aquatic honours from the Northern part for Hong Kong. The bowlers will, from all accounts, have a buy time up in the North, for the Shanghai bowl. ers, so I am told, are not a whit less hospitable than their counter- parts in Hong Kong, and have ar- ranged a delightful programme of entertainment for the Hong Kong team. The swimmers have a very gruelling time ahead of them, but from the encouraging reports of the trials there is every prospect of Hong Kong coming away with flying colours. In October, the Hong Kong-Shanghal cricket match will take place at the Northern port and they will once more be" hosts to "our representa- tives. Next year it will be Hong

King's turn to play hosts--and

foot the bill

I was called to the scene by a cer Murphy was a Canadian from telephone message from Mr. Sum a very rough part of the country mers. When I arrived I saw Mr. where firearms are habitually car- ried. He woula be the sort of per- Murphy sitting in the chair and

son to want to take his pistol to gave instructions that nothing was to be touched. Fost had picked up the automatic, mess where it might be dangerous. After Inspector | hospital rather than leave it in the examined it and found it to be empty. There could only have been two shots in the magazine.

Two-days" after the Incident... I was packing Mr. Murphy's belong- cartridge cases, and two live rounds inga when I came upon 30 empty

of ammunition. The ammunition issued in boxes of seven to All a magazine.

Gross-examined by Mr. Préntis witness said the deceased would have almost certainly unloaded the gun before putting it into his bag to take to Hospital It was quite Hikely that while unloading it, the gun accidentally went off. In his address to the jury Mr. Wynne-Jopeś šald it was fairly clear that the weapon was dis- Squadron Leader C. R. Keary, charged by the deceased himself Questioned by Mr. Wynne-Jones said he was officer Commanding and it was up to the jury to de- "Tears In Rig Eyes"

witness said: At tiffin he was in the Royal Air Force at Kai Tak.cide whether it was accidental of normal spirits and was discussing The deceased was a Flying Officer deliberate. There was no appar- "Shortly after 8 pan. Mr. Mur-aviation in China. He seemed very and Adjutant from February, He ent reason in the evidence to show I took up a siting position in phy came home with a friend, Mr. keen about staying out here and was on a short service Commis why he should have attempted to the chair and found the rail of the Summers and asked me every going into Commercial Aviation son and had about 14 years to do shoot himself. On the other hand bed and the mark in the window thing was packed. I said 'Yes' after leaving the Service. Going to complete his Commission. Rothe revolver was unloaded in a casing exactly in line with the and told him what I had packed out to Kal Tak he was quite was a very excellent Adjutant and manner not Pertaining to à man eye. From the appearance of the for him.

normal and even discussed his one of the best officers I've ever well trainéd in the use of firearing mark on the window casing the

"He asked me to get haa

entry into hospital for a small had under me. He was past the and the wound could only have path of the bulley appeared to be whiskey but I told him there was operation which would not detain age for a full commission.

been caused by the revolver being horizontal

none. He then ordered a beer to

him for more than ten days.

I was at the United Services Re-held against and near the front Asked to give his own opinion of be brought up to him.

He was of sober habits and was creation Club when the message of the body when the unloading how the bullet came to be resting on the table, Inmector Post Bald. Mr. Murphy put the bottle of very keen on all manner of sports recalling me to the hospital came process was taking plate..

through. I can imagine- no "rea" son whatsoever for him wanting

All his private papers were ex- amined and no will or insurance of any kind was traced either here or In England.

| and was very keen on keeping-At- the bullet on the table probably beer on the table and then took cat offer no suggestion as to went through the body through his revolver from out of one of the why he should attempt to shoot to shot himself. the back of the chair, hit the dryers and as a standing very himself, floor a yard to the rear of the window and as I was standing very chair and glanced up to the wall near to the hand which held the from where it rebounded back to Bun, I became frightened and ran the writing desk. On August 15, to the door. From the door I saw I carried out certain tests with the him put the pistol in his right actual pistol which was found.

trousers pocket..

The deceased was a very well

trained omcer and the suggestion of accidental death seems Incredi- ble by a man so conversanturi the use of arms, i

The jury after a ten minutes de- " liberation returned a verdict off death by misadventitre, the dis- charge of the pistol "being a0-

Warrant Officer A. V. Hebert ft.A.F., sald: Mr. Murphy was Ad- Jutant of the Royal Air Force. We. It is very unusual for a gun to came to the Colony at about the be loaded although I must point same time.

out in this case that Flying Off- | cidental.

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