1935-08-03 — Page 7

VERDICT OF

*

SUICIDE

39

State Of Mind Unknown

WITNESS

REBUKED

A verdict that "death was due to suicide by taking lysol" was returned by the jury empanelled at the Kowloon Magistracy yes- terday afteroon at the continued hearing of an inquiry-held to ascertain the circumstances: ttending the death of the late Sani- tary Inspector Georre Edward Roylance, who died at his residence at No. 25 Kimberley Road on July 7.

The jury Messrs. W. Sharp (foreman) L. G. V. Riberio and L J. Castilho added a rider to their verdict that they were "not in a position to express an opinion of the state of deceased's mind" from the evidence that had been given in Court.

The Coroner, Mr. E. I. Wynne-Jones concurred with the ver- dict, adding that he felt sure the jury would join with him in an expression of sympathy to the widow, Mrs. Roylance and her family,

WIDOW'S EVIDENCE Giving evidence Mrs. Emily Irene Roylance, said that she was the wife of the deceased with whom she had been married for-21 years. since September 1914. They had three children, the eldest being a boy of 20 years of age, the second a girl, 18 years of age, and the third a boy 16 years of age. eldest was the only one in employ- ment.

The

On the day of the death of her husband she went to church be- tween 6.15 and 3.30 am. Arriving late at Church she had to walt for the next service and returned home at about 8.40 a.m..

week

end. However, since the beginning of June until his death. deceased had improved.

Witness did not know what her late husband's salary was but she was accustomed to receiving $300 to $400 according to the exchange. She had had some money wher, she married.

Coroner: "Did you have any trouble about money

Witness: "He used to some money but I do not know borrow

witness continued deceased would say that he re- quired sore money to pay his debts.

what for.

Sometimes,

I

Her husband was at home, and Coroner: Mrs. Rylance, he he informed her that he had par-lef: you once or twice. Can you taken of his breakfast. At about tell us when."-

Witness replied that he left her in July last year, and March this

year. The first time he was away for a week. while during the latter period he was away for "a" fort- night.

9 o'clock he left the house for work while she had her breakfast and then laid down.

An hour and a half later she took her bath and a little while after she heard the deceased call- ed out to her. He said "see I have brought you some firewood and less for leaving you " 34

washing soap." She then went out and saw him on the veranda drinking some beer. He had an- o.her drink though she tried to stop him.

She helped him to lle down, but he had only laid down for a few minutes when he said that he wished to go out again to see Inspector Brewer,

Witness advised him hot to go, and after a little struggle put him. back to bed. He then asked for some rumi, but she remonstrated with him and asked him not to have any more..

. Deceased then said that if he could not have any more, he would take some thing else, and went to "the bathroom: There he picked up a bottle of lysol from the shelf, but witness took it away from him, returning it to where it had been removed.

NOT UNUSUAL FEATURE Witness then sobbingly related that she went down to the veranda for a rest as she was feeling very upset She laid

down for about seven or eight minutes when she heard her husband moving about the room and coughing though she paid no particular attention to the latter fact as this was not unusual.

She then rose and saw him lying on the sitting room floor. She rushed in and called to Him. but when she neared the body, she saw that the face was blue. There was a bottle of lysol next to him on the right hand side, which was half-empty. but she could not re- member whether the "cork was on the bottle,

Coroner: "Can you tell the rea-

Witness: "All for his drink.”. Deceased was friendly when so- ber, everything being forgiven and forgotten. The last time they had been to a cinema together, sald witness was in the middle of June, and the last picnic they had had together was at Castle Peak dur

ng the last public holidays.

SEPARATION TALK"

A week before the tragic day, they quarrelled again, when de- ceased suggested that they should obtain a divorce, or obtain a se- praying on her nerves." So bad paration" as his behaviour was

was this quarrel that she slept in the sitting room on a camp bed though. it was unusual during the hot months for her to sleep in the veranda. However they made up again when he came up to her.

They were married in 1914 said witness, and they all went together on his first leave (1920). years later he again went home, but this time without the family. In 1932 he again went on leave, leaving his family in Hong Kong

Seven

as on the last occasion. When he

was away he arranged that a cer- tain sum be left behind to pay for the expenses.

Witness said that she knew no- thing of what he did while in England, but when he returned he told her that he was married to another woman.

He asked her to give him some

this other. money which presumably was for

some

woman. After time, witness said that she could Do afford any further sums, so

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1935.

RETURNED BIG OPIUM HAUL WEDDING BELLS

NO DISORDER

Lack Of Evidence

The case in which Au Lam. 66 years of age, partner of the Kwong Market and his employee, Tam Lee vegetable stall at Central Kam, No. I sales man in the shop.

Goodman Carter

A pretty wedding took place at the St Andrews Church, Kowloon yesterday morning, When Miga Elsia Goodman Lud the Hey. Ronald William Carter, both mem- bers of the Church Missionary So married by Rev. J. R. Higga. ugby in Kweitin, Kwangsi "wore

Mr. 9. F. Pinna who resides on the top floor of No. 25 Kimberley Road, said that he came back from the club at about 1 p.m. and met Mrs. Roylance sitting on the stair- case, weeping. "You go and see my husband" she cried) "He is dead." He has taken some Lysol Witness who were charged with having in then rushed up and saw her his-their possession 1.360 taels of raw band lying apparently dead.

opium on July 26 last and 100 im- The bride wore a gown of "white then went upstairs and discovered porting alt oplum WILS again satin, while her dress had a neck. that his family knew nothing of heard by Mr. W. Schofield at Cen-line with long sleeves and short the tragedy, as apparently they at the conclusion of the hearing,

tral Magistracy yesterday, when culis. The veil, of fine white tulle, had all called on neighboura,

was short at the front and fell to both defendants were disch.rged the ground at the back. She car on account of lack of evidence.

ried white ginger lilies entwined with lilies of the valley.

He

In answer to the Coroner, witness said that he did nos go near, the body, but he was positive that he saw no signs of à sorder in the room.

Mr. Leo D'Almada, Sr. appeared for the first defendant, while the second was represented by Mr. F. H. Loseby. Revenue Officer A. W Grimmitt prosecuted.

At the outset of yesterday's pro-

D'Alzada, ceedings, Mr.

called Lam Wah Nap, the secretary and manager of the Chinese Vegetable Guild, The latter stated that the Kwang Lee stall, at Central Mar- ket was a member of the Guild. METHODS USED

maid,

Miss Margaret Nash, as brides

wore pale pink georgette with fine pink net hat to match and carried a bouquet of pink rosex

Deaconess Edith Couche, of Yungchow, Hunan, acted for the blue georgette dress with hat to bride'a mother. She wore a saxe

match.

The bride was given away by Dr. H. D. Matthews, whilst the duties of best man were undertaken by Mr. E. F. Selk. Assistant Secret- des-ary of the Y.M.C.A. Appropriate music was rendered on the organ by Mr. G. W. Evans.

Wong Mum 30, an assistant of David's Cafe, situated in Hankow Road, said that he knew the de- ceased, who was a regular custom- er. On the morning of the day in question. deceased came in at about 9.30 a.m. and ordered two bottles of Kirin, beer and four glasses of Younger's Ale. all of which he signed for. He also had an egg sandwich, leaving the pre-

-Witness ther. went on to mises sometime after 10

cribe the way in which the stalls. Witness saw

In general, dealt in their business, the deceased again about noon, when the latter order-

He said that the stalls had no ed a bottle of Kirin beer. Or the

means of finding out what goods to the cafe for some drinks. day previous, deceased also went they were going to receive, until the arrival of the cargo. Upon arrival of the ships, coolles would Mr. H. E. Lanepare, proprieter of a lodging house at 4c-6c Hankow go on board, where they would

3.m.

to the

After the ceremony, a reception Mrs. H. D. Matthews, .89, Water- was held at the home of Dr, and loo Road, Kowloon. On leaving for the "hueymoon. Mrs. Carter wore a pale blue crepe-de-chine dress with coat and hat to match. The bride, who is the youngest George Goodman, of Birmingham, England, was a sister at the Dud- theley Road Hospital, Birmingham. en before proceeding to the mission field to join the staff of the Church Missionary Society's Hospital at Kweilin

Road. after taking the oath be-/fnd envelopes, which would state daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. fore giving his evidence, was ask the nature and quantity of the ed by the Coroner what had he goods. Then the coolies would placed before him on the shelf of take delivery of goods the witness box, and when told places as addressed on had prepared and might easily be that it was notes that he (wimess)

velopes. referred to in evidence, was told

by the Coroner that they must be put away.

Witness, said that he had

-30

cupied the present position in the Guild for over ten years. He was well acquainted with the defend ants' stall, and during his connec- STAYED AT BOARDING HOUSE tion with the vegetable. gulld he Witness said that he saw the de- had received no complaints what- ceased on the forenoon and after-ever, concerning the Kwong Lee noon of July 6. During the former stall. period

he Saw the deceased Tang Kam, the second defend- lying on a couch in room No. 11.ant, giving evidence in the wit- the boarder of which was his house keeper. He witness concluded that the deceased was drunk at the time, as he was in a helpless state." Later in the afternoon, witness saw deceased in room No. 4. which was occupied by a family and "I greeted him."

Witness said that the deceased had stayed at his house on to occasions. The first time was from

March 10 for 18 days. July 20 and July 26 last year, and

the more recent occasion was on Witness

was informed by the deceased (on the first occasion) that he had taken these rooms because he had quarrelled with his wife. On the second Occasion deceased made witness to understand that he was going to stay for good, but ac- tually only stayed sixteen days. Deceased had said that he was compelled to return to his family by the action of his superior officers, who had informed the de- ceased that he must either go back or leave the service.

for

2

WITNESS REBUKED Witness then said that the de- ceased had informed him that he was putting in an application for pension, and showed him (witness) a paper with a badge on it

Questioned by the Coroner, wit- ness said that all he saw was a

ness box said that he slept in the market but his family lives at Shamshulpo. On July 26 last he was awakened in the morning by the two coolles who carried the two baskets to his stall. It was about 3.30 am then,

The mar-

about

accom-

Councillor and Mrs. George Car- The bridegroom, younger son of ter, of Middlesbrough, England. his ordination to the ministry of was an electrical engineer before the church of England. He is now working with the Church Missionary Society in Kwailin.

DEMANDING MONEY

* WITH MENACE

Kam were brought before Mr. Q. Two men, Wong Yan and Wan

A. A. Macfadyen at the Central Magistracy yesterday to answer the. charges of demanding $12.60 with menace and violence from Ng Lâm, a boatman on the evening of July 23 last at Murray Pier.

Det. Sergt. Fowlle prosecuted while the defence was in the hands of Mr. G. E. Lowe,

ket was not opened yet not ti 4.00 am. When awakened, witness saw the two baskets of which one contained the opium, but he had never seen them before that time. The two coolfes told him the Revenue Oficer who panied them. When one of them

Ng, Lam, the complainant giving was handing him over the

evidence said that on the night of con- algnee's letter, a Revenue Oficer July 23: the two defendants asked snatched it away from him. The

for the sum of 812.80, being fees Revenue Officer asked him where

· for entering Society by the his master was to which witness name of Tung On Wah. Having replied that he was in the ware- no money he refused to give it to. house. Witness did not personal- them and they immediately» start- ly open, the baskets Or touch them. Witness did not take the letter, so he had never reade it.

NO EVIDENCE Questioned by Mr. D'Almada, witness stated that first defendant bad nothing to do with the 'sell- ing and buying of goods undër- taken by the Kwong Lee: stall: He only looked after the cash.

Before discharging the defend- ants, His Worship remarked that In the present case, he considered

that the aplum was never in the

foolscap paper and that he be possession of the defendants. Fur-

understand that he had put in an Neved" deceased to have made him application for pension, whereupon the Coroner said "how dare you say that you knew anything about

he asked her to write to this wo- man explaining the position. After 1933 there was no further trouble. from this source.

Coroner: "Did.. he ever threaten to take his life before?"

Witness:

THREAT OF SUICIDE

...She picked up the bottle because she thought that perhaps he was not dead and would drink again. She called the boy and told him to rush upstairs and telephone for help, while she put the lysol or the bath

room; shelf. “Then I went back and found him dead." "I then went up to call somebody but I could not do it, so I sat on He was in the habit, said the the doorstep and cried."

witness to place petrol, jeyes fluid, Only the amah, boy and herself bay rum or lysol in front of him were in the house at the time. A and threatened that he would drink

one of the liquids. neighbour, Mr. Pinna arrived and found her on the doorstep and later

The her, son the police, and ambulance and various other people "camé.

THE QUARREL

In answer to the Coroner witness said that they did not quarrel to ary great extent that morning, but on the day previous deceased came home at 6 o'clock, and asked for his tin, but he was too intoxi- cated to eat very much.

He was put to bed but at 8 o'clock joined the family at dinner and attempted to eat something. He then played the gramaphone and eventually went to bed. He did not. a'eep but continued to make a noise, being finally pacified by her eldest son.

The quarrel they had had on this occasion was not any more severe than that which they had expert enced in the past, and this sort of thing had occured almost every

ITALIAN PLANE DELAYED

had completed his evidence, the Coroner sald "Mr. Lanepart; please understand one thing when you come, to a court, try to give evi- dence and not advertise yourself"

The last witness called was Chief Sanitary Inspector L. Brewer of Kowloon, who said that he the command had known the deceased for 20

ed to assanli him, striking him with cargo hooks and closed fists which caused a wound on his back under the left shoulder.

He then ran away and later re- turned to Wanchai where his boat had been taken by his fokis.

On the evening of July 26 he saw defendants agam but, he ran away. The defendants were later arrested. Further evidence was taken, after which his Worship

adjourned the nearing until 2.30. p.m. on August 6.

ther there was no evidence of im-

THEFT OF WIRE porting and that the manner in which the

goods were received

Before Mr. EL Wynne-Jones at evid-Kowloon Magistracy yesterday. LA showed that there was no ence of arrangements being made Tit-ying, allas Ll Hin, 28, unem- before hand or any intention to ployed man, was charged on nine Later again the Coroner had to

receive. His Worship added that counts of stealing a total of 51 remind witness that the Court did there was ample opportunity for lbs. of bronze telephone wire from not wish to have witness's opinion outsiders to tamper with the con-

various addresses between July 17 "Yes very often, but but the facts and when witness tents of the baskets. only when, he was drunk."

and 31, the property of the Hong Kong Telephone Company." He pleaded guilty of having stolen 24j iba and was sentenced to six months" hard labour,

Detective Due to the unfavourable weather Poyntz, stated that defendant had

Sub-Inspector conditions, the giant 32-passenger worked there, for 15 months and plane, "Savola Marchetti," under then resigned on his own accord. formerly. A.D.C. to King Victor turned to Hong Kong but did of Col Scarani, He went to the country and re- Emmanuel of Italy is unable to

return to the Company. If he cially about his private affairs. in Italian Aviation Mission at Nat casual employment. His deceased Deceased was never warned off- take off for the North to join the had, he would have been given on the morning in question just fact when his application for pen-chang. She will now in all prob father had worked for the Com- as he was preparing to go to work sion was received at the shortly before 9 o'clock.

Head ability leave on Sunday morning. pany for about 20 years. His faomce, deceased was requested to ther also was going to work and put aside his application for a ther reports from, Shanghat this Upon receipt of favourable wea-

It was stated that the wire was asked him (witness) if he wished further period. to go to work by car. Witness re-

morning, Col Scaroni took the sold it for ten cents for catty.

worth $1 per lb. and defendant piled "No. I will go by bus." These

machine from the hangar to test were the last words he spoke to

the surface of the aerodrome but his father. The latter sa'd witness

ing to-day owing to the heavy had to abandon the idea of leav was still suffering from the effects

condition of the ground. He ran 31 the previous night but was not

the plane about fifty yards on to na quarrelsome. mood.

the landing field and had to be hauled back on to the concrete runway by the tractor.

next witness called was George Edward Roylance, Jr., who said that he was the eldest son of the deceased. He saw his father

Winess came back from work at 1.16 pm and arrived home just before the Police The ambulance people and neighbours were already on the premises.***

years.

However, a day before he put in his application (which was about his own life) deceased went up to a fortnight before deceased took witness and said that he would like to retire on pension because of family trouble he was experiencing Witness replied that he had no rea- son to do so, as he (deceased) had had trouble before and everything was always made up.

Deceased then said "I cannot stand it any longer. I must get out if it, if I do not, I shall do her

He had often heard his father say that he would take his own life, but nothing was mentiuded in as well as myself" on the night before the fatal day.

Deceased, sald witness was very

distressed at the time, but perfect-

y sober.

After His Worship had addressed the jury, they retired for 15 min- utes and returned verdict as stated abovUAS

HARBOUR DEPARTMENT

The Harbour Master has issued that Monday, August 5th, having a notice to mariners to the effect

been declared as a general holiday. this offre will be closed except as under:Pe

Entry and Clearance Omce: Open from 10 am to 12 Noor Junk Omice: Open fro to 12 Woon

Mercantile Marine

DIAMOND & PLATINUM

י

ETERNITY

0000

RINGS

THE

LATEST VOGUE

IS FOR PLATINUM "

WEDDING RINGS AND DIAMOND SET ETERNITY

RINGS.

WE HAVE A FINE SELECTION OF LONDON MADE RINGS OF FINEST

QUALITY AT VERY

REASONABLE PRICES.

JEWELLERY DEPT.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

SALE

OF

COLUMBIA

AND

REGAL-ZONO

RECORDS

FROM 50 CENTS EACH.

AT

ANDERSON'S

Ice House Street.

EVERYTHING GE.C.

Tel, 21322.

ELECTRICAL

G. E. C. Radio

PRICES NOW AS BELOW

A. C. MAINS SETS

BC. 3440 5 VALVE SUPERHET BC 3180 8 VALVE SUPERHET BC 3620 3 VALVE AC/DC MAINS... (FOR LOCAL B.U. ONLY)

...

77.50

100.00

57.50

BC. 3540 6 VALVE SUPERHET À.V.C.

#110.00

BC. 3548 5 VALVE SUPERERT RADIOGRAM 200.00 BC. 3460 7 VALVE “OVERSEAS ”·

$165.00

SHORT WAVE D. C. BATTERY SET

BO. 3566 6 VALVE SUPERHET

Lese Batteries.

105.00

ALL COMPLETE WITH OSRAM VALVES

SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR

THE TROPICS:

MADE IN ENGLAND.