1939-08-01 — Page 7

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

GENERAL

TRIAL OF SUB-INSPECTOR J. EDWARDS: INTERPRETER IS GRANTED CONDITIONAL PARDON: GIVES EVIDENCE OF ALLEGED “SQUEEZE”

TURNING KING'S EVIDENCE, Un Shul-ki, ex-police interpreter previously stationed at Hunghom, levelled accusations against his former superior, Sub-Inspector Joseph Herbert Edward Edwards, in the course of the hearing at the Criminal Sessions yesterday of the case against the latter, on a charge of having demanded money with menaces from one Lau Hel-yuk, No. 1 carpenter at Kowloon Dock, and a kai-fong of Hunghom.

Un had originally been charged on the same count, but, as the result of an application by Mr. J. Whyatt.. Crown Counsel, made when the case came before His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Atholl MacGregor, yesterday morning, he was granted a pardon subject to his giving truthful evidence.

In the course of his testimony, Un alleged that, though it was he who had done the talking, at the conversation when money had been demanded from Lau, he had been acting with, and on the authorisa- tion of Edwards.

He further alleged that to the relevant part of his evi some time towards the end of dence. he said that following his last year defendant had talk-arrival at the police station with ed to him about being of a bus conductor who had accused help to each other so that him of passing bad coins, he

Was kept

the dock they could make a little

from 8 am, to a little after 10 am, money."

when he was taken to the detec- tive room by Un.

The following jury were empanelled for the case: Messrs. J. F. Robinson, W. H. R. Schmidt, G. S. Rodger, Khoo Hong-tsau, "Kwok Tul- lo, W. Kan Po-chol, and O. A. O. D. Barretto.

"Edwards came in shortly after wards. After we were seated round the table, the following conversa- tion ensued:

HIGH BIDDING

AT SALES OF CROWN LAND

High bidding featured the Crown Land sales held at the Land Office

ROBBERY, MURDER ALLEGED

a

SIX MEN SENT TO SESSION.

Committal proceedings on charge of the murder of Hong and robbery on board a trading junt in British waters were con- cluded at the Kowloon Maglitracy yesterday before Mr. E. Hims- worth when six men, Tso Lam, 30. Lus, 30, Li Wan-cheung, and Chan Leung Kam 22, Li Fuk, 28, Chan

yesterday."

Kam, 27, were committed to the New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 705,

ht wing Hong

Criminal Sessions. situated street, Lai Chi Kok, and contain yesterday and stated that on May Sgt. C. Medley gave evidence

ing an area of about 30,000 square 22, he was on board Police launch feet, was sold for $16.200. The No. 3, when he received Instruc upset price was $9,000. Messrs. Iptions to proceed to Ma Wai Vil- Mun and Chow Chung Man, of

lage, where be found a junk No. 23. Des Voeux Road West, first

abandoned, with a cargo of grass "Un said: "The Inspector says floor, were the purchasers

mata and mattings. There was no your cas. is a very serious one. Two joint New Kowloon Inland one on board.

Witness Edwards is defended by Mr. You will not be allowed ball nor Lot Nos. 2711, and 2712, located in

proceeded to" rive H. G. Sheldon, K.C., instruct you be allowed to pay a fine. Cheung Sha Wan, with a total area evidence of arrest, in the course, ed by Mr. G. S. Hugh-Jones, You will be sent for trial to- of 29.382 square feet, were sold to of which He stated that third de- morrow and you will be sentenced Mr. L Shum, acting on behalf of fendant produced a waterproof of Messrs. Wilkinson and

to three years imprisonment, Do Mr. Chan How-ming, of No. 18, Un bag, which contained three rounds Grist.

you want the Inspector to settle Chow Street, The upset price of of 38 ammunition and: 38 rounda the matter for you here and how? the two lots was $19,878.

of .303 rifle ammunition, together VI shid: 'Very good."

The Inland Lot No. 5537. situated at with

hand grenades. "Then Un replied; If you want Wong Nel Chung. Happy Valley hand grenades were ordered by the Inspector to settle the matter was sold at $15,150, nearly 100 per Insp. Cunningham to be dumped you must give him some money cent. above the upset price of into the sea. for wine."

Making the application for a -conditional pardon for Un, Mr. Whyatt referred His Lordship to Section 104 of the Procedure Ordi-

nance, 1899.

The charge against Edwards was read! He pleaded not guilty

CROWN'S OPENING

Mr. Whyatt said Edwards was a member of the Hongkong Police Force, having attained the rank of Sub-Inspector, and at the time of the alleged offence he was officer in charge of the Hunghom Police

Station.

"

The allegation against him was that on April 23 he demanded with menaces $120 from a man named

"I answered: "How much am to pay?'

Un replied: "As you like.". "I said: For such a small mat- ter like this I will offer $20 to $30.1

"Un looked at me in surprise and said: 'Do you consider that $30 a great amount? With $30 you wish to wash away your three years' imprisonment,'

"I again asked: 'How much am

I to spend before it will do?'

"Un said: At least $120 before

Lau Hel-yuk. That allegation was the matter can be settled." framed in legal phraseology as it "I said I haven't got so much must be, but in vernacular lan-money here. guage It amounted to a demand for squeeze from Lau on condition that no charge would be preferred against him,

"Un replied:

"We can go out.

two

$7,950. Mr. Fung Chak-wan and Sub-Insp. R. Cunningham also Mr. Lo Man-chuen, c/o J. S. Gib-gave evidence... „son, Architect, were the joint pur-

chasers.

dence as regards Edwards is totally untrue--I say it is all true.

You know Wong Wing?-Yes, he is a kal-fong.

Chan Nam, 45, master of Kwong Shing Loong grocery shop, at Ma Wan, said that he was returning from Hongkong at about 6 p.m.. when he saw a junk moored with cargo on board which was covered.

a

.

All defendants denied the alle- gations of murder. but admitted the robbery.

1

THE BRIDGE”

Wah Yan Past Students' Assocn. Publication

And he was sent for by Edwards to identify Lau at the same time that Edwards told you to take Lau to the detective's office?--I did not know what he wanted Wong for. He only asked me to send for him. So it your story is true does it and test f

not strike you as peculiar that Ed- Questioning the witness, Mr. wards should extract money after Whyatt asked; During the cover-ending for Wong, who might have sation with Un did Edwards say arrived at any moment--I did not anything?

know why he sent for wông at

"A bridge of understanding and the gap between Witness I did not notice whe-that time, because he always sent hope, bridging ther he said anything to the inter-for him.

the past and the present, the preter..

It would be awkward for Edwards known and the unknown." Whilst the interpreter was talk-and you It Wong had walked in ing to me I was rather confused while you two were extracting

Mr. Sheldon: You had known money?- that should have hap Continuing Mr. Whyatt said: ' Un before this matter ärose?-1pened it was his business. "When Un entered the charge had seen him before. Room he saw Lau in the dock, and a |

Lau Hel-yuk, was an ordinary member of the public who had the misfortune to be detained in Hung- hom Police Station on suspicion of having passed bad tea-cent pieces, He was unfortunate because he was a kat-fong of Hunghom, a No. 1 carpenter. In Kowloon Docks and in fact was quite eminent in that district.

"CLEAR FACTS"

These few words taken from the editorial comment have done more to introduce the Wah Yan Past Students Association's publication than anything reviewers can think or.

"The Bridge," a truly appro- About the conversation in the few minutes later took him to the detective's room, did Edwards' say witness said the details of the con- the Asscelation are borne in mind, In answer to further questions priate name when the objects of cetectives' room. Edwards followed anything to Un from the time you versation at the table were not is an within a minute, but went by an-sat down till the time you got up? very clear in his mind, but he was This effort is all the more praise

excellent literary effort. other route.

-I did not hear any conversation quite clear that after the sum of worthy when it is" realized that "They sat around a- table, and between them.

$20-$30 was mentioned, he asked the Wah Yan Past Students' Asso- Un said to Lau; This is a serious

During that time were there any Edwards how much he wanted and ciation are doing their share for case. and if you go to Court you threats or any such unpleasantness the latter replied over $100. He their country in her present crisis may receive a sentence of three addressed to you by Edwards? I particularly remembered that part so that she may at last arise "free years' imprisonment. Would you did not pay any attention to him. because they were facts that were from shackles of aggression"--A like the Inspector to settle it here?'

Lau replied in the ätiative, Un. Shlu-ki sald:-'T was for clear in his mind. The interpreter then said:

Youmerly in the employ of the Hong- Questioning witness whether he must pay a sum of wine-money kong Police Force and was dismis was satisfied with the $10 which to the inspector."

sed last week. I joined the service Edwards gave him as "his share of

May 2, 1835, serving as an in-the spoils."

I was transferred to terpreter.

Mr. Sheldon asked: You betizy-. Bunghom Police Station in that ed your trust and risked a term of capacity in July last year.

imprisonment,.did you consider $10

Lay asked how much, and Un replied: “Ai you please. Lau said he would te twenty or thirty dollars but Un told him this sum won 1 not be enough. Finally they "At that time, Inspector Edwards enough? agreed to $120. Edwarda was pre- | was not there. He was transferred sent throughout the conversation there in October last as officer-in-He gave hễ that amount and I and it was impossible for him not charge.

to have heard of the bargain:

About four weeks after his

Witness I had to be satisßed.

had to accept it

Lau and Un went to the Elp transfer, Edwards had a conversa-ned?At the time he gave me chầy That means you were dissatis- Hong Guild, which was about five tion with me in his quarters in the $10. He might later on give me minute walk away, and there Lau station.

÷ more. asked the Secretary to lend him $100.

"At that time we were on fairly This was done, and the

you can answer or not as you like:

New China.

art paper.

Neatly printed, on "The Bridge" is full of much in teresting reading matter not only relating to the activities of the Association, but also political and

social subjects. It is brightly illus

trated and is a credit to the Association.

WOMAN WITH $234 BEGS

a sum of $234 was found, was A 68-year-old woman, on whom

arrested and charged with begging Mr. T. J. Houston.

win ask you, just once more, for alms, betreat Court yesterday.

money was handed to Un, The friendly terms. After being invited latter said, however, that the to drink, Edwards said to me: were you satised? I can't say In answer to the charge, she told, the Qurt that she "wanted. agreed gum was $120. Lau then "Having been transferred here. whether I was satisfied or not. took out a sie which he had, and you help me and I help you, we

You did not ask Edwards for & only one cent to buy some congee.. handed this to Un, saytag that might later and a chance of mak larger share, did you?—No.

Insp. A Kirby, who prose this was all the money he had, ing some money,****

said that the woman was fessional beggar, Un took the money.

I put it to you that the whole Mr. Whyart: What did you story of giving Edwards the $110 understand him to mean by that? is untrue, from beginning to end?-- --I understood him to mean that That is what you say. we might be able to get some

On the point as to when witness had decided to turn King's evi-

HANDED MONEY OVER "On returning to the Station, Un handed the money to Edwards, squeeze.. who took $100, leaving $10 for Un, Witness gave evidence of when dence, counsel asked: Did you or "When Lau and Un went to the Lan was brought to the police did you not know that the evidence Club, there were several members station and the subsequent con- which you would give for the pro- present, and on seeing what hapversation, Witness also described necution would be evidence tending pened, they had a discussion, the how he went with Lau, got the towards the conviction of Edwarda, upshot of which was that Lau was taken to see ldr: Loseby the follow money, returned to the station and because that was the only evidence

reported to defendant, who hept which would interest the prosecu

ing day by one of the members, $100 and gave him $10 for himself. tion-I meant to tell the court who was a client of the latter...

"Mr. Loseby informed the police, and, following, investigation, Arst

Un and then Eduarda was arrest

ed."

EVIDENCE CALLED

Cross Examination

Mr. Sheldon: Do you speak good English? Not very good, N

In order that there might not First important Crown witness be any misunderstanding, I am go called was Lou Hel-yuk. Coming ing to my right now that your evi

exactly what happened I was simply telling the truth, that is all;

pro-

A fine of $25, or a month's im prisonment, in default, was im- posed.

cide the effect of my evidence, not

and it is for His Lordship to da "NIKS"

for me.

Following re-examination by the Crown, the hearing was adjourned till this morning.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1939.-PAGE

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