POLICE
(Contd.)
234
811
March 7, it was reported that two Chinese villagers had been attacked and mauled by a tiger, but even then, taking into account the peasantry's propensity for exaggeration, it was thought the injuries had been inflicted by a mad dog, or at the worst an animal of the wild cat species. It was in this frame of mind that, in order to appease the clamouring villagers, Sergeant Goucher and Constable Holland ventured out on the morning of March 8 to locate the brute and kill it.
So convinced were they that the peculiar story of the villagers was exaggerated that the two police officers went on their quest very lightly armed, Sergeant Goucher carrying an ordinary shot gun and his companion a small calibre automatic revolver. Excited Chinese soon led them to a small thicket where the animal had last been seen. There was nothing to indicate the presence of a tiger until one of the Chinese threw a clod of earth into the midst of a clump of bushes. This happened just as the Sergeant was about to enter. Suddenly, with a growl, the animal sprang, fixing its claws into the shoulders of the sergeant and bearing him to the ground with such great force that his arm was broken in the fall. What might have happened to him in the next few moments can well be imagined, had not Constable Holland with great daring and at considerable risk to himself, approached and emptied his revolver into the beast. A small revolver was of course next to useless against such an animal, but it had the effect of causing it to release its victim and beat a retreat. The Chinese had cleared off in the greatest alarm, but two Indian constables hastened to the assistance of the Europeans.
Meantime the news had been conveyed to Mr. Donald Burlingham, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, who with Mr. Martin and a number of constables hastened to the scene. The injured Sergeant, who in addition to his broken arm had several huge gashes in his back and shoulders, was immediately hurried by special train to Kowloon, whence, Dr. Smalley being in attendance, he was removed to the Government Civil Hospital for treatment.
The attack upon the tiger was resumed, Messrs. Burlingham and Martin, who were adequately armed, taking the lead. Several shots were fired at the brute, which though wounded, left its lair and ferociously attacked one of the party, an Indian Constable named Ruttan Singh. Unable to dodge the infuriated animal the Indian was thrown to the ground, the tiger crouching on top of him, digging its claws into his flesh and its teeth into his head. The party closed in at once and gave the tiger the coup de grâce at short range, too late, however, to save the Indian.
The
About half-past four that afternoon the Indian, with the riddled carcase of the tiger, was brought to Kowloon, where there was a large gathering of the curious. By Police launch, the body of the Indian was conveyed to the mortuary, the feeling of elation at the destruction of the tiger being tempered by the knowledge of the death of a good public officer of some years' service.
Previous articles have dealt briefly with the history of the Police Force in Hong Kong (See 8/7/33). Of late however, much new and important data has come into my hands and I now propose to deal more fully with the establishment, organisation and growth of this highly efficient body.
On May 1, 1844, during the administration of Sir Henry Pottinger, an Ordinance providing for the establishment and regulation of a Police Force (no. 12 of 1844) was passed by the Legislative Council. And no Ordinance was ever more sorely needed. Just as pirates ruled the sea all around Hong Kong, so highway robbers and burglars seemed to have things their own way all over the island. During 1843 Government House was entered; three mercantile houses (Dent's, Jardine's and Gillespie's) were attacked in one and the same night; the Morrison Institution was plundered by robbers who carried off the Chief Superintendent's Great Seal. No European ventured abroad without a revolver and a loaded pistol was kept at night under every pillow.
Page 235
Page 236
POLICE
(Contd.)
234
811
March 7, it was reported that two Chinese villagers has been attacked and mauled by a tiger, but even then, taking into account the peasantry's propensity for exageration, it was thought the injuries had been inflicted by a mad dog, or at the worst an animal of the wild cat species. It was in this frame of mind that, in order to appease the clamouring villagers, Sergeant Goucher and Constable Holland ventured out on the morning of March 8 to locate the brute and kill it.
So convinced were they that the peculiar story of the villagers was exaggerated that the two police officers went on their quest very lightly armed, Sergeant Goucher carrying on ordinary shot gun and his companion a small calibre automatic revolver. Excited Chinese soon led them to a small thicket where the animal had last been seen. There was nothing to indicate the presence of a tiger until one of the Chinese threw a clod of earth into the midst of a clump of bushes. This happened just as the Sergeant was about to enter. Suddenly, with a growl, the animal sprang, fixing its claws into the shoulders of the sergeant and bearing him to the ground with such great force that his arm was broken in the fall. What might have happened to him in the next few moments can well be imagined, had not Constable Holland with great daring and at considerable risk to himself, approached and emptied his revolver into the beast. A small revolver · was of course next to useless against such an animal, but it had the effect of causing it to release its victim and beat a retreat. The Chinese had cleared off in the greatest alarm, but two Indian constables hastened to the assistance of the Europeans.
Meantime the news had been conveyed to Mr. Donald Burlingham, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, who with Mr. Martin and a number of constables hastened to the scene. The injured Sergeant, who in addition to his broken arm had several huge gashes in his back and shoulders, was immediately hurried ny special train to Kowloon, whence, Dr. Smalley being in attendance, he was removed to the Government Civil Hospital for treatment.
The attack upon the tiger was resumed, Messrs. Burlingham and Martin, who were adequately armed, taking the lead. Several shots were fired at the brute, which though wounded, left its lair and ferociously attacked one of the party, an Indian Constable named Ruttan Singh. Unable to dodge the infuriated animal the Indian was thrown to the ground, the tiger crouching on top of him, digging its claws into his flesh and its teeth into his head. party closed in at once and gave the tiger the coup de grace at short range
too late, however, to save the Indian.
The
About half-past four that afternoon the Indian, with the riddled carcase of the tiger, was brought to Kowloon, where there was a large gathering of the curious. By Police launch, the body of the Indian was conveyed to the mortuary, the feeling of elation at the destruction of the tiger being tempered by the knowledge of the death of a good public officer of some years' service.
Previous articles have dealt briefly with the history of the Police Force in Hong Kong (See 8/7/33). Of late however, much new and important data has come into my hands and I now propose to deal more fully with the establishment, organisation and growth of this highly efficient body.
On May 1, 1844, uring the administration of Sir Henry Pottinger, an Ordinance providing for the establishment and regulation of a Police Force (no. 12 of 1844) was passed by the Legislative Council. And no Ordinance was ever more sorely needed. Just as pirates ruled the sea all around Hong Kong, so highway robbers and burglars seemed to have things their own way all over the island. During 1843 Government House was entered; three mercantile houses (Dent's, Jardine's and Gillespie's) were attacked in one and the same night; the Morrison Institution was plundered by robbers who carried of: the Chief Superintendent's Great Seal. No European ventured abraod without a revolver and a loaded pistol was kept at night under every pillow.
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