1937-04-10 — Page 13

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1987.

Convicts And Murderers His Charges

23 Years In The Hongkong Prison Department

Sat In Dock With

Dr. Crippen!

·MR. FRANKS TELLS OF "IRENE”.

PIRATES' DESPERATE ESCAPE

DURING THE 23 YEARS HE HAS SPENT WITH THE PRISON DEPARTMENT, MR. J. W. FRANKS, THE RETIRING SUPER- INTENDENT, HAS HAD A LIFETIME OF EXCITING EXPERIENCES SUCH AS FEW MEN HAVE ENJOYED.

His connection with the department with which he has spent almost a quarter of a century terminates with his departure for Home by the P. & O, liner Cathay next Saturday.

Mr. Franks was in reminis- cent mead when interviewed by a Telegraph representative. He stated that he commenced his career under the Crown in 1895 the and his prison duties in Prison Commission, some Quice,

alarm bells. I had just reached the steps leading to the main building when two shots were fired close by. An Irish warder who left the service hortly afterwards won, standing a couple of yards away with pistol in hand. I sald 'What did you fire nt? He replied 1 saw shndow on

the wall, Sir. No doubt on this ocen in June, 1899. From the Home sion oicers would have been mur- Juice, he was urafted to art-dered had not, fortunately for them, moor Prison, where he remained the pistols and ammunition they

carrying were

been defective. He subsequently re- Warder Daniel was for some year,

but not hit, turned to the Prison Commission for a short perlod, after which he was threw Injured, and the prisoners the weapons away in disgust. appointed to Brixton Prison, and When I reached the condemned cell during his service there he had brief they were all back in it and tamely spells at Cardiff and Winchester Pri-subinitted to being searched. They were executed the following day without further Incident."

Bons,

Asked if he had, during the course of his work, come in touch with any big criminal entes, Mr. Franks stated that it was whilst he was of Curd that Crippen, the murderer, was ar- rested aboard a steamer bound for

the United States.

man, was

STILL WAITING

"

"There have been other outbreaks, and even strikes during my prison work in Hongkong," said Mr. Franks. "On one occasion we were secretly Informed that a general outbreak,

wholesale followed by

slaughter, would take place on a certain date. there Precaution were

Liken,

from the same secret source I learned that, under the circumstances, the convicts had decided to postpone the date sine die. It is still hanging over our heads." remarked Mr. Franks with a smile,

"On my return to Briston," said Mr. Franks, “Crippen, n most in offensive-looking awaiting trial. I attended the trial, and, as the Court was packed, took a seat in the box with the prisoner.

SYDNEY STREET SIECE "There were many dramatic cases during my term' at Brixton," con- tinued Mr. Franks, "including the Sydney Street affair, the murder of William Whiteley and the Clapham Common murder. Silnie Morrison, the

nm Common Clapham

and from

Mr. J. W. Franks

Science May Soon Control Pneumonia

Dr. Russell 1. Cecil, New York, announced that on the basis of 160 cases of type one pneumonia

the commonest kind-in which serum was hdministered during the first 24 hours "the death rate is cut to approximately one sixth the standard death rate for untreated type of pneu

monia.

WHAT CAN BE DONE- "When one considers that serum is now available for approximately 65 per cent. of all pneumococci pneu-

SNIPERS IN

PLACE OF

"LEAD PUMP"

SOLDIERS

RADIO BROADCAST

Dance Music from The Hongkong Hotel

Army's New Plan to RECORDED PROGRAMME

Programme Broadcast by

Make Marksmenz.BW. on wavelengths of 355 metres

"BULL'S EYE” FAILS AFTER 100 0 YEARS From A Military Correspondent

Ilythe (Kent), Apr. 1. The rifleman of the future must be a siper and not mere. ly a "lead pumper."..

This is one conclusion of the Staff of the Army Small Arms School, and as a result the War Once have tentatively, approved important innovations in mus- ketry training.

Musketry Regulations will be completely revised, for the methods now obtaining to prepare riflemen for war are, in the view of experts, obsolete.

(845 .c's.), 31,40 metres (9.62 m.c's.).

H.K.T..

12.30 p.m. Marck Weber and His Orchestra.

1'p.n. Time and Weather.

1.03 p.m. Plano Syncopation. by Patricia Rossborough,

1.10 p.m. Songs by Stuart Robert- son (Baritone).

1.30 p.m. Reuter and Rugby Press; Weather, Time and Announcements.

Variety and 1.40 p.m. Music.

Danco

2.15 p.m. Close Down. 4-7 p.m. Chinese Programme. 7 p.m. The New Mayfair Or- chestra,

Hieland Laddie (Carruthers); From Erik Charell's "White Horse Inn.": "Mother of Pearl" Selection (0. Strauss); Dicky Bird Hop (Gourley); The Clock is Playing (Blanw).

three

pm. Time, Weather and An- of nouncements. 8.03 gramme.

7.30 p.m. Stock Exchange Sum- GOAL IN SIGHT

7.35 mary and Exchange Market Report. Recital by Tito Schipa Chicago, Apr.- 5.

(Tenor), and Renee Chemet (Vio- Ultimate control of pneumonia,

A new technique, It is irged, islin).

Tenor Solo-Farewell, My Granada listed as the fifth greatest causo imperatively necessary to keep paca of death by the U. S. Bureau of with selenting development in the (Callejo-Barrera); Violin Solo-in- Rondo Capricciosa Census, may be accomplished field, primarily due to the introduc- troduction e! through earlier administration of tion of quickly moving Armoured (Saint-Saens): Tenor Solos "Don Fighting Vehicles and motorised Pasquale (Donizetti)--Fond Dream (Verdi) The scrum, the American Medical units. The new proposals involve: of Love: "Rigoletto"

One as fair as the Other: Violln Association journal reported

A new lay-out for all Command Solos--Serenade (Pierne); Serenado

and regimental ranges in the (Toselli). country: The immediate preparation

p.m. A Variety Pro.` experimental Tanges : In Commands; Ranges to be equipped with cable- Vocal-Where Yorkshire and Lan-

controlled targets representing light tanks Infantry moving cushire meet....Kitty Masters; Ac- from behind cover, sections of cord on Solo-Czardas (Monti)....

Gigelto

Casloncelli; Vocal-Peter's infantry in attack, and machine-Top keeps a Lollipop Shop: I'm an kun posts:

old Cow Hand from the Rio Grande Mr. Franks added that in all these

Shooting of unknown ranges. The Rocky MountainceEN; Hu- troubles he had had the unqualified

Tarzels la appear at irregular

morous-With her head tucked un- support of all ranks. Dring the

intervala, and at varying dis. mo

derneath her arm... Stanley Hollo war, and after it for some time, it

Solo-I've got you under tances; and

way; Piano murderer, was difficult to get the right. type of

The prospective removal of the my skin. ..Peter Yorke: Vocal- was an old acquaintance; he was amen, but when trouble came along

Small Arms School from Hythe When did you, leave beaven?; convict at Dartmoor when I was on they were all ready to do their hit

to Netheravon with a view to sing : monjas, one cannot fail to be in-

sing you a thousand love ty there." duty

Increased facilities for training of | Les Alfen; Medley of S Asked what his Impressions of By the process of elimination of un-pressed with the gap that exists

desirabics, and careful investigation between what could be done and section leaders.

}

ple's Songs by Mae Questal; Orcher- Hongkong were when he arrived before making now appointments, a what is being done for pneumonia

tra-Selection from

The

Great Zieg- here in 1913, Mr. Franks said his prison stuff lind been built up in patients," Dr. Cecil wrote.

The bull's-eye" has been thefeld Louis Levy and the Gau- first sight of Victoria Gaol made him Hongkong which, at the moment, in

soldiers' aiming mark for at least 100 mo

mont British Symphony; Chorus feel homesick. "I do not know Mr. Franks' opinion, would compare Dr. Cecil had devoted five years to years. The Staff at the Small Arms Nobody's Darlin' but mine, .The exactly what I expected to see," said with any prison staff in the world. the study of pneumonia, of which School are supported by regimental

Billies; Vocal Sweet Georgia Mr, Franks, "but as the prison had Mr. Franks added that he was glad there are 29 different types. Serums musketry experts in their contention

.Buck (Piano) and Bubbies been described as a large one with to see the new prison at Stanley have been perfected for several of that the “bull's-eye" has failed to

Solo Selection a population of between 000 and 700 completed and occupied before his the commoner varielles.

produce the Service #marksman" prisoners, 1 certainly had in my departure. mind's eye something very different

While his conclusions were derived capable of meeting present day and His Boy .HONGKONG SERVICE to the reality. However, there

Smythe....Norman Long: Vocal from studies' only

one emergencies, of type was, and I had to make the best of kong in December, 1013, as Assistant is rapidly accumulher

Mr. Franks first come to Hong-pneumonia, Dr. Cecil sald, evidence

"BATTLE. SHOOTING"

Instrumental-Maria

Mari.... that they 1930, the prison population had Superintendent of Victorin Gaol, and apply to several other types as well Training should produce a steady Kanen. Fred Astaire: Vocal-My

Septet: Vocal-Never increased to such an extent that it the whole of his service in the Early administration of the serum

heart, and Evie Hayes; Organ became necessary to open the old Colony has been in the Prison Deproduces a crisis before the patient's tons of the trained rifleman are the quarantine station at Loichikok as partment. He was appointed Super-recuperative powers have been re- ability to fire quickly at targets up-Solo-An Autumn Serenade....Re-

In intendent of Prisons in December, duced by the disease.

pearing at short and indefinite Rinald-Foort; Orchestra-Six-Eight an auxillary prison for men.

that Cortainly the crisis 1932, a much-needed new prison for 1920, and has held that position ever

intervals. And above all he must Medley....Harry Roy and His Or since. He has had a most respon- panles women was finished and occupied.

abortive pneumonia, Dr. be able to produce short bursts of

of chestra.

9.15 p.m. London-News and An- During the Great War, the prisonsible position, made all the more Ceell wrote, "often on the second or rapid fire of from five to ten rounds.

nouncements. staff in Hongkong was greatly de- onerous by the inadequate and out- third day, is just as dramalle as the Gaol, natural crisis which occurs on the

The old target under the

9.35 p.m.

Russian Music. plated

and discipline could not be of-date premises at Victoria

The Gate-Fesüval Dance-An Old the high standard His duties have been discharged with seventh or eighth day in those who scheme will be retained for the maintained at

crail's course. The second year man Waltz-A Storm....

Russinn efficiency, marked receive The careful supervision a high degree of

The necessary,

the deco

"batlle "AR understanding of

physicians can recall acutely will proceed to

shooting." Vag bonds; Russian Soldier's Song; appiled by a well-trained staff, who by a

on the The trained man will have available The Ballad of the Twelve Brigands.. recognised the necessity for it was nature of his work and the respon-ill pneumonia patients who

sibilities of his office. In his morning after receiving serum, the aiming mark to "zero" his rifle,.......Micholl Gilowsky; Broken Life,

1035,

to essentially Russian Novelty Orchestra: Mar- services were deservedly recognised insisted on telephoning their offices and will then turn by bestowal of the O.B.E, decoration, or reading the morning newspaper."

Service shooting at moving targets,| fusha; You've come back: Volga-

Waltz....Russian Novelty Orchestra. In 1916, Mr. Franks was appointed

LIMITS INFECTION

Alterations to ranges will be re-

10 p.m. Big Ben. Relny of Dance Assistant

ant Superintendent of the

quired to produce conditions ap Music from the Roof-Garden of the Police Reserve, then under the com- Early administration of the serum,

proximating to attack and defence. Hongkong Hotel. Each

will targe

be divided fufcction to one lung lobe.

longitudinally into "ring" and "target" press and laterally into "Lanes."

absent.

R

no serum.

accom-

WARDERS MURDERED ""Thero is little doubt," said Mr. Franks, "that want of close 'super- vision had something to do with the outbreak in Victoria Gaol in mand of the late Mr. F. C. Jenkin, Dr. Cecil wrote, usually Ilmits the December, 1918, when Wander. Speed and In 1010 was acting Deputy and an Indian murdered by omec convicts"

were.

KEEN GOLFER

"11 is true."

not

nów

re-

been

Gibbons

...Carroll Clo

d'alends un Navire...Lys Gnu.

4

12 midnight. Close Down,

Additional .Programme from ZE.K, on a Frequency of 840 Kllocycles, and from Z.B.W. on 31.49 Metres (9.52 Megacycles).

4.05 p.m. A running commentary by Frank Read on the Hongkong Senior Shield Final Football Match between South China "A" and the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Relayed from the Hongkong Football Club Ground, Happy Valley.

5.45 p.m. Close Down.

SUNDAY'S PROGRAMME

Studio Recital By M. Josef Lampkin

SACRED SONG RECITAL

H.K.T.

10.30 am. Relay of the Morning Service from the Union Church.

11.30 .1 Relay of the Morning Service from the Hop Yat Church, (Chinese).

were brutally Superintendent of this body. In- "If serum is given early, the area tientally, he was an occasional con- of infection in the involved lobe is to the Police Reserve Gazette sharply demarcated," he said, "and" said the convicts made and secreted during the two years of its existence. rapidly fades out. When serum is

On a standard classification range tools and cut away the lock of a cell In 1925, Mr. Franks was a member started later it often happens that each "lane" will cover a front of door. Had there been an efficient of the International Prison Commis- though an immediate crisis is induce three target frames. Each Brer and staff, this would

sion in London, on which occasion the area in the involved lobe his targets will be confined to a been detected in

probably

England time. However, he visited numerous-gaols in

size and may in- creases somewhat econ

particular "one" to ensure safety. eventually, all the four men who and Scotland.

volve the entire lobe,” escaped

all captured

Practical absence of complications ond

got hin In the past the soldier Apart from his official life, Mr. hanged in the prison from which Franks has made many contacts with from Dr. Cecil's own practice, among marked in yards. All he had to do was observed in 37 cases, selected musketry training on ranges plainly they

escaped. "At time of the escape," said Colony affairs. In his early days the 160, treated. In 78.4 per cent, of was to adjust his sights correctly for

There, he

was a keen rifle shot, having the eases which received serum only the range engaged. Consequently. Mr. Franks, "we had temporary previously, in his youth, been a

Meers who could hardly be expect-marksmart in the West London Rifles, one lobe was infected.. ed to realise the responsibilities of and was once chosen to represent the

when he found himself in unknown The opportunity to give scrum to country a new set of circumstances their duties About two hours before Colony against Shinghal. He patients with type one pneumonia, confronted him, and in warfare the outbreak, I paid a surprise visit played a good deal tennis and did itself during the first 24 hours of the cause the rifleman had

Dr. Cecil said, does not often present much of the shooting was wild be and stood in the ward in which the moderately well at billiards, whilst disease. With the increased use of accustomed to judging distance. conspirators were located.

he is one of the Colony's best-known rapid typing methods, however, there NARROW ESCAPE

contract bridge players,

is no reason why more pneumonia SELECTION OF TARGETS "With me 'was Warder Speed, who

patients should not receive early

Under the new regulations judging reported that an unusual noise had

A member of the Hongkong Club, therapy, he said. been heard. We both agreed that it the Hongkong Cricket Club and the

"the doctor stated, "that distance will be an essential require was probably the wind disturbing Royal Hongkong Galt Club for over type three present certain dificulties, ment for the status of "marksman." the shutter of the ward window. twenty years, Mr. Franks was for

but figures

already at hand show The soldier will also be trained to learned later that, at the time, the lengthy

the other types amenable to serum select his target--to use his initiative a member of four men who escaped were in one

tee of the last-named therapy. No doubt in time investiga~ | and to observe his fire, el

12.16 p.m. Haydn's Quartet in cell with the door unlocked and arm- and convener we Ucep Water Boy! tors will be able to demonstrate for

In the past he has been trained to with Sub-Committee *whilst for brief other types what can now be proved Spoed. Whether they would have

killed mm

ave period in 1910 he acted as Hon, for type one, namely that early and Aro 15 aimed shots per minute. In Major, Op. 76, No. 4, played by

socia adequate use of anti-pneumococus future fewer limed show and prenter The Prisca Quartet.

1st Movement-Allegro con spirito; killed us bath had we tried the celltary of Uie Club. is, socia paratively mild infection United accuracy will be expected, while

with his old friend, Mr. F J. de

reloading will take place while the 2nd Movement-Adagio; 3rd Move- Movement- ment-Menuett; 4th doors and discovered them, I don't Rome, MB.E., and Happy Valley golf Prens.

rifle remains at the shoulder.

Allegro ma non troppo. revolver was in its holster, but you Pranks was also a member of the husband on their return to England, The removal of the Small Arms 12.35. pm. Madrid Symphony. 1. "Suite Iberla". never can tell with Chinese of that .S.R.C. until family ties and resi- has done a lot of quiet and useful School (Hythe Wing) to Netheravon Orchestra. type. The fact that they had been dence on The Peak made it difficult work for both the Prison Staff and (Sallabury Plain) will not take place (Albeniz, arr. Arbos). alscovered may have induced them

for him to make anything but casual the prisoners during her residence in immediately. This School in divided Part 1-Triana; Fart 2-Triana; to give up the attempt.”

use of the Club. He was a member Hongkong. For some years she; with Into three-Wings with Headquarters Part 3.-El Corpus en Sevilla; Part PIRATES' BID, FOR FREEDOM

of the Peace Celebrations Committee other ladies, attended the Female at Netheravon. The leddquarters 4El Corpus en Sevilla; Part 5-

(Continued on Page 14.)" Asked if he could recall any in-after the Great War and was a Prison at Victoria Gaol, to instruct Wing deals with the machine-guu stances in which prisoners condemn-1008, being in charge, with Captain been the Prison branch secretary of Wing is at Winterbourne Gunner, member of the big ralliitary tattoo in the prisoners in handwork, and has and the anti-tank gun; the Anti-Gas ed to death had escaped from Vic- toria Gaol, Mr. Franks replied that Thorpe, of the transport arrange the M.C.L.. since about 1924, She near Salisbury; and the Hythe Wing. has also served on the Committee of deals with the riffe, light automatic, In 1027, the "Irene" pirates, who ments

Mr. Franks is also well-known as the Checro Club.

and revolver. Ma grenade, were under sentence of death, broke from the prison, took

Mason, being a Past Master of Both in official and social circles.

This Wing, the oldest of the three, Warder Perseverance Lodge P.Z. of Cathay Mr. and Mrs. Franks will be greatly Daniel's revolver, as well as revolver from Warder, White, who Chapter, and a member of Rose missed by a large circle of friends, is held that Salisbury Plain would

Croix, deeway

who have come to admire their ster- give better, facilities for the training was his escort.

MRS. FRANKS' SERVICES

fine qualities, and who will wish of noncommissioned officers In the several arms of which they are It should be added that Mrs. them good health and happiness in

potential specialists. Franks, who is accompanying her their retirement in the Old Country,

ed with the viclous

which they subsequently

of

know. I was unarmed and Speed's constituted a record, Me

,the

Twas then living in the gaol," sald Mr. Franks, "and was aroused about 1 sm by the ringing of the

·

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