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Did I tell you the Clerk of the Gaol-Mr. Watson-was going home to England ?—No.
I did not say anything to you about Mr. Watson ?--I don't remember that you did. You did not meet me in Lyndhurst Terrace on the 9th March.
And you never got any samples of silk at the end of November or the beginning of December last year for me --No.
Did I show you a photograph on the piano of a lady to whom I was going to send the silk -the photograph you dropped on the floor?- Yes, I remember that and also dropping it on the floor.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[July 21, 1897.
Have you ever had any money marked by any police officer and put into your possession to be handed to me P-No.
You are an old detective P—Yes. That is the usual course adopted when it is
Do you remember the night Inspector Baker was suspended from duty P--I do not know.
Did you come to my house ?-You sent a child for me, but I was not in the house. When I got home my wife told me that No. 12 Inspec.or had called, and I saw you the follow-desirous to catch a person accepting bribes - ing morning. I went because I was sent for. You said to me, "Do you know that Mr. May has seized a lot of people's names P”
Did you ask me what was the matter with No. 10-I did not, but in the course of the conversation you said that Inspector Baker was restless and frightened. I said, "Yes, be- canse that house is in his section." Then you Was that at the end of November or begin-asked me, "Is my name there," and I replied.' ning of December --It was this year and not last.
Did y
you ask me if the lady was my mother ?— No.
Did I show you a photograph of a gentle. man P-No.
Did I tell you that gentleman was Mr. Fal- coner, Magistrate at Lorne, South Wales - No.
Did I tell you it was his lady ?—No.
Did you remark “ It's very handsome ?”—I said it was pretty good.
On the 11th, when you went in, who met you in the passage way I walked along the passage and when I got to the room you said, "Come in."
It was rather familiar for you to come in like that I went to look for you.
Did you ask where I was ?-There was no one in the house when I went there and so I did not ask.
What are you talking about P-I walked up to your room and saw your there.
How long do you say you stayed there on the 11th Three quarters of an hour.
Didn't Mrs. Witchell tell yon to sit down aud she would call me?-She was npstairs; she came-down afterwards.
She was not in the room --No.
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You said we were all there. Did you say to Mrs. Witchell on the 11th, when she said she would call me, Oh, dever mind, I've brought that piecee silk pay yon look see?"—— No.
Did Mrs. Witchell say that was not the kind of silk she wanted ?----No. ·
You went out at the back, didn't you ?-Yes. Did anyone call to you as yon'were going out ? No.
Did I come on to the verandah and ask you if you had the silk ?—No.
Did you take the silk away ?-It was not at
that time.
Did another lady tell you she would like samples of silk at that time ?-No.
You did not leave any samples there?-No. Just think.—I did leave some silk, but not then.
Why were you asked to get the samples of silk-Your wife told me to bring them as she wanted to make a dress for a daughter.
After the 11th when did you come again?- Next night when I gave you the answer.
What answer?—That that man would give you $1.
Are you sure it was not four days after the 11th that you came to my house P-No. I went either on the 12th or 13th March. It was on the 14th that you agreed to receive $1 a day.
Where did you see me on that day ?--In the dining room.
What day was it?-I do not remember. When was the first Monday you paid me money ?-On the 20th or 21st March. The payments commenced from the 14th March.
Have you been to my house respecting cases?
-Last year.
Do you remember coming to my house at the end of last month or beginning of this and asking me to arrest a maшwho had brought some girls from Canton ?--Yes.
To whom did I refer you?—I told you Inspector Stauton knew alkabout it.
Did I tell you to apply to the Magistrate for a warrant ?--Yes.
Do you remember what night that was ?- 28th June.
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Did I direct you to the Captain: Super- intendent of Police ?-No.
Did I tell you I would take you to him ou the following morning ?—No.
Did you come to the station next morning? I was told to bring a woman to the station two days pravions to the 28th June.
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do not know." You said, “ Do the people know my name?" I said, "They do not know your name, but they know you as No. 12."
Have you told that to the Captain Superin teudent during the course of his investigations in the case P-No.
You went so far to tell Mr. May so much and this important thing you left ont?--I W88 never asked about it.
Did you say anything about Inspector Stan- ton being transferred to Stanley ?—No.
Did you say anything about No. 13 being banished to Shaukiwan?--No.
Mr. Francis-Who is 43? Defendant.-Sergeant Holt. (To witness), Didn't you say the matter was very serious?
Witness-Yes; yon told me the matter was very important.
Did you ask me how you could see Inspector Stanton P-No.
Did I say, "What do you want to see Inspec- tor Stanton for?"-No.
Was your answer. "The case belonging to the brothel in Hollywood Road is not over yet ?" -No.
Did you say yon had a share in that brothel and yon would lose all your money?—No.
Did you go and see the Captain Superintend ent of Police about the girls brought from Can- ton --I did not.
When questioned you did you say it was a friend and not you who was interested in the brothel P-I said it was a relative.
Have yon seen me from that day until this morning 2-1 bare not seen you from the day when you sent for me until this morning. The interview took place in the bedroom.
At this point the defendant noticed some men standing just ontside the Court door and he asked whether any of the witnesses for the prosecution were there.
Acting Chief Inspector Mackie went ontside and ordered a man who was a witness to be taken to the adjoining court. The Inspector explained to the Magistrate that the man had just been brought out of gaol by Inspector Kemp.
His Worship said all witnesses must be kept out of hearing.
The defendant said the man had been there ten minutes.
Mr. Francis said that was not correct, as it not ten minutes since the order was given for the man to be brought from the gaol.
The defendant replied that he had seen the man there since just before five minutes to four and it was now four o'clock.
In answer to further questions by the de- fendant witness said it was the 27th June when he had the conversation respecting Inspector Stanton. It was about the 11th June when the child was sent for him.
Mr. Francis pointed out that Inspector Stanton was not suspended until the 13th June, so the conversation on the 27th May could have
had no connection with the suspension.
Witness, in answer to further questions, re- peated the conversation he said he had with defendant. He did not mention the suspensions and say it was a very bad job for Inspectors Baker and Stanton.
Defendant-Regarding the time it was agreed for the money to be taken at the rate of $1 per day, did anyone come with you on that day- the 11th March?
Witness-I went alone.
On any one occasion that you have been to my house have you had anyone with you ?-On no occasion bare I been with anybody.
Have you had anyone waiting outside the door for you on any occasion you have brought money to me or my wife ?—No.
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Yes.
That has never been done ?—I had no inten. tion to trap you.
Your action does not appear like that at pre- sent. You admit yourself to be an informer in this case?-I am not an informer, I have spoken justly as far as I know.
What did this money consist of that you allege you have paid to me or my wife?--- Tung Kum gave me the money in subsidiary coins which I changed into notes.
So you lost by it?-I did not lose because I changed the money at a friend's house.
But you can get $5.50 in subsidiary coins for a $5 note from any money changer in Hong- kong P-It is not so much as that.
Can you get it in Canton P-I have never been there.
You say you were receiving nothing for your trouble and were doing it with a grateful heart-
Mr. Francis, interrupting, said the witness had not said he received nothing.
Defendant-How much did you receive as wages for collecting this $2, as yon allege, for me?
Witness-I received nothing. Tung Kum gave me $1.80, because you told me to be kind enough to get the money for you, and it was my duty to get it, even if I was a loser.
What was the date you say the took Mr. May to a gambling house in Jervois Street ?-I do not remember. That was a statement of yours. Do you know as a fact that Mr. May did go there ?—I do not know; you told me.
What benefit should I derive from telling you a yarn like that?-Well, you are a friend of mine and you told me.
Told you a pack of lies? Did I say anything about my going to the gambling house ?-You told me you went to make arrests.
It was now five o'clock and Mr. Francis sug-~ gested an adjournment.
Defendant said he had many more questions to ask the witness.
His Worship then conferred with Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart (Colonial Secretary), who was sitting on the bench. and then said that another Magistrate would be appointed while this case was proceeding.
It was then agreed to resume the hearing at 9 o'clock on Monday morning, the 19th inst.
Mr. Francis-With regard to the defendant- His Worship-1 think he is entitled to bail. Have you any remarks to make about the amount ?
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Mr. Francis-We leave it entirely in your Worship's hands.
Defendant-I have a wife and family and household goods and there is not much fear that I shall run away. I have nowhere to run to. His Worship-You will have no difficulty in finding bail P
Defendant-I think I can find bail. His Worship-Bail in one surety of $500. The Court then adjourned.
19th July.
When the case was called on defendant said— Your Worship, I am not a solicitor and I would aak your Worship to assist me in this case. There were a lot of leading questions asked and hearsay evidence produced on Saturday which
should not have been allowed.
His Worship-Draw my attention to what you think is improper evidence. than I with that evidence.
Defendant-Perhaps you are better acquainted
His Worship-I am not aware of any im- proper evidence so far. I will watch the case to the best of my power.
Defendant-Thank you, your Worship. The defendant then proceeded with his crosE- examination of the witness Cheng On.
Defendant-How long were you in the Police
Force?
Witness-Between 15 and 16 years.
In what branch of the Force were you?- When I joined the Force I was in the Water Police. In two years I was transferred to the Central Police Station, where I was for several months on charge room duty.
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