474
He
pass on his return from the Indravelli. did not appear to be under the influence of liquor, although he was slightly shaky on his legs. He was in his usual health and spirits. In summing up, the Coroner informed the jury that deceased had been fighting the fire on board the Indravelli. When this was sup- pressed he had presumably had a board, possibly more than one. On his return to his ship, he had to pass through not very well lighted docks, and evidently fell into the dock in which he was found. The jury after short deliberation, returned a verdict of "Found
drowned.'
قسم
drink
VOLUNTEER PRESENTATION,
FAREWELL TO BERGT. BARTOLOME (DRILL INSTRUCTOR).
on
The officers, non-commissioned officers and
men of the left half of No. 2 Co, H.K.V.A., on the 19th inst. bade farewell to Sergt. Bartolome, R.G.A, their drill instructor who leaves for
home this morning.
Capt. SKINNER, H.K.V.A., in presenting Sergt. Bartolome with a solid silver tea service on behalf of the half company, said that they had invited him to meet them in order to wish Mrs. Bartolome and himself a pleasant royage and other good wishes. During the year he had been associated with the left half of No 2 Co. he had made himself popular with both officers and men, owing to the efficient manner and patience he had shown in conducting his duties. He had further more endeared himself to them all by his sterl-
ing qualities as a man, and they were grate ful to him because he had always taken such an interest in instructing them individually. old hands and recruits. They deeply regretted losing him. The token might perchance bring back to him memory of the days he spent in Hongkong (Applause).
Major PRITCHARD in a short speech com- mented on the excellent progress the left half of No. 2 Co. had made under the efficient instruc- tion of Sergt. Bartolome (Applause).
Sergt. BARTOLOME, abashed by so much praise, in a manly speech replied that he had done no more than his duty. He was very pleased, certainly, with the progress the left half of No. 2 Co. had made. The men had been very attentive at their drills.
VOLUNTEER SHAM FIGHT.
As arranged, a land attack between the Hongkong Volunteers and the Volunteer troops The Volunteers took place on the 17th inst.
were under the command of Major Chap- man, who was assisted by Captains Mac- donald and Ordish, and Lieuts. Lammert, Northcote, Macdonald and Scott, while the troopers were commanded by Major Pritchard and Lieutenant Gresson. The arrangement for the manoeuvre was that the troopers should be in possession of the Northern hills from Aberdeen. The Volunteers were to effect a
landing and try to capture their position. At three o'clock the dismounted men left Murray Pier by launch. On arrival at Tele- graph Bay orders were given the warriors to lie down in the launch so as not to be perceived by the enemy. The launch was directed to Waterfall Bay, where the attackers landed and
divided into two parties, one detachment of 14 men under the command of Major Chapman, and officered by Captain Ordish and Lieut. This detachment Macdonald and Lammert. landed at the Eastern end of the bay. The second detachment of 12 men was commanded by Captain Macdonald and officered by Liouts. Northcote and Scott. They effected a landing on the North side of the bay. The attackers, in ambush, got well into the enemy's country without detection. Major Chapman then divided his men into two divisions, he and Lieutenant Macdonald taking charge of the first, while Captain Ordish and Lieut. Lammert com. manded the second. Major Chapman and his men trekked to the North of Pokfulum Road, and Captain Ordish marched his men to the East. Un reaching Jubilee Road, two of the enemy. were sighted on horseback. They were quickly surrounded and taken prisoners. After climbing for two hours the divisions met near the Chinese Cemetery: Here two of the
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[December 26, 1904.
enemy were noticed coming along at a gallop. | to Vladivostock and he (defendant) replied that His reason given was that The attackers, in ambush, greeted them he declined to go. with a volley and took them prisoners. A the place was laid over with uncharted mines. further two of the enemy, approaching from He also said that a Japanese squadron might Aberdeen, feil into an ambush carefully prepared bombard the place at any time while they were by Captain Macdonald, and surrendered. At inside; also he referred to the danger of cap. about 5.30 p.m. the contesting armies withdrew ture by the Japanese. Defendant considered it against his personal safety to agree to go of battle, and marching to
there. None of these risks were contemplated Pokfulam Road, were there met by H.E. the
by him when he signed on the articles.
from the
field
Governor, accompanied by his AD.C. His Excellency expressed himself as well pleased with the way in which the attack had been planned and carried out, after which he headed the troops in their homeward march,
INTERESTING
SHIPPING CASE
AT SHANGHAI,
The following report of a case heard at Shanghai on the 14th inst. appears in the N.-C. Daily News.
-Alfred Longstaff and William Tait, mate and chief engineer respectively of
tho s.s. Nigretia, wero summoned for refusing to
obey the lawful commands of the master, Samuel Harrison, at Shanghai on the 14th December.
Samuel Harrison, master of the str. Nigreti, said that Alfred Longstaff was on his articles as mate and William Tait as chief engineer. (Articles produced.) The defendants had refus
Vladivostock. ed to accompany the vessel to Otherwise they had done their duty properly and as usual. The second mate, second and third engineers, cock and steward, boats- wain and carpenter, and one ordinary sea- man had also refused to proceed. They were the only Europeans in the ship. The other men had agreed to abide by the decision in
the case of the men summoued. The articles were signed on the 16th December 1903. The shipowners were Messrs. Allan & Co. of New. castle-on-Tyne. The ship was
now chartered by Messrs. Moller Bros. as agents for Mr. Serebrenik. The charter was for two months with the option of a third. The cargo to be carried to Vladivostock was kerosene oil in cases and absolutely nothing else as far as complainant knew. The ship was loaded, and he believed that there was nothing in the ship except the oil. The ship was not carrying any mails or passengers. The ship was not in any way engaged in the service of either of the two belligerents. Complainant had never heard of any notification of a blockade of Vladivostock and had received no notice of any.
I
i
By the Court-The articles were for, three years or until the return of the ship to the He had not considered, United Kingdom. before signing the articles, the extreme likeli- hood of a natal war breaking out before they
expired. The cargo was supposed to be petroleum oil, but he would not like to say what the cases might contain. He had seen kerosene oil running out of some of them. The Japanese Consul here had told defendant that oil might be conditional' or unconditional contraband and that a vessel conveying it, if seized, would probably be taken to Saseho for decision by the
military authorities. It did not matter what
might appear on the bills of lading.
His Worship-Which do you consider the more perilous occupation; going crawling into Vladivostock among a lot of mines or voyaging in the North Sea with the Baltic Fleet about?
Defendant-I don't know, Sir: about the same risk. Laughter).
boing
Defendant, William Tuit, withont sworn, baid he took up exactly the same position as Mr. Longstaff.
In reply to his Worship, Mr. Browett said he had no knowledge of a blockade of Vladivos- tock, nor did he raise that point. In regard to whether kerosene might be deemed contraband or otherwise he presumed a distinction would be drawn between oil for the use of the in- habitants of the country and oil for the use of troops. That rested for proof with the ultimate consignees of the cargo.
His Worship-Who are the consignees ? Complainant was not able to say.
Mr. Longstaff said a Mr. Hermann was the consignee at Vladivostock and a Mr. Giffereski, or some such name, at Harbin.
Mr. Browett observed that both places were, in common knowledge, almost entirely occupied by troops.
His Worship pointed out that kerosene cil was not mentioned in the list of articles under Japanese contraband in the conditional proclamation.
Mr. Browettt remarked that oil would be very useful for lighting purposes at Vladivostook particularly at this time of year.
Defendant Longstaff, recalled, said he was a
Defendant Tait, sworn, said he was a married
man, but without children.
Complainant, replying to his Worship, said he could not give the latitude of Vladivostock without reference to the chart, but it
Was
Cross-examined-Complainant first heard that war had broken out while he was at Singapore or Colombo; he could not remember which. It was about the 2nd of March. The ship called at Singa-married man with two children. pore for orders. Complainant first informed the defendants that the ship was proceeding to Vladivostock on arrival at Shanghai on the 8th inst. They then declined to go, as they con- sidered there was an extra risk which they refused to take. Complainant inferred that the existence of mechanical mines in the neigh-certainly within the articles. bourhood of the harbour was the cause of the was giron, but objection. No other reason they mentioned the possibility of capture by the Japanese, though that did not weigh with them so much as the mines. It was also mentioned that Vladivostock might be bom barded; in fact all the circumstances that probably could be enumerated were enumerated, Complainant had followed the sea for forty-one years. He could not express an opinion as to whether the articles contained an obligation to proceed to Vladivostock under the circum- stances.
Mr. Browett submitted that defendants were
His Worship pointed out that complainant could not relieve him (the magistrate) of his duties.
Complainant thought it probable he could supply the places of these men in Shanghai. He desire to protect himself by these proceed. ings and he wanted to get to Vladivostock. He had no other complaint against these men.
Mr. Browett, for defendants, stated that the only question raised was whether under the circumstances the master's order was a lawful one, or to be necessarily obeyed in accordance with the articles.
Defendant Alfred Longstaff, first officer of the Nigretia, said he had signed on the ship's articles. He first heard of the outbreak of war on arriving at Colombo. Last Thursday com- plainant told defendant that the ship was going
|
perfectly justified in refusing to proceed to a matter of common knowledge that the Vladivostock under the circumstances. It was Russians were not particular as to where they laid their mines, or where they left them, or where they allowed them to wander. Therefore it was not only a question of being piloted ran very consider- through a channel between mines, but a steamer going to Vladivostock able risks, as it might at any time
whose mine with a in contact
unknown to the pilots. Again suppos ing the ship got inside there might come a bombardment or a blockade at any time. Mr. Browett referred his Worship to the decision of Lord Kenyon in the case of Limland v. Stephens, reported in 3 Espinasse, p. 269, as supporting his contention that the summonses should be dismissed.
was
come location
His Worship proposed to give a decision in writing next morning at 10. a m.
Complainant--Then I shall be unable to get away for another day.
His Worship-Why ? Complainant-To come here first and pay off these men and take on a fresh crew will make it too late.
',
His Worship-It is not yet settled you will have to them off.
pay Complainant-But in case I do,
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