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Witness-I cannot remember. No. That is not a fact P-No.
You are quite clear about that ?—Yes. Do you go so far as to say it is quite untrue? I believe the bulk was ready.
I am not asking you that. Do you go so far as to say it is untrue that the bulk of the furniture was in an unfinished condition ?- It is untrue.
None of the goods on the ground floor were destroyed by fire ?-They were covered up. I don't know.
You have seen the ground floor since the fire ?-Two days afterwards.
There are a large number of things no more covered up than this table ?-I just took a glance at them.
At least half on the ground floor is not covered up by debris?--Yes.
Nor are they in any way burnt?-I don't
know.
you
.Did notice the pictures were still hanging on the walls of the ground floor unburnt ?. They were broken.
yoa
Turning to your escape. Which pipe did get down? The place where water is put through.
Where did you land?-In the lane at the back. Did you scorch your face by rubbing it against the pipe.-No.
How ?--I do not know how?
By Mr. Beavis-He had inside the shop a notice board requesting customers to go upstairs to see the furniture.
Cheong Shan Ping, an accountant, employed by Messrs. Sander, Wieler and Co. Kowloon, said he had gone through the books of the firm to ascertain what accordin g to them was the value of the stock at the time of the fire. He had considerable experience in that kind of work. If the books were correct the value of the stock at the time of the fire was $48,0 0 odd dollars. According to tle books the value of the silver gilt ware was $1,293, and the blackwood $4,427. The books were properly kept, and he could tell from the m the dates when the goods were received. He had seen a valuation of the stock in the books and, compared with the goods in other shop, the valuation was higher. For instance the valuation in the books was $75 for a certain article but in other shops it was only $6. He made inquiries at other shops and the difference in price applied to other goods in the shop. He could not tell definitely from the books what stock had been delivered in and what had been sent out since the Chinese New Year, because there were no dates at all in the arrival book.
The inquiry was adjourned.
SAILOR'S MYSTERIOUS
DISAPPEARANCE.
A curious occurrence was reported to the police- on Oct.
Their informant was a sea- man belonging to a ship lying in the harbour off West Point, who stated that another sailor from the same ship and he had come ashore on Monday night. About one o'clock the follow ing morning they went along the Praya looking for a sampan to take them cff to their ship. They sat down on the Praya wall to wait and after remaining there for some time the sea- man's comrade, without warning, leaped into
the water. He searched for some time but, failing to find his companion, and concluding that he was drowned, Le reported the matter to the police. Further search has not resulted in the body being found, and the police are inclined to look with suspicion on the story as told them.
BODY FOUND IN THE HARBOUR.
The body of the sailor who was reported by a comrade to have thrown himself into the harbour early on the 4th October while they were waiting for a sampan to take them off to their ship, was found on Wednesday night off Pottinger Street steps. His name was Victor Brotten, and he was a seaman on the Nithsdale.
An inquiry into the circumstances of his death was conducted yesterday afternoon by Mr. F. A. Hazeland at the Magistracy.
P. Lanigan said that on the 4th inst. at 6.40 p.m. he found floating in the harbour the
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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body of a man opposite Bank Wharf. He took it to the mortuary, where it was identified by J. Montagu and J. Paterson as that of Victor Brotten.
Inspector Langley said that about 2 a.m. on the 3rd inst, a report was made to the Central Police Station by one Churles Eveling of the Nithsdale to the effect that at 1.30 a.m, on the 3rd inst. while he and his shipmate named Brotten were sitting on the Praya Wall near Pottinger Street Wharf waiting for a sampan to take them on board their ship Brotton sud- denly jumped into the harbour, and he did not see the body come to the surface. Witness also produced a letter from the captain of the ressel to the Harbour Master reporting that Brotten had deserted hi ship. The letter was dated 3rd inst.
John Paterson, seaman on board the Nithsdale,
gave evidence of identification. The deceased, Victor Brotteu, was an able seaman on the same ship.
The inquiry was adjourned for the attendance
of the doctor.
EXCITING AFFAIR IN THE HARBOUR.
COOLIE SHOT BY A POLICEMAN. A sensational affair, fraught with fatal con- sequences to a coolie, took place in the harbour early on the 1st October. About 5 o'clock a m. as lukong No. 457 was patrolling in the police pinnace near Wanchai he noticed several coal boats proceeding in a rather suspicious manner. On his giving chase, the boats attempted to get away, but he came up with one and boarded it. He discovered a quantity of what was apparently stolen coal, but he was not allowed to pursue his investigations farther. The boat- men assailed him vigorously, and he was knocked overboard. While in the water they attempted to beat him with boat hooks and oars, but he had the presence of mind to dive and get beyond the reach of their weapons.
Then, treading water, he fired his revolver with the intention of shooting over their heads and frightening them. The bullet, however, lodged in the abdomen of one of the boatmen, who was taken ashore, butdied in the hospital the same evening. One of his assailants was arrested by the lukong, and he was brought before Mr. F. A. Hazeland at the magistra y yesterday morning charge with attempting to murder the policeman. He was remanded till Friday afternoon.
A CHINESE GIRL'S SUICIDE.
VICTIM OF MELANCHOLIA.
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[October 7, 1905:
Dr. W. B. Mcore, medical officer in charge of the Kowloon mortuary, said, he examined the body of deceased, who was about 18 years of age. The cause of death was asphyxia.
His Worship thought the jury would have no difficulty in finding that the deceased took. her life whilst of unsound mind.
The jury returned a verdict in these terms.
HONGKONG
HOTEL SENSATION,
A VISITOR'S DELUSIONS.
the
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A small sensation (was caused at the Hongkong Hotel on on the 3rd October when one of
gentleman visitors developed eccentricities which culminated in the firing of a revolver. It appears that the visitor enter tained the idea that the boys had designs either pointed a revolver at everyone who showed his on himself or his property, and it is said he,
face at the door. Once he fired, fortunately with- out hitting anybody. By this time the police had been summoned by telephone, and a detective took the dangerous individual in charge. On being conveyed to the Police Station it was seen that he was in a very weak state and he was removed to.the Hospital, where the doctor certified that he was suffering from "delusional mania." When his condi'ion permits, he may charge of recklessly using firearms. be brought before a magistrate to answer a
THIEVES AT WORK.
Icehouse Street
on
As Mrs. White, proprietress of the Blue Buildings boarding house, was walking down the 3rd October, two natives approached her from behind when near the Masonic Hall, and snatched her handbag containing $280 in money, accounts and other papers. They ran up the street and she gave chase, following them along Lower Albert Road, where they branched off, as far as Here she lost sight the Government Offices. of them and returned to the Central Police Station to report her loss. She was unable to identify either of the men, and the search instituted by the police has so far proved fruitless.
A Chinaman from Canton, who landed from the s.s. Kwong Chau about 4.30 a.m. yesterday morning, reported at the Central Police Station that he and his foki had been held up by three men in Des Voeux Road. One of the men, he said, seized him by the throat, while the others struck him, and the gang relieved him of his belongings. They also took the foki along with them, using many threats of what they would do if he refused to go quietly. The police have the matter in hand, but are inclined to be doubtful as to the truth of the story.
Sitting at the Magistracy on Oatober 4th with the following jury-Messrs. Isidore Silberman. S. D. Hickie, and Hans THE ROYAL SANITARY INSTITUTE. Schumer-Mr.F. A. Hazeland conducted an inquiry into the circumstances of the death of a Chinese girl named Lai Kam Ynk, an inmate of the Victoria Orphanage, who committed suicide by hanging herself with a rope from the banisters of the staircase
on September 23rd.
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The first witness, Miss George, matron of the Victoria Home and Orphanage, Kowloon, which was in connection with the Church
Missionary Society, stated that Lai Kam Yuk was admitted in Jane two years ago, being received from the Registrar General About 5.45 on the morning of the 23rd alt, she wa called by a girl with her and Miss Hollis. Witness went to the girls' dormitory, and saw she was not in her bed. The girl directed
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her down the back stair case, where they found Kam Yuk hanging from the banister by a rope which was fastened round her neck. She was quite dead. They sent for the police at once. Deceased seemed to be of a very melancholy disposition and was jealous of any attention paid to any other girl. Otherwise ahe WIS very good girl. The girl who was never strong, suffered a good deal lately from malarial fever. and had been s'tended by a dootor. She told one girl that she wanted to die.
Miss Laura Hollis, assistant matron, spoke to being called by the last witness, and rushing into the dormitory, found Kam Yuk hanging from the banister of the staircase by a rope,
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HONGKONG BRANCH.
At the Sanitary Inspectors' Examination held by the above named Institute on October 2nd and 5th the following candidates were recom mended for certificates: Messrs. Robert Duncan Charles Edward Frith, Donald John MoKenzie, and Joseph Blake Winter.
The examinera were the Hon. Mr. W. Chathain. Hon. Dr. Francis Clark, Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, Dr. W. W. Pearse, and Capt-
Fitzwilliams.
Mr. A. Gibson was secretary, and Mr. A. Carter moderator.
JAPAN'S DOMESTIC BONDS.
FOREIGNERS' HOLDINGS.
Foreigners are reported to hold one quarter of the domestic bonds issued by the Japanese Government during the war. According to the Jiji, out of a total issue of 480,00,000 yen foreigners now own 120,000,000 yen, large purchases baving been made since the great naval battle. Foreigners subscribed largely to the late issues. and with the subsequent pur- ohases referred to now hold more than half of
the fourth and fi'th issues. The Jiji states that foreigners subscribed to or now hold 50,000,000 yon. of the fourth issue and 70,000,000 yen the fifth issue, or 60 per cent, of the two loans,
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