August 10, 1907.]
SHOCKING DISCOVERY IN HARBOUR.
MURDERED WOMAN SHIPPED AS LUGGA›E.
We are informed that a large trunk was sent on board the C.P.R., 5.8. Monteagle on August, 5th by sampan. It was putin a cab in, apparently according to instructions; and some time afterwards attention and suspicion was drawn to it by its very unpleasant odour.
On Aug. 7 the Chief Officer opened th trunk, and discovered the corpse of a European
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
It would, however, be extremely injudicious at the present juncture to divalge the nature of it, and we have been requested not to do so. The public may rest assured that the police are well advanced in their investigations, and that Justice is not likely to be baulked in this instance.
SUPREME COURT.
Tuesday, 6th Angust,
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION,
woman, whose throat had been out. The police BEFORE Mr. A. G. WISE (PUISNE JUDGE). were informed, and at seven o'clock the body was removed by Sanitary Board coolies,
August 9th The shocking crime brought to light by the discovery on the C.P.R. steamer Monteagle on Wednesday afternoon, as reported in the Daily Press on Thursday morning, is still shrouded in mystery, and promises to be a difficult case to unravel. We have since as- certained that the body of the woman when found was so decomposed that identification was practically impossible.
ARRANGED.
The suit between two Japanese which had been adjourned b cause neither of the parties could speak English was called. he plaintiff, Ricbiro Masud, who was represented by Mr. '. W. Goldring, claimed $35.60 from the defendant, Onao, for Japanese clothing supplied.
His Honour- Have you arranged this? Mr. Goldring--Yes. I would like to with- draw it.
His Honour consented.
•
QESTION OF ACCOUNTS.
It now transpires that the box containing the murdered woman was taken aboard the
Alim Dio, a railway coo'ie contractor in the steamer on Sunday by a European, who was New Territory, sued his foreman Munshi Gul. particularly anxious that it should be stowed bark, for $15,181, being money deposited by away in the hold. As it was stated to be plaintiff with the defendant for safe custody luggage, however, this was not done. It was and 880.81, bing balance of money not paid to placed in the luggage room, and on Wednes- coolies for wages. Mr. E. J. Grist appeared day, the offensive odour led to a closer inspec- for pl inti. tion of the trunk, from which blood was fonud Plaintiff spoke to giving defendant $290 with to be oozing. In these suspicious circum. which to pay 16 coolies, but defendant only paid stances, the Chief Officer decided to open a portion. tho box. The ship's carpenter, Erasmus
Defendant denied this and submitted a list of Lorson, was instructed to remove the lid. When this was done the decomposed body of the woman
was revealed to the horrified onlookers. It had baen doubled up and crammed into the box. When the trunk W88 removed to the mortuary and the woman taken out and examined, it was found that she had been strangled.
payments.
His Honour said it was a question of accounts, and he would adjourn the case to allow of parties coming to an uuderstanding.
Wednesday, 7th August.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
NEW RAILWAY WORKS.
Wong Tsun Fook, trading as Wah Fung, of 25 Upper Lascar Row, contractor, claimed from Chung Kien Tong of Chinwan Village, New Territory, 8834.56, money paid to the defendant on behalf of plaintiff but never handed over. Mr. Otto Kong Sing acted for the plaintiff and Mr. Jackson of Messrs. Johnston Stokes and Master, for the defendant.
A piece of calico as tied round her neck, a hairbrush being used as a lever to tighten it. BEFORE MR. A. G. WISE (PUISNE JUDGE). Her face was very much bloated and as previously stated, unrecognizable. Her only garment was a chemise, and although this bore an initial, it could not be deciphered owing to the blood stains. The murdered woman bad auburn hair, and was about five feet nine inches in height.
After removing the body to the mortuary Sergeant Watt, of the Yaumati Police Station, notified all the Police Stations of the occurrence, so that no time might be lost in searching for the murderer. The theory is, however, that he has left the Colony, having had ample time to do so since depositing the trunk on the Monteagle. The police are not likely to make much progress in their search until the identity of the woman is discovered. It is believed she cannot have been a resident of Hongkong, otherwise she might have been reported as missing.
LATER.
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The case had been partly heard. On the previous occasion Mr. Otto Kong Sing stated that the money had been paid to the defendant by the "Railway Company at Taipo for the value of bricks sold and delivered to the company, which sum defendant had not handed over to the plaintiff.
Mr. Otto Kong Eing now stated that he bad wished to call the engineer, Mr. Valpy. but as that gentleman was at Samchun and required $100 before attending in the circumstances, be could only subpons the resident engineer, who
His Honour-Was he present?
We understand the police have obtained a description of the European who took the trunk on board the steamer, and are endeavour-sent his olark. ing to trace his subsequent movements. They are also in search of the sampan by which the trunk was conveyed to the Monteagle, hoping thus to obtain further particulars about the man who is now very much “wanted." He has had four days' start, however, and if his future movements are conducted with the skill which enabled him to ship his victim on board the steamer, the chances of capture are very remote.
11 p.m.
Mr. Otto Kong Sing-He was not present when the money was paid but the books would show what money had been received. After hearing evidence his Honour gave judgment for plaintiff.
Thursday, August 8th.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION,
87
Plaintiffs alleged that the damage was done to the Ying King by reason of the defective and insecure condition of a piledriver belong. ing to defendaals then upon the hirf, and as a result the piledriver was blown over, falling upon the bows of the Ying King.
In their statement of defence the defendants denied that they were carrying out any work upon the Yuen Oa wharf at the date mentioned or that they bad left a piledriver there, or that the Ying King suffered any damage by reason of defendant's neglect in leaving a piledriver on the wharf in an insecure condition. If a piledriver had been left on Yuen On wharf, as stated, it did not belong to defendants nor was it under their control, and if the damage, as alleged, was sustained by plaintiff, it was
piledriver as stated on the wharf, it was in a not caused by the negligenes of defendants or their servants. Moreover, if there was
a
secure condition, and if it was blown over, it was not through any negligence on their part, as on that day a violent squall occurred in the harboat. It was a sudden and irresistible act of nature which it was impossible to foresse. Li Shek Pang. plaintiff stated that on the 28th January, 1907, he was the owner of the Ying King. She was then lying at the Yasa Oã in response to a summons from the compradore wharf. He went to the vessel that af ernoon
of the ship, and on arriving there be found that upon the bows of the Yin King. To repair the frame work of a piledriver had fallen down
$150.25 and another of $178.75 to the Dook the damage he had had to pay one sum of Company, and $500 to another firm for the awning.
Cross-examined by Mr. Master-He knew the
piledriver belonged to the defendants because there was erected alongside a matshed which bore a signboard.
and gave evidence to the effect that the pile Captain Page of the Ying King was called
driver was on the wharf.
Mr. Master thought it would shorten the pro- oedings if he indicated that bis defence was that the Pak Mon firm sablet the contract to another contractor, and that the plaintiffs had sued the wrong man.
Lui Fat, partner in the Pak Mon firm, stated that be entered into a verbal contract with the Youn On Steamship Company for the repair of their wharf damaged by the tyhp on in September last. He sublet the contract to Leung Li and had no control over the work.
Lung Li deposed that the piledriver and material were in his obarge,
remarking that plaintiffs had sued the wrong His Honour gave judgment for defendants
man, and be was doubtful if they would get much out of the other man, as he did not look very wealthy.
on
THE DES VOEUX ROAD MURDER.
Before Mr. F. A. Hazeland, at the Magistracy Sui Kai (boilermaker), Sit Fu (spinner), Hai August 6th, Tam Pai (coolie), Li
Tin (cook), ani Wan Hoi Chi (coolie), were again charged with the murder of Lo Pak, a foreman in the employ of Messrs A. 8. Watson and Coy's Aerated Water Factory, on Sun. day, July 21st, in Des Voeux Rad. Chief. Detective Haasɔn conducted the case for the prosecution
Leang Chap said he was a onolie employed at Messrs.. 8. Watson and Co's factory in Des Voeux Road Central. At about ten o'clock oa the morning of July 21st he was going to the factory from Wanchai. As he passed the King Edward Hotel he saw a number of men running.
Last night persistent rumours of an arrest BEFORE ME. A. G. WISH (PUISNE JUDGE). Anong them was the second defendant, who was having been made were in circulation; but on enquiry we learned that as yet nothing of the sort had been done. We believe that a man fall under suspicion, and was under police observation for a time, till the authorities became satisfied that he could not have been implicated. The “American” said to have been arrested has no existence, save on the tongues of rumour.
AN ECHO OF THE BLACK SQUALI. Li Shek Pang of 81, Wing Lok Street, merchant, sued the Pak Mon firm of 13, High Street, building contractors, for the recovery of the sum of 8881, damages sustained by the 8.8. Ying King. The damages and injury to the vessel occurred on 28th January this year, as she was lying alongside a wharf to the west of We are informed on unimpeachable authority the Harbour Office. Mr. H. K. Holmes of the existence of a valuable clue which the appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. R. F. C. criminal or criminals, with extraordinary Master of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and carelessness, left behind.
| Master, appeared for the defendants.
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chased by deceased. When deceased overtook the man he was chasing he struck him, and the second defendant struck him back. This was opposite the Bank of Taiwan. Then the first defendant ran out from beneath the verandah and stabbed deceased with a knife. The second defendant was fighting with deceased at the time, and when he receiv d the blow the latter loosen- ed his grip and fell down. When the blow was struck the first and second defendants ran away. Witness went and looked at dece ised and saw blood sparting from his chest. Formerly the first and second defendanta were factory hända,
i
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