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May 25, 1908.]
prisoner's house were a watch and chain which the widow recognised as belonging to Lak Sang but which he declared Lad been given him by his brother three years ago.
Evidence was then called. The hearing is likely to be a most protracted one as there are about 25 witnesses for the prosecution and as many for the defence. Case adjourned.
Thursday, 21st May.
BEFORE THE CHIEF JUSTICE (SIR F. PIGGOTT).
IN CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.
THE HILLSIDE MURDER.
The Court was engaged all day yesterday in the trial of the three Chinese for the triple murder near Shatin in December of 1906. Tie prosecution by yesterday afternoon had called about to witnesses, but more than double that number is yet to be heard,
The most interesting man in the box yes- terday was Chan Yau, who formed one of the party alleged to have killed the three people, and who turned King's evidence.
The informer, who looked very unhappy dar- ing his examination, said in reply to questions by the Attorney General that on the 2nd De- cember the three prisoners came to his matsbed and smo ed opium. The second prisoner aug. geat-d that they should make a fortune and he asked how, to which the prisoner replied "If Lak Sang is cangit there will be over $100." The first prisoner remarked "it is good for you to go," and witness made answer th t he was not strong enough. The first prisoner then said "If you were to work here for two months you would not make so much," to which he replied,
Very well, you go first. I will follow." All four then went up the hill, and when they caught sight of Luk Sang they agreed to walk on and pretend to be merely taking a walk. Witness bad been instructed to say to Luk Sang "I hear you have selected a good grave site: will you show it to me." Accordingly when they came up to Lak Sang and his two companions witness put this question and Lak Sang replied "Very good: I will take
you round. As they turned to go, the second prisoner called out "Lay hand on him." Witness, the first prisover, and the third caught hold of Luk Sang. Wit ness was not strong enough to hold him. The second prisoner struck Luk Sang on the head from behind with a knife. He struck three blows and the man fell to the ground. Wong Sam 8 u, who saw what happened, ran up to where Luk Sang had fallen and tried to seize bold of witness and the prisoners. The first prisoner called out "Seize him; fight with him." The first and thiri prisoners and witness caught him, and the second prisoner dealt him a blow wi h a knife and obopped him to death. The first and third prisoners and witness searched Lnk Sang's body. While they were doing this the boy was crying and shouting out Save life," and the second prisoner went up and killed him. Witness did not see how he was killed. Afterwards he asked the first and third prisoners if they had found anything, and the latter replied that he had found a watch, a gold finger ring and two back potes of 85. Witness found Lak Sang three rolls of 20 cent piaces but told the others that he had found $2 only. Becoming frightened he ran back to his matshed, on the way throwing his bloodstain-d jacket into a stream, and afterwards he went into the country. On the day of the murder he saw a knife in Chin Mau Fats'-leeve and the others carried a small stick each. When he returned to the Colony he was ou trapped. He was asked to meet a sergeant at the Police Station and was asked to stay there at the expense of the police. Afterwards he found he was under arrest.
on
Cross-examined by Hon. Dr. Ho Kai-He did not know the name of the man who employed him at that time and he knew the names of very few of the other men in the massued.
Hearing adjourned.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REFORT. DEPARTURE OF THE GOVERNOR OF MACAO
THE ADDRESS PRE-ENTED TO HIS
EXCLLENCY.
The following is 8 translation of the Address presented to H.E. Seohor Pedro de A zevedo Coutinho, Governor of the Colony of
Macao:-
"When the Leal Senado imagined that varions problems affecting the prosperity of this Colony were rapidly approaching solution; when it was thought that progress was shortly to be made with the work of sanitation in the Chinese district; when the Senado Was convinced that the barbour works in connection with the prej-cted railway to Canton would soon be undertaken; and the construction of the gaol and other equally necessary works would be accomplished facts; when it was hoped that with the beginning of the next school year the higher class schools would be 80 improved as to meet the special needs of the Colony; when it was kown that a careful revision of the new regulations in regard to industrial taxes aud fees with a View to benefiting commerce and industry was al. most completed;-when the entire community entertained hopes of seeing all these under. takings accomplished by your Excellency, making fresh and rich blood to course through the arteries of the Colony, giving it life, energy, prosperity and joy; when already begun to dream of a future so full we had of happiness for this Colony, a futurs which, would demonstrate to the Far East that the Portuguese of to-day have not knowledge of
lost that ancestors gare proof; when the inhabitants of colonisation of which their Macao are just beholding a greater future alas! the news tha: you are relinquishing the post spreads with regret over the town.
"The disappointment suffered by the whole Colony could not be greater!
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"The regret felt by all could not be deeper! "The Leal Senado who knew so well of your Excellency's superhuman efforts, during the year of your governorship, for the realization of all these projects on which the fate of Macao depends, and to which your Excellency has devoted the best of your intelligence, persevering with pure love in this boly orusade for the betterment of Macao, cannot but most deeply regret your sudden retirement.
"But the Leal senado cannot forget and will remember with sincere gratitude your assiduous study of these problems and your persevering work towards the realisation of the bright dream of a prosperons Macao.
alike
Fate has not permitted your Excellency to Bee the accomplishment of this beautiful ideal, but we shall ever remember the example of governorship as a model, the most complete, of your honesty, honour, and devoted love of work and justice, which all-go erning and governed
may profitsbly a udy. "The La Senado and the people of Macan, fullling their duty in this most simple but impressive manner, do hereby signify their sincere gratitude to your Excellency for your devoted application enabancing the prosperity and happiness of problem of the Colony,
to
the
"With deep gratitude from the people of Macao-as sincere aud enduring as ever were the sentiments of the inhabitants of the City of the Holy Name of God of Macao-There is nother more loyal.”
His Excellency and family left Hongkong on May 16th by the steamer "Asia," proceeding home via America.
INTERESTING DISCLOSURES.
An occasional contributor (not jour regular correspondent) writes as follows from Macao. on the 17th inst
-
As none of the Hongkong papers seem to have gathered the oorreot fact, and incidents which occasioned the Governor of Macao's abrupt departure from this Colony, the follow.
329
ing facts-which I have every reason to believe are absolutely authentic-may be of interest to you and your readers.
'I he first of a series of quibbles with the Home Government-as far as i cao 880artsin--srose through the Governor d-siring to give an officer (Capt. Miranda) a special gratuity, for extra services rendered to the local Government, bat which the Home Government refused to sanction.
consequence
Home
The second quibble was in of His Excell-noy appointing the cond interpreter of the Government Offices, to the old post of chief interpreter, on the death of the
chi-f, without consulting the Government, or patting the post up to public competition according to law. As a matter of fact, since 1842 the Governor for the time being bas exercised the right of making all minor appointments in the Government service, with. out reference Home.
His Exo-llency also wished to abrogate the law in reference to dealing in srma sod ammunition and to cancel the licenses already granted to certain dealers, but did not consider that it was & proper time to the matter owing to the agitation occasioned go into by the
1 Ta'su Maru inoident, and considered that it would be showing a sign of weakness to the Chinese, if the law time. amended and the licenses cancelled just at this
Bat in the meantime
the Minister in "eking had been moving in the Portuguese matter-unknown Governor-and urging the Home Government to to Senhor Coutinho, the immediately stop the importation of arms into
WAL
with on the matter and asked to give his Macao. Senhor Coutinho was communicated opinion. He replied that it would be foolish
Maru" excitement had quieted down, but to to move in the matter for at least a few months yet or at least outil the "Tatau his surprise he received an urgent telegram, to the following effect:-
appointment of interpreter and have public "Cancel gratuity to Captain Miranda; cancel examination and competition for post; cancel at once all licences to import arms." Or words to the above effect.
lately refuse all three, aecept herewith my His Excellency at once wired back "Abac- resignation." Or words to that effect.
Another squabble with the Home Government, sent to Timor. On one occasion he received a was over the amount of money which had to be
wire to send an amount which szresded the yearly grant from Macao to Timor, and I under- stand he refused to send the money, as Timor had already received all she was entitled to, and money was badly required in Macao for public works. On this occasion, I understand, His Exce lency also tendered his resignation.
His Excellency did not pay for his own as well as his wife and family's passage home, out of his own pocket. It is true Le did not ast Colonial Treasurer (Inspector of Finances) the local G verament to pay, but when the banded him his tickets, be accepted them.
good name amongst the Portuguese here; but His Excellency seems to have borne a very the fact cannot be hidden that, during the time of his administration, things in Macao bavṛ gone from bad to worse. Half of the Fabian houses have been closed, and of course, half tirely smashed up, owing to the greed of some- their revenue lust. The Luttery has been en-
population have left the Colony, and now, body in authority; about half the Chinese practically our sole remaining industry, the Silk Spinning Works, employing hundreds of women and children, is closed, and for god, cwing to trouble with the Guvernment Officiala, And all this bas happened in Senhor Coutinho's time, so that his administration of the Govern- ment cannot in any way be deemed a sucosss.
Instructions have been issued by the Ministry of Finance to Viceroys and Governors through. out the Empire that they may introduce whatever reforms they may please in their provinces, but with the proviso that no foreign loans shall be contracted to bring about the reforms in question.
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