Maitland stated that the wounds had evidently been inflicted with a dagger or some sharp instrument in the mouth. In addition to the complainant there was possibly one more witness, but the prosecution did not wish to rely upon him as a valuable asset in the case.
The Magistrate—You cannot as yet consider him as a hostile witness, Mr. Maitland.
Accused were then remanded in custody.
The Magistrate—I am not always optimistic in these things.
Third Man Arrested A third man was brought before Mr. G. W. King at H. M. Police Court on Saturday. The accused was Rattan Singh.
Det-Sub-Inspr. Yorke, evidence of arrest, stated that the prisoner gave himself up at Hongkew police-station on Friday afternoon. When charged, after being tioned, the man' asked what time the' assault had taken place. He was told between 12 and 12.30 on the 14th instant. "This is all lies," he replied. "I was in the Pootoo Road district at the time.
I left home at 8 am. and walked through the Native City. At that time I'saw Sikh P. C. 569.
stayed at the mill and Naik 195 came at 3 p.m. I signed the watchmen's book and I spoke with Mr. E, T. Maitland, prosecuting, informed the bench that the injured man had said he recognized each of the three accused.
Accused was remanded 'A Debt and a Drubbing In H.M. Police Court, on Monday before Mr. G. W. King, Banta Singh, Mahan Singh and Rattan 'Singh' appeared on remand, charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Jagat Singh, alternatively with wounding and' causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Jagat Singh. Mr.
Prosecuted on behalf of the police and Mr. L. K. Kentwell defended Rattan Singh.
Dr. A. D. Wall, who had attended said that he had various injuries on the head and face, body Jand legs. Some might have been jeansed by a blunt instrument and three cuts on his right leg might] thave been done by a knife. Jagat was mentally "clouded,"" which might have been caused by the blow on the head or by alcoholism. For some days the man's life was in danger because of septic com. plications. Some of the injuries indicated the use of much force.
Mr. Maitland said he appreciated, after hearing this evidence, that the case was not so serious as the police first anticipated. He wished to withdraw the charge of attempted murder.
'A Long Wait Jagat Singh said he was a watchman and Rattan was his No. 1. On February 13 he went to Rattan's house to ask for $17 wages due and was told to call again the next morning. Witness called again at] 9.30 an. on February 14 and saw ithe three accused together. Rattan walked with witness to the Public Gardens and told him to wait there whilst he went to get the money. Rattan had not returned at noon witness went away and later again set out to find Rattan.
In Woosung. Road he met the three accused and complained of the way he had been treated, Promising again to. pay _him, Rattan induced witness to follow Lim into an alleyway, where the three egan to beat' him. They used "small swords which carry as a part of their religion, The Magistrate asking for an explanation of this, a Sikh stepped out from the crowd at the back of the Court, unbuttoned his jacket and drew from a sheath a formid-fable curved dagger about the length of the police bayonets.
Witness continued that he was! beaten to the ground and because Cross-examined.—He was not drank on the day of the axsau and he had never been so run that he could not recognize people. He Identified the three accused as} the men who assaulted him, The Magistrate said that when! recently" he tried the third of a series of assault cases he understood that Jagat Singh was to be summoned for assaulting Gurdet Singh.
Sikh P. C. 535, who found the! injured man and took him to has. pital, said that Jagat did not say who had assaulted him.
"This Time, the Truth"
Ran Singh, who also had figured] in one of the earlier coxes, next was" called and caused' much amusement by saying:—"This time I want to tell the truth." On February 14, shortly before the time of the' alleged assault he passed the three accused and Jagat in Woosung Road. Mahan and Banta were quarrel not know what happened after Banta declared that the only gave evident t Singh had given him Inspector J. A. Mackenzie said that 15 Sikhs were taken to the hospital and Jagat Singh identifica from amongst them the three a cused as the men -who assaulted him. Jagat was positive as to h assailants and previously had Lai information against them.
The Magistrate intimated that he would try the case summarily.
Rattan Singh denied that he owed Jagat any money. He did not seo Jagat cither on February 13 or 14. From 8 am. to 4 p.m. on February] 14 he was in Jessfield Village or a Japanese mill in Pootoo Road. Jagat was secking revenge jeause witness had discharged him. on account of drunkenness and thieving. Ran Singh was another liar who was angry with witness because of another case in which they had been involved.
S. P. C. 560 said that at 2 p.m, on February 14 he saw Rattan in the Japanese mill in Pootoo Road. He did not ace Rattan leave the land could not say where he was at 3 pan.
Naik 195 assid that at 3 p.m. he saw Rattan in a_mill in Soochow Road and asked for his book, but it had been sent to the station, The hearing was adjourned.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.