ACCUSED, An unexpected development took place on Wednesday in connexion with the alleged robbery which was reported to have taken place at 459 Tientsin Road on December 29, when a number of Chinese and a foreigner were said to have entered the premis: s ard to have searched for and found opium valued at 000. As "he result of their inquiries, the S. M. Police effected the arrest of seven Chinese and Jack Allen, a newly appointed member of the t'olice Force charged with being concerned in the affair. The last named was brought up at the British Pilice Court on Wed nesday morning and the Chinese at the Mixed Court.
Before Mr. G. W. King, Police Magistrate, Allen was charged for that he did "at about 9.30 p.m. on December 28, 1919, at 459 Tientsin Road, while concerned together with certain others, feloniously steal, take and carry away a quantity of, opium valued at $20,- 000. the property of Ying Kyungoen.
Mr. R. C. Faithfull, Police Legal Adviser, appeared for the prosecution.
Counsel said he was instructed to apply for a remand for eight days. It appeared that some of the others concerned with the prisoner in committing the offence. among them being his own bor. were being brought up that morn-me at the Mixed Court and a remand was being asked for them as well. It was desirable that the present case should be put off until the prosecution were in a position to call this boy against his employer.
His Worship:—He, himself, being charged?
Mr. Faithfull:—Yes.
His Worship:—Very well, call your witness.
Inspector J. MacGregor, in charge of the West Hongkew Police Station, said that at about 6.15 p.m. on December 30 he spoke to the accused in the charge room and informed him that a theft of opium had been committed at 459 Tientsin Road on December 29 by a number of Chinese and a foreigner. Certain Chinese, he informed accused. had been arrested and they had given accused's name and number as being those of the foreigner who had taken part in the affair.
Mr. Faithfull:—Do you know how long he has been in the Police Force? Since August 11.
Continuing. witness said accused replied, "I know nothing about any opium." Witness stated that the Chinese said they had paid accused $300 as his share of the opium, whereupon accused replied. "T never took the $300, I handed it back to the man who gave it to Witness then said, You were the foreigner, then, who was concerned in this?" and accused said "Yes."
Accused was then informed that ho would be charged and placed under arrest for being concerned in the theft, he was cautioned in the usual manner and made no further statement.
Asked if he wished to put any questions to the witness, the accused replied in the negative.
After some discussion as to the adjournment, the accused was remanded in custody until Monday. next at 10.30 a.m.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.