Further evidence was heard by Mr. Peter Grain at H. M. Police Court last Friday in connexion witt: the series of charges arising out of a recent seizure of opium against J. Doyle, formerly employed as a tidewaiter in the C- M. Customs. It is alleged that Doyle, who was suspended from duty at the time, unlawfully impersonated a Customs officer, and on the str. Kiangwah attempted to obtain money from Chinese endeavouring to smuggle opium into Shanghai.
Mr. R. F. C. Master, instructed by the Customs authorities, is prosecuting and Mr. Tycho Wing appeared for the defence.
Defendant again went into the box and gave further particulars regarding conversations between himself and the Chinese in the engine room, while his companion, the Customs officer Palamountain, removed opium from an ai! drum. One of the Chinese, speaking in pidgin English, made witness a concrete offer.
he would go away he' would receive $1,000. The Chinese were getting very restless. They seemed to be gaining the upper hand, so Witness put them off by using a Chinese stock phrase, saying "the matter was unimportant.' There was more talking, and. then the loafers said "strike". Witness said, "We must be very careful and not give needless offence.'' The offer was subsequently raised to $1,700. Witness merely laughed, the Hupeh man (who offered the money) patting on the arm in a friendly manner. The rest comenced to talk very loudly. Shortly after manner. The rest commenced to talk very loudly. Shortly after wards an offer was to witness and Palamountain of $2,000, providing they would go away quietly. Witness then said, "I must cajole these fellows into keeping quiet, "as there was still more commotion among the loafers. The interpreter was asked to go away and take the loafers with him, Palamountain finished getting the opium out of the drum. Heavy footsteps were heard on the iron deck above. Witness remarked that there was a foreigner above. Perhaps he would help them out.
After describing what happened when Mr. Fulker, the assistant tidewaiter came on board, witness sid that his (witness's) object- had all along been to gain time. They intended to leave the engine room with the Hupeh man. Palamountain was to close the watertight door leading from the stokehold to the engine room so that none of the Chinese could molest witness and his friend. Witness then intended to telephone informing the officer on duty of a seizure, 60 as to get necessary assistance.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.