"As I understand the evidence, I cannot bring in a definite verdict at the moment", declared Mr. C. H. Haines, Coroner, in H. M. Police Court yesterday after the resumed hearing of the inquest on Mr. W. J. C. Shoppee. "I cannot even say how Mr. Shoppee got into the lift well. He may have fallen in, walked in, jumped in or removed the barrier. Anything might have happened. I think I will have to adjourn the inquest for another week, and if the police can do nothing further, I will have to do the best I can on the available evidence."
The Coroner's statement followed the evidence of two more witnesses, a Chinese engineer of Broadway Moir of the S.M-P., who is investigat ing the case.
Another mysterious point arose during yesterday's hearing, when the Coroner ascertained that about 5 pin. on December 31, one witness was in the passage opposite the lift where the mishap occurred, and saw one single light burning. Inspector Moir, visiting the passageway twenty minutes later, after the mishap had occurred, found the passage lights on, and the switch box controlling the lights open.
Witness Cannot be Found The Coroner remarked that some one must have turned the lights on during this twenty minutes, and this person, if found, could probably give helpful evidence, and could probably state whether the barrier was in place at the lift door at roughly the time when the accident occurred.
Inspector Moir stated that so far he had not been able to trace this person.
In his evidence, Inspector Moir said that he visited Broadway Mansions immediately after the accident occurred, and found the deceased covered with blood, obviously suffering from severe leg injuries. He was unconscious, and made no statement as to how he had. received these injuries.
"It was apparent," said the Inspec-for, "that Mr. Shoppde had fallen down the lift shaft, as there was blood in the well and some on the back wall. As soon as Mr. Shoppee had been removed, I started an investigation of the lift shaft, assisted by" Messrs, Howard, Hirsee and Mason. On arriving at the second floor, Mr, Howard remarked that this was the only place from which Mr. Shoppee could have fallen. I found the doors had been removed, and there was a single light burning at the side of the lift shaft".
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.