“RED-HANDED”
THEFT FROM CHINESE GARDENS
SUSTENANCE MEN FINED
How three sustenance men were caught red-handed stealing vegetables from the Chinese market gardens in the rifle range road, Jack's Point, on October 12, was related in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when Walter Wright, David Craig and Walter Stanley Parker were charged with the theft of vegetables valued at £2, the property of Hong Ark.
Senior-Sergeant D. J. Hewitt, who prosecuted, said there had been numerous complaints regarding thefts from the Chinese gardens and the police had kept watch. Hearing that three men were in the gardens one night, Constables Watt and Lloyd had gone down and found the three defendants preparing to decamp with cauliflowers, turnips and onions in a bag. Thieving of the sort was very prevalent, but it was not suggested that defendants were responsible for all of it —they said it was the first time they had been there. “They had heard that it was quite easy to get vegetables there, but they have now found out that it was also quite easy to get caught there,” remarked the Senior Sergeant.
Chinese "Fair Game” Mr McRae, who appeared for Wright, said that defendants had adopted the attitude, although they were not right in doing so, that the Chinese were "fair game” and they did not attach as much seriousness to the offence as if the gardens had belonged to their own people. They were married men and on sustenance, and had been told that it was easy to get vegetables there. On Wright's behalf he pleaded for leniency as he had recently obtained work with the Public Works Department at Saltwater Creek and a conviction might have serious results for him.
The Magistrate said the Chinese had to be protected by the law. The men were on sustenance and had no work to do, and surely would have been able to grow their own vegetables. “It was a mean theft.” he said fining each £2 with costs. -Timaru Herald, 23/10/1936.
Chinese Gravely Injured
Charlie Hong, a Chinese, suffered serious internal injuries yesterday morning when the lorry he was driving down a hill on the main road in the vicinity of Timaru Park collided with a power pole. The cause of the accident is unknown. The front of the lorry was damaged by the impact, the engine being pushed back, and the pole was knocked out of plumb. Hong was operated on last night, his condition being considered very serious. -Timaru Herald, 22/12/1936.
FATAL INJURIES
INQUIRY INTO DEATH OF CHINESE
Hong Ark, who was admitted to the Timaru Hospital on Monday suffering from severe internal injuries received when the lorry he was driving crashed into a pole at the foot of the South School hill, died yesterday morning.
An inquest was conducted by the Coroner, Mr H. Morgan, yesterday afternoon.
Medical evidence was given by Dr J. C. McKenzie, who said Hong was admitted to the hospital about 8.45 a.m. He was suffering from internal injuries to the abdomen, and although he was conscious he was somewhat muddled. As far as could be ascertained from Hong he was struck by the steering wheel of the truck he was driving. Towards evening it became evident that his condition was serious and it was decided to operate. It was discovered that Hong's bowel was torn. His position became worse and he died at 10 a.m. yesterday. A post-mortem examination disclosed that the structure of the back wall of the abdomen was seriously lacerated. The injuries were so serious as to be irreparable. They were consistent with his having been struck with the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. He considered that death was caused by shock following extensive abdominal injuries.
Frank Ewald Miller, labourer, residing in Hurdley Street, said that at 8.15 on Monday morning he was near the Timaru Park gates when he heard a crash from the direction of King Street, and immediately went across. He found the truck up against a power pole. There was no other traffic about at the time. He helped the Chinese, who was conscious at the time, out of the truck. The tracks on the road indicated that the truck had steered an erratic course before it struck the pole.
Hector Gordon Baigent, service manager for Timaru Motors, Ltd., said that the truck had been purchased about two months ago. The front of the truck was extensively damaged and the back of the cab was stove in. There was a slight bend of the steering column and the steering wheel was slightly buckled. Assuming that the speed was not excessive, the only thing that would cause the truck to zig-zag would be that there was a very heavy load on the back.
The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from shock following on extensive abdominal injuries received when a motor truck he was driving accidentally collided with an electric power pole in King Street. -Timaru Herald, 23/12/1936.
FUNERALS
ARK. — The Friends of the late C. Ng. Hong Ark, are respectfully informed that his Funeral will leave the Timaru Hospital on Sunday. December 27, at 2 p.m.. for the Timaru Cemetery. (Hall and Moore.) -Timaru Herald, 24/12/1936.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Mr Kwong Fon wishes to thank all kind friends for token and expressions of sympathy in the bereavement of his late cousin, C. Ng. Hong Ark. -Timaru Herald, 30/12/1936.
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