SHOOTING OF A CHINESE CONSUL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1708, 27 March 1913, Page 6

SHOOTING OF A CHINESE CONSUL.

MR. YUNG LIANG HWANG.

EX-SECRETARY COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Tliore was a large and interested crowd at the Melbourne City Court on March 19, when Thomas Jones Cilia, formerly secretary to the Chinese Consulate, was presented on a charge of having wounded Yung Liang Hwang, the Chinese' Consul (formerly of Wellington) with intent to murder him. Chia was neatly attired in a light frock suit. Mr. Dwycr, P.M.j and several honorary justices were on the Bench, ill - . G. Maxwell appeared for Chia. ' Yung Liang Hwang, Consul-General for China in the Commonwealth, stated that Cliia was formerly secretary and translator to him in Melbourne. At the beginning of October Chin left the Consulate, having been discharged by the Chinese Government. On March 11, at about 2.20 p.m., Chia camo to his office and asked for an authority to tell Jlr. Atleo Hunt, Secretary for lilxteriial Affairs, that he was still a Chinese official awaiting a Government appointment. Witness said that he could not do it. Chia took exception to tho announcement being made in tho personal columns of the newspapers that ho had severed his connection with the Consulate. Witness told Chia'that, he had not raised any objection _ before the intimation was sent out. Chia next said that he wanted to go back to China, and asked for a letter of introduction to the,' Commissioner of the Bureau for Foreign Affairs at Shanghai. Ho was told that if he showed his passage ticket, his request would bo granted. He agreed and asked for a letter of introduction to the Minister for Commerce and Industry 'at Peking. Chia was informed that as this was a personal, and not official, matter, it could not be done. Tho conversation was maintained until a few minutes after 5 p.m., when witness suggested that Chia should leave tho office.

"He then took a revolver out," said the witness, "and, pointing it right at my face, fired it. After the first shot I jumped to my feet and rushed at him. He then fired three more shots at me. Tho four were fired in a few seconds. I, felt a sharp sting jn my left arm. Catching., hold of Chia's arms, I pinned him against the wall. My typist, Kwng Liu, came in, and Chia remarked,\'lt is finished. I've got nothing in my hands.' Ho also said, 'I had determined to kill myself ana you.' ' I am not sure- whether lie said, 'And j'ou' or 'Or you.'" Mr. Maxwell: While the interview was proceeding, were you in your chair with Chia on the opposite sido of the table?— Yes. Was he just opposite to you when hs fired the first shot?— Yes. Was the last shot or two fired while you were struggling?— No. As I stepped Tound to grapple him. Did you give to. the press an account of tlio occurrence sliflrtly after it took ■ place ?~Yes. Reporters came to my place at Kew. Ono newspaper account said that after two shots you got into grips with him. When the other two shots were fired, you bumped against the door ?—I am not even now clear whether one or two shots were fired at me as we struggled. Then the shot that took effect in your shoulder might have been fired while yqu were struggling ?—I felt tho sting of tlie wound as 1 sat at the table. • Is it not true that it was one of the last two shots fired? —I felt it as soon a? I jumped up. I am sure it was before we struggled. Do you think that if Chia wanted to kill you he would have had any difficulty in placing a bullet in your chest?—ln the course of tho conversation, which lasted nearly three hours,. 1 do not think he would have had <iny difficulty. ' Sad' anything occurred between yon that he should wish to take your life? Had-you ever treated him badly?— No. ■ To Sub-Inspector Britt: While the conversation was going on Chia said that I had. ruined him.. •

' Kwng Full Liu, clerk and typist at the Chinese Consulate, stated that he rushed in on hearing the reports, and saw that the Consul-General had been wounded. He said, howover, that ho did not feel much hurt. :

Constable G. L,^.Caldwell stated that ho convened Chia in a cab to the watchhouse. While in the cab witness .asked Chia if ho had shot the Consul, and Chid replied, "Yes, I meant to kill him." Yung Liang Hwang asked him why he had shot at him, and Chia replied, "Because yon abused me. I meant to kill you, and then kill myself." Chia added, in reply to a question, that he had had this revolvei for only, a day. Chia, on being asked if he wished to make any answer to the charge, pleaded not guilty. He waa then committed for trial at the next sittings of tho Supremo Court on April, 15. Mr. Maxwell', asked if the trial could not be allowed to take place at the current sittings of the Court, but Mt. Dwyer sa.id that'fliis was too unusual a course to adopt. In reply to a question as to ' bail by -Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Dwyer stated, tliqt the charge was too serious for him to entertiin the application.