DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 February 1926, Page 5

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

FOLLOWS A QUARREL. CHINESE SENTENCED TO DEATH. Press Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyrlg LONDON, Saturday. The trial of Lock Tam, the Chinese who was arrested for murder, has been lifted out of tiie sphere of ordinary interest by virtue of the fact that he is the most powerful and influential Chinese in England. Money has been subscribed for Ids defence throughout China. also by compatriots in England, thus: enabling Sir E. Marshall Hull, K.C. .leader of the criminal bar, to lie bi :o t < a.

Lock Tam is recognised as the head of {lie Chinese sailors' community both in England and the Continent, and a word spoken by him carried weight with the Chinese in any port of tiie world. He married an English wife 20 years ago, became naturalised, and carried on, business ns the agent for a Hongkong shipping firm at Birkenhead. The family was most affectionate, but the idea of the motive may be obtained from a statement the accused is alleged, by the prosecution, to have made: “On account of the trouble through my sons, my wife had not a kind word for me. My sons are the cause of it.” The evidence showed that the tragedy followed a domestic quarrel. Lock Tam, after drinking heavily, killed his wife and daughters with a revolver.

Accused was sentenced to death, mi l requested to be buried beside his wife. —Aus. and N.'Z. Cable Assn.