龠
478
· STEAM LAUNDRY CO., LD.
The first annual meeting of the shareholders in the Steam Laundry Company. Limited, was held on the 12st ult. at the Works, the registered once of the company, Causeway Bay, next door to Kennedy's Stables, Mr. W. Hutton Potte, the company's chairman, presided, and there were also present Messrs. D. E. Brown (Director), C. Mooney (Secretary), F. G. Allen (Manager), Mak Fuk, and Li Yak.
The Secretary having read the notice convening the meeting,
The Chairman said-With your conour rence, I propose to dispense with the reading of the report of the board and the statement of accounts, which have been in your possession for several days. As you are aware, this com pany is the successor of the Hongkong Steam Laundry Company, Limited, registered in August, 1900, whose assets and liabilities we took over on the 1st June, 1902, the share- holders in the old company receiving in exchange for their ten dollar share one of five dollars in this company, and those of us who were members of the old company have had, like many other share- holders in local industries, to pay for our experience by the loss of half of our capital; and under these circumstances we
are the more pleased that we are now in a position to recommend a dividend of 8 per cent, or 4 per cent. on our original investment, With regard to repairs and renewals (83,534.47), this may seem large for one year's work, but you must remember that work has been carried on continuously since September, 1900, and it was only during the period covered by the account now before you that the machinery began to wear out, and repairs and renewals became necessary, though we believe they will always be a large item, so much of the plant being constantly wet, the washing machines in particular soon deteriorating. From the formation of our predecessor we have had innumerable difficulties to contend with, one of the principal being accommodation, the present building being badly designed and much too small, with no ground for drying in the open. The water supply was also a cause of great inconvenience and anxiety, it being impossible during the last two winters to obtain sufficient for our requirements during the one or two hours it was supposed to be turned on in the town mains, but, fortunately, after purchasing for some little time from water boats, we struck a good flow of water in the wells sunk in our compound. Another trouble was and continues to be, though in a lessened degree, the unrea- sonable claims put forward by some of our patrons for loss or damage, which if en- tertained would probably have caused the closing of the works. Some people
seem
to have an idea that because we are a company nothing should go wrong, for getful or indifferent to the fact that we have to depend on the native workman who has to be educated to our system, and his work closely supervised to ensure his natural tendency to fold up without remark a damaged or soiled article which is in many cases returned in a condition that brings discredit on the Laundry, it being quite impossible for the sorters to open up and inspect every article out of a daily washing of four or five thousand pieces. It has been through constant worry and persistent effort that the above mentioned troubles have been partly overcome and we are able to show the present results We can congratulate ourselves that ours is, as far as we are aware, the only steam laundry in the East that has survived native opposition, which always carries with it the pecuuiary sympathy of the native domestic, and the fact that we have been able to carry on makes it evident that the clean iness of our methods and the punctuality of our delivery is appreciated, and that our patrons no longer being doubtful as
to where their clothes have been laundried, or have been lying for a week or more, are more inclined to look over our short comings The sccounts money being have been kept haskil now required to meet ne ihly expenses and it being irrait year20ded before hich we now recommend. our earnings up to the present compare favourably with the same
safer to see howe
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
|
[December 28, 1903.
period last year, and with an increase in our | been discovered that he was a British subject already large shipwork, this year should show having been born in the New Territory. better results. Before moving the adoption of the report and accounts I shall be pleased ot answer any questions. There being no ques- tions, I beg to propose that the report and accounts as presented be passed.
Mr. D. E. Brown seconding, it was unani- mously carried.
On the proposal of Mr. Mooney, seconded by Mr. Allei, Mr. Brown, the retiring director, was re-elected.
The re-election of Mr. A. O'D. Gourdin as auditor of the company was agreed to, on the proposal of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Brown.
The Chairman then intimated that that was all the business before the meeting and that dividend warrants would be sent out to share-
holders next day.
SUPREME COURT.
Friday, 18th December.
IN CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.
BEFORE HIS HONOUR SIR WILLIAM M. GOODMAN (CHIEF JUSTICE).
ALLEGED DEFILEMENT OF A GIRL. Li Tsoi was brought up on a charge of defile- ment of a girl under 16 years of age.
The Attorney-General, Hon. Sir Henry 8. Berkeley, who appeared for the Crown (instructed by Mr. F. B. L. Bowley, Crown Solicitor) stated that since the indictment was filed he had had a communication from the Principal Civil Medical Officer which put it beyond doubt that the girl was above the age. He therefore did not propose to proceed further He believed his friend Mr. with the case. Pollock had been instructed to defend.
The prisoner was discharged.
In connection with the same case Chu Kiu was brought up on a charge of having suffered a girl under age to be carnally known on her premises.
to
Baine course
The Attorney-General stated that he desired with regard pursue the to this woman as had been followed in regard to the previous case.
Cha Kia having been called up, his Lordship formally discharged her, remark- ing that he understood she kept a sly brothel and, although she was discharged in this par- ticular case, she must be very careful what she was about; otherwise she would get into trouble.¦ There was no doubt that she kept young girls on her premises.
The prisoner was discharged.
THE CHARGE AGAINST SERGT. LES.
Sergeant J. F. Lee was brought up on a charge of manslaughter in conuection with the accidental shooting of Mr. MacGregor in the New Territory.
The Attorney-General said he had come to the conclusion, after reading the depositions, that there was no ground for proceeding with the prosecution.
He accordingly ask ed his Lordship to discharge the defendant.
His Lordship discharged the defendant accordingly. He said he had read the de- positions and had no doubt that this was an accident-a really melancholy accident. It was exceptional. There might have been some carelessness but he was 801 that Sergeant Lee regretted the event as much as any one i Court.
The Attorney-General said he hopel his Lordship might add that there was no stain of any kind on Sergeant Lee's charoter.
His Lordship said he did not think there was any stain on Sergeant Lee's character. · It was purely an accident-they would occur some. times-and as far as he could se from the depositions, although the Magistrate was quite right in sending the matter to the supreme Court for their decision, he thought there was no moral guiltattaching to Sergeant Lee in any way.
Sergeant Lee was dischargedt, -
AN UNDESIRABLE. ·
Lam Hing's usme appeared, on the list as having returned from banishment.
The Attorney-Gederal stated that since the defendant had been committed for trial it had
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The Chief Justice discharged the man, and added that although he was discharged on technical point it was quite clear that he was an undesirable character. Otherwise he would not have been banished. As he had the right to remain in the colony, his Lordship hoped that he would amend his ways and be a respectable member.
ARMED ROBBERY.
Tsoi Lin Lo Cheong and Fung Lia were charged with armed robbery, and Lo Kun Tai was charged with receiving stolen goods.
They pleaded not guilty
The following jury was empanelled :-Messrs. A. Becker, L. A. Bose, A. G. Roberts, A. Ritchie, E. W. Terry, P. Plage, and G. H. May.
The Attorney-General said that on 18th October several men with face blackenep entered a boat at Lochaiwan and stole $50 in money and a quantity of jewelry, etc. They were armed with revolvers and used force in dealing with the occupants of the boat
The jury returned a verdict of guilty. The first three prisoners were sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour and 24 strokes of the birch; the fourth was sen- tenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour.
ARMED ROBBERY.
Four Chinese were brought up on a charge of having been concerned in an armed robbery at Lochaiwan on the 18th and 19th inst. They pleaded not guilty.
The following jury was empanelled :—Messrs. A. Berker, A. Rose, A. G. Roberts, A. Ritchie, E. W. Terry, P. Plage and G. H. May.
The Attorney-General stated that on the evening in question the prisoners with their faces blackened boarded the defendant's boat and stole the money mentioned in the iudict-- ment as well as some articles of jewelry.
The jury found the charge proven, and his Lordship sentenced the accused to two years' imprisonment with hard labour.
Saturday, 19th December.
IN ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.
BEFORE HIS HONOUR SIR WILLIAM M. GOODMAN (CHIEF JUSTICE),
T80 CHEUNG SHI v. TO SHING.
Judgment, was delivered in the case in which Tso Cheung Shi, widow, 162, Queen's Road West, suing as executrix of Tsoi Heung Po deceased, claimed from To Shing, 22, Peel Street, $28,000 money received and $12,000 damages for breach of contract in respect of the building of two steamships. Hon. H. E. Pollock, K.C., (instructed by Mr. F. B. L. Bowley of Messrs. Dennys and Bowley, solicitors), ap- peared for the plaintiff; and Mr. M. W. Slade (instructed by Mr. C. & H. Beavis, of Messrs. Wilkinson and Grist, solicitors), was for the defendant.
His Lordship in delivering judgment said -This is an action brought by the executrix of the late Tsoi Heang Po against a shipbuilder named To Shing, claiming damages for the non- delivery of a small steam vessel, one of two which he had contracted to deliver to Tsoi. The damages claimed amount to $40,800, namely $28,000, being the amount paid by Taoi to To Shing between certain dates on account of the vessel, $12,000, representing the difference be- tween $28,000 paid and $41,000 for which, it is alleged, the vessel, if delivered according to contract, could have been sold by Tsoi, and $800, representing certain materials or fittings, not included in to specification, paid for by Tsoi and used in the steam vessel, the value of which it is alleged that Tsoi lost because the vessel was not delivered to him but to someone else.
It seems that one. Henry Piry, trading as H. Piry and Company, had acquired co-tain concessions from the French authorities at Kwong Chow Wan with regard to opium-and other commodities, and wished to raise the necessary capital to utilise and develop those concessions, and to procure suitable steam vessels for purposes connected therewith. Accordingly, he associated with himself three Chinese who could provide some, at least, of the money required, namely Chan Tuk