372
A TERRITORIAL DISPUTE,
On Nov. 21 before a Hongkong Magistrate, Choy Fuk Tin and Mat Cheong were charged with feloniously beating and robbing Ip Chan, master of a licenced fishing boat, at Deep Bay
on the 11th instant. The amount stolen was $15.50, and immediately this breach of justice had been committed, the defendants absconded to Chinese Territory.
Inspector Langley stated that the defendants boarded the complainant's boat in Deep Bay on the 11th instant, and beat him with wooden poles. They inflicted a scalp wound about an inch and a half in length, and broke two of his fingers, after which they robbed him. They
were arrested on the water after the occurrence. Ip Chan said he was fishing at Shiuban on the 11th instant. There were about fourteen boats near his. The first defendant boarded his boat with the object of buying fish, but witness refused to sell at the price offered. Defendant abused him, and then sailed to a matshed. About half-an-hour later he returned with the second defendant and two others. The first defendant struck him on the head with the pole produced.
His Worship-Is the pole harder than his
bead f
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
COUNTERFEITED SHARES.
I ITATIONS OF 0.8.K. SHARE CERTIFICATES,
[November 27, 1905.
SUPREME COURT.
Friday, 17th November.
IN ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.
It has been ascertained that share certificates of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha to the face value of about Yen 50,000 have been counterfeited by BEFORE SIR F. T. PIGGOTT (CHIEF JUSTICE),
forgers.
About a fortnight ago a man obtained a loan from a Hyogo bank on the security of 475 O.S.K. shares, dated September, 18-9. There was nothing supicions about the notes, but the bank forwarded one of them to the head office of the steamship company for identification, when the fraud was discovered. The notes were at once seized by the police, who also made several arrests.
On the 30th ultimo a man deposited about 400 counterfeit 0.8.K. shares at the Kobe branch of the Dai-ichi Ginko and drew Y12,000 on the following day; and further that on the 2nd instant a man deposited 260 alleged shares of the same company at the Kobe branch of the Kajima Bank and drew Y5,000 on the following day. It is now believed that forged certificates to the number of several thousands shares are in circulation.
Aoki has confessed to the police that he forged the notes in concert with one named Yoshimura Engo, living at Minato-cho, Kobe, and another named Kubota Giichi, who was
The interpreter's reply was inaudible. Wit-assisted by his brother, Cabota Yunosuke, ness, continuing, said the second defendant then struck him on the shoulder with a heavier pole than the one in court, after which he became unconscious.
Witness produced the shred-worn, blood. stained jacket which he was wearing at the time of the assault.
His Worship--Is that an ancestral jacket ? Witness-No. It is an old one. Continuing, witness said that when he returned to consciousness he found that he had lost a number of fish, and $15.50. He was then on board the police pinnace, and was taken to the Tsimshatsoi police station, where he reported the matter. At the time of the assault he had three fokis on board.
Inspector Langley informed his Worship that while the waters of Deep Bay belonged to the British, the land on the other side belonged to the Chinese, but fishermen were licensed to fish in the bay. The people of the different villages on the Chinese shore, however, had an idea that they were entitled to collect rent for the privilege of fishing opposite their villages. Repeated com- plaints of " squeezing in this particular bay had been reported. If the fishermen who carried on their employment in these waters did not pay a certain amount of money to the villagers, or sell their fish to them at a rid culously low price, there was always trouble, The present was one of the many assaults committed there on account of fishermen not submitting to be " squeezed."
living in Kotono-cho and Shimoyamate-dori, Kobe. Yoshimura and the younger Kubota have been arrested, but the elder Kubota got wind of the affair and has escaped to Shanghai, It is suspected that Shigaraki Hisashi, who was managing director of the defunct To-a Life Insurance office, and lived in Osaka, is implicated, and his house was visited and searched. It was found that Shidara left about six weeks His wife has been arrested. Dr. ago. Shimasaki Kokichi, of Osaka, who was a medical adviser to the To-a Life Insurance Company, is also detained by the police.
Kubota Yudosuke," who has escaped to Shanghai, and his brother were convicted a fow years ago on a charge of having forged shares of the Koya Railway Company.
FATAL TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.
At the Magistracy on the 22nd Nov. before Mr. F. A. Hazeland, sitting as coroner, and a jury, an inquiry was held as to the cause of death of an unknown Chinaman, who was killed as the result of a collision with tramcar No. 34 in Des Voeux Road, near the Central Market, on the 10th instant.
Dr. John Bell, Superintendent of the Govern. ment Civil Hospital, deposed as to examining the body of deceased and finding that death was due to a fractured skull. Being knocked down by a tram might have caused such injury.
Lukong Tung Yam said he picked deceased up from the tram line. He was lying in front
His Worship (to witness)-At what price of car No. 34. were you selling your fish per cattie ?
Witness-At twelve cents, and the defendants wanted four catties for five cents.
His Worship- Did the defendants know the ruling price of fish?
Witness-They ought to.
His Worship-I don't think we can get any more out of this witness. It seems so natural for people to want to buy cheap fish.
Inspector Langley-But the first defendant is a dealer in fish.
His Worship-But the witness cannot say
that.
Asked ancther question, witness said that defendants told him if he was unwilling to sell them cheap fish, he had no right to fish in the bay.
On the conclusion of the evidence Inspector Langley asked his Worship to inflict a heavy sentence, as it would act as a deterrent to others. There was a lot of this going on, and in the present case the complainant's boat was damaged beyond repair, and was lying on the beach in Chinese territory, from which he would be unable to take it, as in all probability the villagers would again assault him.
His Worship sentenced the defendants to three months' imprisonment with hard labour.
man
The motorman of this car stated that on the 10th instant, as he was going West, he saw a car coming in the opposite dircetion. Near the entrance to Pottinger Street, he saw run behind the other car and in front of his. As soon as he saw the deceased, his car collided with him, and he was knocked down. The emergency brake was at once applied, and the car stopped.
a verdict of accidental
The
death.
Jury returned
EARTHQUAKES AT MACAO.
At Macao on Nov. 21st there were several earthquakes, preceded by noises like distant thunder. The superstitions inhabitants were greatly afraid.
K
On Nov. 22nd there was a series of slight shocks, followed at seven p.m. by a very severe tremor. This last was accompanied by a lond report." Throughout the night, which appeared to be "anosually dark" (this probably due to nerves), there were more shocks. It is stated by our correspondent that this visitation was not really so alarming as the previous one, although the shocks were more frequent. He had heard of no damage up to Thursday evening.
A DISHONOURED BILL OF EXCHANGE. The Russo-Chinese Bank of Prince's Build- ings claimed from the Sam Yee Company, Ld., late of 275 Das Voeux Road, and Chow Tit Sai, the sum of Rupees 40,000, due on a dishon- oured bill of exobange.
Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C., instructed by Mr. H. J. Gedge and Mr. J. Hays (both of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master's office) appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. E. H. Sharp, K.C., instructed by Mr. P. W. Goldring (of Messrs. Brutton. Hett and Goldring) represented the second defendant.
Mr. Pollook stated that the defendant com- pany lately carried on business at 275 Des Voeux Road Central, but had, since the com- mencement of this notion, gone into liquidation. An appearance was entered on their behalf by Mr. J. W. Lee Jones, the official liquidator of the said company. The defendant, Chow Tit Sai, was a merchant carrying on business at No. 34 Queen's Road Central. The defendants, to- gether with one, Soo Shan Ping, whoso where- abouts are unknown, drew a bill of exchange for Rupees 40,000 dated 1st November, 1904, on the Sam Yee Company. The bill of exchange was drawn payable thirty days after sight to one, Ng San Gook, who endorsed the bill for value. The bill of exchange was dishonoured on due date, namely on the 24th January, 1905, by non-payment, and was duly protested, whilst of the the defendant had had due notice dishonour. The plaintiffs had neither received payment on account of principal or interest due, and the amount of interest and material charges incurred on the dishonour of the bill amounted at the date of the writ of summons to Rupees 40,684.1.1. or $29,730.69. The plaintiffs claimed payment of this sum and interest at the rate of eight per cent. per annum from the date of the writ until payment or judgment.
Mr. Pollock then read Chow Tit Sai's state- ment of defence wherein the defendant denied that he had drawn any such bill of exchange, and states that what purported to be his signature thereon was a forgery. He also read the evidence, taken on commission, of Mr. Ross
aylor, who used to be manager of the plaintiff bank at Hongkong. Witness deposed as to the drawing of several bills by the Sam Yee Com- pany of Hongkong on the Sam Yee Company of Bombay, which bills were signed by Chow Tit Sai: he had been requested to sign them as security for the payments.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE MR. A. G.WISE (PUISNE JUDGE).
A MONEYLENDER'S PROFITS. Khan Singh sued Lam Chi Wan to recover the sum of $16, interest on money lent.
Defendant said he had already paid the amount, but this the plaintiff denied and produced the defendant's I.O.U,
His Lordship-If you borrow money and give a receipt, you should get it returned when you repay. How much interest did you pay P
Defendant-38 a month.
His Lordship-Then you mean you paid 96 ¦ per cout. per annum.
Defendant-Yes.
His Lordship-How much ahve you paid altogether?
Defendant-8100 capital and $76 interest.. His Lordship-But these IO.U's are only for $16. What is that for?
Defendant Two months' interest, which I have paid.
His Lordship-Well, pay it again and we'll keep the 1.0.U. so that it will be in a safe place.
AN UNGRATEFUL LODGER.
R C. Hurley, boarding house keeper, claimed the sum of $316.50 from J. Wrench, a lodger.
Defendant admitted owing the amount, but said he was unable to pay.
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