1
July 28, 1906.1
*** A BITILDING DISPUTE.
Fung Chun-yuen was summoned by the Building Authority for failing to comply with a notice under the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance. Mr. F. B. L. Bowley (Crown Solicitor) prosecuted, and Mr. M. W. Slade (instructed by Mr. Stevenson) represented the defendant.
Mr. Bowley said the case waS a flagrant breach of the Building Ordinance. The defendant recently purchased the premises known sa Musso's godowrs on the Praya East. The godowns were pulled down and several blocks of Chinese houses erected in their place. It was regarding two blocks of houses in ill Road, near Connaught Road West, that the prosecution was brought. The houses were exceptionally well lighted and well ventilated, but were of a greater depth than 40 ft., under which circumstance special provisions as to window area were required. The plans did not show this area and an application was made to the Governor in Council for exemption. This was at first refused, but subsequently upon the representation of Messrs. Palmer and Turner was granted. Plans were submitted in Septem- ber last year, and of course the de'eudent should have waited until they were approved before commencing the work. He did not do so. The case continued Mr. Bowley, practica ly amounted to a struggle between the owner and the Building Authority. The former wanted to build as much as possible on the land and the Building Authority wished to see that the provisions of the Ordinance were complied with. It came to the knowledge of the Building Authority that a wrought-iron partition had been erected in two of the large houses and one small one, which divided each into two separate bouses, and it was regarding these partitions that the was taken out. They were not authorised by the Building Authority and no notice of the intention to construct the iron walls or partitions was given. This was a very material alteration to and deviation from the original plans. Notice was given requiring the defend nt to remove the partitions, but so far be had not done so,
Evidence was called and the hearing adjourned.
summor8
CIVIL SERVICE CO-OPERATIVE
STORY.
Some months ago a meeting of civil servants was called to consider the advisability of start- ing a co-operative store. At a subsequent meeting two propositions were made. One was that the service should start a store on the usual co-operative lines; the other, that tenders should be called from local firms willing to supply civil servants with goods at cheaper rates than those prevailing. Both pro, ositions were referred to a committee. but the decision of that committee, for some unknown reason, has been kept dark.
From a confidential circular forwarded to members of the service, however, it would appear that certain firms have agreed to allow civil servants a discount ranging from five to twenty percent, on their month y bills, but for this concession they must depo-it with such firm, an amount equal to their average monthly account, and settle such accounts on or before the 10th of the following month.
We understand that since the issue of this circular the committee have declared themselves in favour of the soheme for the inauguration of a society on co operative lines.
MILITARY HOSPITAL SHIP SOLD.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
FORMER HONGKONG JOURNALIST,
DIES IN SOUTH AFRICA,
2.
On Sunday, June 17th, at the Pretoria Hospital, Mr. Thomas Morton Pollock died suddenly, at the age of thirty years.
The late Mr. Pollock, who was quite recently appointed editor of the Transvaal Advert ser, was both well known and popular at Pretoria, and his colleagues write very feelingly of their loss.
Mr. Pollock Was professionally trained in Glasgow, and about six years ago came out to Hongkong as chief reporter for the Daily Press, which position le filled very satisfactorily for about three years He went to South Africs in 1903, joining the same journal in whose service he die. After about a year at Pretoria, he went to Middelburg to edit the Observer; but not many months elapsed before he was persuaded to return to the Advertiser at Pretoria, on which paper, as already stated, he had just worked his way up to the top position. He was Hon. Sec. to the Pretoria Journalists' Associa tion, and a strong supporter of the Caledoniar Society. He married a young lady in Cape Colony just over a year before he died. The Tronsvaal Leader and Cape Times speak very highly of his abilities and promise.
On the 24th July, on board the Meanee, Mr, T. F. Hough, of Messrs. Hughes & Hough, auctioneers, ffered that vessel for sale by public auction, A goodly number of Chinese was in attendance, and the sale opened with a bid of $20,00o. $1,000 bids were then the order until the amount offered was $45,000. Then two intending purchase18 kept up the competition by $500 bide, Messrs. Yee Wo-tai and Chin Kee's last bid of $500, bringing the amcunt offered up to $50,000. They were declared the purchasers,
THE SAINAM PIRACY.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.
NINET EN CAPTURES.
up
July 20th. According to the latest information the dastardly outrage was the result of a carefully la d out plan. It appears that the pirates got in- formation that a heavy shipment of treature was to be made by the Saiman and had made their minds to secure it. The gang embarked in three section from three different places, the scouts embarking at this port, while the bulk board at Kaukong. It appears. went on however, that the pirates had been misin- formed, as the treasure was to be shipped from Wuobow and not from Canton.
The authorities bere bave realized no doubt the seriousness of the affair and the officials have received the severest orders to arrest the criminals at once under penalty of prompt punishment. As a result of their combined
efforts I am informed that nineteen of them
have already been captured, amongst them thepirate who took Capt. Joslin's ring. This man was arrested, it is said, as he was about to pawn the ring in one of the pawnshops in the western suburbs. Owing no doubt to external pressure H. E. the Viceroy appears to be determined to bring the whole gang to book. In China, where it is impossible for natives to pursue any calling without the knowledge of Lis neighbours, it is only a question of will on the part of the authorities to promptly arrest perpetrators of crime. The late Li Hung-chang had an expeditious way of dealing with this class of desperadoes. Strict orders were given to the authorities to instantly behead all loafers caught on the riverside who could not give sound reference as to his calling or a plausible excuse for his presence at a place where he had no appareat business to be. It was suggested at the time of the attack on a foreign houseboat in 1902, when two foreigners were wounded, that all those dragon-bosis and dug-outs one sees fi ed up on the riverside sometimes miles away from the nearest village, should be seized and only those who can justify bona-fide ownership to be returned. The others to be burued Apart from those used by fishermen four-fifths of those boats are used for unlawful purposes Stations should be established on the river and connected by telephone, thus enabling in an emergency the neighbouring stations to co-operate in the capture of a gang of pirates for which the men on one station alone would be no match.
j
SENSATIONAL ABRESTS,
The Ste-man-po publishes, writes our Canton correspondent, an extraordinary requel to the Sainam affair. The Chinese journal alleges that one of the pirates in custody, Cheong Fong, while under examination at Samshui, déclared that the crime was committed with police stationed at Fatsban. connivance. He implicated several detectives
Three were, it is stated, at once arrested by order of Admiral Li-tsun. One of them, Loong Nun-tsai-j
i-yeong, was feared because of his affiliation with 80 many associations and societies; or at any rate, it was considered likely that he might be warned. The Admiral there- fore adopted a ruse in his case. He sent for the man, and telling him that he wished him to undertake a 'special mission of a secret and dangerous nature, asked him if he possessed a revolver upon which he could depend. Leong proudly podticed his weap n, only to have it anatched away. He was then easily overpowered and tied up.
I am also informed that the officials have authorized the police to search all travellers' luggage, and in every case where a passenger is either unknown or looks suspicious the police are authorized to search the person as well.
The Chief-Detective was, it is said, accused by the pirate, but so many people came forward to answer for his honesty that he was not arrested.
CANTON.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT)
July 24th.
THE VICERGY WORRIED.
Viceroy Shum has been worried by petty officials calling to consul: him about all sorts of details, during his stay at Whampoa. He has had a notice posted reminding the public that he has leave to spend two months in retirement for his health's sake, and that his cure is inte rapted by these unnecessary cou sultations. They are to go to the Provincial Treasurer oa civil business, or to the G. O. C. on military matters.
THE KWANGSI CAPITAL.
Viceroy Shum's suggestion to remove the Kwangai headquarters trom Kwoi-lin to Nan- ning has been tabooed by Peking on the ground that it entails needless expense,
◄ THE BAILWAY.
It is reported that Taotsi Kung and Expect- tan Prefect Wu are leaving shortly for Peking, to take part in a discussion of the Cauton-Haukow railway scheme.
PLAGUE.
Į
Plague bas now almost disappeared from Canton, but I hear of many deaths from some myst rions fever, whose name I have not ascertained. High fever, com, and death within two or three days, is, I am told, the usual
case.
EDUCATION.
Steps are being taken, by order from Paking, to secure more uniformity in the educational system in the province. I think it means that control of all is to be, really centred in the Peking Department of Education.
THE CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY.
JAPANESE, ENGINEER.
Things are not working quite smoothly yet amongst the mnagers and the supporters of the scheme and but for the firmness of the Viceroy the whole business would soon fall through once more. From the tone of recent meetings it is evident the board of directors are anxious to get the work started so as to instil confidence in the hearts of the numerous small subscribers. who are growing weary of the delay and who have lately expressed pretty truly their opinion of the matter. It is reported that the board contemplates the employment of a Japan- ese fas engineer in chief, and at a banquet given on July 19th to a Japanese engineer by the railway authorities tho preliminary arrangements are said to have been made. Owing to the numerous contradictory: reports appearing in the various papers, the- Chinese have grown very reticent of late and it is very difficult to obtain reliable information.
A meeting which was convened for the 21st instant has been postponed to the 20th proxim? at the Viceroy's suggestion, so as to give lime. to subscribers abroad to appoint representatives. to take part in the deliberations. The meeting, will be held in the ex-governor's yamen.