394
PUBLIC EXAMINATION.
The debtor was then examined by the Official Receiver. He said he carried on business as the San Cheong firm at 147 Des Voeux Road Central. He commenced business in 1900 with $500 capital and made a profit of $500 in the frst year. In the following year this drop ed to $300, but in 1903 he started to sell tin plates, and made a net profit of $400. In 1904 his loss was $600, but at the beginning of February 1905 he made a little profit, losing again by the end of the year from £3,000 to $4,000. He con- tinued business for three or four years after he was unable to meet his liabilities in the hope of making a profit to pay off his debts. He had no property other than that mentioned in his statement of affairs. Previously be had property in the country, but sold it on May 13th, and with the $500 realised paid part of his debt to Shewan Tomes and other firms. He did not make an entry in his cash book, although money received from other sources was always entered. Debtor sold 8000 cases of tin, about 3,000 cases of which were sent to Macao, while some had been sent to Canton. He had been paid for these goods.
To Mr. Harstou-Debtor had no partners. His transactions were extensive with Shewan, Tomes and Co., but they knew he was insolvent when they let him have about $10,000 worth of goods; in fact, they persuaded him to take them. In September he saw a European from Shewan Tomes, but did not tell him he had from $4,000 to $5,000 due him in Macao, although he promised to liquidate his debt in two or three days. He went over to Macao to raise a loan. He had no debts to co lect there as they had all been previously paid,
The examination was adjourned.
ALLEGED INSURANCE FRAUDS,
At Hongkong Police Court on December 5th, Wong Sai, Ma Chik Shang, Chung Shing, and a woman named Leung Wong Shi were charged with conspiring to defraud the China Mutual Life Insurance Company of the sum of $2,000 on an insurance policy. Mr. P. W. Goldring prosecuted and Mr. Otto Kong Sing appeared for the second defendant.
Mr. Goldring explained that the case was founded on a death supposed to have occurred in the harbour during the typhoon of September 18th. On July 25th last a man named Leung Yin came to the Canton Office of the China Mutual Life Co. and applied for a twouty years' endowment policy for the sum of $2,000. The manager, Mr. Edwards, issued the necessary papers on the payment of the first year's premium of $110 and the papers were subsequently forwarded to Hongkong and on to the Head Office at Shanghai when the policy was issued and returned to the third defendant, who was a broker and introduced the business. Nothing further was heard of the matter until November 11th, when the female defeudant, who alleged thatshe was the widow of Leung Yin, and the second defendant came to the Canton offic
and claimed the $2, 00. The statements that they made regarding the mau's death' were so conflicting that Mr. Edwards wrote to Hong kong for instructions with the result that Mr. Knox, manager of the local office, ordered further inquiries to be made. These resulted in still more conflicting evidence being produced.
• One of the defendants said that the deceased was swept off the Praya at Hongkong during the typhoon of September 18th and another that he was drowned in the typhoon while crossing the harbour to Yaumat, and eventually the defendants were induced to come to Hongkong to make their claims. Here a trap was laid for them by the company. The firm's compradore got to know all of them and to him they admitted that it was a scheme to get the money out of the Life Insurance Company and he (the compradore) was promised a share of it if obtained, if he would help the defendants. Mr. Goldring said he would prove that there was no such person as Leang Yia and that the man He who had assumed that name was still alive would also show that the address given by the defendants was a fictitious oue, in fact that there was no such house and no such street as mentioned by the defendants.
His Worship adjourned the hearing for a week.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
i
THE BANK NOTE TRICK.
boatwoman who called at the Central Police Wonderful is the simplicity of the Chinese Station on Nov. 28th to report how she bid been robbed of her belongings. Leaving in her best, adorned with whit jewellery she Aberdeen on the morning of that day attired possessed, and with $10 in her parse, she came in Hongkong to do some shopping. Ia Des Voeux Road West two alleged confidence mea accosted her, and asked the way to the clock direction, and, if they accompanied her, she tower. Wong Pai said she was going in that would direct them. Being well-groomed, and of oily tongue, the confidence men evidently wormed themselves into the good graces of their guide, for, when they arrived at their des tin tion, the parting was as that of old friends. The woman had not gone far on her way, how. ever, when she was overtaken by one of the men who said:"I have just picked up a small bundle containing ten $100 notes, and should be much obliged if you would change it into silver for me." She consented, the bundle was handel over, and the woman had got but a small way on her errand when she was called back. Then the men, with many apologies for their want of confidence, explained that they were strangers in a strange land. She was taking their all-in-all; and, although they felt that they could trust her, they thought it advisable that she should leave something valuable behind as security. Stripping off her bangles, rings and other jawellery valued at $77, she handed them over together with her $10 bill, and ence more started for a money changer's. On the way, tickled by curiosity, she thought she would have a look at the bundle of notes, and, on opening it. found to her cousternation that the package contained nothing ba papir. Hurriedly she returned to the spot where th men said thy would wait, and of course they were not there. Then she went to the Central Police Station and told her story, after hearing which Inspector Ritchie 88 it a Chia se detective with her to the 8.8. fon m to see if she could find either of the men. She pointed out one, who, she said, had tricked her, anl subsequently, it is stated, he pointed oit his comrade. Both were arrested, but none of the stolen jewellery was recovered.
f
1
They were charged before Mr. F. A. Haza- laid at the Police Court yesterday, and the case was remanded.
A NEW TERRITORY TRAGEDY.
The police hare just learned of a tripl mir- der which must have taken place early this week OD the hillside towards the Shatin P483. It appears that the three victim ‹ resided with Wong Shan in the village of Kum Yam Shaw which lies behind old Kowloon. One Was a son of the old man, a second was a nephew and the third was a friend. On Sunday afternoon the three left the house for a walk, and as they did not retura that night the old man concluded they had gone to Kowloon City and stayed there. The next day and night pissed without bringing any tidings of the young people, and ou Tuesday morning he decided to go out in search of them. He took the same path, but he had only been out about an hour when he WAS horrified to discover the bodies of the missing youths. terribly mutilated, and the vicinity bea ing traces of a struggle having taken place. 'n each case the thro it was cut, an I the heads and bodies had ngly gashes. The farmer made his way to Shatin and reported the occurrence.
The police then took the bodies to the mortuary. Robbery is suggested as one of the motives for the dastardly crime, as the friend of the two parties had a watch and chain and 83 in money, which are missing.
SUCCESSFUL SALVAGE.
On November 29th the Freno i torpado boat ronde, having been raised, was taken by the Protector and a junk to a temporary resting place in Hanghom Bay pending her reception the Kowloon Dock, where she will be examined by experts with a view to ascertaining whether she will be worth repairing ornot.
10
|
[December 10, 1906.
HOTEL MANAGER DROWNED.
Slatoo, manager of the Connaught House News has reached Hongkong that Mr. A.W. Hotel, was drowned at sea last week. He was a pass nger on board the s.s. Hanoi which was proceeding to Haiphong, and while sitting-so it is reported-on the rail, he lost his balanos aud fell overboard, The occurrence having been witnessed, life buoys were thrown to the unfortunate m10, and the ship Was stopped. Search proved fruitless. The and to the U. S. Consul matter was reported to the Harbour Authorities
Hanoi, which came into port on Monday:
Following is the official statement from the
8.8. Hanoi at Sea, 26th November, 1906
abreast of Great Ladrone Islə, a passenger, Mr. At 6.25 p.m. on the 26th instant, while G. Galimberti, shouted that another passenger had fallen overboard. The engines were at thrown overboard, and a boat lowered with the once stopped, a lifebuoy with light attachel, second officer in charge. After searching roand from 6.25 till 6.57 pm. no trace of him could be found. Rostarted engine and proceeded on
course.
It appears that Mr. Galimberti, who trying to seat himself on the side of the ship was an eye-witness, said that Mr. Slaton was
which was rolling heavily at the time, and overbalanced himself. (Sigued). P. Meerless (Master). K. M Klausen (mate). C. Zirk, A. H. Tomsett, G. Galimberti, W. R. Myers,
(passengers).
ARRIVAL OF ACTING GOVERNOR.
land. Hon. Mr. F. H May, Mrs. May and family returned to the Colony by the P. and O. s.s.. Nubia on Do. 8th. After the vessel was moored a number of Government officials and civilians went off to her to welcome Mr. and Mrs. My. and accompanied them ashore in the Government launch. On landing Mr. May proceeded to Government House, where he will probably reside during the time he is administering the Government. The oremony of swearing Mr. May in as Acting. Governor will take place at the Legislative Council Chamber on Dec. 15th.
After an eighteen months' holiday in the home-
BRITISH BORNEO.
(PROM OUR CORRESPONDENT),
SANDA AN, November 27th. THE TENOM-T W、O EXPEDITION,
I confirm my telegram of this morning. "Tenom law8O expedition arrived; Europeans will. The expedition, comprising
Fiz:
Messrs.
tramp.
More and Tristam, as railway surveyors, etc., Mr. G. H. Hone, for The British Boruso Iploration Co., Ltd, and Mr. Woзdon, the Government offoar in charge of the transport, arrived here from Silimpopou last evening, by the Labuan. They all look re- markably well, after their six months' t though they are certainly thin. The results of their jonroey have not yet leaked out, but it has been understood for some time that the primey object for which they were sent out, to ascertain the practicability of running a railway through from Tenom to lawao, his to be reported ou anfaronrably. Tue now is, that of a railway from 8.adikan ti Kudat, meets with much more gane al favour.
INTERNATIONAL WALKING
MATCH.
held at the Belle View Hotel on D5, 6th to
There was a fair attendance at the me ting
consider the advisability of holding a loos international walking match. Mr. W. H. Manners was appointed s cretary of the move. ment, and was asked to write to the various clubs in the colony requesting thêm to send representatives to a meeting to be subsequently convened for the purpose of fixing a date for the event, appointing a committee, judges and officials, and to consider the entrance fee, style of walking, course, prises and other matters. Individuals interested, who are not members of clubs, are also to be invited to attend.
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