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His Lordship-At first they were. But they began to give me half a dozen names when they found that Connaught House was closed.
Kwong Fu-yuen was next called. he was one of eight partners in the Connaught House Hotel. Defendant had a share.
He said
Mr. Grist-How much money did he pat in ?--You must ask him; be keeps the accounts, Are you still carrying on this business?— It coated in the twelfth moon of last year.
And the firm has gone into bankruptcy? No, not yet.
costs
His Lordsbin gare judgment and for the plaintiff, and said if it was necessary the defendant could Eue the partnership to obtain a contribution from the others.
THE LATE MR. WEI ON,
Thedrath took place at midnight on May 19:h of Mr. Wei On, one of the most distinguished solicitors in Hongkong. The sad news, which came quite unexpectedly, was received with gennine regraf by the many Europeans and Chinese who knew him. A member of the firm of Messrs. Jolinson, Stokes and Master, be held a high place in his profession, while socially he was greatly extremed. He took a keen interest in sport, and figured in the present tennis tournaments at the Hongkong Club. He died at the Government Civil Hospital, where he wen! fo undergo operation for aprendicitis.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
COMMERCIAL.
PIECE GOODS.
Messrs. Noel, Murray & Co.'s Report on the Shanghai Piece fioods Trade, dated Shanghai, 16th May, 1907. states:-Referring to
the remarks we made last week with regard to Man- churia, it is now reported that a tentative arrange- ment has been arrived at between the Japanese! and Chinese Authorities whereby a Custom House will be opened at Dalny for a year in order to sec how it works.
Arrangements seem to be progress- ing satisfactorily for taking over railways, etc, but it is very difficult to follow. Nothing of a cheery nature can bo`said of our market here during the interval: it remains in precisely the same conii- tion, fresh buring being confined to the veriost retail quantities, while clearances of English grey, white and fancy goods are only fair, in fact on some wot days this week they were at a complete standstill. New business is getting more and more out of the question, which is pro- baldy just as well, for although deliveries are ortaking the imports in many articles the sup- ply here is still far too heavy. The buying fatuity that took possession of this market a year or two It encouraged many now competitors to out or the back has work. I terrible havoc with the trade. field, and everything was greatly overdone, the consequence being the market is depressed with the heavy stocks ordered promiscuously and which many of the indentors are quite unable to take Great sacrifices will have to be made by some importers, on whose hands the burthen is bench by His Honour the Puisne Judge.ecoming heavier and heavier owing to the referred to the death of Mr. Wei On. Sir accumulation of the carrying expenses, Henry Berkeley, K C., Dr. Ho Kai, and a large number of solicitors besides many officers of the Court were present.
80
Before proceeding with the day's business at the Supreme Court on May 21st His Honour the Chief Justice, who was accompanied on the
The Chief Justice said-Before proceeding with the business of the day I think it is fitting that I should say X few words expressive of the very great regret and deep sorrow with which we have all heard of the painfully sudden and premature death of our friend Wei On. Tho regret we hold more acutely because some of us were away on holiday when the news came to us, and were so pre- vented from paying the last tribute of respect to the remains of our colleague. Wei On was a man of many virtues, hat those which appealed to us most in Hongkong were the keenness and thoroughness which he acquired at Che tenham and Oxford, which he brought back to his native country, and which characterised all he did both in play and work. I think I am right in saying that everybody knew the high traditions of his profession were safe in his hands. I know I am voicing the feelings of all the members of his profession when I tender to Wei Yak and his friends expressions of our most profound sympathy in the loss they have
suffered.
The Paisne Judge- I agree.
The Attorney-General-The profession feel very deeply the logs they have suffered by the sudden death of Wei On. He was a very smart scholar from a well-known English public school and university, and joined a well-known firm of solicitors to practise in this Colony. I am sure the whole of the profession join in the expressions of regret which have fallen from your Lordship.
MYSTERIOUS MURDER.
At about midnight on May 16th the police were informed that a Mahomedau watchman, named Meila, had been murdered at his residence 4, Hing Lung Street, West Point. On pro- ceeding to the house they discovered that the unfortunate man had been brutally hacked and chopped, and from the nature of the wounds it would appear that both knives and choppers had been used by his assailants. Evidently the murdered man was taken unaware, and in all probability was asleep at the time of the on- slaught. The police are of opinion that the murder was committed early in the evening, and that robbery or revenge was the incentiva. At present the affair is shrouded in mystery, and although the police have been actively engaged on the case, the murderers are still at
largia.
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[May 27, 1907
Tientsin. Chefoo and Newchwang markets, the No. 12s for Kiukiang and the No. 20s for Chefoo, Tientsin and Hankow markets, the total business reported, however, only amounting to 2,100 hales. Prices on the whole are certainly no weaker, in fact for No. 10s they are if any thing rather firmer.
The following is the weekly Piece Goods Report of Megars. Пlbert & Co., dated Shanghai May 17th :-The tone of our market throughout the past week has remained quiet, with practically no transactions from first hands to be recorded. The steady upward movement of cotton on the Liverpool market which is now quoted at 6.91 for American Middling, a figure which it has not • tonebed since May, 1904, is a factor in the trade that the native dealers do not lose sight of, and is already allowing them to take a considerably more favourable view as regards their heary stocks lying in Shanghai, realizing as they must present holdings at anything like their original that they cannot possibly replace any of the
rost. The quantities taken by Vladivostock must
quantity. be very small, and may be regarded as a negligible
We may be excused in quoting some- what at length from the interesting Report of the trade of Newchwang för 1906, just issned by the Customs, that port being the commercial door, by virtue of both its rail and water connexions.
"C
to the whole Manchurian trade. After comment- 7 ing in brief upon the overtrading of 1905, which rought about a state of serious congestion of goods, the Report goes on to state that business in native imports was fair, nearly all the exports were satisfactory, and that in general all accounts concerning Manchuria agree that it is prospering. In regard to Japanese imports the Report state: that nobody need seriously believe that there was perfect equality of opportunity, and that the most was not made of the excuse of will have to be a lot of sorting out before the trade over gets on a proper basis again. Man-through Talien (Dolny)
military necessity.” Also in regard to imports these were imported chester though quiet is still very strong, and the free of duty; what further advantages they rise in cotton will not assist matters so far as had at that time in stemmer and
railway buyers are concernal. The latest Liverpool | rates is more or less a matter of conjecture." On quotation for Mid-American is 6951. Egyptian is slightly asier at 10. Advices from the States during the week report possible damage to the Texan crop, but how far that has effected the current prices rains to be seen. No news con- cerning the market in the States for domestics ing ground amongst importers that their chief has transpired. The impression seems to be gain- buyers are wearing a rather less anxious look of late. This probably betokens that they have received a renewal of their credits from the native bankers and have further opportunities for mani- pulating the heavy stocks they are responsible
for.
What business is being done in purchases from first hands can scarcely even he called a hand to mouth one, and is not at all general. The anctions, however, show in many instances a distinctly better feeling. The yarn market is quieter and look scarcely as promising as it did. Access to Szechen being now closed temporarily her support is withdrawn, the consequence being two in the cotton market ought to impress upon less competition. A few more weeks like the last the farmers the futility of withholding supplies, that is if they have any. Gory Shirtings—As mentioned above we are aware that a few odd lots
account of there having been no Customs station until recently at Dalay, there is no means of determining what quantities have been sent through that port. and we quote the Report verb afim as follows: "What proportion of the trade
different countries are getting it is not possibla statistics of shipping and cargoes at other places. to determine with accuracy here for want of The absence of these vitiates the Newchwang statistica as an index of Manchurian trade. It is well understord that the Japanese are pushing their business energetically provided the mer- chants of other nationalities have an equal opportunity, it is legitimate effort which is entitled to its reward. If the people of Manchuria buy Japanese goods, or goods handled by Japanese, pre umably it is because they find it advant ageous, But what share is Newchwang to get in Manchuria's prosperity? Newehwang, of course, will have to meet the competition of other places as ports of entry. That is inevitable and does not give rise to complaint Even on equal terms Vladivostock and Talien would get their share. But the terms are not equal. Discrimination in payment of duty will not last; but there is a more serious form of discrimination, and one that is likely to be permanent-discrimination in Railway rates. On the Southern Manchurian railway such discrimination already exists. It should be borne, in nind that ordinary mercantile considerations
Railway. of profit need not apply to the Southern Manchuria obligation to pay the private shareholders 6 per The predominant partner is under
cent. on 20 million yen -1,200,000 yen yearly, and there will be interest to be paid on a mrge sum of borrowed money, the amount of which is variously estimated to put the lines of the company in the best condition and provide terminals and wharves; but after these paymenta but the latter were easier. Drills and Sheetings are secured charges can be arranged to favour a We have not heard of any sales from first policy when that is preferable to making a profit. hands, but und stand some of the foreign houses The rate per mile from Nowchwang is double that here are still picking un cheap lots in order to from Talion. As far as Mukden Newchwang has support the market. The Sheetings we mention- ed last week as having been bought on the
a slight advantage, the trade of Mukden being of market were Whitney A. and not Williston. increasing with the distance the advantage is not much consequence; but beyond Mukden and Fancy Goods.-These remain equally as quiet as plain goods privately and it is difficult to trace is reached the rate from Talien is nearly 21 yen with Talien, so that by the time Kwanchengtze Turkey Reds continue selling at per ton less than from Newchwang. And, sa weak prices at auction, while the fast black everybody knows, all the exports are grown north cotton Italians were much more down than up. of Mukden, and Kwanchengtze is the great Woollens. The whole of the goods offered this distributing centre of imports. Talien is to have week have shown a drooping tendency, Lastings the cream of the business. Newchwang may get and Long Ells especially 80. Cotton Yarn.— the skim milk, if it can. The distance from Indian. The market has been quiet but steady Talien to the present terminns near Kwanchentze during the interval, with perhaps a rather more
is, as railways rates are calculated, 465 miles, from extended demand for moderate quantities. The Newchwang 330 miles. It is not profit which induces a railway to incur an additional haul of
have changed hands privately, hat it can not he called business.' At the auctions there has been a better demand for all weights, though here and there a striking discrepancy is notice- able in prices. White Shirtings. These have done better at the auctions in the lower reed goods, but there was some weakness shown in the high reeds and heavier makes. White Irishes and Bleached T-Cloths were both steady at auction, while a few of the former were sold privately on terms that have not been made public. T-Cloths and Jeans.-The former realised steady to firm prices at the auction this morning,
any business.
No. 10s have found buyers, for instance, for the
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