November 28, 1808]
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necessity of observing great caution in using such bacteria in practice; in other words, so long sa we are uncertain that the bacteria above named are essentially different from those of Gartner's group, they must be regarded as belonging to it, and as constituting a danger for men, both, children and adults, and in some degree, for the larger domestic animals. Even though the prospectuses describing Danyss and Ratin poisons expressly state that these bacteria are harmless for other animals and for men they do not entirely allay the fears which natur- ally attach to the systematic distribution of pathogenic bacteria in large quantities.
Mr. Mol. MESSEE minuted-Circulate for the information of the Board. Our experiences of these bacteria are that in this Colony they have proved useless in getting rid of rats by establish ing a contagious disease amongst them.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
The mortality statistics showed that the death ráte for the whole Colony for the week ended 31st October was 281 per thousand; and for the week ending 7th November 24, as against 29-1 for the corresponding week of last year.
RAT RETURN
The rat return showed that of 1350 rats caught since last meeting only five were plague infected.
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CANTEENS AND LICENCES,
0-
IMPORTANT MAGISTERIAL
DECISION.
At the Magistracy on Nov, 24 the hearing of the summons. against A. M. Thornhill of the Royal Engineers' Canteen for having retailed liquor without a licence was resumed before Mr. J. R. Wood. Detective Sergeant Appleton conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Otto Kong Sing appeared for the defence.
The No. 1 bar boy, who said he could read and write English deposed that on the day in question a Chinese servant came and asked for liquor. Witness asked the servant if his master was a soldier and he replied that he was. Witness however was dissatisfied and refused to supply him. The servant returned later with a chit and asked for a bottle of whisky and a bottle of port. Witness repeated his question as to whether the servant's master was a soldier, and on being answered in the affirmative he supplied him. Witness did not know all the soldiers' boys and he did not serve unless a chit was produced. He knew Chinese were not allowed in the barracks without a licence. His instructions were not to supply civilians and he had refused to serve civilians.
His Worship-Have you had applications from civilians P
Witness-Yes.
How often?-About once a week.
Did they come from Chinese or English ?— Both.
How do they get in ?—I don't know. Do Chinese civilians get in P-Boys, yes. Do they get in P-No.
I'll start again, Do you receive applications from Chinese civilians?-Only soldiers' servants. Do you receive applications from civilians' servants for liquor P-No.
You are quite clear about that ?—Yes. You commenced to tell me you received applications of some kind once a week not ordinary. What were they P-Europeans would come personally about once a week and ask to be supplied with liquor.
Then you do receive applications from civilians P-Yes.
Supposing you receive a chit asking for liquor, and you don't know the name, would you supply it ?—No.
When this man came on the 11th he produced a chit and you supplied the liquor F-Yes, there was a name on it.
Do you know the name -No. There were some new drafts of soldiers come out.
On this occasion you supplied drinks to a man whose name you did not know ?--Yes.
How often do you do that?
Mr. Otto Kong Sing thought the question was not quite fair.
Witness said he relied on the word of the
servant if he said his master was a soldier.
How often do you do that P-Very seldom. By Bergt. Appleton-How long was the boy absent when he went out ?—About ten minutes.
A
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
Have you ever given drinks in response to chits whose signature you did not know ?— No.
Were you in the canteen on 24th October before noon P-I don't remember.
His Worship-How long have you been employed there?-Two or three months.
Sergt. Appleton produced a shit asking for liquor when the request was refused. He wished to do so in order to show that it was quite easy for Chinese to get into the barracks.
His Worship declined to put it in.
The No. 2 bar boy gave corroborative evidence as to what passed on the 11th inst. between the last witness and a Chinese who wanted to buy liquor.
By the Court-It was seldom they received applications from civilians and never from civilians' servants. There were between 100 and
200 customers at the canteen.
By Sergt. Appleton-When new drafts of soldiers arrived he did not know if a list was supplied giving names of soldiers who lived outside the barracks.
Sergt. Major Benfield, R.E., who arrived on board the Soudan, said he went to the R.E. canteen on the 7th in plain clothes and asked for a bottle of port wine, but was refused.
Mr. Otto Kong Sing said he had made out bona fides in this case. It was only by the false representations pursued by the police that they were able to get the liquor in the way they did. Defendant was put there by the military authorities and he wished the Court to adjourn the case for a week in order to consult them.
His Worship declined to do so.
His Worship, in giving his decision, said-I want you to understand that in selling liquor without a licence you commit a breach of the local law and any sale after this date will be an offence, and the fact that I have warned you here will be quoted against you if further proceedings be taken. It seems to me that canteens in this Colony should keep a list of cns. tomers and if any orders are received the servant issuing the liquor shall have his list at hand to which he can refer. My view is fur ther that an account should be kept showing how much liquor is bought by each of the customers in order to guard against them handing liquor to outsiders. I will impose the nominal fine of one dollar.
Mr. Thornhill then asked his Worship what course he should adopt.
His Worship replied that he could not sell liquor without a licence.
Mr. Otto Kong Sing remarked that there was no provision in the local ordinance giving a licence to a canteen. There were only two forms of licences granted by the justices-a full licence or an adjunct.
His Worship Well, then, a canteen must take out a full licence.
Mr. Otto Kong Sing-Then it becomes a public house.
His Worship was understood to say that if a canteen was run by a number of men it became a club, but if it was run by a man for profit it became a licensed house.
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Other remarks which were not distinctly heard at the Press table were passed in which Mr. Thornhill asked if he could write to the Secretary for War.
His Worship replied that he`could do what he liked.
Mr. Otto Kong Sing asked his Worship if his ruling was that canteens must be licensed
His Worship--At present you are breaking the law by selling liquor without a licence.
Mr. Otto Kong Bing-He can sell groceries but he cannot sell liquor..
His Worship-Yes.
This terminated the proceedings.
The British Consul-General at Manila has filed with the Governor-General a complaint of a British subject, an Indian, in Albay, to the effect that his companion in business has been assassinated and that he himself has been thres- tened if he does not give up certain property that he has purchased with his own money. The Governor-General at, once telegraphed to the provincial governor of Albay holding him responsible for the safety of the threatened man and ordering him to see that he is given all the protection due to the lives and property of foreign subjects.
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A CHARGE. OF ABSON.
Before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy on the 23rd inst. An Ping Kwing, managing partner of a silk and piece goods shop at 69 Bonham Strand, was indicted on charges of setting fire to the shop on the 10th instant, persons being therein; and setting fire to the shop with intent to injure and defraud certain insurance companies.
Mr. G. N. Orme, Deputy Superintendent of Police, prosecuted; Mr. E. J. Grist (of Messrs. Wilkinson and Grist) appeared for the defen- dant; and Mr. R. D. Atkinson (of Messrs. Deacon, Looker and Deacon) represented the Insurance Companies.
Mr. Orme, in outlining the case, said that 'An Ping Kwing was the managing partner of the Tai Lam piece goods shop. There were seven partners associated with him in the business, but Mr. Ormé understood they were away in the country. Sometime in the summer the defendant and these seven partners, or dummies or what- ever they were, put their heads together to raise $10,000 to set up in business in Hongkong. On. August 12th the defendant came to Hongkong and set up in Jervois Street. There he remained until November 3rd, when the landlord gave him notice to quit. Defen- dant then removed to 69, Bonham Strand East, where he engaged a carpenter to erect shelves. The erection of these shelves neces- sitated a considerable amount of shaving. This inflammable matter was spread about the floor, and Mr. Orme understood that it was not swept up. . On November 10th the unlucky man awoke to find his house in flames. At 2 a.m. a constable who was walking along the street saw the flames bursting out from the ground and first floors, and almost simultaneously from the two upper floors as well. the fire had cooled down sufficiently the police entered the building, being accompanied by Mr. Lammert. They made an inspection of the relics, and both the police and Mr. Lammert saw shavings and rags, among which they detected a smell of kerosene. In consequence of this the defendant was arrested and charged. Insurance had been effected to the extent of 819,500.
As soon
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Mr. F. Browne, Government Analyst, deposed to receiving a basket of debris from Sergeant Watt and examining same for kerosene. He did not find any, but found some spent orsokers and naphthaline balls.
By His Worship-The débris was all wet, and even if there had been kerosene he would not have been likely to detect it. His evidence was not of much value either way.
Cross-examined-Camphorine balls were used to keep away moths. They ought to be found in most piece goods places." Witness would not expect to find them used as a method of setting fire to a building.
Mr. Orme-Of course, Mr. Browne speaks sai an amateur.
Mr. Grist-No, he is speaking as a scientist and has been called to give expert evidence.
Witness, continning, said he would not expect crackers to be used for setting fire to a building.
Mr. H. A. Lammert, auctioneer, spoke to visiting 69, Bonham Strand East on the 10th and 11th instant. On the first ooession he made ́ a casual inspection, but on the second visit he made an inspection with Inspector Smith and Bergeant Wätt. Witness did not see any stock on the first floor-only personal effects. On the ground floor witness saw quantities of burns piece goods and shavings which smalt of oil. He did not think there was a great quantity of goods in the shop before the fire. There had not been too much damage done to prevent him- · from making an estimate. He was of opinión that there was not more than $4,000 worth of stock in the shop.
Detective Sergeant Watt stated that in the forenoon of the 10th instant the defendant called" at the Central Police Station to report the fire. Witness took defendant's statement down lon the typewriter.
Mr. Grist---What the defendant said is not evidence against him unless he was properly-
cautioned.
Mr. Orme-There was nó offanos charged, chargeable at the time. I subunit his statement can be taken.