March 6, 1909.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
On the motion of Mr. SILVA seconded by Mr. | THE OLD MACHADO, Messrs. E. Shellim and G.Friesland were re-elected members of the Board of Directors.
Mr. NEWALL moved that Messrs. W. Hutton Potts and A. R. Lowe be re-appointed auditors.
Mr. TURNER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN-That is all the business,
your attendance.
ATTEMPTED STEALING IN A JEWELLERS SHOP.
64
'HONGKONG REGIMENT."
DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN OFFICER.
A London correspondent writes:--Hongkong residents who still have a recollection of that fine body of men known in the Army List for some years as the Hongkong Regiment will gentlemen. Dividend warrants will be posted regret to learn of the death of another of the this afternoon. Thank you for
brilliant young
officers who served under Major-General Sir E. Barrow, Colonel H. T. Faithfull, and Major Retallick at Kowloon.
The death occurred at 46 Albany Villas, Hove, of Major E. L. C. Berger, econd-in- command, 69th Punjabis, Indian
rmy, eldest son of Major-General E. A. Berger, late 2nd January. The deceased officer was only 41 Lincoln Regiment (10th Foot), on the 22nd
death. It is three years or so since I met him years of age.
I have not heard the cause of his
in the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank's office in Lombard Street. He had just come home forget which it was, and as bright and viva- or was on the eve of returning to India-I cious as ever and looking the picture of health. though he told me he had suffered a good deal from fever up on the Indian frontier. not lost his interest in Hongkong, affairs, and plied me with numerous questions about Hong kong personages.
Before Mr. J. H. Kemp at the Magistracy
on Mar. 4 a native was prosecuted on a charge of stealing or attempting to steal a watch chain valued at $100 from Messrs. G. Falconer and Co., jewellers, Hotel Mansions.
Sergeant Gerrard conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Otto Kong Sing appeared for the defendant.
Mr. T. Meek, Manager of Messrs. Falconer and (o., stated that on Saturday afternoon, the 27th ultimo, the defendant accompanied by another man, entered the shop and asked to see a gold chain. Witness produced three chains one of which defendant picked up and asked its price. Whilst witness was looking at the price, defendant picked up the other two chains. Witness said the price of the chain was $60. Then defendant pulled a second chain out of his hand and asked the price of that. The third at this time was up his sleeve, but the compradore was watching him and defendant shook it down again.
In cross-examination witness said he suspicious who he saw the defendant and his friend enter the shop. He watched closely all the he, because the defendant was watching im. Witness did not know whether defendant or his friend had the money to pay
for a chain
was
He had
It is almost impossible to believe that so many of those young officers have gone the way we all must go some day. I remember marching alongside of their men to the camping their landing from the trooper at Kowloon and ground near Chater's Bungalow. I talked with them on the facilities Hongkong afforded for cricket, football, shooting and other sport. It a bright day, and Hongkong looked its best; and was
one could not fail to be struck by the smart, alert, and soldier like appearance of
Barrow's picked com. pany of officers, who were worthy of the men they controlled. One was drowned soon after wards in the Boklara, having been a member of the ill-fated Hongkong cricket team returning from Shanghai. Then young Campbell, whose stylish cricket used to please connoisseurs as they sat in the old Pavilion: and afterwards M'Carthy Ray, who was to serve in two campaigns (the Relief of the Peking Legations, and the Tibet Expedition) before his promising career was cut short. Now it is Berger-one of the merriest, open-hearted, open-handed, and most devoted to his profession you could meet in a long day's journey. There should be many who still remember him in Hongkong and up and down the China Coast, and who will regret to hear of his early death.
Sergeant Gerrard deposed to searching com- plainant when he was taken to the police station, and finding $3.31 in his possession.
Mr. Kong Sing sub. itted that it was no offence to go into a shop to price chains. The evidence was not sufficient for his Worship, as Mr. Meek admitted that he was very suspicious
when the man entered the shop.
His Worship was of opinion that there was a prima facie case.
Defendant was called and stated that he entered complainant's shop to purchase a watch chain. Several chains were shown him, and defendant asked the price of one, but as complainant replied in English witness did not understand. A Chinese then told him to go away, and he put the chains on the counter, and left. Defendant was a resident of Macao, and was on his way to Shanghai.
į
I ran against Colonel Dyson. of the Army Pay Department, in the Sports Club the other day. He had come up from Portsmouth to spend a day with a mutual friend. He tells me he still disports himself in the cricket field whenever he gets a chance, and to judge from his appearance I fancy he is good for many runs yet before he sends in his papers as a cricketer and becomes a critical old codger with the usual fand of cricket stories.
In reply to his Worship, defendant said the other man was his cousin, but he did not know where he was to be found. When he came from Macao he stayed at Yaumati for a night.
Mr. Meek, recalled, said he did not remember his interpreter telling the defendant to go away
His Worship held the defendant guilty, and THE MANILA EXTRA'ITION CASE. sentenced him to three months' imprisonment with hard labour.
GAMBLING AT THE RACES.
Private Robinson of "E" Co.. The Buffs, again appeared before Mr. J. H. Kemp at the Magistracy on Mar. 1 on the charge of gambling on the race course, and of causing disorderly behaviour. The defendant. it appears, introduced the game of crown and anchor during the races, a game in which the chances heavily favoured the promoter, and which caused much discontent among the Chinese who were persuaded to try their luck. The police warned a number of the Buffs when they started this eventually found it necessary to take action in game, but order to prevent its introduction at similar gatherings. After hearing the evidence his Worship took into consideration defendant's demeanour and his previous good character. He imposed a fine of $10, and ordered that the $14 seized should be confiscated.
The case in which the Philippines Govern- ment applied for the extradition to Manila of C. J. Merchant on a charge of larceny as a bailee of jewellery to the value of 650 pesos came on for hearing before Mr. J. H. Kemp at the Magistracy yesterday.
195
The
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assistant. He started business at Manila some- time in the beginning of 1908 with a capital of 3,000 pesos. The firm he started, the Anglo- American stores, dealt in first and second hand furniture and did commission business. business was not a prosperons one, and witness had to close both his shops. After this he undertook any commission business which came into his hands for a living. The complainant asked him if he had any carriages for sale, and he said he had two. She said she wanted one, and he sold her a four wheeled victoria for 120 diamond rings and asked him to receive them as pesos. The complainant took him three small a deposit for the carriage. He agreed, and gave her a receipt for the rings. Then the daughter, and witness took her to three different complainant wanted to buy a piano for her
places. She selected one which cost 650 pesos, and told witness to arrange for the purchase, which he subsequently did. He was told he would have to pay 100 pesos in advance and
25 pesos monthly until the amount was paid. Defendant informed complainant, who told him she had no money, but he held her three diamond rings which were worth 200 pesos. He could pay the amount and she
owed him 200 pesos. This was in September, would repay him later. At the time of the negotiations about the piano the complainant and she promised to pay in October. On that month witness asked for the money, but com plainant said the American fleet had not
till Christmas. He again applied for payment business with the carriage she asked him to wait landed as was expected. As she did not do any
he would sell the rings and sue her for the at Christmas, and told her if she did not pay difference. She promised to pay in a few days. On the afternoon of January 22 he went to her place and demanded the money, telling her he was coming to Hongkong for his health, and to do a little business. She handed him a bag containing a pair of earrings and a ring, and asked him to receive them as a deposit of 400 pesos. Defendant said he did not know what the jewellery was worth, but he wanted his accompanied complainant to a pawnbroker's, who money. On the following morning witness offered her 250 pesos for her jewellery, but she declined to take it, and refused other offers On January 25th he again demanded his money and complainant handed him her jewellery and said pawned the jewellery on February 3rd, and he could pawn it for 300 pesos. Defendant informed complainant, who said All right." wards, but as she was ont he wrote to her Defendant called on complainant twice after- daughter stating that he was leaving Manila for a few days. He had not left altogether.
Mr. F. B. L. Bewley, Crown Solicitor, made Government, and Mr. Leo d'Almada e Castro the application on behalf of the Philippinee (of Messrs. Goldring. Barlow and Morrell) appeared for the defendant.
he had received from Manila.
Mr. Bowley put in further depositions which
Mr. Almada proceeded to state the facts of the he intended to call the defendant, case for the defence when his Worship asked if
Mr. Imada said he did.
should be called immediately after the closing of His Worship informed him that the defendant the evidence for the prosecution.
Defendant was then called and stated that in 1890 he had adopted the name of C. J. Merchant. Fourteen years ago defendant was employed in Hongkong as Mr. Ruttonjee's
*
Cross-examined, defendant said he would return to Manila after a few days' rest. He was not prepared to return by the s.s. Rubi on Friday.
Mr. Bowley said he thought it was only wasting After questioning the defendant further,
the case, as there was a direct conflict of evi- the time of the Court to proceed further with
dence.
Mr. H. Ruttonjee was then called and stated that defendant, who had been in bis employ some fifteen years ago, was an honest man.
Mr. Bowley Didn't you tell Sergeant Wilden, in the presence of Sergeant eveney that the defendant was a man of no character?
Witness-Oh, no.
His Worship committed the defendant to jail to await the order of His Excellency the Governor.
HONGKONG OPIUM DIVANS (LOSED.
in Hongkong were closed.
Ou Mar. 1st twenty-six of the opium divans This is no new measure but merely the arrangement arrived at last year between the Hongkong Govern ment and the Opium Farmer coming into effect Consequent on the order issued by the Imperial Government last year, which caused so much consternation locally, the Colonial Government took steps towards giving effect to opened with the Opium Farmer which ended in the instructions received and negotiations were
a compromise being made, the agreement to Opium Farmer's contract expires on the 28th close 26 houses during this year. When the February next the whole question will probably be considered afresh.