Page
THE HOUSE RENT PROBLEM IN HONGKONG.
SUPREME COURT,
Wednesday, June 10th.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION..
BEFORE MR. F. A. Hazeland (PuIBNE JUDGE).
A DEAL IN MARPICINE,
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESE, THURSDAY, JUNE 11ru, 1914.
Another witness named Mak Cheo Ho said that he made an arrangement with Baptista for the purchase of 15lbs. of morphine at $130 per lb.
Replying to Mr. Potter this witness said he had been formerly employed at the Medical Hall, but ho was not dis
ASIATICS WITH EUROPEAN NAMES.
taken from the
The following a Calcutta Englishman:--|
missed from there because of smuggling. biting the practice.
{BY. NEWLY-WED."']. Hongkong is like a growing boy who has reached that age when he seems to literally leap out of his clothes, to eat enormously, and thus become an important financial item to his parents. The city of Victoria has outgrown itself to such an extent that it cannot healthily grow any more; everything is very expensive in con nection with it, and the most worrying item is that of house rents, Kowloon may also be included in this matter of delivery of certain morphine, to know quite a lot about you: you are thread: To-day it is a common practice,
absurdly high rentals, yet the town on the other side of the water can continue growing without any danger to health, If it becomes too expensive then it will have only itself to blame if one day a general cxodus takes place to a
town
Co un Tak,
To Man Chan, Chan Mo, and So Ting Chung, executors of Che deceased. M. Baptista & Co. Plaintiffs claim as executors of Che Yun Tak for the sum of $1,200 damages for the non-
delivered by Che Yun Tak in Canton. In the alternative the plaintiffs claimed the return of the sum of $1,200 deposited by Che Yun Tak with the defendants The sum of $200 was waived by the
kong.
of the biggest smugglers in Hong
Mr Potter submitted that he had no
which is at present in the air, but which claimants for the purposes of jurisdic; admitted. The contract was to export that they are Hindus, and, thong
will one day settle on terra firma'; a town
for which many are yearning. The ques tion of house rents in Hongkong and Kowloon is quite a venerable one; yet the rentals continue to increase out of all sensible proportion to the house or fat which the householder receives in return. To those who have not to count each five dollar note before it is expended this matter of high rents, claims, perhaps, but a passing-interest, but to many, no doubt the majority of Europeans in the Colony, it is one of real anxiety and worry. They never know from month to month when the landlord, a good man'at heart, no doubt, but very fond of money will send the rent up again, secure in the knowledge that if the present occupiers of his tenement refuse to pay-who cannot pay more in some cases-ho can readily find other victins, and continue to was haancially fat. This is the real pince de resistance of the whole housing system of the Colony. All the portions of land which are available--and this of course refers to the middle class houses have been used up, there are always heaps of applicants for any sort of flat or house which may be to lot, and thus the land lord here has the good fortune to be more or less an auctioneer, and lets his property to the highest bidder. Some men ask why the landlord does not act more fairly in the matter of returne. Well, he realises how things are, sees the possibility of filling a role akin to Get-rich-quick Wallingford "and he is only a human who, like ourselves, has a great regard for that tantalising "main chance," Dut cases of real hardship have accrued as the result of this very unfair monopoly. Young men who have secured positions in the East and are not always well informed by the respective agents think that they
they will be earning a sufficient salary, in a comparative sense, to main tain wife out here. They make all the necessary arrangements befor leaving England, and the lady is inade happy at the prospect of matrimony, Upon arrival, and having experienced but one month's living expense, the bridegroom-to-be realises that he has been
a
tion.
THE NIPFON TUSEN KAISHA
· BALF-YEARLY REPORT-LOSSES ON THE
TAANDE CALCUTTA TRADE.
The semi-annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Nippon Yusen Kaisho was held recently at Tokyo, when the business report and accounts for the six months ending March 31st last were presented. The following in a summary of the accounts
Yen Net profit ani
2,569,841 Brought forward from last ternt 048,000
Fotat
To reserve Funds for the expansion of ser
3,512,821 128,192
vices and improvements of steamers
$ 400.000
Reserve for repairing Buildings ·500,000
Special Reserve,
Bonuses to Olejas
800,000 110,009
Dividend ·Uớ
per cent, per
annum)
1.100.000 974.639
Carried to next term The following is the report for the term
A Correspondent, drawing attention to the increasing number of Indians that are adopting European names, with the result that they are confused with Anglo Indians, suggests that the latter com- should insist on the Government When the business changed hands he left.
One fails to He knew it was illegal to purchase, however, how the Clovernment can morphine in Hogkong, but this purchase all himself by whatsover name he likes. interfere with the right of anybody to
was being made for Canton,N
The Domiciled Community is not the When witness hesitated in his replies One does not know what would have hap only one that is suffering in this way. Potter exclaimed Come along now, pened in the old days to a man of an inferior Caste who put on the sucred particularly amongst people who emi grate from one Province to another. The. man who is a Vnisya in his native vallage Not only that, but whole castes are claim- becomes a Kshtri- when he comes to town, ing to be twice-born and there is no means of preventing it. Tribes that were ones outside the pale of Hinduism insist
gatherings of Pundits may dený t nothing can be done. Side by side with have not enched into castes into which the elevation of those the missionaries they were not horn, has come the in- trusion of Indian Christians into the less to object to the one as to the other ranks of the Domiciled, and it is as hope-
To make matters more difficult in many
Domestic Service-As result of do- civilisation comes from above. There are circles in the latter part of the preceding cases the impulsu towards another pression in commercial and industrial Indian Social Reformers of the higher inactive, with the result that freight rates the coastal trade generally was castes who are urging the servilo castes showed a considerable decline. be as good as Brahmans, and European Bokkaido Line shipping was remarkably to abandon their servility and claim to missionaries baptize Indians with Euru- dull. In Formosa business showed an pean names and bring them up in increase over the preceding period stand the desire of people to possess tions. Passengers to and from the Island European schools. Che can quite under-because of the activity in sugar transac social status higher than that into which also increased. On the other lines there they are born, hat this process of
was no notable change. and lower the traditions of the higher service, business was brisk on climbing must also reduce the prestige Far Eastern Servico,-On the Shanghai. classes, and so it is also easy to undergoing voyages, but on the return tripe stand the repugnance of the latter classes the shipments did not come ap hands of authority are tied in matters of business generally was dull. To Tientsin to the climbers. But in these days the ordinary years, To North China ports. this kind, and the only possible view is and Dairen the shipments showed no the philosophic view; what is it leading remarkable change as compared with to and how will it end?
ordinary years, but on the return trips there was a great falling-off. At Now- chwang shipments of beans and bean-cake
case to answer so far as the law was concerned. The contract was obviously an illegal one, and that had been
morphine from Hongkong to Canton, and Mr. T. C. Jenkin (instructed by Mr. that was illegal both by their own law Russ, of Messrs. Goldring & Russ) was and also by Chinese law. Morphine was for plaintiffs and Mr. Eldon Potter entirely prohibitive. His friend had (instructed by Mr. Gardiner) defended. suggested that though the act was an Mr. Jenkin explained that the sum illegal one he was entitled to bring the claimed was the balance of the auth of contrast forward, but that was not so. $1,950 paid by the deceased to defendant in At the plaintiffs' request defendant had connection with an agreement for the sale parted with $1,200, and the contract had of 15lbs of morphine.. The facts were
never been repudiated by the plaintiffs, very short, Some time in January, about for it was obvious from the writ and the the 13th or 14th, Baptista notified a man pleadings that they were asking for named Mak Ches Ho that he had some damages for the breaking of the contract, morphine for sale. As a result plaintiffs, It was absurd, he held, to bring a claim through their manager, stated that they for damages caused by breach of a con- would like to buy the blbs. of morphine, tract the subject matter of which they and desired it to be delivered in Canton knew to be illegal. They could not get at a shop called the Fook Yuen Shop. damages for breach of an illegal contract. Mr. Baptista then required a receipt for The only remedy in a development of that the whole amount of $1,950, and he was kind was to repudiate the contract before Then the the sction was brought. The action was given a receipt for that sum plaintiffs manager received certain wholly wrong and unfounded.
Counsel information from Canton, as a result of again emphasised the illegality of the which he went to Mr. Baptista and coin subject matter of the contract and sait plained that the morphine had not been that his friend had stated that he did delivered. Baptista told them that he not really know where the morphine was could not deliver it and then the plaintiffs being sent from to Canton. manager asked for the return of the deposit of $1,950. Baptista told him that a blank" as to where the morphine was if he would bring the receipt which he coming from, but if Mr. Potter's client had previously given him he would pay was going to say that it was coming from the money. This the plaintiffs accordingly Hongkong then he would accept that.
Mr. Potter-You can rest assured that did. When the manager came back with the receipt Baptista took out his cheque that is what Mr. Baptista will say, so we book ostensibly for the purpose of paying now agree by consent that the morphine, back the $1,950 and the plaintiffs' manager the subject matter of the contract, was handed him the receipt for the amount in this Colony, Counsel went on to say Baptista immediately tore this up and threw it into a spittoon, and handed plaintiffs' manager a cheque for $750 only Plaintiffs recovered a number of the pieces of the receipt from the spittoon and subsequently consulted their solicitors. As a result of the position which defendant had taken up they were claiming damages for non-delivery of the morphine, or the retura of $1,200 deposit. One of the defences set up was that arrangements had been made with a man named Gutierrez for the morphine to be delivered. The defence also said that the contract was illegal, and that before the
Mr. Jenkin said that his clients ware
that a point which his Lordship would thus have to consider was the subject matter of the contract was in the Colony and the act was illegal, what was the position of the parties? Mr. Jenkin brought in the question of revenue, but the old idea that because a statute was passed for the purposes of protecting revenue it did not render a contract illegal, bad gone by the board. The case was bad and he had not one to answer, good, bad or indifferent. The whole basis of his case was that the contract was illegal, in view of the Hongkong law and also in view of the Chinese law.
His Lordship intimated that he would
The
|
During the period under review the Company employed 85 steamers of its. own, segregating 368,000 tons, in addition 3,700 tons, and several chartered vessels. to one specially commissioned steamer of The passengers carried numbered 120,000, and the goods transported amounted to fleet being 180,000 nautical miles. 2,100,000 tons, the distance covered by the
On the
the out-
to
a steamer of 12,000 tone and six steamers, each of 7,500 toos, all of which are to bo completed between August this year and April next.
INTIMATIONS
FOOT ULCERATED
COULD NOT SLEEP
At Night for It. Caused Lot of Pain. Tried Cuticura Soap and Cuticura Ointment and Foot Was Cured.
76. Wycliffe Road. Batterees. Eng→→"I had a very ud igerated foot caused sbrough, a knock two years ago. It capacit me a lot of palu and I could not alcop ad night for I tried many things but they only did good for a time, then It broke out afresh. With my family I was com pelled to keep abent: I had treatment and it really was no better for it. They said unless I laid up I should not be able to get on my foot any more. At last, I desired to try Cutleúra Soap and Ointment and my food was cured." (Signod) Mrs. Coff, Aug. 26, 1912.
RED BLOTCHES ON SCALP 26, Horrow St., Osmasten. Derby, Eng. My baby had running moers ni the top of. his head. They came to red blotches and then broke out in mattery sores until they covered the whole of the waip. It was like fémáster oorlog out. I had no rest with him
for about six weeks. Ko used to cry the whole day long.
Then I saw tho advertisement for Cuti- curs Soap and Vintment, so I soot for a sample of Cuticum Soap and Ointment. I used
them and got another cake of Cutleurn Soapi and
some
Cuticura Ointment and it
was quite bosled," (Signed) Mrs, H-Toplis, May 23, 1312,
Cuticura dos pand Outfcura Uintinentare sold throughout the world. A sample of each with 32-p. Skin Book free from nearest depot: F. Newbery & Sons, 27, Charterhons 84. London: Lennon,Ltd.Cape Town: Posi ter Drug & Chem. Corp., Boston, U. 8. A. --- 97"Tender-faced men aboidd abave with "Outleural Soap Shaving Stick. Sample trou.
196-18
showed a slight increase. On the Chosen CHS. J. GAUPP
and Vladivostock services shipments were exceptionally brisk, and the number of passengers carried on the Shanghai and Vladivostock lines showed an increase.
European Service. On the outgoing voyages on the European Line shipments.
Indis-rubber.
& CO.,
AND
JEWELLERS.
TO BATH OR BATHE.
THE DRAWBACK OF SEA-LATHING. With the arrival of the bathing season the following, which has been culled from the Times, makes interesting reading;
There is more thari the difference of u letter between a bath and a bathe.
from Japan and Shanghai were very WATCHMAKERS
From Hongkong, the Straits first is regarded by many as a necesary Settlosments and Columbo, however, there part of scheme of life; by a larger number its necessity ander review the liners began to call at were large shipments. During the term s week is recognized. But # bathe is, or should be, a joyous outbreak of the Malacca for the purpose of shipping. socially tamed soul which leads the rebel
On the return voyages into the open air if he is not there there were considerable shipments, to Far Eastern ports. Owing, however, to com- already. A bath may, on occasion, be a
petition among the foreign shipping highly exhilarating process, as after a tennis match, a bout race, or a great companies, and the consequent fall in climb; hut it is conducted indoors, with freight rates, shipments of heavy goods SURVEYING AND NAUTICAL tape, soap-dishes, and other bourgeois from Antwerp were to a great extent affected. The freight traffic on the equipages and uo share in stol, a clean European service was depressed during gination takes no such sing? As bathers we are picin
kin latter part of the term under review. As a result of the placing of sew liners un and again according to conduct a sort of chestful solemnity or the run, the first and second-class pas semi-pagan act of worship,
orship, though there sengers showed an increase. During the ZEISS PRISM BINOCULARS. is, with most people, more cheerfulness teria the regular liners Tang-mar and than worship in it. We bathe in places Aki-mare were replaced by the Kateri wher it is a joy to be in rapid-flowing ware and the Kashima-mart, each of an water amid rocks and trees, as in High aggregate tonnage Lodore; or in vast depths of liquid new stenties Tokushima-maru was also translucency, with noble mountains all placed on the route as a special liner. about us, as in Ullswater or Lake Leman; The steamer Wakas-maru, which carried SILVERAND PRINCE'S PLATE. or again in gentle meandering streams a number of Japanese emigrants to with lush grass growing to the water's Brazil, was commissioned, on the return edge. We may, if we dare, burl ourselves voyage, to ship cargo from Europe and into fierce full streams, be carried down other ports.
American Service. On the voyages to many score of yards, and scramble out breathless but triumphant un to a frien-America shipments were very dull. This which attracts, like the tarns of the various shipping companies. On the out-
10,000 tons,
The
building castles in the air, and that commencement of the action the agree consider that question at a later stagely point," or it may be a quiet pool was due to competition between the
ment had not been rescinded, Another
INSTRUMENTS.
SUN GLASSES.
Representatives--
be does marry and endeavour to occupy defence was that the cheque for $750 was and asked Mr. Potser to deal with the English Lakes. Many exalt in the sea: going voyages some of the Company's APPIN & WEBB. anything approaching a habitable house, his leisure moments will be chiefly given and was accepted in full satis-
facts."
occupied in arranging for the meeting of those elusive both ends; a sad shatter- ing of his rosy picture of tennis parties and other diversions, and always adding to the banking account. Assuming he sends for his bride, well, they just live and feel bitter. There are many cases of this nature in Hongkong and Kowloon, and the root of the whole trouble is the question of high rents, illegal, because the morphine Ordinance afterwards, there was no suggestion ment it proved ineffective, as in the shipped showed a considerable decline.
and
are
Mak by
that
made
it subsequent meeting
WEB
this is magnificent and stimulating, and liners had to carry a quantity of cal to faction of the claim.. He (Counsel)
Mr. Potter referred to Mr. Makhas much praise from poets; but salt be used on the return voyage, and yet water has one petty draw back-it leaves their bunkers were nearly empty on their contended that BO far as they (the calling upon Mr. Baptists stating that one rather stickly and inclined to supple-return. There was a considerable decline.
of in the shipments of wheat and flour, plaintiffs) knew, Baptista was the prin he was desirous of buying some morphine.ment its application with a bath cipal and they knew no one behind him. Mr. Baptista, he explained, was in a fresh water. To the real sea-lover this which constitute the principal mer In romancechandise shipped on the return voyages, is blasphemy, no doubt.:
consignments of machinery, Also, he held that there was no such position of knowing of the existence of bathing often partakes of magit. Sieg- but the
cotton and salted fish were rather brisk. arrangement with regard to Gutierrez; certain illicit morphine in the Colony fried bathed in dragon's blood to make they did not know anything about him and he informed Mak that he would be himself invulnerable; heroes of faerie The Company tried its best to secure as romance were much given to this practice, much cargo as possible at intermediate With regard to the defence of illegality he in a position to provide him with the which was surely unsportsmanlike. But ports from Japan to Shanghai and Hong- this was really an unpleasant. sort of kong, but without result. On both the said at once that the contract was not stuff. At this time, and for a long time bath, not a bathe at all; and as a treat outgoing and return voyages the cargo Australian Shipments from which rents.
continually was passed purely for the protection of whatever
he parallel of for leaf settled acting For mean two-roomed flats revenue and did not render a contract was
for the plaintiffs. on Sietgried a back, and through the Japan to Australia, weship, mail, but rising.
small area of fesh left unwetted was from Hongkong and Manilu a consider- no less a sum than the equivalent in in contravention of it illegal. With regard At
thrust in after time the spear of Hagen able quantity of merchandise was ship
ped. On the return voyages there were English money to 48 a month is asked to the question of fact, they said that the agreed that Mr. Baptista should sell the relentless onetimes be prosaic and considerable shipments of wool, head,
A bathe may cheque was not given in full satisfaction and deliver 15 lbs. of morphine at $150 even medical, as when Joseph Sedley and fertilizer, te privilege of being under a roof at all of the claim. He would be able to prove per lb, and as a matter of fact 3000 was went to Pumpernickel, and Naaman the months under review the Inaba maru was service for the To occupy a nice roomy house standing that the contract could in no serss be handed over to defendant as bargain Syrian was told to be satisfied with a replaced by the Tango-mure, withdrawn
river of healing It may be a religious from the European in its own piece of ground was the dream illegal because, as far as they knew, the money. His case as regards the pay exercise, no when the devout Hindu purpose. The strike of labourers in very bad effect upon of the young married man who has to morphine was to pass from one placements was that there were two: one of washes in the mighty wators of Gunga, Australia has had
The passengers. occupy a flat which defies all efforts at outside the Colony to another place 8600, and the remaining $1,200 odd or as a Buddhist pilgrim might wash in shipping traffic there.
the River of the Arrow sought for by carried numbered about the same as in being made picturesque Thus to these outside the Colony, and that it was not The story about sending the morphine to people the announcement of the proposed to go to Canton.
Canton vas, he alleged, a fabrication Kit's lama. But true bathing tends to preceding years.
A bith, Bombay Service. On both the outgoing the side of the true romance. It was absolutely illegal for them to less it is a magie bath like that which and return voyages the shipments were new tramway system in the southern portion of the island, and the erection
send morphine to Canton; the arrange Avodos met with in the Fairy Palace, can Iarge, especially on the outgoing voyage, ment was that it should be delivered at with difficulty be romantic, but it may this being due to large shipments of here of a very necessary class of house, has been received with infinite pleasure,"
a house in Belilios Terrace. If he tragic. Horror is associated with the cotton. Shipments of yarn consigned to his Shanghai and Hongkong fell off consider- Undoubtedly it will prove acounter-
for and has got to be paid; this for the
of rents. Landlords who at present are able to do more or less what they please
A
During the six
LTD..
LONDON.
ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS.
CHATER.....FOAD.
CALDBECK,
MACGREGOR&C..
[ESTABLISHED 1864),
SOLE AGENTS FOR
WHISKIES
(GOLD AND WHITE Labels).
evidence in support of Counsel's state The manager of the plaintiffs gave
xent
Replying to Mr. Potter witness said he they had made a contract to gond bath prepared for Agamemnon, by and ably. For the benent of cotton spinners BL could not say why. if Baptista wanted to the morphine to Canton, then it was some pathos attaches to Seneca's last in Japan the Company during the cotton acting force to the indiscriminate raising commit a swindle, he should hand him ilegal, and his friend's only answer to bath horror mingled with a sense of wild season increased its liners from six to justion clings to the idea of the bath eight, so that instead of a fortnightly a cheque for $750. He did not know that that was the question of revenue, but he where Marat perished. A bath may on service there was a service every ten days. the defendant, having refused to deliver did not think that that would be support the other hand, suggest comic and even Calcutta Service-The shipments from with their tenants will be faced with the the morphine himself, had parted with the morphine was to be delivered in owing to the attendant having filled the beans from Rangoon increased consider
ed by his Lordship. His story was that ludicrous images. When Archimedes, and to Japan were large. Shipments of.
IN THE TROPICS IT IS fact that there are other and more
Hongkong and the evidence they had bath too full, discovered the principle of ably, but other cureals were not so brisk. suitable houses in addition to their own, $1,200 in an cadeavour to obtain it, in
an increase. accordance with arrangements.
heard, he submitted, supported that specifc gravity, legend (doing duty as The cabin passengers showed and that the poor tenants are yielding
Counsel produced a receipt to witness Naturally the person who owned the history) asserts that he sprang up and Competition on this route continues, and ESSENTIAL TO DRINK A SOUND victims no longer. If it only produces for $750, which said."Received from Mr. morphine was not present at any of the rushed naked into the streets of Syracuse, freight rates during the period have
meetings; he was represented by inter crying Furchal surely a grotesque per ruled very low. As a result, the Com WHISKY. THE PURITY OF BL this leavening influence the proposed
mediaries. He (Counsel) admitted it building scheme will have achieved much: Baptists, cheque for the amount of $750 was all illegal, defendant had to plead formance for a staid philosopher. There pany has suffered considerable losses and great hardships in carrying is a comedy of inimitable impudence in experienced but when those long-waited for class of only being deposit held up for goods illegality, but this they could say they the statement by the great Mr. Alfred on the competition However, trade IS GUARANTEED AND THE HIGH houses are erected the general opinion is ordered. Witness said that he signed this had this virtue attaching to them, that Jingle that after winning his famous between Japan and Indis, through this
atcamer QUALITY AND FINE FLAVOUR that there will be quite a rush to the receipt, remarking that if he had not they had in fact paid over $1,200 in an single wicket match with Sir Thomas service, is steadily developing.
honest attempt to get the morphine. The
New Steamers The new south-away from dull Bats and high done so he would not have received even choque was sent to the use who owned Blaze, in a wondrous and apocryphal rentals to a more homely and less ex the $750. If he had not taken this he the morphine at a boarding hosed manner, he had a bath and went to Tamika mara (12,000 tons), built in pensive habitation in the country. This would have got nothing at all. Mr. Macdonnell Road, but he sent the cheque times treated himself to scented baths while another new steamer, the Sura
dinner Mr. Arthur Pendennis some Japan, was launched in March 14th SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. would be quite a natural result, and a by
back stating that he wanted notes. after he had met men of a low set in maru, of equal tonnage, was launched on no means surprising expression of the Baptists did not say that that was all Counsel also contended that the cheque Hall. He ought to have been spirited the 29th March. These vessels are feelings of the householder who is now in he would get and that that was all he for $750 was accepted in fall satisfaction away quietly and kept for some years the painful yet unavoidable position of
under a tub at that period of his life, paying through the nose.
hut was not.
owed.
of the contract.
~The hearing was adjourned,
expected to be completed in October next, SEND FOR A FREE SAMPLE when they will be placed on the European service. In addition the Company Ess ordered from domestic and foreign yards
TEL