Page
SEQUEL TO A LIQUIDATION. ALLEGED FORGED DOCUMENTS.
Yesterday afternoon evidency was heard by Mfr. Justice Gompertz in the Summary Court, upon the question of authenticity of certain documents produced in an action by Mr. E. V. Carpmael, Official Receiver, against the Po Tuen, Ma Chee Lung and Lce Hysen
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH, 1917.
Why Because, there's no room,
You spoke about a stamp-what sort of stamp do you refer to The proper legal
stamp.
Do you mean one stuck on or one thas is impressed -I. can't say now, but I know that business men like theso should. should be stamped, know that a document of such importance
If I tell you that Lee Haun speaks English fluently, and deals with Euro pean banks, docs that affect your opinion of the probability that this document In the action it is alleged that the would be stamped Any man in busi defendants, Ma Cheo Lang and Les mess in Hongkong would know that docu- Hysen, as directors of the Yuan Hingmont ought to have been stamped.
On a document have you ever seen the data placed in relation to the signatures as it is on that document-No
Leaving out the signatures, would you point out where the date should if properly placed?--It should be near the body of the document. It would go down from there. It should leave enough space for the signatures to follow on
Assume that the date was in its rgat place, would the document be more extraordinary or less extraordinary than this one is 1-The one would be everything must be doge as exactly extraordinary as the other. In business possible, to establish confidence between business people.
Company, have wrongfully taken posses sion of 100 chests of opium belonging to the Company. The Company was wound up by order of the Chief Justice in May 1915, and the plaintiff is the liquidator, The action has been proceeding since the middle of December; and centres very largely around the authenticity of two documents produced by the defendants in the winding up procedings. The evidence at yesterday's sitting had a direct bearing on this aspect of the ouse
Mr.
F. C. Jenkin (instructed by Mesars. Hastings & Hastings, solicitors) appeared for the plaintif, and Mr. C. G. Alabaster and Mr, Eldon Potter (in structed by Messra Wilkinson & Grist, solicitors) for the defence.
Chan Kang Iu, compradore of Messrs Douglas & Lapraik, and a member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, wis first culled.
Mr. Jenkin: Have you ever seen any documents fac-similes of these two, docu- ments I hand you Witness: Yes, 1 have. I have seen them without signa tures.
If you look at these documents you will find a reference to Yuen Hing Company
in the text? Yes.
In the fne-similes which you saw was. there any reference to the Yuen Hing Company 1-Yes.
Where did you see these documents In the Chinese Chamber of Commerce last year some time-a few months ago.
Who produced them-Mr. Lau Chu Pak. the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.
CORRESPONDENCE. SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ON
THE PEAK TRAMS,
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONGKONG
"DAILY PRESS,"
SIR-I think Mr. Tisdall rather makes mountain out of a molekill, and, though it may be necessary to draw public attention to hardships suffered by our soldiers and sailors, there in this case, Ne does not appear to be much of a grievanov
SPORT
YACHTING.
ROYAL HONGKONG YACHT CLUB.
The results of the eighth of the series of Club Championship Racas for the Haadi- cap, One Design, and Heyward Hays and Gael Classes are as follow:-
HANDICAP CLABS, Rocks Buoy (P), Lyemus Beacon (P).
Course-Lyemun Beacon (8), Cust Distance, 10.1 miles.
Yacht
Habitusi travellers on the Beak Trams know that there is no attempt at social distinction, and the courtesy and don Diono aideration is shown by other travellera Rolls will, I am sure, he readily admitted by Jessien the soldiers themselves.
A Kathleen The trouble is the large number often Colleen wishing to travel at the same time. They Musetta... cannot help this, of course, but surely
Aileen
have some right to consideration, residente on the Feak and other civiliwas
The reservation of a part of the car for such can hardly be regarded as a measure of social distinction, and to aschievous,
suggest this seems uncalled for and miss
What do you mean by as exactly as possible mean dons properly-the names and the date in their proper places
Are there any other peculiarities in the document --The paper itself is curious.
Tram I have frequently been compelled In common with other habitués of the to wait for another car owing to the one in the station being crowded with soldiers outside and full inside, but I have never considered it necessary to bewail this in the Press, nor do I think the soldiers care for public discussions” on trivial matters, B
Bich
Handicap on Course
M. S. Lowes $1 Scratch rec. 01 0.44
Finishing Corrected
timo
h. m. B 4:42:05
4 47 38
5.00 13 D.N.F. ̈4:59:46
time h. ma 4.42 56 4 47.38 4.58.92
D.NE
4 64 43
5.03 #50.30
DNS.
D.N.S.
15 3.92
D.N.İ.
DNF.
Points for race Points to date
43.
A2
Position (1) Dione,
Bolia Colleen (4) Jessien.......
Kathleen... Musetta Aileen
ONE DESIGN CLASS, · Rocks (P), Channel Rocka
Course Channel Rocks (P), Cust
(8). Distance 6.9 milet. Yacht,
nishing Corrected
time
Handicap .on course M B.. Scratch
h. ma
time
b. B 4:18:25 DNF D.NS.
Position Points for race Pointstodate
What about the paper -An importanti. document like this should be written on
Since there is a rule as to reservation Ailsa good paper and not on common paper, as this is. The main thing about the of accommodation for civilians inside Bonita
the tram, in the best interests of the Daphne.... document is the position of the signa- public, it would fail in its purpose if it. Halcyon tures, men de VANY
Do you speak with any experience of were continually broken, and the fut
at experience Chinese commercial documents 7-Yes. All that the car was empty inside in the case Chinese agreements are in two parts mentioned by Mr. Tiedal is no argu(1) Allas........ which can be fitted together. ment sincs he admits that there was How many years experience of these room outside, while people frequently
turn up at the last moment, and there- Daphine... documents have you had Ever since T was at school, and all the time I have are the stations on other lovels to con- been in Douglas & Lapraik-27 years.
sider. In your opinion is that document genuine or not-In my opinion it is not a genuine documents and would not be admitted by any Chinese official
I show you a document bearing one signature. what do you say to that The same thing; the signature should follow the date. Here you can fold the
date clean off
What is your opinion of that docu- mont?--I will not say whether it is stan in the way it as versaw the date genuine or not, but I never saw the date
Cross-examined by Mr. Alabaster—1 would say that neither of the documenta is genuine
Bid Mr. Lau Chu Pak say anything about the documents-He produced When did you see the two documents them and asked our opinion on thom before you About a month ago at Mr.There were no names, at all on them Sharp's chambers,
Was Mr. Carpool present? Yes. When you saw these documents was any information given you as to the parties or the nature of the case with which they were connected ?-No, I only saw the names on the documents.
Was the name Lee Hsun on them--
Do you know him -Yes I know him and have spoken to him. I know Leung Sang.
I have known them both about three years.
Did you know anything about the Yuen Hing Company Not till I aw these documents.
Did you know that Company, was con;; eerned in litigation and that these wore. deportant documents in the case 7-No.
Did you know that the signatures were alleged to be forgeries1-No
Did you form any opinion as to these documents when you first examined thera Yes.
You saw the names of your two friends!
To that you cannot express an opinion
as to the position of the signatures — There were three circles to represent
When you went to see the documents in
17
24
11
33
INTIMATIONS
LANE,
CRAWFORD & Co.
JUST RECEIVED:
ANGLO-ORIENT
SEAMLESS REVERSIBLE
CARPETS
AND RUGS.
TWO WEARING SURFACES INSTEAD OF ONE
in CHARMING COLOURINGS and DESIGNS.
BRITISH
THEY ARE OF
MANUFACTURE
4 18 25: DNF D.N.$. 4.23.19
4:23 10
BOTH
DURABLE AND
INEXPENSIVE.
time.
SOFA AND BEDSIDE
h... s 425:32
HEARTH, BUGS.
HEY WARD BAYS AND GAEL OLABE.CO Course Channel Rocks (P), Cust.
WE HAVE THEM IN
has Rock, Buoy (P), Channel Rocka (3). Dis SQUARES, CORRIDOR, drawn the typical effusion from an ace 69 miles
It is not surprising that his letter has anonymous correspondent published this morning, which is apparently written by someone lacking knowledge of conditions! on the Peak Tram, as he switches off the point and wails about the admission of soldiers to Clubs,
Yacht Handicap Finishing Corrected
Coursu tune M. S
h. me B Lysbeth... Owes 1.44 4 23 48.
D.N.S Owl Semteh
Thecla...Owes 35 Toinnette...Red. 35 Dawn Owes an Lady Ursula Scratch Sirius
:8
DNS.
D.N.S
D.N.S
D.N.S 4 28 33
D.N.S.
4 29 08
DNS D.N.F
D.N.S.
D.N.F.
14
4B
41
I can only say that I have scen soldiers regularly enjoying the swimming facilities at the R. last summer, guests of the Cricket Chab), and football playing cricket on the cricket ground (as
Position Points for race Points to date on the grounds at Happy Valley, while (1) Lysbeth..... your correspondent has only to walk (2) Dawn......
down Queen's Road to see & building → Thecla labelled in bolers, and Soilors Home
big letters Soldiers' Club, further on These are but examples of facilities enjoyed by soldiers and sailors while I am quill-driving in a stay of the evening a grand as to the War office, and often have to drill afterwards
I am wonding the usual $5 Charities Fund for the privilege of writ ing, and trust to see acknowledgments of contributions from your other corre spondents in the next list, as I think that endeavours to arouse class feeling in a Yours truly,
Qwi Tomnette...
AERE -Lady Ursula events E.N.E. wind with heavy sea running, and events were contested in a strong
up the race through neckent, which the several of the yachts were forced to give
Digne won her race again demonstrates the heavy weather qualities of the yacht and reflects great credit on Miss Phoebe May, who, accompanied by Miss Iris May, steered the boat
to victory The weather conditions recalls a race
sccident,
three characters for each name. That is quite common, make that Mr. Sharp's office did you know they were documents in litigation When I saw them I knew. Mr. Sharp was the Colony like this are quite unnecessary over the same course some yeare
firet lawyer I met in connection with the matter. I very seldom go to a lawyer's office. (Laughter.)
with Mr. Sharp-Two. The first time How many interviews, did yon "have
he was busy and I was only there a few minutes. The second time was a fort- night later and the Interview lasted half an-hour.
Could you not tear the date part off and the signature --In, that case the No. 98 and put the date between the text
Bignature would be torn off. --
Mr. Alabaster called his Lordship's attention to the fact that there was as much room for the date on the one side. of the signature as the other.
Witness, questioned on the point, said, there was plenty of room for the date above the signature but that had not been used.
A man who wished to act fraudulently could have inserted the date at the place which you say is the proper placet-Yes, that is what I cannot understand.
Do you still hold that opinion Yes,
Does it not surprise you, if the thing What is your opinion with regard to is a fraud, that they did not put the thess documents -- My opinion is that in date did not put it on the inside. It in the proper place I don't know a proper agreement the signatures should seems to me that the signature was writ be side by side and underneath the date.ten first and the date put where it is Whereas, in exhibit: 29 the signatures wala which I can only say the proper
way in which a man should do the appear one over the other and a guide, not what he should do to make a feand the dato 1-Yes,
Where should the signaturos bo-At
the bottom,
But you say this is a false document As far as Chinese customs go, I say this is not properly done. I have not studied a book on fale documents You will observe that this is an agreemake, a forged document would, endear Don't you think a man wanting to ment between two men mainly dealing our to make it as near genuine us with a loan of $400
possible--I don't know, but this docu ment is not right.
is here the document could be folded and the date torn off
If the signature was written first the party writing the body of the document had plenty of room, to write the text and the date in the proper place if he chose I do not know
You are here as an expert, and I must prees you for an answer,
X
Hongkong, 13th March, 1917.
HONGKONG MAGISTRACY.
KEROSENE OIL LICENSES
A number of merchants uppeared be fore Mr. Melbourne charged with failing
were each fined $3, to renew their korosene oil licenses, and
DEFECTIVE WEIGHTS AND SCALES.
~ago when the Dione won a championship race stoered by His Excellency Bir F
who, rounding the
H. May, K Coated his right:
Cust Rock Buoy,
but nevertheless stuck to the tiller and
The ninth and luat raça for the Cham- pionships will be sailed off on Saturday, 17th inst. Course Stonecutters Island (Starboard).⠀
The results of the fourth of the ries of Cruiser Championship Races is as follows:-
ENGLISH R10,
Course:Chung Chau Island (8). Dis- tance 22. miles,
Yacht Handicap Finishing Corrot d
rane
STO
44:00
on course
time
h...
·4·45 64
time 5.
m 2.
4.01 64
4 54 55
-4 54 55
0
DNS
D.NE
NDS
Points for race Points to date
33
3
DN
At the Instance of Inspector Torrita number of shopkeepers appeared before Mr. Melbourne, yesterday, charged with using weights and scales which were to Fethers
Scratch the prejudice of the purchaser from Vesper 44 per cent downwards, Fines rangingueen Bee 22 00 From $3 to $10 were inflicted.
Position (Irene (2) Feathers
Vesper......
Cores-Chang Chau Lland (8). – Dis-
Queen
Finishing Corrected
time
DISTURBANCE IN A CHINESE THEATRE.
Police Reserve appeared before Melbourne, yesterday, charged with dip orderly conduct in a Chinese theatre as Hung Hom. From the evidence it up poared that the defendants had gone ou to the stage in defiance of instructions by Inspector McDonald that no one was to be allowed on the stage but the actors. An Indian constable asked the Chinese de fendant to leave the stage.. ile refused, and the Police Reservist interfered and tried in the course of a struggle which ensued
to prevent the arrest of the intruder. The Chinese defendant was fined $2, and the Police Reservist dismissed, with a reminder that it was the duty of the Police Reserve to assist the Police and not to obstruct them in the execution of tho'r duty.
A Chinese and an Indian member of
GAMBLING CORRUPTING THE POLICE.
How old are you?-Fifty-five... Have you ever seek an agreement be tween two men, signed only by two, and the signatures signed one over the other as they are in that document-No,
Is there anything, peculiar about the position of the date on that document 1- It is in a wrong position. It should be side by side with the names. As the date His Lordship Would a man wishing to make a forged document try to make it look as genuine na possible ?--I cannot Is there anything missing which should say which of the documents was written follow the signatures-I do not know first, but the signature was put outside so much now, but in such important on the one, and the other was made to documents it used to be the custom to correspond pat “own handwriting after the Mr. Alabaster--It would be equally signatures. TERM
possible to put the date inside in both - Can you suggest why these words are documents Witness: Yen,
not put on that document ? There a In No. 28 there is heaps of room to put pler y of room for them. I cannot say the date abore or below or to the side the defendants made a rapid disappear why. In Hongkong, especially among There is not room above, but there is business people, such a document would room below, and the date should be above he stamped. The words own hand the signature, writing should come after each signa By making the characters in the text ture
smaller you would have heaps of room The writing is far too far up the docu tent.
Who Eusly is it that writes those worda-the person signing or the party writing the text? The person signing always writes these words,
Could the date be placed over the signa tures on that document No.
Fifteen Chinese lined up before Mr. Melbourne charged with gambling in a house at 238 Queen's Road, Central One of the defendants was further charged with keeping a gambling house. This charge was dismissed, but on the charge of gambling all the defendants were con- victed, and were fined 96 ench, ed, and immediately the police appeared It was stated that the house was raid-
fance 29 miles,
ORINESE RIG.
acht baciou
on course time
Soutengden 11.00 Miranda Scratch Denone 7 20 Dorothy II 14.40 Lady Godiva 51 20
Q
D.N.F.
DNS.
DIN.F DNK
D.N.S.
DNS.
4 68 34 D.N.S.
4:41. 84
D.N.S
Position Points for race Points to date (1) Dorothy II
£2 Sootengden Depone
14 Miranda |-- Lady Godiva
-
The fifth and last Cruiser Champion ship Race will be sailed on Sunday next Course Lamma Island (Starboard). Distance, 225 miles.
CONCENTRATION OF GUN-FIRE
If a despatch from Copenhagen can be trusted, a Danish artillery officer has solved & problem which has long tormented gunners how to control the widely dis persed armament of a fortress or battleship so as to be able to concentrate it on a given target at the crucial moment when desired. an overwhelming avalanche of shells is The invention is said to be so do is to sit at a keyboard, press the neces good that all the fire controller has to ance, some smashing the glass of the win- dows and thereby effecting an exit, and sary button, and convey the most explicit others getting on to the roof..
orders to the men behind the guns. The Inspector McDonald said one of the can be made. Many atterupts have been the orders can be so easily read that to error accused was a lukong, off duty. The made in this direction, but one inherent police expected to find one or more con- defect exista in them all the communica afiables among the gamblers. Their in-
tion between the artillery commander and Any business man seeing that document formation was that those running the guns may be cut at any moment by f |_ would know it was a forgery (--Any house were taking the police of duty, proper business mau would repudiato land, no doubt, paying thom hush
The Court then rose.
money."
INSPECTION INVITED.
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