Page
J
CORRESPONDENCE.
7 Tracks Jeradd árn
WAR TAXES.
TER
HONGKONG AEROPLANE FUND
LIST NO 5.
Bowley's
B. Ezra Anonymous (W.) Hon. Mr. W. Chatham RS..
[TO THE EDITOR DE “THE HONGKONG BAILY FRESH 73
St-Referring to Mr. letter suggesting some methode whereby
extra revenue might, he obtained in order that Hongkong might contribute more money to the Imperial Government to, carry on the War, I am sure that every member of the community desires, for the credit of the Colony, that we should be in no
way behind that evidence of shown by other Colonies,
Patriot
that ""
Lloyd
Tong Lai Chien Capt. Passmore J. J. Bryan Lam Wo
Ka Wo Chao On Euk Yuen
St. John
60,00 50,00
-19.00.
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MAY 15TH, - 1917
CHARGES AGAINST CHIEF ENGINEER
MORE LEGAL ARGUMENT.
there to listen to the recital of a series of petty grievances It was not fair to the accused to have an Irish stew, if he might so put it, of little offences as between the Captain and the Chief 9.00 The enquiry was resumed at the Hong the principles of natural law and justice
Engineer. That would be contrary to 26.00 kong Marine Court yesterday into The series of petty frictions had ab- 25.00 | certain charges against a Chief Engineer,solutely no connection with each other. 25,00
Aleo, and this was rather important, 20.00 Capt. R. M. de la Sala of the there was not logging" of the alleged 20.00 'heumperk, charged the Chief Engineer offences, and thus the Chief Engineer had. 20.00
of the vessel, W J. Stokes, with dis not been given an opportunity of answer. 20,00
ing the charges, as they were read out 20.00|| obediente; and' misedduct.
to him from the log-book, which was the Ambulance Brigade The Court was composed of Com. usual procedure adopted. They simply (Chinese Y.M.C.A.)
had a recital of hoarded spite as between, G. Taamiscapulou
16.00 mander Beckwith President), Liu Captain and Chief Engineer, and that Kung Wo Lou Tim
15.00 Commander F. E. Nuttall (HM.S was not sufficient for the case to proceed. 19.00
Temur). Capt. Bell Smith (se. Honau) that he thought the constitution of the
Commander Beckwith then remarked Capt. P. H. Rolle (Marino Superintend-Court was a guarantee that they would ent. Indo-China Steam Navigation Co.), | bc“able to decide what was an act of and Mr. D. MeMurray (Superintending posed of two engineers and three offters.
gross misconduct or not; it was co
Engineer of the Indo-Ching Steam Mr. Sharp, replying to Me. Pollock's last objections," said that it was for the Navigation Co.).
Court to decide whether the instance of The Hon. Mr. E. H. Sharp, KC.misconduct was gross or not. The Court (instructed by Mr. E L. Shenton), all peared on behalf of the Captain, and the Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, KC, (în." structed by Mr. C. D. Wilkinson) re presented the Chief Engineer,
Central Police Station per P.B. C. H. Gale, A.B., H. T. Jack-
H.F.OR.H.,
I would like, however, to point ontman, T. Perkins, D Wood, that his suggestion of doubling the Crown Rent would be in its incid ence, very unfair. Crown Rent is fixed at the time the lessbold is sold bỷ the reversioner, who bore is the King. It is not, in the strict sense of the word; a tax and is not adjustable on the in- crestsed or decreased value of property
in the same way that Raten are hy being levied on new Rafonble Assessment annually.
11
TE W Edwards, E. Ellis, EM, R. L. Bridger, E.M.S., K. H. Aumuller, C. E. Watson, I Caming, Wing Ki... Cheong, Kwong Nam Choong, Tai Loi Oban, Leung lu Chỉ Ring Lee Chun, Tin Hong, Fo Chu, Ki Cheuk, at 810 each **** E. W, Carpenter, E Newhouse, M. Xavier, J. W. White, L. CF Rea A B. Purves, B. W. Grey Larmour, T. A. Wood, H. Pegg, G. Hankett, E S. Rouse, E. B. Lambert, A W Tickle, F G Lowick, G. E. Thomas, 8. Hamer, J. Duncan, R. J. Stevenson, 8, R. Jones, T. Bolt, F. A Biden, W. W. Fleming, G Jex, J. H. Donnithorne, T., AAC, R.D.W., A.R., E. Remedios, M. A Figueiredo, LE
Guteres, O. Randall, P. Jack- son, G, W. Gégg, Kem, A. E. Chunnett, Chung Hing Chan, Tong Shou Nam, Gt. Eastern Hotel, Wing On 06., Wing On Insurance Co., The Sun Co., Sun Insurance Co., Choo Luk On Tong, Wing Fat, at $5 each
To quote a cata in point, rural building lot at the Feak with an area of 44,604 square fed quld in 1876, subject. to na annual Crown Rent of $10, whereas another lot quite close to it with an area of 16,460 square feet sold in 1914 subject tom Annual Crown Rent of $94. I could quote dozens of cases of inland, marine and Kowloon lots affected in the same way, so I consider the incidence of the doubling the Crown Rent as suggested by Mr. Bowley would be veryD.D., unfair.
As to increasing the rates to 20 per cont., this is the faint way of raising the revenue equitably from the whole Com- munity, but I think he is wrong in say ing that rates in England range from 30 to 45 per cent, of the rent, compared with the rates payable here in most -parts of 13 per cent.
In the first place rates at home are levied on the net annual value, which is the rateable value there, whereas in Hongkong they are levied on the gross annual value, which is the rateable valve
liere.
The net annual valus at home is ap| proximately only 7 per cent. of the proxs annual value
Mr. Howley suggests that, compared with home, we are very lightly taxed in regard to property. Now, I will take the case of a man at home with an income
of £500. He takes a house of, say, a year. The rates on that house--taking Mr. Bowley's assertion that they are 46 per cent. would be £16 178. 8d. Total rent and rates, £66 s. 6d;
lo Hongkung a rean with £500 would have to pay, say. $100 a month and rate for eas accommodation than the man at home gets for 20 a year and rates, so taking the dollar at 2 for com. parative purposes, we get:-
House Rent $1,200
Rates at 13 per cat. ****
.£120.00.0. is, 12.0.
£135.12.0.
pays both, it is doubtless this which has been borne in mind by the Government in settling the percentage to be paid in
rates.
Mr. Bowley's suggestion that, in order to promote economy and efficiency, bars should be closed at 10 pm, and no credit given seems to me to be more suitable for discussion by people who are more in- terested in reducing drunkenness than in a list of suggestions for war taxes,
Entertainments might very⠀ well be taxed, but a tax on travelling would be a little dificult to enforce in the matter of ricabas and chairs Yours faithfully,
$3 Interpreter, -82; Kwong Chan, 89, N Mat, Bi
Amount previously acknow
ledged
240.00
230.00:
SPORT.
HONGKONG TENNIS LEAGUE.
LADIES' RECREATION CLUR ».
CHINESE Y,M,CA,
9.00
had certain provisions to go upon and it was for them to say whether they would put them into operation or not. First of all, however, they had to inquire which had been quoted on the series into the misconduct. As to the law
of little incidents." the law laid it down that the nore the breaches of the regula tions the greater became the misconduct.
Eventually, dr. Sharp opened the ease on behalf of Capt. de la Salu. He men- tioned that, the enquiry was being made under Section 18 of the Ordinance, and went on to say that the foundation of the whole thing, the root cause of the whole trouble and he said that with all respect to the Chief Engineer was that there can only be one master of a ship. It was not the first time that had occurred in this world. The Chief Engineer did not appear to have ever realised that there could only be one master. It was
The previous hearing was adjourned after Mr. Pollock had raised several objections on the question of procedure.
Commander Beckwith, at the outset, replied to the objections made by Mr. Follock at the first hearing, With regard to the contention that no definite charges had been formulated, he under stood that that had since been done by the solicitors who represented the Captain.
Mr. Pollock--Not to our satisfaction,the duty of the Chief Engineer to assist the Captain in maintaining discipline Proceeding, the President said that he on the ship. But, so far from this, and did not think the objection relative to in this particular case, the Chiat Engineer had maintained a persistent 838.00 the sitting of a Naval Officer on the attitude of open opposition to the Court was material. As to the other master. He had openly disregarded the 4,292.39
master's orders, and had interfered with objection, that he, as Harbour Master, his duties; and this had been going on $5,181.38 having previously advised in the Court, for over the whole porfod mentioned in should not act as President, he had been serious in view of the fact that a state the statement, which Was somewhit directed by the Governor to sit as of war existed. He would call two prin- President of the Court, as he was cipal witnesses, Capt. de 1s Bala, who ministerially in control of the harbour joined the ship on February 13th and was still Captain, and Capt. Spink, who Mr. Pollock then remarked that he was master of the ship prior to Capt. had further objections to make. In the de la Sals. They would say, in fact. that while they recognised the defend first place he would ask the President to ant's position as Chief Engineer, he com- note that he still objected to him sitting pletely disregarded their positions as as President of that Court, and in that eyes of those on board, in open antago master, and placed himself, before the
connection he reminded the President nisms to the Captain The trouble com that at the last sitting he (the President) the ship in Hongkong Harbour. It com
menced when Copt de la Bala frst joine
frankly stated that he thought he ought menced on the same day. Capt. de la not to sit owing to previous converse Bala called the Chief Enginter to him and intimated, in view of the drunken- tions he had had with Capt, de la Salsness of a Chief Officer, that he would It was laid down in the Ordinance that prohibit the sale of drink on board. The a Stipendiary Magistrate could Chief Engineer then said that if that President of the Court, therefore any one and himself (meaning the engineering were going to be the case then his men of the Police Magistrates would have department) wou'd go over the side of the ship. The Captain then modified his been available to sit as President of the previous rauarks and asked that there Court
should be no treating, as he had had a Another point was that no proper lot of trouble owing to the drunkenness of officers. Mr. Sharp then proceeded: charges had been laid. He had received to refer to numerous dates between the new statement from the solicitors. February 13th up to about a week ago, for the other side, but that did not help had been guilty of serious misconduct. when he contended the Chief Engineer him. They were only told that evidenceCa February 20th, for instance, there was would be called to prove misconduct on trouble between defendant and the cook, various dates from January 17th until the ship arrived in Hongkong last week, There were many dates given, but no
Played at Leighton Hill Ground ou Saturday. Scores:-..
Turner Mobler does
Cla
3. H, 4. Vermey &
dy, Jonckheer to 28 cas 6 to 248 a Home & la de „FE. Mariel 2.7.8 to 18to a
Berington, 10to) 9 to 30 to 1
24 to
LR.C. won by 16 games to 234
ga
On the War Charities Court last oven- ing, before a fairly large crowd, Green and Abraham (owe 46) defeated Nisbet and Dodwell (owe 15-3) in the semi-inal of the Men's Handicap Doubles, and thus (scratch) in the final. The final scores qualified to meet Crisp and Redmond
were 6:3, 10-12, 9-7.
HONGKONG MAGISTRACY.
COOLIES AT VARIANCE.
Four Chinese were charged before Br. Melbourne with fighting, a chop -per being used in the affray. One of the men had a long scratch down the side of his face, in addition to an uninjured head, which was carefully bound up with
the others. On the following day be re turned with companions and asked them to come out and fight. They refused to do so, but the other men attacked them and forced them to hide under beds. The fourth defendant, said the other men struck him with a glass bottle, a chopper and a bamboo pois. They were each fined 81.
..
oné
the latter making a report to the Captain At Cape St. James, on occasion, the Chief Engineer became in sulting The Chief Engineer also per sisted in addressing the Captaisas, a piece of dirty rag. The others were specific date, nor a specific charge hud my man," or "Mr. Mau," which was, quite uninjured. Three of the men been laid. They were given a series or of course, very wrong indeed. On March After all, therefore, there is not such a pleaded guilty. One of the defendants dates and were asked to frame the led to a fight between the Chief Engineer 7th, there was some trouble which pearly put the blame on to the fourth defend- great disparity in the matter of rates,ant, who, he said, came and gambled with charges for themselves on the written and the Chief Officer, and the Captain but there is an enormous disparity in
statements of several people. They
was implicated. At Saigon, on one oe- ension, the Chief Engineer objected to the matter of rent, and, as the tenant
were taked to perform that novelty in more cargo being taken on board, and criminal law although they were the said that if another bound was taken accused person. It was for the prosecu-partment would go over the side of the he and his men in the engineering de
would then know what they had to an despite the fact that more cargo tion to frame the charges, and they ship. Wishing to avoid trouble, and swer. They wanted to know what they could have been taken, the ship sailed had got to meet without any more cargo being taken on Mr. Sharp, in reply, remarked that board. One of the owners of the boat espionage a gros misuomer of the the fact that Commander Beckwith was was present at the time, and to him the alleged facts, is not new nor did it sitting as President of that Court was Chief Engineer said- If you want any originate with Mr. Schmidt. I have a complete answer to one of the obico-favours done you will have to put your adopted the same method for years tions made by his learned friend is hand in your pocket, On another What is new is that the Inspector friend contended that the charges were occasion at Saigon the second and third General has now required that the check not definite enough. However, be under engineers came on board and said they on calculations, as outlined in the stood, according to the practice in that wished to resign, but as this would have Circular referred to, shall be made sys Court, that they had given more than meant delaying the sailing of the bost tematically and at all ports. The writer was usually given to the other side. Also considerably, the Captain refused to gives away his whole case when be that enquiry was ordered by the Gov-accept the resignations. Mr. Sharp describes, and all too correctly, the emner, and that was surely sufficient for also referred to several occasions when pressure under which the Customs stad their purpose. They were prosecuting the engines stopped and no satisfactory has to work. The wonder is that work under Section 19 of the Ordinance, and explanation was obtainable from the is performed as accurately as it is he thought that was understood all along. Chief Engineer, despite the fact that the Nowhere in the world, I make bold to Commander Beckwith then announced stoppages occurred on those occasions say, is ezrgo" passed," se.." released that he was of the opinion that all the when it was his watch. All the instances both for import and for export, with the preliminaries were complete according to he had mentioned showed consistent mis
to proceed Chips. I have long been of the opinion, with the case before him. To conduct and disregard for the master's which the lapse of time strengthens, that Mr. Pollook at ones rose and said be our Service will have to call upon the had other objections to make, and added Capt. de la Sale, in the course of his ing contemporary reproduces a letter public to exercise more patience with that he could not help it if his friend evidence, said he told the Chief Engineer from the Central China Post headed and to provide better accommodation for, did become impatient. It was hot to tell his men that there was to be no the work of our examination branch Counsel on the other side to show his carried out. He put his boy to treating, but those instructions were not The Chinese Customs: Growl from We need to be able to work under less impatience in the way he has done it watch and had also seen things hi Outdoor Staff." May I be allowed to pressure and in more roomy surround showed a lack of a certain amount of self. The Chief Officer had to leave the protest against the spirit and the state the clerical as well as from the examina nesr Pollock then proceeded to went on to refer to the incidents men- ingu. And this demand will proceed from decency and he said that in all serious hip because of drink Witness then ments of the writer and against his tion branch, I will not touch further state that a charge of gross misconduct ioned by Mr. Sharp in his opening attempt to introduce race-prejudice into on the letter of "Disgusted; it does had to be laid, not a series of petty statement The Captain added that he not, I am sure, correctly describe the charges. That was only natural law and had never met a more insolent person our ranks. It is true that Mr. Schmidt, views of his brother officers. No one has was only fair to the accused. They did than the Chief Engineer, and on many one of the Shanghai Deputy Commission done more to improve the present and not want u mrics of petty frictions as occasions he had been sorely tempted to ers, is a German, but he is one with the future prospects of the Customs between the Captain and the Chit Suish him severely. He really believed Service than has Mr. Aglen, and as needs Engineer; they wanted a definite charge that the Chief Engineer wanted to lead whom I could still associate, his wife is arise and the opportunity is given he will They wanted a serious act and not im on to do this, so as to make him Trish
The
so-called systern of do more.—I am, etc.,
series of little acts They did not want mit himself. AH HARRIS.
the recital of such incidents as the throw (Continued at foot of next column.) Hongkong, 14th May, 1917
THE
ASHELTON HOOPER.
CHINESE CUSTOMS,
[TO TEX EDITOR OF THE ** HONGKONA
DAILY TREGO."
BIB, The Sucilay issue of your morn
rapidity and smoothness that it is in law, and he now proposed position on the ship. ON
The hearing was adjourned until ing overboard of a bottle of anchory Lw-day sauce (Laughter.) The Court was no
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CRAWFORD & Co.
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