Page
CORRESPONDENCE.
LIQUORS ORDINANCE,
1917.
THE
HONGKONG
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH, 1917.
With regard to the question of the jeopardy to their Licenses which will be incurred by Hotel kechers, there can
THE NO-CHITS BILL.
PROTESTS BY TWO LEADING
LOCAL HOTELS.
Hongkong, 27th September, 1917. Six, We have the honour to address you in regard to the above Bill on betalf of our clients, the Hongkong Hotel Co., Ltd,
be no doubt that the effect of the new
The two following letters,; written on Ordiunner will be to largely add to the [TO THE EDITOR OF THE
general jeopardy attaching in that regard, behalf of the Hongkong and King Edward DAILY PRESS."']
and the fuer-if such be the case that Hotels, were read at the meeting of the Sin,The debate in the Legislative the outs of proving that the purchaser Legislative Council on Thursday by the Council yesterday afternoon apon the of liquor in a Bar, etc., is a guest in an Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C., protesting above Ordinance tended, think, to Hotel will, to use the Colonial Secretary's against the abolition of the chit system
such purchaser " within the public bars of the Colony- indicate that in regard to the subject words, be on matter thereof, as in the case of most afford but little relief to the general other questions, valid reasons can be jeopardy attaching under the Ordinance: advanced both pro aud conte, and, as in question. the letter addressed to the Ian. Colonint.
The consumption of liquor with als Secretary by my firm on bit of the is, as the Colonial Secretary aptly informs no doubt an entirely inoneuans and Hongkong Hotel Co., Ltd., which was. referred to by the Hon. Mr. Pollock, common practice, but in that connection was written by myself, and, as both the one is led to enquire whether the Colonial fact of its having been written and the Secretary desires us to infer that
entirely opposite result follows the con- reasons advanced therein have been chal-sumption of liquor without meals.
It seems to me that the Colonial Secre lenged, venture to intrade upon your columns for the purpose of offering a few finry was not particularly happy in hit remarks for consideration by the general inferency to Old Cngton publie
ÚS & PERSON
Why such a Bill, as that in question was not introduced years ago, for the simple In the first plans, I would say.zhat the reason that, though geurs ago there vorg possibly existed ample: reusons för anch letter in question was delivered at the Bill as this, yet, as indicated by the Colonial Secretary's Offer on the 27th Hon. Mr. Dodwell, such reasons have now. ultimo, but thin, beyond an ærkoweside-ratirely vanished.
tuent of it with an intimation. Shak its
thereto was
license who did not in his heart know
In his concluding teamrks, the Colonial. Steretaty ventured to assert that there contents were receiving attention, which was not a single. Director of any Hotel arrived on the following day, no veply in the Colony which possessed a publican's resived smil yesterday that the Bill would really serve a sofal morning, when, as shews in your columns rose, and that be possible loss-
merely temporary this morning, my firm were informed that dimention in the reeipts--which might a full explanation of the Bil would be be caused would be more than counter- given at the legislative Council Meeting alanced by the improvement in the
jgeveral piórale and, self-respect of those- which way due to take place yesterday (who made use of the Hotel premises.
boleli ke térmed the
afternoon, de
be,,withty jour knars from the Speaking for myself. 1
I may say that I de
was con-
receipt of such exply." The position was not agree with him, and I may add that, berefore Langau, to one wherein at the very time when yesterday's debute gentlemen sondernued to speedy decuplain the Logislative Council tion without trial is informed Quit Whorlamencing, des Direnters of the Hongkong prior to the decapitation itself he will ele! l'e, Ltd., in discussing this Bill TETRAVE A Full explanation of
of the reason intimated that they were opposed why he is to be derapitatet.
thereto,
In bis opening remarks the Colegial
The Hon Mr. Shown in the course Secretary appears to me to have, viewed Hotel Hars from a sadewhat lofty stand of his speech remarked: point, and his attitude in thavenuection, coupled with his remarka
Cumark regarding
The Hon. Mr. Pullock has told us that these two European Hotels have
it is a very bad euse when you have
vested interests " mein-pla assamed hired Solicitors to speak for them rights, brings to my mind the lines and he added tha penned by Oliver Goldsmith in his well known posut The Desertod Village “.
Near sonder her, these lifts, its wheel,
uts high.
Where once the sign post, caught G
Pisting
Lay, is at homes zeruangelios inspired,
to go to Solicitors to find arguments against any particular, question."
My reply to this is that any experience of Mr. Shewan shows that his practice"
is same hat at variance with his "pre.
seduare", maijalarin, aj pojít.”
At a later stage in the course of his Where grey heard mirth and smiling, tilsporth Mr. Showan stated:
x{irl,
*Where village stateshin pafled with fanks)
profound,
And news unch older than their ale were
CountTM
The hotel will not lose. One Dirvelor with to me that in his opinion Pillad aot make any earthly
"The * Bar," or its equivalent, has
With reference to that portion of Mr. en a feature of English it for a goud Shewah's speech, lean only refer to what many hundreds of yours, and I think may have above remarked as to what took fairly je stated to have had at least a place at the meeting of the Hongkong dlæneficial effces in the formation of EngHotel Co., Ltd's, Directors yesterday Fish character. No doubt it his had its afternoon, and 1 therefore assume that the bases, as have most things upon this Director referred to by Mr. Shewan must earth, but it has, I firmly believe, sur, have been a Director of some other Hotel. wired because of its utility as a national Sānstitution.
His Excellency the Governor-in the Gourse of Mr. Shewan's speech-made The Colonial Serwetary-dealt at greium ilusion to à “very aimsing case at the length with the reasons givanced againe Police Court where two Chinese were had the passing of the Ordinates than for some offence, wherein the Chinese did with regard to the mass jar delinquent who played a Solicitor was of its introduction. 1 o nat propose te fined $100 whereas his co-delinquent who the same luxury was indulge in answer his remarksjan detail, but I think did I may usefully offer, the following obses only hned 810. Doubtless the Magistrate
vations.
تابه برام
before whom the ease was tried had in mind that one of the many references to Lawyers
Hudibras" which states:-
contained in Butler's
One of the Pinsons against the. Bil dvanced in my firm's above-mentioned letter was that it would casse * needlest pecuniary loss." The Colonial Secreturs in dealing with this rouson has, think entirely failed to appreciate the wal point of the words used, which have reference to the fact that the state of affairs cristing malay in this along. Tenders cong such · Üvel unre whall unnecessary-in which
respect 1 ha only to refer to the remarks made by the Hon. Mr. Dodwell in his speech in oppe sition to the Bill,
The Colonial Secretary appears to have found himself unable to restrain h natural bent for " the drain." and muti hare fairly brought the house down what ho preduced that wonderful bag contain ing $1,000 worth of apparently worthles chits-in which respect he will no douli remember the lines in Buller's “ Hadi- Uras**:-
“For what is mualli for anything.. But as much mning us. i'will bring???. and also the remarks (set out in Act V. Scene 11 of Shakespeare's ng Henty Vi, Fart II) made by Jerk Cade, the Rebel, to his followers:-
**I thank you good people:there shall be so money; all shall eat and drink an my score, and I will apparet ikềm all in one livery, that they y agres brothers, and worship are their lord ** and the reply made by one of the followes,
one Dick
He that with injury is grieve'd And goes to law to he relieved, Is siffier than a tish chousé, Who, when thief has robbed his house, Applies himself to conning men, To help him to his goods again but it is to be hoped that the above par- ticular vagary of the particular Magis trate who figured in the above incident was rectified by a benevolent Governor.
In the course of His Excellency's con- eluding speech he remarked:--
"This Bill is brought forward for a very simple reason and object. The reason goes with the object, arid that is why it was not thought necessary to, elaborate the point in the Objects and Reasons,'
to
But I would respectfully venture 10. submit that the object of every Bill is t achieve its purpose, and that a mere said to be its reason, otherwise it would statement of the object cannot fairly be be open to an aggressor to say object is to cause you injury and to advance, as the reason therefor, that he had that object in view-which, in fine, would be no reason at all.
I ought, perhaps, to add that there is a possible authority in favour of the the
alteration from chits to cash as 'Life | incident referred to in Lockhart's
of Sir Walter Scott," where it is related ** The first thing we do, lets kill att de how Sir Walter, on a visit to Flodden, lawyers and also Jack Cade's to expound the battle to his young folks,
sxer :-
the
to
found that the village Boniface, brim- ming over with gratitude for the custo Nay, that mean to do. is not that had accrued to him from this a lamentable thing, that of the publication of Marmion, desired to skin of an innocent lamb should be have Scott's head for his signpost, made parchment ? That parchment, which Sir Walter demurred, whereupon being scribled o'er, should undo a man? the landlord produced a copy of Mar Some say, the bee stings: but I say, mion and desired to have something 'is the bee's wax, for I did but seal connected with the battle that had brought Due to a thing, and I was never mine him such good luck, Sir Walter then own man since. fione now? there?"
I opened the book at the scene of the hero's death, and his eye was immediately caught by the inscription, in black letters.
The Colonial Secretary made light of the fact that Hotels will be put to extra" Drink weary pilgrim, drink, and pray expense by having to engage additional For the kind of Sibyl Grey." employer for the purpose of shroffing"
arzed
and checking
Well my friend" said he, "what more "the money received in would you have? You need but strike Tien of chits, and in that relation that the inference to be drawn from the one letter in the first of these lines objection made in respect thereof and make your painter-man, next time that no money (cash)
he cornes this way, print between "The could have ben previously taken--which og he
Jolly Tankard (the landlord's existing very tidy added, is, of course, or the ear, but then) and your own name Drink, weary deduction contained in his ensuing spilgrim, drink and pay!
tence to the effect that the work of qu
splays will be relieved by the substitutior.
of cash for chits is indeed a fallacy,
יי
Yours faithfully, J. SCOTT HARSTON, Hongkong, Uktober 12th, 1917.
2-Our clients are the holders of at Publican's Licenre granted by the Hong- Kong Government and have continuously: bela such frence or its equivalent for. the period of 50 years.
The fee payable in respect of such | ligence at the present time is $3.000 per
During the period of 50 years, referred to in te preceding paragraph that portim of our clients business which relates to the supply of intoxicar- ing liquor has been very largely earried on by means of what is known as the chit system-whereunder the chaser is supplied with the liquor desired by him mesclange for an order in writing signed by hum
4-Our clouts' experience under the above
system-save in a comparatively infinitesimal unber of instances has heen such as Lo enable them to say that the system has worked well and has been a great convenience both in them: selves and their customers.
5.1 intoxicating liquor supplied our tents to such of their customKETS as, if the above Bill be passed, will fatt within the purview of its strictivo. clauses, is served in the following pors tions of their premises, viz,
(4)The Pantie Bur."
The Frivate Bar.
The Smoking-room. Bar. (2) The Kinsk Lounge,
The Large Lounge
-Our clients have quite recently! removed the Public. Bar into a smaller room, thus reducing the area thereof by In addi- approximately 75 per cent. tion, our clients have also quite recently) similarly reduced the area of the Smoking roon Bay,
7. In our clients' opinion the Ordin- ince now proposed will not only directly juliet needless pecuniary loss upon the in regard to their takings," but will also be the cause of their suffering unessary inconvenience and hami ship.
for the pinsona taler udia) that be requisite for our clients Up vide additional members to their
erder Lo
shroff nud check ney which will be recived in lica of as before, and to ensure
chits
pri
f
that no iurexicating liquor is supplied to any customer who is not residing at the Hotel in which respeck must be remembered that the Hotel is
not only by P futronis residents but also by transient and casual visitors.
8-In addition to the inconvenience and hardship entailed upon our client; as above, it is also the fact that the pro visiona
of the Bill are such as to largely add to the possibility of our clients incurring jeopardy in respect of their hereinbefore-mentioned licence.
9Our clients respectfully submit that no suficient reason exists to war- raut the passing of the proposed Ordin anco
and in this relation our clients would observe that this view is sup- ported by the fact that under the caption "Objects and Reasons" appear ing
the foot of the proposed Ordinance, though the "Object" is clear or is given.
stated, no Reasons "whatever
al
No. 6, Des Voeux Road Central, *Hongkong,
3rd October, 1917.
The Hon. Colonial Secretary":
Bin,We are instructed by the pro-j prietors of the King Edward Hotel to address you with regard to the proposed Bill to amend the Liquors Consolida tion Ordinance, 1911,
1-As, we understand that the pro- posed legislation is not in any way cnjected with the present war wel. as the object, but no reason, is given for its introduction, our clients wish us to make reperiniations on their behalf against a bill which will have the effect af cutting off a considerable sourcy of revenus derived from the hotel and is a mensure which could not possibly have been anticipated by our clients when Whey acquired the premises.
-Our clients wish us to point, qui that the King Edward Hotel is one of the oldest established hotels in the Colony, that the chit system" has been during the whole time of the in vogue hotel's existence, and that the
P prietors have found it to work satis factorily both to the general public and to themselves.
It is well known that pwing lo the ethersous nature of the sent coinage i is not usual for dollars to be carried on the person, and for the saIGE reason customers who use the public hairs in the Colony resent receiving rainy as change after payment in paper tot Une dieste
think anticipate, and We rights. But the public will not spond
neh ready
in places where A not allowed to sign chits, but will reart to other extended to the
places where they will
have that
cash
This would practically stop the use of the hotel
bas, extent by the residerits:
in the hotel, and the revenue derived from them would be extremely small in comparison to that obtained from the “general public. ·
Tho disallowance of the "chit system
will cause not mily, a great hardship to our clients but also a great- inconvenience to the public generally, especially to members of the mercantile marine sailing to and from this port, In many instances ships officers and others arriving at the port have to wait two or three days before receiving their salary, during which time they have hitherto enjoyed the privilege of sign- ing chits for any of their requirements as regards refreshments; these chits are. hvariably settled as soon as they receive their wages..
Another possible effect of the pro- posed Jegislation will be, we nehnuit, to induce persons to fregitent undesirable, places where they can, upon signing chita, obtain as much liquor as they require
Finally, we would point out that
not only will our clients' revenue con- siderably decrease but their expenses
LANE, CRAWFORD
THE
&
Co.
“PALL MALL”
WHISKY.
11 YEARS OLD.
$32. per case.
NAPIER JOHNSTONE'S
WHISKY.
“OLD SQUARE"
UNVARIED FOR 150 YEARS.
WHITE
WAR
$30 per case.
HORSE
WHISKY,
CELLAR
Island of Islay and Glenlivet.
CLAN
$29 per case.
MACKENZIE
WHISKY.
OLD MATURED.
$28 per case.
嘴带
"PREMIER WHISKY.
EXTRA OLD SCOTCH.
WRIGHT & GREIG, GLASGOW.
$28 per case,
18
CHARITIES.
“OUR DAY”
THURSDAY, 18th OCT., 1917.
Collection, for LADY MAY'S ROSE FUND.
will be much greater owing to the necesMORNING: sity-first, of having to Fla higher salaries to all servants empleyed in the hotel who under the provisions of the proposed bill would be in the position of receiving cash payments; and, secondly, of having to oblain guarantees for the honesty and integrity of such
gervants:
8--Our clients respectfully submit that, as there does not appear to be any justification for the proposed Bill, it should be withdrawn, and they trust that, after consideration of all the circumstanciu. His Excellency, the Governor will not consider it advisable. to interfere with the present system, We are, Six, yours faithfully,
(Ed.) DENNYS & BOWLEY.
SPORT.
CRICKET
dients would venture to 30-Our remind the Government that both prior to an
and during the present War their assistance has on many occasions been solicited on behalf of charitable and
under- benevolent institutions and takings, and that such assistance has almost invariably been rendered on Our more or less gratuitous terms, clients mention this face in order erphasise the further fact that the
These teams met at Happy Valley of objections to the proposed new Ordia- ance herein set forth do not emanate Thursday. The R.A.M.C. went in first and from a a corporation whose sole intent is made 71 rues, of which the last three
making of money at all hazards.
the
10
· R.A.M.Ç. 'v. 88TH COMPANY, R.G.A.
11. Dealing with the contents of the wickets put on nearly 50 The Artillery proposed new Ordinance apart from the batsmen reached their opponents total question of the principle involved in
the
consideration of the Ordinance for the loss of three wickets. Scores :--- itself, our clients would remark that the alleviation
tion purporting to be afforded by the concluding words of Section 4 Ale under grave danger of nullification by the provisions of Section & which latter Section seems to our clients to be grossly unfair, in that it places the Magistrate before whom any trans- action
is questioned in the position of
dispensing with evidence and acting upon his own mere impression.
12-Our clients
of
respectfully
in
* call attention to the fact that the restric-| tions in regard to the Liquor Trade now existing in Great Britain were the result of the absolute necessity for securing the due prosecution by the working classes all the country's energies for carry- ing on the war, and particularly in regard to shipyards and factories a state of affairs munition regard to the necessity above referred to, has no parallel in this Colony
13-Finally, our clients would remark that the lack of any sufficient reason for the Passing of the proposed Ordinance is emphasised by the fact that the gum- ber of fully licensed hotels and public- houses in this Colony is comparatively very small one there being only
licensed hotels and public houses situate
in
of the City of
; while of these only victoria: the The Hongkong
within viz, The Hotel. The Grand Hotel, The
the
submit
Edward Hotel, The Astor House Hotel. 14. Our clients therefore
that Bill should be withdrawn, proposed
be and we shall glad if will kindly
you lay this letter before His Excellency the Governor for his consideration.-We have the honour to be, Bir, Four obedient servants,
(84.) Dracox, LOOKER, DEACON & HALSTON. Hon. Mr. Claud Beyern, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
R.A.M.C.
Upl. Lawrence, e Cooper, b Hardy Corp. Gawio, a Wilkinson,
Antalya
0
Lieut. Murray, b Armatys Sergt. Strange, b Arimatys Corpl. Kirby, e Baines, b Hardy... 2
7.
Sergt. McKechnie, run out
0
Corpl. Brown, b Wilkinson
Pte, Burgess, Armatya .... Pte. Ellaby, nʊt out
0
$4
Private McKenzie, c. Armatys,
Cooper
8
Wood,
Sergt. Major Flint,
Drummond
Extras
Total
88TH CO, R.0.4. Gupr. Cooper, b Strange Sergt. Davis, b Murray Lieut. Wilkinson, b Ellaby. Gr. Drummond, retired ....... Gr. Armatys, and b Ellaby Serg Talfourd, retired Gunr. Sharman, not out Gunr. Baines, b Ellaby Gunr, Wood, Gune. Hardy, and
Br. Simmonds did not hat.
Extras...
Total
`K,C.C, ». ROYAL ENGINEERS.
24
3:
.739
This league match will be played to-day The K.C.C. team will be as follows: st King's Park, commencing at 2:15 p.. JStalker P. Wheeler, W. T. Elson, R. Pestonji, Lieut. J. K. McConell, P. H Lobb, de Bousa, J. H. Mead. K. Macaskill, J. Stapleton, and LE S Hodgy.
Or cheques may be sent now addressed to LADY MAY, Government House (envelopes being marked "Rose Fund"); AFTERNOON at 3 o'clock.
GREAT DRAWING OF WAR BONDS at the Murray Parade Ground...
St. John Ambulance Brigade competitions. Teas and Refreshments in English and Chinese style, and various attractions.
EVENING at 9 o'clock.
FETE at the Public Gardens. New OFFICIAL WAR FILMS shown for the first time in Hongkong; Illuminations and Music.
THE BANDS OF THE 25th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT, 18th INFANTRY, 74th PUNJABIS and POLICE RESERVÉ will play during the Afternoon and Evening.
Admission to Parade Ground, 50 Cents.
Admission to Gardens, $1; Seats, $5 enclosure and $1 enclosure,
Sailors and Soldiers in uniform (not including the Hongkong Defence Corps) admitted free;
Children half-price for admission and seats Tickets for admission and seats obtainable at MoUTRIES, ROBINSON'S, ANDERSON's and from
Members of the WAR CHARITIES GENERAL COMMITTEE,
GRAND
CHINESE THEATRICAL
ENTERTAINMENT
From 5th till 12th October, at the Taiping Theatre. Tickets for the War Bond Drawing are obtainable at all the Principal Banks.
Powell
TELEPHONE 346'
FOR
[1122
Lid
OUR DAY"
PATRIOTIC RIBBONS
National Colours of the Allies in Several Widths.
"HEATHER DAY
TARTAN RIBBONS in Great Variety.