Page
„THE MISSING $200,000.
YESTERDAY'S IMPORTANT
EVIDENCE
THE COMPRADORE'S AND CASHIER'S
RESPONSIBILITIES..
Yesterday the case was continued in the Supreme Court in which the later. national Baking. Corporation, of No. 9. Queen's Road. Central, is suing the com- prapore of the Hongkong Branch of the .Bank, la Ku Un, and his rety, Ngok Lit, for the recovery of $200,000 with the costs of the case.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, AUGUST
**Now in that väck, you keeji vahables for customers continued Mr. Potter.
› Witness replied in the"affirmative,
For which the comprador gela'no reward -No.
And incurs no liability 1.
AN ATTEMPT TO SHUT OUT THE TRUTH.
Mr. Alabaster objected to this ques tion, stating that it was a question for the Court to decide as to liability and not for the witness.
Ms. Potter said that he was entitled to put the question and described Mr. Alabaster's objection na "an attempt to try and shat out the truth from this The Hon. Mr. C. 6. Alabaster, K.C.Court & truth which everybody knew instructed by Messrs. Dracons), appears about." for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Eklen Potter, K.C., gad Mr. Campbell Prosser (instruct ed by Messrs. Wilkinson & Grist) repre- sent the defendants.
After Mr. Alaluister had comended his opening address, evidence for the plain- tifs was called,
2
ANGEXPERT URSSIEN.
Mr. James Garraway. an engineers' foron at the Hongkong and Whapon Docks, snid he had expert knowledge >E bank locks. About March, 1922, he was called to the International Banking Cor. paration to retardly-
a th defect in the combination look of the main door of the yuult. On October 17th, 1999, he was called to the same hank to replace the old forks by new ours which had arrived
from Haine. This was after the theft. He then examined the locks anal found they had nốt been tampered with, It was, he said, as easy atter to take a wax impression of a key. This would only take a few minutes and a new key
coclit be made from the impression in the course of any hour or two,
..."
Įlia Lordship"suggested that Mr. Patter should confine himself to the facts he wished to elucidate.
Mr. Potter: You also store very large amounts of hullion for the Paciße Mail?
Witness: Yes...
His Lordship asked what was meant by the term bullion: prosimably it was un coined 'gold and silver.
INTERRUPTED BATH.
MAN WHO HAD HEARD OF A HOUSE TO LET.
The man.
*
SHAMEEN STRIKE.
7TH, 1924
· THE CASE OF THE LUKONGS.
The strike propagandists in the Mr. Branko, a Russian pastrycook | Canton Press represent the lukongs whom employed at the Café Wiserian, told Mr. the" Shameen Municipal Councils refuse R. E. Lindsell at the Central Magistracy, to reinstate as being "punished' unjustly” yesterday, how he was having a bath but we understand that the last torins on Tuesday night, when he heard. which the Strike Committee rejected in- nois, and going downstairs found a cluded an arrangement by which the lukongs were, to be, given gratituties by strange man in the house'
shead coalie, facing the [the Councils and be taken on by the Magistrate or a charge of breaking and Canton Government:
The plain fret of the matter is that. entering, said that he was looking for a house to let, and had been referred the Strike Committee is not interested to the house in question by a contractory in the good treatment of the lakóngs "so who had sent a boy to show it to him. much as in the wish to forer the Shamden
His Worship remanded the case in Councils to bow to their deveE, The order that efforts might be made to pro-stand taken by the Councils is a per- duer the contractor and the boy alluded fectly reasonable one. It is supremely.
to.
TWO TEETH: $3.
Mr. Potter agreed, but thought it wight| MAN, WHO FOUND CLEANLINESS in this ense be taken to refer to American
Double Eagles,***
"..
Mr. Potter (to"witness) : And sometimes
EXPENSIVE.
When a coolio was "charged before Mr. you may have bullion stored for the Paci-E. W. Hamilton at the Kowloon Magis fie Mal mounting approximately to £90,000 to £160,000 7
tracy, yesterday, with assault, Det« Inspector T. Murphy stated that the com- plainant, a woman, had brought a bucket
Witness: Yes, I think so.
For the storage of that ballion the bank is paid a storage commission ?—Yes.
The compradore does not get a vent of
it ?-No.
In fact the poor old congrádore has nothing to do with it ---No.
of drinking water for the use of the" coolies. The defendant prepared to dip a towel into the water to wash himself, and the woman protested, whereupon he struck her in the mouth, knocking out two teeth.
t
Witness also athnitted that the bank check books were also kept there. As far as he was aware all cash coming in and going out of the vault during the day pradore. Cash in reserve was a different was under the sole control of the com- HONEST FOR EIGHT YEARS.
MAGISTRATE'S COMMENT TO A
matter. This was under the control of the cashier and the amùaper.
THE PROCESSION TO THE"VAULT. "
YOUNG OFFENDER.
|
ridiculous to expect thi residents of Shameen to have the slightest sense of sreurity in the knowledge that the Cán }, cession is policed by men whí dmonted their posts the first time that they were required to net inu'crisis. And to have these men forced upon the Concessions. against the will of their employers is but to add to the general sense of in security. Shameen would be better with- out them. The offer to give these men
gratitution and get them abodied in the
degree and teaves the lakoags with no Canton police force is generous to a
sort of grievance: but this does not, di course, suit the book of the instigatora of the strike whose great idea is to
score a point off the foreigner.
A PURE INVENTION.
CANTOS. Anguss the The statement published. în one of the morning papers on August 4th. that the it was proved against a young Chinese British Consul General thought it prac who was charged at the Kowloon Magisticable to follow the suggestion of the tracy, yesterday, with the theft of two compradores that the lakongs" should be who leads the procession whether it is planks of wool, that he had been sen-employed by foreign firms. but that if the cashier or the cotapradore? (Laugh,
Mr. Putter: Now, the next step is the procession to the vault. I don't know
Witness: Yes..
"cash in
frand in 1910
The Magistrate (Mr. E. W. Hamilton), said that as the inan had gone straight for eight years he would not take the previous "conviction into account, but
everyone who has occasion to leave Sha- meen after midnight shall provide photo- graphs of himself for inspection by the guard, is absolutely without foundation
been made, and the latter part of "the whatever. No such suggestion has ever
statement is pure invention.
EVIDENCE OF DR. FRANK COURTSEY, The evidence of Mr. Frank Courtney, acting manager of the Bank at the time of the theft, which was taken in Cham- liers, was then rrail by Mr. Mabuster.
Is the course of his evidence Mr. Court ney said that on September 8th, 1929, he' was in the Hongkong Club howling alleyter.). I put it to you it is the cashier's tenced to two months' imprisonment for say disturbance occurs within one year, at &43 pm when he received a telephone duty to take down to the vault in his own message from the bank. He went there hands all money known as and found ft. Church and most of the reserve "* { compradore's staff still there. Witness
And, to take it a step further, it is the was told that a shortage of $200,000 had been discovered in the cash in reserve, his duty to opth the safe which is in the A rough check was at once undertaken vault? Yes, iz, should be. which confirmed the shortage. lle in- spected the vault and sale and found that it had not been tampered with in any Way. A complete check was made on September 20th which also confirmed the loss. A further complete check was made on September 30th for the purpose of the quarterly, return to Headquarters Office. This also confirmed the loss.
As far as he could ascertain the money
It is then his duty to put that money in the "appropriate drusers and it is equally his duty to lick these drawers again-Yes, it should be. '
I am putting all this to you to show that this money-this cash in reserye is solely and absolutely in his control It is as a tontter of fact in his control It should be in his physical control. NO BANK CASHIER WOULD DO IT.
'would impose a fine of $5, or seven days
in default.
.
men
It is interesting to note that the strike part is entirely in the lands of Canton's THE TYPHOID OUTBREAK.unemployed. At our meeting which the The Medical Officer of Health's return real clerka of Shameen endeavoured to
were söme 40 for last week shows that 9 cases of hold, there typhoid in the Colony were notified "to armed "with revolvers waiting to him during that period in Victoria, attack anyone who said anything| 2 in Kowloon and 1 in the New Territory, that the strikers' committee did not Three were British cases, 5 Chinese, 14pprove, of," One Stameen employee
was missing from the cash in reserve witness said, in reply to further que German and imported. There was one was appointed by the committee as a
The compradore had no key to the draw- ers in the safe in the vault.
A MYSTERY.
tions by Mr. Potter, that, when neces sary, sums were put below in the safe death from the disease. The return also from the black box, so that no more shown 4 cases of paratyphoid and one from this cause. Three were Continuing, witness said he enquired money than was necessary was kept on death as to why two bundles of new sa and $10 the main floor of the bank.
British cases, I Chinese and I imported notes were in drawers which usually con-
Re-examined by Mr. Alabaster, witdess There were also 4. cases of cerebro tained notes of larger denomination. The said he considered it the duty of the spinal fever last week, three proving cashier said that he thought he put them compradore's representative to go to the fatal. there because they were new. Witness vault with the cashier and to watch what did not think the explanation very satis was being done there. factory, He said he could not charge any "member of the compradore's staff with dishonesty, incapacity or negli делее. The police investigated the loss at the time and so did witness as far as
he could
Asked as to why be considered the compradore was responsible for the loss, witness said his one reason was that, the
ompratere held one of the keys of the
vault.
THE "COMPRADORE'S RESPONSIBILITIES. Mr. Courtney, in the witness-box yes. terday, cross-examined by Mr. Potter, said he could not imagine the compradore refusing to let him store anything there that the bank thought it.
A
Mr. Alabaster: Would the cashier have the right to tell the compradore's repre- sentative to go away I should consider bo would have no right to do so.
Mr. Potter: Mr. Alabaster is rising the very point objected to this morning regarding liability. It is coming back to the compradore agreement again.
His Lordship said the question could be put to show the practice adopted by
the bunk
TIK CASHIER'S EVIDENCE
detective and given a past to the strike headquarters. When he found, however, that he was got to be allowed to open his mouth at the strikers' meeting, be refused to go to headquarters.
JEWELLERY
JEWELLERY
AND
WATORES CAREFULLY REPAIRED ON THE ILEXISES
BROOCHES BRACELETA NECK CHAINS
PEANTS
3. CKFTS BUSSES CHARMS VANITY CASES LINGERIE PS CHAIN BACS
ETC., ITC,
13
STICK.
LADIES
AND
GENTS
816, AXIA 18 САКАТ GOLD SIGNET RINGS
$12.50 to $45.00
DIAMOND AND JEWEL SET ENGAGEMENT RINGS $195.00 to $1000,00
ESOLISH HALLMARKED
CARAT WEDDING RINGS $16.50 to $35.00
GOLD AND PLATINUM TIE AND CULLAR PINS
$3.75 to $25.00
WE HOLD A COMPLETE UP TO DATE STOCK
OF
MODERN JEWELLERY TO SUIT ALL
TASTES
GOLD
COLLAR STUDS DRESS SETS THE PINS TIE CLIPS
WRIST CRAINS GOLD FOBS
AND
GOLD CIGARETTE, CARD, AND MATCH CASES.
H
DIAMOND AND PLATINUM.
GENTS
SOLID
FENDANTS, BRACELETS
GOLD
SHIRT
CUFF.
LINKS
$10.50 to $60.00
BROO HES
·AND
WRIT WATCHES
PRIUMS
ON APPLICATION.
·SLAVE BANGLES
9, 16 AND 18 CABATS GOLD
ALL SIZES AND STYLES IN STOCK
LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.
Prost 4567.
JEWELLERS and SILVERSMITHS HONGKONG HOTEL BUILDING
HONGKONG.
HOUBIGANT'S
QUELQUES FLEURS PERFUME
AND
CREME EN BEAUTE.
We have Just Received a Fresh Supply of the above- place Your Order Early to avoid disappointment,
+3
THE CHINA DISPENSARY
82, QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL
COLUMBIA NEW-PROCESS RECORDS
SONGS OF THE FLEET
BY
HAROLD WILLIAMS AND QUARTETTE
[No 1—SAILING AT DAWN
949/ No
The strikers are entitled to two ** meals a day, but the food is of the poorest possible quality, and no pay is given at all-Communirated.
850
931-
Mr. Norris Lowell Hodgkins, cashier of the bank in September 1999, said he had POLICEMAN GOES TO GAOL.
been enshier at that time for about 10 mouths. He had the keys of the safe in 310, THAT MEANT FOUR MONTHS. the vault and the keys of the drawers in
the safe. He also knew the combination A Chinese police searcher at the of one of the doors, of the vault. With Yaumati" Ferry appeared before Mr. regard to the emergency door, the couR. E. Lindsell at the Central Magistracy bination wis known to him. When he yesterday, charged with having demanded entered the vault the compradore's repre- and accepted a bribe on July 9th. Witness agreed that, as a matter of sentative went with him. That practice
The Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, C.S.P... practice, the compradore's representative was invariable. Fe always saw what
conducted the case on behalf of the would have no right to go away when witness did in the vault. As a matter the cashier was in the vault" would of banking practice, he would not have police, and Mr. N. I. Brewer defended, never dreams of ordering him away my-händled the eash in the absence of the self," added "Mr." "Courtney,"
compradore's representative,
A Chinese witness stated that he went with his brother to the Yaumati Ferry.
Mr. Potter You know that under the Mr. Potter, asked permission to put one Witness, continuing said the shroff at Hongkong, with the intention of cross- compradore agreement the compradors is question. This was granted. bound to obey all the orders of the Euro- Mr. Polter: No save cashier under the generally led the procession down' to the ing over. The defendant searched wit pean and American staff-lle is bound circumstances existing in this bank would vaults, currying the black box. Witnessness brother, and found $50 in Capton to obey the orders of the manager.
20 cent pieces on him. The accused then go in with the black box and then ask the followed carrying the other monies,
Witness went on to say that there was said that by the laws of Hongkong, only Do rule as to where the money in the 30 was allowed to be carried, and that Mr. Potter: To any the least, it would safe should be stored. As far as ponthe money would be seized and, a fine
Witness admitted that up to the time compradore's representative to go out 1--|
of giving his evidence he had no particuNo, I should think not.. "Jar reason to read the compradore agree. ment. He had read it but not carefully.
be inviting suspiciou 7-Of courke. it sible, it was stored by denomination in imposed. He added that he would take Mr. Potter referred witness to para would.
certain drawers hat there were times au action it be received: $10. || graph "O" of the agreement which htated that the compradore had to obby The written evidence of Mr. George when notes of various denominations were the orders of the European and Ameri- Hogg, Manager of the Bank, who was on placed in the name drawer. He did this can stad.
holiday at the time of the theft, was then because he did not wish to leave bank I don't think Mr. Courtney realizes read to the Court as was also that of notes lying loose in the safe. the agreement is so very wide," added Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Barr
Mr. Potter.".
[Continued on next column.)
The case was at this stage adjourned to this morning,
Witness gave him that mount · in Cantenese 20-cent pieces, and he and his brother were allowed to promed.
Sentence of four months hard labour was passed.
(No. 1-SONG OF SOU WESTER
No. 3 THE MIDDLE WATCH
PARTE 1-2.
(No. —THE LITTLE ADMIRAL (No. 5-FAREWELL
AT
ANDERSON'S.
--Powell
12 Des Voeux Real C
JUST RECEIVED
NEW SEASON'S
工程
VELVETEENS
PAISLEY DESIGNS
AND
SELF COLOURS
PLAIN
AND CORDED.