HONG KONG LOAN S.O.S. FROM TSINAN.
TO CANTON?
CANTON TREASURY OFFI- CIAL EXPLAINS POSITION.
MONEY WANTED TO ASSIST INDUSTRY.
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG'S PART.
[гnou OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT. }
CANTOS, June 21st.
For several months there have been rumours in Hong Kong and Canton of the flotation of a loan
ment.
LOCAL CHINESE TO RESPOND,
TUNG WAH HOSPITAL TO INVESTIGATE.
CONDITIONS LIKE CANTON AFTER RED UPHEAVAL
The letter
Whe
"
An appeal as received by the local Chinese General Chamuer of Commerce Iron Tsinan in the form of a letter implosing help for the victims of the recent incident when the Japanese and Nationalists soldiers came into conflict.
read, at the of 85,000,000 by certain Hong Kong monthly meeting of the Chamber merchants. to the Canton Govern-held yesterday. It stated that the populace of Tainan suffered con- from the "Japanese siderably masacre.". Conditions were made still worse when the Nationalists a special interview with Mr. Lilliers ravaged the town. Man Hing, chief of the Bureau of Revenues. Asked whether or not
**Red Upheaval" of December certain Hong Kong merchants had
last, The letter concluded by ask. approached the Canton Government with regard to a five million dollaring Chinese in Hong Kong to con- Joan to the Government, Mr. Li tribute substantially towards their said that the merchants had made the first advances. They asked
With a view to getting the facts our representative went to the Pro- vincial Treasury Building and had
The
situation, the letter stated, is not unlike that at Canton after the
"relicti
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. FRIDAY, JUNE 22nd, 1928.
THE "WABASHA"
EXPLOSION.
INQUEST ON, FITTER CONCLUDED.
ANOTHER MAN NEARLY KILLED.
• CURIOUS
EVIDENCE.
CLUB
IR MEN ENTER.
TAINED.
A Conversation! Continuing his evidence, the wit ness asked the Coroner it be night be permitted to repeat the con- versation which he overheard whilst FAREWELL TO DEPARTING in one of the offices of the dock- yard.
The Coroner replied that he could
MEMBERS.
only mention the result of the DINNER AT" CRAIGENGOWER. conversation?
Witness then said that he over. heard Mr. Cousins and the Chief Engineer of the Wabaala talking together and in consequences he went back to the ship in company with the Chief Engineer who show
The inquest at the Central Magis. tracy into the death of a Chinese fitter, following the explosion in the cofferdam of the German oiled him"a plan of the cofferdam. tanker Wabasha, whilst in dry does at the Taikoo Dockyard on June 7th last, was concluded yes- terday. The jury returned a ver. diet of death by misadventure and made. recommendations, that' government gas free" certificate should be given before work is com- menced on any oil tanker, and that proper anti-gas equipment, in the form of safety inmps and gas masks. be issued to the workers by the dockyard concerned.
Th
Mr. R. E Lindsell acted as cotoner...
Avery curious story was reveal- Tests by the Government ed analysts concluding at noon on the 7th inst, revealed no trace of gas in
The plan revealed a bend in the pipe line running through the cof ferdam. The Chief Engineer was German and spoke poor English. He admitted, however, that there was a leak in the bend of the pipe. The witness then remarked that the pipe could have possibly con- tained small quantities of gas Pockets of benzing remaining in the pipe would give off gas which would escape from the leak.
The Coroner then suggested that the gas might have been at the top of the cofferdam but the wit ness explained that the gas, while leaking from the pipe, near the top, would sink and "steadily col.
leet at the bottom of the coffer.
A farewell dinner was given at the Craigengower Cricket Club. last night by their colleagues 15 two de-. parting members, Mr. R. W. Lee and Mr. R. H. Whiteford, both us ful Club men for some ten years: The former is the well-known lawn bowls skipper of the East Point R.C.., and the latter also a player
for that Club.
Mr. Whiteford is Weaving for Home by the as. Roh- pura to-morrow while Mr. Lee is hooked to sail the following week.
The large gathering of members and friends and the warmth of the
entertainment testified to the pop- larity of the two gentlemen. Dur- ing the course of the evening pre- sentations were made to the guests of honour. Mr. Lee was presented with a set of pipes, à tobacco pouch and a silver match box, MT. Whiteford received a silver, ciga- rette box inscribed from His Craigengower Pals."
Chairman's Speech. dam. He thought the gas might Basa expressed regret that circum- Presiding at the dinner, Mr. B.
the Government of their own ne-investigate the conditions now pre- the cofferdam, but later in the day have ignited at the top but the stances made it necessary for Mr.
יז
cord," he said, the Government nover asked them for any money. Of course, if the merchants were
willing to Joan money to the Government for constructive enter. prises, the Government would naturally be ready to accept it."'
NO MONEY NEEDED TO RESTORE CURRENCY.
i
Is it true, Mr. Li, that the loan
It was decided at the meeting that the Tung Wah Hospital abould
vailing in the Shantung province and recommced how the people there could be best helped.
One member suggested thas the letter should be published in the iccal vernacular Press. The sug gestion was however over-rated in
a gas explosion occurred killing a Chinese fitter.
The next day another fitter was nearly gassed to death and then it transpired-on the suggestion of the
flame spread downwards and cnused an explosion. Witness re. marked again that his certificate only covered the time up to. noon
on the 7th. If he had known of
Lee and Mr. Whiteford to leave the
Colony. He said that they tad been members for many years, and very useful members in all things affecting the welfare of the Club.
The dinner, he said, was arrang- ed at very short notice, and the sent was sufficient proof of the
view of the Sun Pau case. It was ship's engineer, that an oil tanker the leak in the oil pipe he would fact that so many friends were pre- passing through the cofferdam was moet certainly not have given the leaking, and benzine gas WAS collecting in the bottom of the
etated that a letter of that nature would never be approved for pub-
ication by the censors.
used solely for the "resuscita- LIKIN ON KWANGTUNG
tion of the depreciated Central
Bank of China notes?"
Absolutely not," the Chief of
SILK
CENT.
Revenues. replied emphatically.TO BE REDUCED BY 50 PER
The once depreciated notes of the "Central Bank of Chian are now quated at 3 per cent. It will not be long before they are again at P. This is the result of the Gov ernment deflation policy, which has withdrawn from circulation nearly 810,000,000 in banknotes. The Government needs no money for the resuscitation of its banknotes, as their value bas been steadily in creasing."
LIMITED" CO-OPERATION
WITH HONG KONG.
Asked which of the merchants were offering to advance this big loan to the Government and for what purposes Mr. Li replied that the Canton and Hong Kong mer
chants
are co-operating in 1451 endenvour to help the Government in the promotion of industries. If their desire is to promote in dustries and to hasten material pro- gress," he said, "the Government will accept the loan. But if their object is only to resuscitate the banknotes and make the acceptance of notes for silver possible, the Government will really does not need the money, as the bankrotes are already nearly at par."
Our representative was then' told of the efforts of the Canton General Chamber of Commerce to help the Government in its scheme for development of industries and pro- motion of trade. It is understood that Mesers. Chau Tin Pong. Wu Chung Tong, Pang Chan Laap and Lau Man Wai, representing the Canton Chamber, have proceeded to Hong Kong to negotiate, of their own accord, with certain Hong Kong merchants regarding the loan Asked who the Hong Kong, mer chants were. Mr. Li, replied dis- cretely, that he did not know for certain. "You see, nothing has been definitely arranged; everything) is still in the air.
ปี
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG
او
· ANXIOUS TO HELP.
"Is it true, Mr. Li, that Sir Robert Ho Tung has taken an active part in this affair f
Silk produced in Kwangiang has been suffering from keep competi tion from foreign producing coun- tries, says the Canion Guzelte. It ie subject to a heavy Customs tax, in addition to which it has to carry
heavy likin rate, equivalent to the amount payable to the Customs, while there are other taxes to be paid. The total of these charges forms a heavy handicap on the silk produced in this.province.
With a view to removing part of this burden, and giving Kwangsung Silk a fairer chance to meet world competition, the Customs Adminis tration have sued instructions to all offices that, beginning on July
1st, the likia rate on silk is to be reduced to one halt, the present rate. The existing levy is 10 taels on every "picul, and the new rate will therefore be 5 taels only per picut.
SALT SHORTAGE AT KAUKONG.
DUE TO REPRESSION OF
SMUGGLERS.
The price of salt in the town of Kaukong has been soaring upwards during the past month, and it is feared that the top mark has not been reached yet.
space.
that
Mr. V. C. Branson, Assistant
said Government Analyst, when he first tested the oil tanker Wabasha she was lying off the Dockyard. He went on board at about 10 am on the 7th instant
certicate."
In answer to Mr. Watson, witness aaid that he had been employed at this work for over 3 years. On at least three occasione he bad re- fused certificates after testing ves scls.
Work Stopped Altogether, Mr. G. H. Cousine Assistant Manager of the Taikoo Dockyards, related the conversation between himself and the Chief Ecer of the Wabasha. While the vessel was in dry dock on thelath he was had been badly gassed and acarly informed that one of the "fitters
lost his life. The fitter had been
esteem in which Messrs. Lee and
the members of this Club but also Whiteford were held, not only by
by other Clubs whose representa tives were present to honour" the departing sportsmen,
that Mr. Lee and Gr. Whiteford The Chairman expressed the hope
would some day return to the Colony, when they could always E. warm welcome at count Craigengower.
מם
The Presentation. In presenting the articles mea- tioned, Mr. Basa wished them the best of luck in the future.
pressed thanks for the gifts and for all the nice things said about them. Craigengewer said r. the first Club Whiteford, he joined on his arrival and as such was very dear to him. He had spent many happy hours: much regret. with the members and left with
Mr. Leo and Mr. Whiteford ex-
An impromptu, concert followed, many members from other. Clubs" also taking part in the programine.
and following the usual formality he naked the captain to ascertain which part of the ship was to be tested. The captain informed him that the No. 1 tank was full of water, and that a test on that tank was unnecessary, However, he mentioned that hessed in the cofferdam where the would have the remaining seven explosion took place. He did not go on board but communicated with tanks tested including the coffer the Government Analyste in view dam. Usually only one side of the of having a gas test made. cofferdam is tested, but as the witferdam for the day. He met the All work was stopped in the cof- ness found that the tank was dirty Chief Engineer next morning and with grease he decided to test both said to him "You have again got gus in your tank?" The Engineer the port and starboard sides."
replied. There is a leak in the Continuing his evidence the wit-pipe which rune through the col- ness remarked that the tests were ferdam." made from the bottom of the ship, and the apparatus which he brought with him at the time was correct and reliable. There were two canvas wind shoots over the coffer.ship should have been detained and dam at the time and witness him self removed these ns they circulat ed fresh air into the tank. The tests occupied the whole,morning from 10 am, till noon. Witness
Testing A Commercial Undertaking. gave n "gas-free" certificate to
Mr. E. R. Dovey, Government the Dockyard officials certifying Analyst, then explained that the that there was no gas in the coffer- Department undertakes a large
was guilty of dam or other tanks at 12 o'clock. amount of commercial work includ- in the testing of oil-tankers. The apparatus used was absolutely re- liable and was fool-proof." instant, witness said that he ear
During the afternoon of the 7th ried out tests on all seven tanks of the A. Wabasha including the cofferdam. Five specimens of air.
Witness also remarked that as there was no gas in the cofferdam when
A shortage of salt ie the cause of the rising prices and it is be lieved that the vigilance of Customs offers in repressing the activities of smugglers has brought this be tested it the explosion must about. Huge quantities used to be have been caused by gas from some smuggled through the Customs cor other source. don, but now that the excise men are stopping up the loopholes, the salt, dealers have been caught un awares, and it will be some little time before conditions become ad justed to the new order of things, Canton Gazette.
It must be understood that the Government did not ask Sir Robert for the loan. The whole idea came from Sir Robert who wanted to do what he could to help the Govern. ment.
In answer to the Coroner witness said that gas was heavier than normal air and that it was highly improbable that there was gas at
The ship came out of dry dock on Sunday morning and sailed a little after pops the same day.
Ship Should Have Been Detained.
Mr. Lindsell remarked that the
On the instruction of the Court a telephone message was sent to the charterers of the s.5. ubasha to ascertain when the vessel would re- turn to the Colony. A reply was received to the effect that it was impossible to tell. It was probable. that the vessel would return to the Atlantic where she is generally em
not permitted to sail until the mat ter had been cleared up.
The Coroner then questioned Dr.ployed Dovey who replied that he had not been communicated with by the Police on the point.
were found and a certificate · was issued the same day at 6 p.m. On the 8th instant he went aboard the ship again and after re-testing found inflamablo gasses in the
Decision To Conclude The Enquiry.
"Under
these circumstances,'' said the Coroner, we shall not be able to carry on at a later date." Addressing the jury, Mr. Lindsell said that if they should find that the Chief Engineer of the as gross Wabasha negligence in not informing the Government Analysts or the Dock- yard Officials of the defect, thereby causing the death of the deceased, this would amount to criminal negligence and they would bring a manslaughter charge against the Engineer.
On the other hand if they thought the Engineer did not realise that there was a dangerous defect" & verdict of death by mis adventure could be returned."
any person they considered respon- sible. The Dockyard Officials were in no way responsible for the ex- plosion, but the Police Inspector and the Dockyard should have been informed of the defect by the Gov- ergment Analysts.
the top of the cofferdam. There cofferdam. The gasses, however, The jury were entitled to ensure was an oil pipe which ran through } were not sufficient to cause an ex- thecofferdam.
plosion on coming in contact with In consequence of a telephone a naked light. When he went down call from the Dockyard nt 2.30 p.m. to the bottom of the cofferdamn on the 7th, the day of the explosion, witness said that it, smelt strongly witness said that he and Mr. Dovey of gas. A text was made for car- went to the Dockyard with the bon-dioxide and carbon-monoxide testing apparatus. The whole ship and although no carbon-monoxide was re-tested, including the coffer was found there were traces of dam, and at 6 p.m. Mr. Davoy carbon dioxide. He thought that handed a further gas-free certificate the explosion might have been caused by the presence of petro-
"Sir. Robert has been very anxious to help the Government financially and was willing to ad- vance a big loan to the Govern ment. When Marshal Li Tsai Hsin and I went to Hong Kong some three months ago to, bid farewell to Sir Miles Lampson, the British Minister at Peking, Sir Robert Ho Tung, invited the Marshal to his merchants are collecting the Gov ness was again instructed by Mr. house to confer with him on the ernment's money," he said. "If financial situation in Canton with the Government want some of is Dovey to prepare the testing ap as a Government Servant the wit-
view to advancing a big loan to the Canton Government. But Mar- shal Li's visit was so crowded that he simply did not have the time
to confer with Sir Robert. When
As regards the 2.5 per cent. surtax security for the $2,000,000 loan from the salt merchants and the revenue collecting merchants, to the Dockyard officials. Mr. Li Man Hing said nothing could be more absurd. ** These
Chinese Fitter Gassed, The following day (8th inst.) wit-
leum gas.
Analyst Robaked. The Coroner then remarked that paratus and the next day (9th inst.) nese should have notified the Dock in advance, it does not have to give they went to the Taikoo Dockyard yard officials and the Police In- them, security. Moreover, the Gov- ernment has
and boarded the .. Wabash spector at. Shaukiwun who was people for never asked these.
Jury's Verdict And Recommen. dations.
The jury after retiring returned a verdict of "death by misadven- ture. They advanced two recom-. mendations regarding the case.
(1) That whereas the testing of oil-tankere was now a commercial undertaking by the Government Analyst's Department, this testing should be officially taken over by the Government, and that it be com- pulsory for a gas-free certificate to the cofferdam and an analyzing it has a dangerous defect and has put be issued by the Government
further deaths may occur, Mr. tanker is undertaken by a dock to sea; and for all that we know Analysts before any work on an oil
Lindsell' added.
yard
(2) That a Government. regula Continuing his evidence, the wit- ness said that, pockets of benzinetion be made that Dockyards be
They took specimens of air from
In conclusion, our representative found that it contained no carbon. was told that the Government is monoxide but a slight trace of seriously, contemplating, the pro carbon-dioxide (8 in 10,000). moting of industries and of asking
Second Man Gasted.
making the inquiries. The ship
we came back to Canton, Sir Robert sent a representative here to see the Marshal on this matter. Then Sir Robert himself came to overaess Chinese to capitalize these, Canton later, Sir Robert and enterprises. The Government will The Magistrate: I believe n must have remained in the main required to furnish and insist upon Marshal Li had a lengthy conference give them adequate protection," he second man was gassed that day pipe and given off vapour. From the use of electric torches, safety over the matter. The Government, said. "The Government is more (the 5th) in the neighbourhood of however, felt unable to accent the anxious to get capital from a large the cofferdata and nearly lost his the fact of the explosion it was lamps, and gas masks by workers terms of the loan and I do not number of people than from one or life.
probable that had the deceased engaged in dangerous work such as think that the loan proposed by Sir a few individuals. So far no special Witness; That is so. That probeer reached the bottom he would repairs to oil tankers.
have been gassed and probably
The Coroner said that the recom mendations would be forwarded to (Continued on next Columa). the proper authorities.
Robert will be actually negotiated.
(Continued on next Qolumn),
form of security has been offered ably accounted for the presence of killed. for a loan."
the gas.
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