Page
BEGGARS SCHOOL
FIASCO.
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13th, 1928.
THE "WONG SHEK ROUND THE COURTS, OWNER OF CHUEN
KUNG PIRACY.
MENDICANTS POURING IN. CAPTAIN'S STORY OF THE
MUNICIPALITY CALLS A
HALT
WHERE IS THE MONEY TO 'COME FROM.
ATTACK.
CREW IN LEAGUE WITH PIRATES.
What exactly occurred on the Chinese steamer Wong Shet Rung from our carniss CORRESPONDENT, which was pirated after she left Eong Kong on Monday night, as stated in the Daily Press, yester-
Castos, December 18th.
The number of menilieants under lock and key in the Canton Beggars' School is now in the neighbourhood of 2,500. Yes inspite of this our correspondent still sees a grent many shabbily clad beggars on the streets of Canton. It will be re- membered that the primary aim of the establishment of the School was the elimination of beggars from the streets by rounding them up and making them learn a useful trade. This scheme, the Cauton authorities
thought, would satisfactorily solve the mendicant problem as far as Canton was concerned and at the
day, was disclosed in a report made to the police by Captain Nils Harring, master of the vessel.
Captain Harring was the only European officer on board. There were two Chinese deck officers, three Chinese engineers, and a crew of 44. The vessel also carried twelve Chi- nese passengers and 200 tons of cargo, comprising flour, vegetables, fruits and gunny bags consigned to Saigon.
Six pirates who had boarded the ship as passengers started the at- tack, assisted by five members of the stakehold staff on a pre-arranged
about 20 miles south-west of Gap Rock. Armed with revolvers and knives, the gang gained complete
untrol of the vessel in
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF 'FIREARMS.
HEAVY SENTENCE.
and 1,000 rounds of ammunition,
CHOW" FINED.
CHARGE AGAINST CAPTAIN
DISMISSED.
OVERLOADING THE VESSEL.
The owners and master of the 1.8.
An elderly Chinese erigrant who recently returned from America was the defendant at the Central Magis- tracy yesterday on a charge of un- Chuen Chow wore again before awful possession of five revolvers the Marine Magistrate. Commander The case was heard by two Magia. B. Newill, R.N., D.S.Q, at the trates, Mr. R. E. Lindsell and Marine Court yesterday morning on Major C. Willson.
1 Summon S for overloading the fendant claimed five packages on
The evidence disclosed that the de-vessel so as to submerge the line landing from the steamer to the in the centre of the disc, Mr. M. Kowloon Wharf. Police searchers K. Lo appeared on behalf of the Arrived in due course to carry out owners, instead of his brother, Mr. their inspection and in a wooden Horace Lo, who appeared for the box they found an assortment of defence at the first hearing. bottles, pulleys and iron hoops The box was found to have a false bottom for concealing the firearms.
that he was sent by a frem in Wing A sampan min stated in evidence Lok Street to meet the defendant and take over his luggage. He also testified to the discovery of the arms hy the police searchers. Other evi dence was given by police witnesses one of whom said that on the arms claimed ownership of the package being discovered the defendant dis and made an attempt to get away.
Early in the case Mr. E. S. C.
among the defendant's luggage by mistake. His final submission was had been so upsatisfactory and con that the evidence of all the witnesses tradictory that he had no case to
Solicitor's Protest.
At the outset of the proceedings, Mr M. K. Lo said that before the case commenced he wished to ask leave to appeal again to the Magis trase to order the prosecution to divulge the extent of the alleged submergence of the centre line of fully submit to his Worship that the disc. He would most respect.
the order should have been made.
Mr. Lo: Was it by accident. -
No ba came to see me, and to re- port that the ship was overloaded. So I see that the Captain came himself to the Harbour Office and reported the overloading.
Mr. Lo: When you went to the ship at 20 p.m. Was
there any sign that the ship was leaving!- She was taking on cargo.
Mr. Lo: If the Captain were to
tell the Court that when it was found that the ship was overloaded orders were given to unload the cargo. would you accept it-I gave the order to unload the ship.
Mr. Lo: Was the gangway up. or the officers at their stations- The gangway was up, but the Chief Officer was taking the ship's depth. ready to leave?—Yes.
Mr. Lo: The ship in fact was not
It was further revealed that it was the practice, of the Company be taken on the as Chicen Chow to transfer cargo which could not to another vessel, which, in this which left a few hours were cake, was lying alongside, and
1 C. J. Thompson, Chief Boarding Officer, gave evidence of seeing the vessel completing her discharge. Captain Jones was in possession of clearance papers when
ing to usual custom. overloading was. reported. The issue of clearance was made accord-
The Captain's Evidence. Captain Thomas Jones, master of
Ng Chow Wing was the firm's re- presentative travelled on the ship regulary, be and although he was not on the ship's articles. Wit ness said that when he came to the he found the ship a little submorg- ship at 2.18 p.m. on December 4th ed.
Jame time would tend to enhance plan, at 3 o'clock on Tuesday morn Brooks, for the defence, suggested He would admit that under the the beauty of the city." But is waying, or five hours after leaving. that the wooden box was included section of the ordinance the offence the a.s. Chren Chow said that Mr. beyond the dream of the author. Hong Kong, when the vessel was ities that the number of professional beggars in Canton was an great. The School bas to multiply its capacity many times or else some other means will have to be, sought to accomplish the aim of the School.
The Canton Municipal Govern
while.
little
answer.
Mr. Lindsell observed that the sampan man had pasted the labels on the packages. he lowered them
the wharf, and the defendant for inspection. These facts were himself removed the lid of the box not challenged by the defence and he could not agree with Mr. Brooks.
for Ogg said that the police were In answer to his Worship, Inspec satisfied that the defendant was a bona fide traveller returning from America.
Sentence of two years' hard labour was passed and an order made for the confiscation of the firearms.
master of
Captain Harring was taken uh- awares and tied to his bed in the cabin. The second officer and quar ment attributes the number of inen-
termaster were also bound. The dicants still on the streets to the remainder of the crew and the com- indescriminate way in which the pradore were driven into the fare offers of the School took their castle and imprisoned there. The students. It complains that pirates were evidently intent on there has been no fixed standard for carrying through their busíross admitting mendicants into the in-without hurming anybody- unless stitution. Many pour people just they were resisted. Some difficulty outside the mendicant class have arose in finding the compradore who' been taken in, while the real pro was sleeping at the time. A ear AN UNLAWFUL PROCESSION, fessional beggars have been left out! This is certainly not in aerates in their search received a peuter who failed to assist the cord with the aim for which the School was founded," it is stated in a letter to the Headquarters of the Cantan Police, instructing the Police Force to be more careful hereafter in taking in mendicants. There i only a limited amount of space in the School and it is already over- crowded. Every care should be exercised in getting just the right make a thorough inquiry into the all the money, jewellery and cloth-hold,
The Police should first all movable fittings and collecting to the Secretariat for a permit to tion be made to give the informa. supervising the stowage "of cargo: economic conditions of each beggaring belonging to the ship's person people were to take part. This was titled to it and I feel I must askingly allow too much to be put on
persons.
was considered to exist if the line was submerged; but it was neces- sary that the defence should know what is alleged against them "In fact," said Mr. Lo, "it might be called a bad' summons, and one As Mr. Ng Chow Wing was which I would not necessarily be not about he could not find any formation might enable the defence Harbour Office and reported the called upon to answer." The in- load the ship, and he went to the
one to interpret the order to an
to facilitate the hearing, but it was Bubmergence. On his return he impossible to plead as he may be coolies "to discharge the cargo fourd Mr. Ng had ordered the called upon to contradict the allega which had been carried on for some tion.
time. Witness said that he made i Never Before In My Experience." ledge. and that Mr. Ng had ap-
the report without Mr. Ng's know- | "Never before in my experi-parently ordered the discharge on ence," said Mr. Lo, "have I come his own accord.
Magistrate: Have you not, 48 across, such a blank refusal from
the ship, sufficient the prosecution, as my brother, authority to order the unloading Mr. Horace Lo. was given; even
of the ship? when he had asked for the in. formation with the permission of red in any other Court the prosecu the Magistrate. Had this occur.
rebuke for refusing" He did not tion would have met with a stern
know what to plead and did not know how much the prosecution and stated that he was the manag Mr. Ng Chow Ming was called were going to state that the vesing director of the owners. He respect I submit that the prosecu sel was submerged. "With great had on this particular day been in the hold and he would not know- tion," said Mr. Lo.
for it to be given.'
board. The officers were on deck while he was below. He did not Magistrate But if it was only know exactly how much the ship Contractors and Carpenters Guilds. one thousandth of an inch. Is it an would take, nor her rate of sub- fused permission but told the ap
MY. R. A. C. North not only re-offence?
Mr. Lo: But we haven't been mergence. plicants that they were not to hold told...".. the procession, and Sub-Inspector Carey was detailed to see that this tions thank you very much, but is Magistrate: I don't want instruc was obeyed. On the day of the that an offence? procession about 43 men were found
blew on the head with the bute of B. E. Lindsell in the afternoon Ten Chinese appeared before Mr.
the only instance of rough hand-procession without a permit from revolver, but this appears to be summoned for taking part in a ling. In the meantime, the com
adore had hidden himself amang Mr. R. A. D. Forrest prosecuted the Secretary for Chinese Affairs. haskets of vegetables. however, found out.".
Has and MF. H. Loseby represented
the defendanta.
their control the pirates proceeded that the committee of the Lo Pan As soon as the ship was under The facts given in Court were te ransack this vessel, dismantling Temple at Kennedy Town applied
procession in which 9,000
Then his relatives, if he still hasnel The vessel was taken to Sama ceremony in honour of a god any, should also be questioned, to see if they can help him to earn a Lang Island, some 30 miles south worshipped by the members of the
living. Unless he is absolutely destitute he should not be sent to the School."
In compliance with these instruc- tions General Tang Shih Tang, the Canton Police Commissioner, has sent a circular order to bis sub ordinates embodying the above in-
structions of the Canton Muni cipality Mr. Wong Fun Ting, the Principal of the School, has been similarly instructed by the Muncipal Government. The trouble is that when a destitute gets into the in stitution. he does not leave, fully realizing the difficulty of making a living outside. Evidently they like the advantage offered by
the Government.
want to
ONLY CANTON BEGGARS.
Another order of the Municipal Government states that hereafter only the city mendicants will be taken in professional beggars who have flocked to Canton for the pur- pose af gaining admittance into the institution will be rejected.
at about 7 o'clock in the morning." west of Macao, which was renched Thirty sampans came alongside to receive the loot. Fifty tons of flour and a quantity of fruits were als discharged into the sampans, the total value of the stolen properties being about $5,000.
"I am en.
Mr. Lo: Yes, but I should be
heavier loss but for the appearance were picked out as the leaders.
The ship would have suffered a to be taking part and of these ten in a better position to instruct my of a rival group of robber sampans.
chents how to plead. With great Mr. F. H. Loseby submitted that respect I submit that I am entitled part of the cargo hurriedly with 2,000 persons to take part in the given. What is the degree of sub- The pirates who had discharged as the original application for to ask that the information he drew until they were sure of the procession was refused identity and intentions of the new-
azmali mergence in this case? number carried it out under the comers. During this interlude timpresssion that they were not might have been a fraction of an ship weighed anchor and gave them offending against the law. In fact the slip. On the way to Hong Kong the defendants never intended to a police launch met the vessel and disregard, the order.
escorted her to her anchorage which was reached on Tuesday night.
The ss. Wong Shek Kung is R vessel of 1,044 tuas, registered in Canton, and is owned by the Wong Hang Hing Steamship Co., of No. 38A, Bonham Strand West.
Principal argued that the Bureau would not violate its established aini by appropriating such a sum towards the equipment of the School. "The purpose of.
One of the defendants who took full responsibility was fined $50 and the others $5 each.
Mr. Loschy made a further plea for leniency and Mr. Forrest agreed. that a smaller fine would meet the
ca.se.
His Worship reduced the fine on the chief offender to $20.
"
ANOTHER KOWLOON
SNATCHER...
The current expenses for the upkeep and maintenance of the School amount to $15,000 a month. all of which comes directly from
the A Chinese who snatched a hand. the Municipal Government. But Bureau," he said, "is to relieve bag from Mrs. E. Lawrel, of No.
Mr. Lo then remarked that it inch, and furthermore, he had been told that the ship was rolling as the sea was a bit 'rough.
Speed Limits. Reference was made to cases of might be brought up for speeding traffic summonseɛ. at 60 m.p.h, in a 15 m.p.h. limit, The defendant
Up Against A Strong Prosecution.
It would save the time of the
Witness: The coolics. Magistrate: Have you or have
Chief Officer -When I first went you not! Yes I have.
Magistrate: What about your
aboard he was locking siter_the cargo.
Captain Jones, recalled, said that had cat sent a submersion table. although promised, the builders
The Offence Not Completed... Mr. Lo in his submission' said that apart from whether the offence had been committed or not proof had been givan of the precautions tive, Mr. Ng and the master to taken by the Company's represents-
avoid having the ship overloaded. The Company had carried on for a lengthy period without ever bay- ing been accused of leaving the port with their vessels overloaded. Ir. Ng had personally seen to it that the ship was not overloaded. If it is an offence, it was not i serious one, said Mr. Lo.
Real Meaning Of Loading. but if the defendant could prove tion was the actual meaning of Mr. Lo said that the next ques
he would be in a far better posi- plied a "light" pound of tea a that he was only going 15 mph. loading. Like a Grocer who sup- tion to know what to plead. The captain was entitled to correct the submergence might be as little as mistake." The ship had not left the one thousandth of an inch or as port, overicaded, "nor was any at much as a foot, and the case de tempt made to leave. "In short," pended on such evidence.
Baid Mr. Lo, "the offence was not completed. Mr. Lo also referred to the loading which was dono in the Municipal Government in turn the people in distress. These poor 335, Nathan Road, was sentenced by
an unusual manner.. Being a new gets this money from a special form beggars are certainly in distress Mr. E. W. Hamilton at the Kow- Court if we got the information. ship, it was the intention of the of tax which it has just devised. They were driven to Canton from los Magistracy to six weeks' im-It may be a wrong feeling on owners to find out the exact amount This consists of an increased charge the outlying districts by the recens prisonment and. fifteen strokes of my part but I do consider that I of cargo which the ship could hold of 30 cents per table or "Bower depredations of the Communists the hirch,
am up against an obstinate pro- without being over-loaded The banquets" and an increase of 20 and bandits. They are therefore Inspector Marka told his Worship secution. I ask your Worship to coalies took the cargo aboard in cents per each performance of highly worthy of financial assis that the defondant snatched the bag lay down whether or not a defen- no special manner, while the firm's special farms of amusement. This tance." The Municipal Govern-
from the lady while she was wait-dant is entitled to such informa-representative stood by with a money is first collected by restaur meat has been asked to help to get
ing outside her house for a motortion.
measurement and took statements ant and cafe owners and proprie, the money from the Relief Bureau.
bus. Mr. Barros, a young Porta-
The Information. Is Given. of the submergence at each period. tors of places of amusements and The Municipal Government has guese gentleman, happened to be The Magistrate said to Mr. Should the vessel be overloaded the turned over to the Municipal Gow saked that the young and strong near the spot and he caught the Eleridge, who Was prosecuting, cargo would be removed and placed erament. According to the officers mendicants at the school be put on thief after a chase.
that if the defence was empha on the firm's other ship, which was of the Beggar's Institution this road construction under the im
tic about it perhapa he (Mr. kept for that express purpose. The money is only enough for the time mediate direction of the Municipal
Elvridge) would be so good as to offence was really unintentional. being. When factories are built for Bureau of Public Works. They are
give the information required.
Owner Responsible. the purpose of teaching the beggars to receive wages for such service.
Mr. Elridge said that the ex useful trades, it will not be enough. One half of the payment will be
The Magistrate in imposing 1 tent of the submergence was befine of 8100 on the owner of the However, the School authorities used to defray their boarding ex-
tween 3 or 4 inches.
vessel whom he considered to be hope to make the School self-sup- penses and the other half will be
Mr. Lo replied that it materially responsible for the submergence of porting some day,"
But this kept for them by the institution. In another case before Mr. Hamil. effected his case and he would new the vessel remarked that in this merely means that the Government All the money thus saved up will ton, a Chinese pleaded guilty to plead “not guilty." has not to lay out large sums of be turned over to them when they the theft of a bicycle from No. 402,
particular case the method of load- ing the ship was different to any are ready to leave the school after Nathan Road, the residence of Dr. they have learned a useful trade. Luk. It was stated that after the that at 2.40 p.m. on Tuesday, managing director was in the hold other he had known. While the $150,000 NEEDED. In compliance with this request less land been reported to the police December 4th, he saw the a.. stowing cargo, the officers were Meanwhile Principal Wong Fun the school for 300 comparatively shine in a shop, where it had been Yuen On Wharf. The ship was so to find either the managing direc the Bureau of Public Works naked a Chinese detective found the ma-Chuen Choir lying alongside the somewhere else and the master had Ting is requesting the Municipal young and strong mendicants to sold by the defendant. Government for 8180,000 with which
work the roada
on
But out of the His Worship observed that it was
loaded that the centre line of the tor or the compradore to stop load. tequip the School with more entire huge enrolment only 20 or
a amar bit of work. They never
disc under the load line of the ing. He thought the owners were buildings and modern appliances, so could be found possessing these found his bicycle when it was stolen vessel was submerged. The vessel culpable and inflicted one of Fut the Municipal Government has qualifications, Most of them are
ten years ago.
then being on even keel:
8100, the case against the master no spare money at the present time, old, and diseased Even the young
The Captain's Vizit.
being dismissed. Principal Wong then applied to the ones are not able to do such
Appealed to by Mr. Lo, his Wor Kwangtang Bureau of Relief know strenuous work, as they have all
Mr. Lo: Is that all you have to ship added that there appeared to inz that the Burenu has about three been undernourished. These 20 have
say? Yes.
Mr. Loi.Wasn't there something owners, but at the same time, he be no intentional offerice by the million-dollars in reserve. The been turned over to the Bureau and
before that! Didn't you see the could not gauge the extent of an (Continued on"next Golumn), are at work on ronds in the city
ex intentions.
noney..
His Worship warmly congratulat- ed Mr. Barros on his action and said it had been of. considerable assistance.
A STOLEN BICYCLE,..
Inspector Marks replied that perbapa it was not stolen in Yau- mati.
Defendant was remanded until this morning for his finger prints, tbe examined.
Evidence Is Taken. Boarding Officer R. Elvridge said
Wm. POWELL, Ltd.
10 Ice Honse Street
We have received a new stock of Travelling Requisites including:
Suit Cases
•
Fitted Suit Cases
Fibre and Leather Attache Cases
•
Kit and Brief
Baga Writing Cases
*
Holdalls
Linen Bags
*
Rug Straps
Key Parses, Pocket Wallets, Hair and Clothes Brushes, Collar and Handkerchief Boxes, Pipes, etc, make acceptable
PLACNG NOTES
MACIC NOTES
XMAS GIFTS
THE IDEAL XMAS GIFT
The Spirit
Christmas
Viva-tonal Columbia
WHATEVER YOU PAY YOU CANNOT
GET 80 GOOD A
Che
GBAMOPHONE.
Anderson Music
Co., £id.
MADIC HOTES
MADAME OLERGET
Has Pleasure in Announcing a
SPECIAL SALE
of her beautiful collection of
PARISIAN MODEL
GOWNS, COATS, SPORTS WEAR, Etc.
10, Ice House Street.
WURM'S
STOMACH DOCTOR
The Best Bitter for the Stomach.
Best Remedy for Poor Appetite, Deficient Digestion and Disorderly Stomach.
Obtainable at
THE WING ON CO., LTD.