Page
MORE OF CANTON BURNT.
TWO BIG FIRES.
BRIGADE CAPTAIN INJURED.
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18th, 1928.
CORRESFONDENCE. THE ELUSIVE CHAN THE LAW OF PART-
THE TATTOO FUNDS.
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "RONG KONG
DAILY PERSS."]·
S-Studying the Briancial re- CAUSED BY FOKIS' CARELESS-sult of the Tattoo published in your
NESS.
paper some days ago, my eye was
immediately arrested by an item {FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT) of nearly $1,000 on the expenditure
CANTON, December 17th.
A big fre occurred the night be fore last at about 7.30 in Cheung
WING.
$50 FORGED NOTES.
CHINESE DETECTIVE'S „STORY. "
Hearing of the charges in connec tion with an alleged conspiracy to distribute farged bank notes
"NERSHIP.
TAIPO FISHERMAN WINS APPEAL CASE,
ACCOUNT BOOKS ARE MERELY EX-PARTE STATEMENTS,
THE SHANGHAI OPIUM SCANDAL.
FULL INQUIRY TO BE MADE.
BHANPHAI, Dec. 9th. High Chinese military, civil and police officials have assured the United Press that the opium sean dal now in the limelight will be sifted to the bottom and those guilty saverely dealt with.
side, for advertising, less the cost against nine, Chinese men "and two ancos before Mr. Justice. P. Jacks igament of opium being unloaded
of the advertisements obtained for the programme,
As the Tattoo was got up to
women was resumed before Mr. R.
Taipo, as he has become familiarly Lee Wo Huen, the fisherman of
known, owing to his many appear at the Summary Court, again got E. Lindsell at the Central Magis againat him by the Wo Shing Hing judgment in the ease brought racy yesterday.
Lung fish shop at Taipa
Loe Wo Huen made his debut in the master and toki of the Wo
Mr. F. H. Loseby (of Messrs.
Lan Street. Sai Kwan, and completo raise money from, the public for Russ and Co.) defended five of the the Summary Court when be sued
ly destroyed more than 90 build- ings and partially, demolished thres.
Two Vads were seriously burned and the Captain of the Fire Brigade, Wong Po Leung, was injured while directing the re. #ghters. The blaze took several hours to get under control and some of the most flourishing stores of Sai Kwao. including the Bow, Tze Pill Com pany and the famous Wing Lung Pawn Shop. were completely des troyed.
sum, to
of any member of the public to ask as to the disposal of the finds so raised. Suck a right is but rare- I exercised, particularly in Hong Kong, but an amount of $1.000, plus some further unstated sum, is so amazing, so incredible a anyone at all conversant with the subject, that when taken in con- junction with the fact that the whole of the receipts from programme ad- vertisements, cost of printing pro- grammes, cost of newspapers adver- The cause of the conflagration was fixing was controlled by a publicity carelessness". It started in the committee, consisting to the best of kitchen of the Li Him Kea Conne's recollection of the four foreign pany from the dying embers which, fell out of a stove onto the wooden Hoor. This was just after the even- ing meal when the cook and folis have gone to the front of the shop to rest after the day's work. The Ere was discovered when the fukis saw volumes of black smoke emerg; ing from the kitchen. But it was to late for them to do anything and a moment later the whole build ing was in flames. A strong north
and was awarded 3500 damages. "
Chinese soldiers and police fought The case, which originated when for the possession of a huge con from the steamer Kiangan, has munity here as well as in Nanking. stirred the entire Chinese com-
sent to General Chiang Kai Shek Scares of telegrams have been and high officials, demanding a
matter. A matters stand now it is apparent that the Nationalist Government means business in its
the
scandal must be cleared up and the He was then sued by the Wo guilty punished. Shing Hing Lang fish shop for the When the opium was being land- recovery of the sum of 2589,17,anded police detectives are reported to
"arrested ship reserved judgment,
hy the after a protracted hearing, his Lord have been
soldiers, who won the day by cart- ing off the opium, some 20.000
In both cases, Mr. A. el Arculli appeared for the fisherman, and Mr. G. S. Hugh Jones was for the Wo Shing Hing Lung firm.""
ounces,
What is behind the scandal is a matter for investigation and de- puties have arrived from Nanking to ferret out the truth, for the bare facts of the case, as reported in the Chinese newspapers, stand as a direct challenge to the elaborate machinery recently brought into pression existence by Nanking for the sup- of opium smoking in China
charity, it is the undoubted right accused persons, while Mr. Leo Shing Hing Lung fish shop, and also complete investigation into
Almada, sen. appeared for the Chinese detective attached to the eighth man.
Taipo Police Station for wrongtul Attorney General, was again pre-
"Mr. Somerset Fitzroy, Assistant arrest. He succeeded in his action declaration to the effect that the sent to prosecute and the case, was heard for the greater part of the morning and afternoon sessions. stated by the prosecution that the As the previous bearing it was police came to know that forged Laotes were being put into circula tion by a gang. Chinese detec tive posing as a buyer of forged notes got in touch with the first
THE JUDGMENT. defendant, and through him was
Delivering judgment yesterday introduced to one Chan Wing, who afternoon, his Lordship said. The was aid to be the prime mover in plaintiffs in this action claim the newspapers executives, it seems
the business and who got away. shrious that this committee will He arranged to purchase $4,000 Sum of 359.17 from the defendant by only the glad of the opportunity worth of forged notes for 3,000 due by the defendant in respect of being (1) to 8351.60 the balance of proving that every possible form After the escape of Chan Wing, the of publicity was carefully weighed, police raided certain houses and loans made to him between the 14th
At first, a shrewd reading of the front the pulling and economical arrested the defendants. A print. day of the fat moon." Yuet Chau view point, before a simple contract DE press, plates containing en-
year, and the 18th day of the 11th complex processes recommended for moon, Ting Mau rear, by the Wo dealing with the question indicat- was played. Would the publicity gravings of the currency notes of farts committee give us the following the Central Bank of China, and Shing Hing Lung Hop Kee, of Haned that the case was likely to be thrown out of court, especially as 850, old issue notes, of the Hong On Street. Taipo, which debt was 1-Which forms of publicity and Kong and Shanghai Bank, said to assigned to the plaintiffs by the Wo the newspaper reports linked the. advertising were passed in review be good forgeries, were among some Shing Lung Hop Kee on the 16th day day 12th moon, Ting Mau year what were their comparative costs,
being possible for the Tattoo, of the seizures by the police.
The Chinese detective who took (January 8th, 1905): (2) as to 338.57 and on what grounds was the final the leading part in the trap laid by the balance due by the defendant to the plaintiffs in respect of money selection made?
the police gave evidence of his first meeting with the defendant and lent and goods sold and delivered. later with Chan Wing. He
The defendant denies the first fixed for handing over the notes the second part and has paid 838.37 the man escaped. On that day into Court.
The plaintiffs hase their claim Wing met witness at the appoint. ed place in No. 114, Des Voeux for 8361.60 on an assignment dated Road Central, in an agitated state the 16th day of the 12th moon, Ting as the man had noticed downstairs Mau year, whereby some of the some persons whom he took to be partners in the Wo Shing Hing Chan Wing then suggested that of their business, the amounts ad detectives watching the
Lung Hop Eee assigned the whole they should carry on the transacvanced to various ships both large tion in a room at the Mei Chow
and small, and book debta sign boarding house. Witness was told boards, the foundation fund of the to go there first and wait for Chan Guilds, furniture inside and outside Wing, but he was not seen again.
the shop, the whole concern in fact fendants during a night raid, one Kwai, who now carry on the busi to Cheung Tal Kwai and Leung Chi man took the witness to a house ness as the Wo Shing. Hing Lang In Jardine's Bazar where Ghan Witness Wing was said to live. found a quilt which was still warm and indicated that Chan Wing had been lying there only a short while before. A hat and long coat worn by the man during the negotiations were also found there.
-What was the total amount of
names of high officials with the the case, but there is evidence of a desire for stern action. Kai Shek was acquainted with the case, he ordered an investigation, and he further demonstrated his
dal by entering into a conference with all Government lenders and discussing the question. It is re- ported that a definite decision was reached at the conference, but the nature of the decision was not dis- closed
Immediately President Chiang
wind was blowing and the fire space taken in each acwspaper, and described how on the eve of the day part of this claim but has admitted intention of dealing with the scan-
it out.
The
and
the total cost?
-How much was, obtained by the sale of space in the pro- gramme ?
What was the cost of printing the programme 1.
spread rapidly to windward. joki rushed into the street Lave the alarm.
The Canton Fire Brigade at once. responded and all the available fre foes were sopa turned on the fire. But the fames had got such a hold. that the brigade had to spend several hours before they could put Meanwhile the proprietors of buildings in the district, saw what was in store for them and tried to pove their wares into the street s fast as they could. But the place was congested and there was great Many could not get their things moved out in time and had to feats them in the "street" to "" "exLTAVARAMER. le burned. Most of the shop pro- prietors ordered their jokis to cut down the awnings, sign boards and then combustible matters in front of their shops as a precaution against the lying sparka but this. met with little or no success against the on rushing' flames.
confusion.
With such information one may he in a position to place an un- erring finger on weak spots, great to the benefit of succeeding charit able performances, as no one who knows the pitfalls attached to that blessed word "Publicity would expect a bunch of amateurs to pro- luce fool-proof publicity schemes, merely by calling themselves & pub- licity committee, and with no ex- perience to go on, other than past Thanking you for the courtesy of your columns.-Yours, etc.,
B. M.T.
OUR INDIFFERENCE TO HEALTH.
· DAILY FOESS.")
bouse.
After the arrest of some of the de
At the dose of the detective's evidence-in-chief be WAR CTOSS-
This assignment was drawn up by the secretary of an institution which calls itself the Chamber of Commerce of Taipo. I do not know how this Society is constituted or what ita local reputation is, Cer- tuin of its members appear to have taken the trouble to go through the books of the old firm and draw up a summary of debts and crédits
All this might give the transac- tions some weight amongst locai traders but would not, of course, cure any legal defects.
As soon as the alarm had been [TO THE EDITOR OF THE "LONG KONG examined at length by Mr. Loseby given the street patrols drew a cordor around the affected area,
Witnem was asked why he went out permitting no one to leave or enter.",
of his way to ask for forged notes. This was to guard' ngains; 11 crook. SIR, A short while ago I had an his Worship on the point, the de Later after some" discussion with id people who usually thrive on opportunity to look into the housing Occasions of this sort. The Police conditions in Wanchai, West Point, fending solicitor asked when wit were soon aided by a company of Shamshuipo and Yaumati. I noticedness first used the word "forged" soldiers from the Cantun Garrison. the remarkable fact that almost all notes, Witness replied that he Thanks to these precautionary mea- the old houses, as well as many of used it all along as he did not sures no looting took place.
the new ones just completed or
expect to receive $4,000 worth of When the flames were at their still in erection, had no provision genuine notes for $2,000. Witness worst. the Captain of the Fire whatsoever for a toilet, not to men said contained the money
wallet which he claim. also produced Brigade. Wong Po Long, climbed tion the absence of a separate wash which he was to purchase the notes, with anto a high roof and from there place, although these are the first but he said that he had never had directed his men. But the Captain's necessities in every human dwelling. Chinese 'shoes soon becazie - sonked · and he slipped and fell sustaining flats in those parts of Hong Kong 14 everyone knows, the Chinese severe injuries. He would have are, as a rule, occupied by several "fallen into the strect below families, consisting of men
had it not been for a flag pole which he grabbed and clung to. The Captain is now in the hospital but making good progress. About this time a brick wall crashed on to the street and two lads who were standing near were hit by the red hot falling "masonry and sustained serious injuries.
YET ANOTHER BLAZE. Another big bre occurred last night at about 0 o'clock in Fung Wong Bridge, Honau, opposite Canton, destroying over 30 small dwelling houses, most of them wooden structures. This fire, like the bigger one in Canton proper the night before, raged for several bours before it could be got under control. But most of these houses were of comparatively little value,"
H.M.S. “HERMES” AT
MANILA.
MANILA, Dec. 15th. Social events, and athletic contexts were among the numerous features of a week-long programme for the British airplane carrier Hermes which called here en route from Kudak, British North Borneo, to join the Beet in Hong Kong,
The Hermes upon arrival ex- changed courtesy balutes with Fort Santiago and the U.S.8. Trenton and, immediately upon anchoring, received oficial calls. Much in terest was attracted by the craft, a aplendid 10,856 vessel carrying 30 airplanes and fitted with most mo- dern elevators and other equipment: Among the events of the Manila stay were games of rugby cricket, hockey and soccer, as well as lan- cheong and dinners.--United Press.
a look into it to see whether all took the word of another detective the money was there and merely he handed it to him. After Chan wongen and children of every age was handed to Sergeant Fitches."
and Wing had disappeared, the wallet and sex. This is well-known also. to our Building Authorities, yet
The pase was adjourned designs for such anti-sanitary, anti- cultural" and out-of-date houses are
daily passing through their hands and are approved for erection. One enn see a great number of them in
erection everywhere. No wonder that we have an epidemic spread ing through one of the densely populated parts of our city to-day, severely endangering the public health.
The object of this letter is not to find fault with our Authorities, but to consciously co-operate with them for the abolishment of undesir- able conditions.
citizens and increase their feeling of self-respect.
Chinese officials here predict that clearing up the scandal: for it. the investigation will succeed in should solve not only this isoisted incident, but also have an effect, on the general opium charges adhering to the name of Shanghai. Never in any regime or administration ugly rumours of an "opium com- has Shanghai been free from the bine,"
Suspicious and charges in con- nection with large-scale opium trafficking have hung over Shang- hai like a missma for years, always there but never dispelled. If the. National Government cab free "the name of Shanghai from the slur it will be one big achievement in its programme of reconstruction for China-United Pres
There being no evidence before me that all the partners in the Wo Shing Hing Lung Hop Kee con- curred in the transfer of the busi pess to the plaintiff I am unable. to hold that the transfer of the business is a good transfer.
The plaintiffs, as assignees, then proceeded to give notice of the transfer of the business to all the debtors of the firm of whom the defendant is alleged to be one. The plaintiffs have put in the books of
I now come to the second point, the old firm as evidence of their
the notice to the debtors of the firm The defence is, firstly, that the of the transfer of the business. plaintiffs is not valid as all the senger who stated that he delivered assignment of the business to the The plaintiffs have called a mea- partners in the old firm did not join a notice to the defendant personally secondly, that he, the defendant, denies. I see no more reason for in it to assign their interests; in the market. This the defendant received no notice of the assign-believing the one rather than the ment; thirdly," that he did not owe other so that I cannot rele that the
plaintiffs have proved this point. any money to the old ärm.
With regard to the first point, Books-Useful To Refresh A Tsang Teap Wo, who was one of
Witness's Memory. the managers" of the vendor firm
Lastly the plaintiffs, in support admitted there were eight partners of their claim, murel; produce the books of the old firm unsupported signment, as "makers of this docu- by any evidence as to when the ment for the transfer of the whole entries were made, who made them concern of the business." There is and why they were made. Books no evidence that the other four are merely ex-parte statements; partners concurred, in fact one has they are useful to refresh the given evidence to the effect that memory of a witness who is giving he knew nothing about it until four evidence as their contents when or five months after.
Only four were described in the as-
Another thing which likewise urgently needs to be regulated by law. is the terrible smoke nuisance one of the worst evils of Hong Kang, another serious danger to the health of one and all. Que need only go through any of the hun- dieds of narrow Chinese streets and
they have been kept in the ordinary observe the clouds of smoke emerg-
The Partnership Ordinance.
way of business; but mistakes are ing from the kitchen hearth through Section five of the Partnership liable to creep into the books, the living rooms into the street, to Ordinance, No. 1 of 1807, provides omissious often occur in them and feel that a stop must put to this. that Every partner is an agent as I have said already they are In this spirit of service to the It appears all to be a matter of of the firm and his other partners ex-parte statements made by one Community I beg to submit to our demanding, again by law, of an up- for the purpose of the business of party or his servants. The defend- Building Authorities that hence to-date new type of stove, which the partnership; and the acts of ant in this case, says "I do not forth no designs for houses, sub would convey the smoke through every partner who does any act for know or care what the plaintiffs mitted to them for approval, be the smoke stack high up into the carrying on in the usual way busi have put in their books, I have accepted and passed, unless each air, and not let it wander all over ness of the kind carried on by the never concurred in them and I do and every Eat is provided with a the premises with its soot and firm of which he is a member, bind not owe the plaintiffs anything." special toilet room, fully segregated stink. Truly, the methods employ from the kitchen and the living ed now are utterly out of date and rooms by brick or cément walls our well meaning Building Author- and ceiling, also having a window ities will be glad to meet the on the outside wall large enough desire of its citizens for improved to light it, and having also a vent laws, no doubt, and take the above pipe with outlet above the roof. into practical consideration at one These are surely most elementary of its next meetings. demands, and their acceptance In the near future a large number could cost the Government no of new houses will be built on the Praya East Reclamation. It is now Such sanitary and cultural, im provement is to-day a necessity and the duty of every citizen to co- operate with the Authorities to see should be brought into operation that only up to date, modern forthwith by incorporation into our Building Ordinance. This simple and healthy houses will be erected provision in our laws could be ex- there. Let us got rid of the alum type of houses of Wanchai, etc., and tended also to include the demand reflect the progress and the needs for a separate bath room with
of our more enlightened, and self- window and ventilation, as above. This new regulation when made law respecting age in the improvement
of our Building Laws-Yours, etc.,
money at all
would to a great extent ensure the bealth and well being of our fellow
(Continued on next Column), ^^{
HERBERT É, LANEPART. Hong Kong, December 14th, 1928.
the firm and his partnera, unleas In the face of a denial of this kind the partner so acting has; in fact, I cannot uphold the books put in no authority to act for the firm in by the plaintiffs unsupported by particular matter and the person evidence of any kind by the clerks with whom he is dealing either or accountants who made the en- knows that he has ng authority or does not know or believe him to be & partner.
tries..
It is true, as Mr. Hugh Jones said, that books are often put in The powers of a partner in the in support, of a claim, but even in ordinary business dealings of a cases where the defendant does not firm vary according to the natare defend I am averse to giving judg- of that business, in some kinds of ment for the plaintiff on the books business, the powers are very much only. My practice has always been wider than in others. In some cases to call for some evidence of ac- extending to the sale or mortgaging knowledgment of indebtedness or of the firm's property; but I can receipt of the goods by a defendant find no authority for laying down and my experience has been that that any partner or partners have this has almost invariably been any power express or implied for forthcoming. imposing of the whole business of the partnership, lock stock and barrel, without the consent of the other partners...
(Continued on nert Column).
On the ovidence. I do not con- sider, that the plaintiffs are entitled to success on their claim for $331.80. I give judgment for the defendant with costs
Wm. POWELL, Ltd,
10 fee House Street
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