Page
FINANCIAL CRISIS OVER.
CANTON
ELECTRIC
COMPANY.
FEARS BANKRUTCY,
PROTESTS AGAINST GOVERN-
MENT ACTION,
CANTON GOVERNMENT'S FIRM ACTION.
MERCHANTS LOYALTY,
THE QUESTION OF CHARGES. [roм OR CHINÉSE CORRESPONDENT. Į
CANTON, March 14th,
FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]
CANTON, March 14th.
The Canton Light and Power Company is complaining very bitterly against the Government'e action in forcibly reducing the "price of electricity from 23 cents to
20 cents a tait.
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 15th, 1929.
...
KING EDWARD
HOTEL FIRE.
ST. GEORGE'S SOCIETY.
THE LATE MR. EÑOS SETH.
VICTIM OF THE HOTEL FIRE.
DISCOVERY OF FURTHER THE PROGRAMME FOR THIS, BURIED AT HAPPY VALLEY.
BODIES UNLIKELY.
INQUEST PROCEEDINGS THIS MORNING.
The task of clearing away the King Edward Hotal debris is now
YEAR.
Another victim of the King TO ENTERTAIN THE SERVICES. | Edward. Hotel fire disaster," Mr." Enos Seth, was buried yesterday There was a fairly good attend-afternoon at the Roman Catholic ance at yesterday evening's Annua! Cemetery, Happy Valley, the ser General Meeting of the Society of vice being conducted by the Rev.
priests and seminarists. Mrs. J. Hennessey Seth and Mr. Chief mourners were Mr. and
The Soancial panic has now sub well in hand. A thorough everhaul St. George, held in the Hong Kong Father Noval, assisted by other
of the major part of the wreckage Club Annes. Presenting the re has failed to locate further human port of the Committee for the past remising and it is thought in official year, the Chairman, Lieut.-Colonel circles that the death rell is now L. G. Bird, D.S.O., O.B.E., com complete.
mented upon the financial position of the Society.
sided, Bankers and merchants are gain accepting both the Central Bank of Chins notes and the new 20 cents pieces, which have been under suspicion for some weeks past owing to appearance of coun-
As regards the general account,
Harold Seth. The large attendance included Messrs. J. T. Bagram, T. M. Gregory, H. Gregory, G. P., L. E. and H. A Lammert, Joseph Gould, J. Gubbay, D. A, Coopery Stevening, D. L, McWhirter, A. M..
A box containing a small quan- terfeit coin. Hong Kong currency tity of jewellery and other minor In the course of a long petition can be purchased to any amount at valuables was unearthed by coolioshe said the remittance to the R. W. Lee Jongs, E. J. Ainslie, A. to the Municipality the Directors any money-changer a counter, but of the Sanitary Department, and English Race of 8801.32 represent:
loss in revenue of $800,000 per an-in Canton's history, yesterday's member of the staff of General by members of the Society and Humphreys, J. D., A. D. and E. state that the reduction means a the rate is higher than at any time banded over by the police to aed the subscriptions previously paid Thornhill, G. A. Harriman, Hen
It requests the authorities quotation being 81.38. to the Hong Ches Ming Shu to whom the pro
n'um.
to rescind the order and allow the Company power to make its own charges.
It will be recalled that when the Government, ordered the reduction in the price of current it reduced its own tax on the amount collected from 14 per cent. to 10 per cent, as compensation.
perty belonged.
sent to London during the year. In view of the little interest taken The following letter has been re-in this periodical,. the Committee ceived by the Daily Pren with a deemed it advisable to cancel the request for publication :—
order for further copies.
Kong dollar. Practically no one is at the Bank asking for silver in exchange for notes and Govern- ment bonds have risen sharply to about their figure before the panic. The Wuhan settlement har bad a big bearing on the recovery, bat
The Chairman of the Govern-
Review of the Year's Work. still more credit is due to the ment Council of Canton Province. Government for their decisive as Mr. Cheng Ming. Shu, wishes to
Subscriptions and entrance fees tion, and to the group of mer convey herewith publicly to His show an increase of 3204 over last chants who stood solid behind Excellency the Governor of Hong year, but the additional 33 new General Tang Shih Tang, the Gar- Kong, to the Consular officials and members would more than account rison Commander and Police Com- to the public of Hong Kong his The Company declare that the missioner.
gratitude for the sympathy which for this. The Hon. Treasurer had compensation is not sufficient and issued a stern warning against dis and his friends by foreign as well
It will be remembered that he has been manifested towards him again experienced great difficulty that to go on working under pre-counting the value of the noten and as Chinese residents on the ocean collecting these small sums. If members would only assist by send. then sent round a batch of deteosion of his recent accident. sives to see if the money-changers "He is pleased to express on thising in their dues direct, he felt were obeying. Seven offenders were occasion his earnest hope that the sure that the collections would be caught red-handed and the news of spirit of mutual assistance and of They have since been released after visible in the general attempt to their arrest had a salutary effect. co-operation. which has become considerably increased. a suitable warning from the alleviate the suffering caused by the fire at the King Edward Hotel, Owing to Government pressure will establish itself eminently as the Canton Money Guild has fallen a driving force for future healthy tween fraternal Societies; and the into line and yesterday & meeting collaboration between Occident and was held to discuss ways and means Orient, also in the daily life of of helping the Government. It was New China." presided over by Government
Inquest proceedings will be com official and a resolution was pass- ed that both the notes and themenced at Central Magistracy this silver currency shall be accepted at morning. Mr. E. W. Hamilton will In 1994 no less than 41 per cent.par, and anyone either discounting of the current generated was on-
them or refusing to accept them ahall be punished. accounted for, but by 1827 the figure was 8 per cent. Now the company collects about a quarter of ...what is due.
sens conditions means bankruptcy. It allows nothing for reserve or -depreciation and dividend pros- pects have faded off the horizon. Moreover being a public utility company they cannot close down to prevent throwing good money after
bad.
ELECTRICITY THIEVES. The trouble is mainly due, states the petition, to electricity thieves
CHARGES ELSEWHERE.
authorities.
A PUSSYFOOTED THIEF.
(FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT,]
CANTON, March 14th
The Company declares that even under these unfavourable circum Want might be called a "Pussy- stances their charges bear compari-foot'' thief has brought off a haul son with those of other towns. The in a Canton Hotel at the expense charge in Haskow, Tientsin, Hang- of a young Chinese married couple chow and Soochow is 20 cents, in from Hong Kong. The young people Peping and Nanking 24 cents, in
woke in the morning from undis- the Northern part of Shanghai turbed slumbers to find that every 25 cents, in Hong Kong 10 cents, stick of their clothing, even their Kowloon cents, Fatsban 25 cents, shoes, and everything else in the Macao 30 cents and in smaller
room which had belonged to them placci about 40 cents.
was missing.
It is extremely doubtful, how- ever, whether the Government will yield an inch.
MR. H. PERCY SMITH'S ESTATE.
One of the two cigarettes which the man had left on the writing table had disappeared, but the asher and end of the other lay in a tray, showing that the thief had coolly smoked the cigarette while he was. making his search.
The room was next the "boys!" quarters and one of these has been detained. It is not stated whether
sit as Coroner.
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE HOTEL FIRE INQUEST.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONG KONG
DAILY PRESS."
The observance of St. George's Day last year was confined to the usual interchange of greetings be
Humphreys, A. T. Hamilton, C. G. Gregory, H. M. H. Nemazee, J. H. Witchell, A. A. Alves, A. C. Botel- ho, G. Rapp, F. I. Sousa, U. Gonella, J. Joseph, E. Hosie, D. Clark, Edgar Wright, H, J. Pearce, A. Nissim, E. Grossman, E. M. Raymond, M. J. B. Montargis, V. Benjamin, George Tsamtscopu los, Major Roach-Kelly, Messrs Chan Chew, Chan Yin, Fok Kwan Tit, and staff of Himly and Com- pany, Mr. Tan Wing Kwong (IP Tak & Co.), Mr. Wong (Messrs. A.. S Watson & Co.), and others.
Floral Tributes.
Family wreaths included tokena from Charles, Daphne and mother; Bertie, Cissy and little lan; Phyllis and Mack; Seth and Nella; Mabel and Dongias; aunty and cousing; bolding of two entertainments at Berti, Florence and Alfred; Mr. the Queen's and Star Theatres for and Mrs, E, L. Seth, Mr. Harold the Services. The Annual Ball,
held on January 4th, again proved Seth, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Seth, a great success, both socially and Iryua, Phyllis Enancially, and he was glad to be able to tell the meeting that there would be a substantial sum to carry forward (Applause.)
He thanked the Chairman and members of the various Sub-Com- mittee who had worked so hard to make the Ball a success. The ac counts for the 1928 Ball showed a balance at the Bank of 81,470. This amount, together with $530 from the 1929 Ball, making 82,000, had been placed on fixed deposit.
SIE-The letter on the hotel are inquest, written by "Old Resident" and published in your issue of to-day's date, having been, in various (Applause.) quarters, attributed to me, I think. It was with sincere regret that that, in all fairness, I should hasten he had to record the death of Mr. to dissociate myself entirely from Howard Huff, the Founder Honor
the writer's comments, opinions, orary Secretary of the Royal Society suggestions:-Yours faithfully, of St. George, who bad always LEO D'ALMADA E. CASTRO. taken such a keen interest in the Hong Kong, March 13th.
various branches of the Society.
Election of Officers,
.
CHRISTIAN TEACHING.
Among the many other wreaths were those from Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Bagram, H. M. Gregory, Hamp- den Ross, T. M. Gregory, E. Odell, Ezra Abraham, E. M. Raymond, Joseph Gould, E. J. Ainslie, E. Grossman, Sverre Berg C. P. Marcel, L. E. Lammert, A. E. Wright, G. W. C. Burnett, A. T. Hamilton, A. H. Potts, H. E Goldsmith, A V. Apcar, M. J. bar, G. Mancini, G. A. Harriman, Patell, S. S. Perry, Lambert Dun: Geo. Grimble, G. Aurely, and 17. C. Galluzzi,
BULK OF PROPERTY TO HIS his feet are padded and equipped (TO THE EDITOR OF THE " HONG KONG Shenton; Vice-President, Mr. T. E.J. B. Montargis, A. Nissim, U.
with claws! SON...
10,
Mr. Horace Perry Smith,-charter-
CAMP.
DAILY PRESS."]
Lady Chater, Mr. I. Manuk, Miss M. Mabuk, Mrs Helené Percy, Mrs. Weill and family, Miss M. Ellis and Mr. Felia M. Ellis, Miss Gubbay, and Messrs. A. and Jí Gabbar, Mr. L. J. and Misa E. B. Blackburn, the Hon, Dr. R. E. chell, John Arnold, A. H. Hum Kotewall, C.M.G., Messrs: J. Whit phreys, J. D. Humphreys, Henry Humphreys, Ernest Humphreys, E. L. Fletcher, V. J. Benjamin, J. E. Joseph, A. C. Botelho, H. M. H. The following officers were elect. Nemázee, G. K. Hall Brutton, P. C. ed for the year:
Potts, G. Rapp, F. X. Sousa, President, Hon. Mr. W. EL George and Geoffrey Lammert, M.
Pearce; Committee, Hon. Mr. H. T. Gonella, D. Clark. H. A. de B. Creasy, C.B.E., Hon. Mr. T H. Botelho, R. Pestonji, G. E. Eliams, King, Messrs. L. CF Bellamy, E. W. G. Goggin, Norman Sargant, Stj-Just a few more words, and Cock, H. B. L. Dowbiggin, W. J. J. A Tarrant, J. Joseph, R. W ed accountant, and formerly senior ELEPHANTS RAID COOLIEI am done. "R.B." has dragged Eldridge, A. P. Bangey, C. Bulmer Lee Jones, F. Carr, C. Stewart, W. partner of Messrs. Percy Smith, Seth & Fleming, Incorporated
Cromwell and Gladstone into a dis-Johnson, V. C. Labrum, W. A. Anderson, W. C. Lee, Ho Kwong, Cornell T. J. Davies, and S.J. M. Wong, M. Nematee, Chan Accountants, left estate of $31,499.37 | --
TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE IN cussion which started about Christ, Jordain; Hoa. Treasurer, Mr. O. Chew and Chan Yin, Bik Nung and in Hong Kong.
and threatens to include Winston P. Marcel; and Hop, Secretary, Mr. Fai Fang Hin Seung Tick, Fok He died on July 12th, 1998 at No.
NEGRI SEMBILAN.
Kwan Tit Ho Ki, M. Alley, Ho Marine terrace, Barmouth,
Churchill. "B.B." challenges me S. T. Builin.
It was stated that Mr. W. W.
Wing. Merioneth, leaving his widow, Mra A mandor and eight coolies of the to submit examples of contradic Hornell would be unable to serve
Mesars, Percy Smith, Beth and Ada Mary Smith, two sons, Captain Topographical Survey Department H. K. Percy Smith of the 10/14th had a most unusual and terrifying tions, and difficulties in Christ's on the Committee as he was shortly Fleming; Edward Wheen and Sons,
the going home to England.
Ltd.; Humphreys Estate and Fio Punjab Regiment, Ferozepore, In- experience, writes & Kuala Pilah teaching-1 refer bim to
The new President paid. Warm
ance Co., Ltd. Himley and Com- dis, and Mr. J. C. Percy Smith of correspondent of the Malay Mast.authority whom I originally quoted.
the services They were surveying to the west the Bishop of Gloucester. "B.B." tribute to London, and daughter, Miss V.
to the pay and staff; Oriental Commer K. Percy Smith of London. of the Railway line between Ayer became quite lyrical in demanding Society during the past year of cial Company, and the China Mait
Three executors were appointed Kring and Ayer Hitam (N.B.), and to know who could possibir have Leiut. Col. Bird, and also comment and
faked up the Gospels? Let himed upon the generous action of the andera will dated June 4th, 1927, carmed for the night on the per-
the Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Becretary, namely, the second son, Capt. H. K. matang where they finished work. sak Dean, Inge that question,
Twelfth Night Ball. Percy Smith Mr. W. George (B During the night they were awaken Bishop of Birmingham, or a score Messrs. C. P. Marcel and 8. T. solicitor of Criccieth) and Mr. G.ed by the tent falling on top of of other divines. They have views Butlin, in offering their services the past a Twelfth Night Ball had Mr. Hornell pointed out that in K. Hall Brutton (a solicitor in them, and they jumped up to sea about Biblical fakes which may sur-voluntarily for another year.
been held and had been a success Hong Kong) Mr. George, hag re three elephants amongst them. The prise" E.B.”
Duke of Gloucester's Visit,
in every wag and he suggested presence of the coolies evidently nounced. probate.
Most of the bequests are to mem- further annoyed the elephants, and of Cromwell's life, I have one less St. George's Day, the new Presi. year. The meeting agreed with Dealing with the celebrations on that a similar function be held this bars of the family but there is one they immediately proceeded to clear than ten years old, from which I of 100 to "my friend," Mr. Joseph the path by picking up the coolies learn that Cromwell was just about dent, the Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shen this proposition. Young, of St. Joseph's-building with their trunks and throwing as tolerant us that other kind been the practice to entertain the for members in arrears with their toa, said that, in the past it had The Treasurer made * "appeal ground floor, "B" block.
them aside. Some coolies were Christian, Laud." The bulk of the cetate goes to banged against trees and others
Services with a cinematograph subscriptions to send in remittances Captain Percy Smith. An extract were stepped on, but when all was My "delightful relevanos" seems entertainment. He suggested, and for the amounts due as soon as from the will reads: I declare it clear the elephants continued on to be questioned in referring to the meeting agreed, that the same possible. There were a consider to be my earnest wish that my said their way.
fifty-saven odd varieties of Chris be done this year. The new Com- able number of members in arredis, son (Capt. H. K Peros Smith) As a result of a mad rush through tianity being offered to az un-mittee will attend to all details and fast year he had employed a shall keep and preserve my collec- the jungle in the dark, coolies who believing world. That so many connected with this scheme. shroff on a commission basis to col tion of blackwood, porcelain and escaped a mauling by the elephants different roads to heaven can be It was also suggested that the lect the funds. other curiosities which I have col were cut and scratched by vines and proclaimed, each as the nearest and Commending Oficer of the English lested at considerable trouble add thorns. It was only about 3 miles safest path: surely indicates an regiment be asked to give the ser expense, but should my anid collec back to the main camp at Ayer amazing disagreement as to what vices of the band, and the Cricket tion have to be sold, then in that Kring, but it was 11 am. next day Christ's teaching really is, or was, Club be asked for the loan of their event, it is my wish that the same when the coolies arrived there, and that brings me back precisely ground in order to contribute to an be sold in London."
limping, sore and bleeding. to where we started. Nobody knows evening event. The will was witnessed by Mr. At the base camp" first aid was what Christ really did teuch; there
The Chairman pointed out, how. George (the executor who renounced rendered to all mine coolies by Mre is no contemporary evidence on the ever, that St. George's Day fell probate) and Leung Fool who is H. L. Ward, Mr. Ward being out subject, and how much is accepted upon Apph gard. As celebrations ja He concluded by zeferring to the believed to have been Mr. II. Percy in the field, and all were trade as of the extremely dubious writing connection with the His Royal great bonour paid the Club by the Smith's Chinese boy who accom- comfortable as possible under the which is available depends solely Highneas the Duke of Gloucester's bestowal by HM the King of the "panied his master Home. · Bg conditions. A 16
upon the critical disposition of the vitit would be in full swing on | O.B.E. upon Gol, Bird, who, in Probate has now been granted by: The four worst cases were sent to reader. And that is where " B.B.” April 25th, 20th, and 27th, it was | repis, made a speech which was the Supreme Court, Hong Kong, to Kuala Pilah Hospital, but for- and myself part company-Yours, doubtful" whether an evening con- taken down verbatim, without Mr. Hall Brutton for the local tunately no one was injured etc.,
cert on April 23rd would be, advie- | difficulty, by every reporter present. estate. Estate in Great Britain is | seriously, and all were back at work
NpThank you very much, valued at £2,112-14-1.
́agalo in a few days.
(Continued on next Column). said.
2
As for reading a modern account
3.
Hong Kong, March 13th
able
"Even then," he said, amid laughter, did not get all the money in." He offered to call upon 40 people and collect their arrears and the Chairman appealed for other members to assist the Hon. Treasurer in collecting monthly subscriptions
Wedding Presents that Last
and Gifts of Good Taste
LANB, CRAWFORD, LTD, cordially recommend
"the following:-
SARDINE DISH
SILVER-PLATED
from
$18.50
CAKE & FRUIT STAND
frodi
SILVER-PLATED..$18.50
ASPARAGUS DISH
from
SILVER-PLATED$45.00
10% DISCOUNT FOR CASH
We have a large selection of silver-plated goods on display
in our showrooms and will be anly, too pleased to place our experience and advice at your disposal when choosing gifts.
LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.
Without
JEWELLERY DEPT.
(GROUND FLOOR) TEL: 0.4567.
ELECTRIC
Columbia News RECORDS
process
Scratch
Herman Finck's Orchestra,
SCHUBERTIÄNĄ. 9480-1-PARTS 1, 2, 3, 4. (SELECTION OF SCHUBERT AIRS)
The ANDERSON MUSIC Co., Ltd.
HARMSTON'S CIRCUS
AND
ROYAL MENAGERIE
Situated at Mongkok (Kowloon) Near Lai-chi-kak Road
Last Few Nights Positively Last Performance Sunday 16th March.
Last Few Nights
A Special Gala Performance
Will be given in Aid of
THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL
Saturday,
ON
th 16th March,
at 9.15
p.m.
When 50% of the Gross takings
will be given to the above institution.
The following Gentlemen have kindly consented
to be Patrons on the occasion:----
The Hon. Mr. R. A. C. NORTH, Secretary for
Chinese Affairs,
The Hon. Sir Shouson Chow, Kt, The Hon. Dr. R. H. KOTEWALL, C.M.G. The Hon. Dr. 8. W. Tso, O.B.E Sir ROBERT HO TUNG, Kt.
and the Directors of the Tang Wah Hospital
Prices as Usual.
BOOKING AND PLAN AT MOUTRIE'S,
Buses and Taxis pass the Circus Tent. Last Ferry to Hong Kong 12,45 a.mi.