Page
TALKING FILMS IN
CANTON.
THRONGED HOUSES.
THE LECTURER'S EXPERIENCES.
CHINA'S ENTHUSIASM FOR NEW INVENTION.
{REO OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]
CANTON, March 15th. The lectures, with demonstrations, given by Dr. C. H. Robertson of the Y.M.C.A. on talking pictures are rousing the very greatest in terest in Carton. The auditorium has been packed on every occasion. The cinema is popular in the city, but for the talking film they ace. wildly enthusiastic. This has been Dr. Robertson's experience all along the China colat.
son
HOW IT WORKS. On Thursday night, Dr. Robert- lectured in English. The seating capacity of the Canton YMCA. was. as usual, taxed to its limit and among those present were a number of foreigners, mostly Americans, and also some Japanese
CONFIDENCE IN CANTON.
POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL CLOUDS LIFT.
ཕྱག་་ སྙན
MARSHAL LI TSAI HSIN AND WUHAN.
FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]
CANTON, March 15th.
There is a very much happier and more confident air in Canton follow- ing the news that the Wuhan trouble had been satisfactorily settled. Locally much of the credit is considered due to Marshal ti Tsai Hsin who declared when he reached Nanking that he had a plan which could settle the whole prob
lem.
Craton is also beflagged in honour Conference in Nanking. The Gor- of the opening of the Kuomintang ernment Offices are elaborately decorated and there was a big gathering of officials at Government House to celebrate the event.
The local Kuomintang also held a meeting at Party Headquarters, where suitable addresses on Dr. Sun Yat Sen and the Kuomintang were delivered..
General Wong Shiu Hung was to have left Wachawen mute for Nan. king on Thursday, but he was per- suaded to stay in Whichow for the
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. SATURDAY, MARCH 16th,
OPENING OF HOTEL FIRE INQUIRY.
DRAMATIC EVIDENCE OF
⠀ IDENTIFICATION.
HOW MR. WOODS' BODY WAS FOUND.
CORONER PREDICTS LENGTHY
PROCEEDINGS.
Mr. E. W. Hamliton presided at the opening of the inquiry into the King Edward Hotel fire at the Central Magistracy yesterday afternoon. Although the proceedings were primarily an inquest upon. Mr. Woods, one of the victims, the Coroner used the term “Inquiry" and intimated to the jury that "various phases of the disaster would be gone into, including the cause and history of the Are,
constructions!" questions, and misiters concerning the Firs Brigade,
He further intimated that the inquiry would probably last over two weeks and subsequent sittings would be held on Mondays, Wed- neadays, and Thursdays at 2.15 p.m.
Mr. Leo d'Almada e Castro, junior., held a watching brief for the proprietors, Mr. Hin Shing Lo represented Mr. Witchell (the licensee), Mr. H. C. Les sppeared on behalf of the China Land Investment Company, and Mr. E. Hall watched the proceed- ings on behalf of the Chinese manager and assistant manager of the hotel
PICKING THE JURY.
Contrary to expectations, there
Lance. Sergt. F. W. Allen said he was on duty on Monday morning
were only about six members of then the vicinity of the Government Offices in Albert Road when he
1929.
to any whether the deceased was asphyxisted before death although,
and I hope this may prove some Fcomfort to the relatives, one of the greatest authorities has stated that in nearly all cases of death 'from burns, asphyxia takes place first and death is comparatively painless. In this case, if asphyxia was not complete, unconsciousness certainly
Coroner: Thank you, Doctor.
W
The Identification Sub-Inspector A. Nicholi said ha waa present at the fire in the morn- ing. He saw the body outside the hotel in the coffin as it was being placed on the rah. The body was that of a very tall man. The legs and arme were bent upward but, even so, it fitted the coffin very tightly. He saw the body subse- quently in the public mortuary and examined it in the presence of Dr. Cannon and formed the definita opinion that it was the body of Mr. Woods.
In reply to the Coroner, witness stated that the last time he saw Mr. Woods alive was on the 7th of March. He knew him personally: Mr. Woods was a very tall man- over 8 feet in height, as a matter of i fact, and was. 45 or 60 years of age. Witness did not know his Christian
name.
MT. E. King, said that Inspector Captain Superintendent of Police, Nicholl had not been able to identify the body outside the Hotel because the head was covered by a blanket:
The Caroner then adjourned the
The lecturer explained the construc- celebrations in honour of Arbour Fublic at yesterday's opening of the heard the sound of police whistles, inquiry in order that the jury could}
apparatus being diagramatically drawn on a blackboard.
Dr. Robertson'said that there are six essential factors in the opera- tion. First the electris lamp, then a alit, or as he called it, a small window for the beam of light to pass through which, in turn, re gulates the reproduction of sound After by electro-magnetic means. the beam of light has passed through the allt, it strikes the sound record. After this it strikes the photo-electric cell which sends out an electric current directly pro portional to the intensity of the light which it receives. By means of this photo-electric cel! tiny sounds are produced. The waves radiating therefrom then go to an Amplifier and loud speaking barns are placed all over the auditorium. The most remarkable thing about the phonofilm is, according to Dr. Robertson the photo-electric cell "! Talkies" would not have been possible had it not been for the discovery of this most remarkable photo-electric cell, he said...
SOUTH CHINA THRONGS TO
HEAR...
Dr. Robertson gave the following description of his lecture, tour in the Far East to the representative of the Daily Preis.
He said:
This lecture is different from anything we have had. There are fifteen boxes of equipment. It's no small job to get that amount of baggage intact and unharmed to its destinations. It is a lecture and not"in entertainment, so we put everything on the stage My syllabus is as follows:-
1. Description of equipciens with short demonstration of each part in action or sound. -
e. Presentation of a reel contrast- ing silent and talking movies.
death of Dr. Sun Yat Sen
inquiry. One was a priest whose
sombre girb added to the serious ADMIRAL BRISTOL'S VISIT atmosphere pervading the proceed.
ings. Quite д
amall army of * ENDS.
solicitors and counsel occupied the Admiral Mark Bristol, C.-in-C of well of the Court, conversing to the United States Asiatic Fleck gether in low tones while they await left Canton on Thursday afternoon
ed the Coroner. by train. He was given a very hearty send off at the station where a number of Chinese officials and American residents came to bid him farewell, especially in view of the
"I am adjourning the inquiry the direction of the King Edward until 2.15 p.m. on Monday, March Hotel and, on arrival, assisted the 18th, said Mr. Hamilton. For the firemen on the top floor of the information of everybody concerned, Savoy Hotel. Between 8 and the sittings will be held at 2.15 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and 'clock, when the fire was under Thursdays. It is very probabis that control, he entered the King Ed. the sittings will last until 5 o'clock At 15 p.m. everybody sat ex- werd Hotel through a place where each day. That will be the routine, I expect, for the next two weeks."" pectantly in their places as a small the wall had been burned down on door at the rear of the Court open- the top floor. He walked, out on fact that his period of commanded to admit Mr. E. W. Hamilton to the verandah against the first expires shortly.
who took his seat amid a tense still-House Street side. He went to the room by the party wall on the Tee
The visit has proved a very success. fal and one of the most enjoyable functions was a dance given on board the Asheville, his temporary flagship.
DR. TAGORE PASSES THROUGH.
PLANS OF 3 DAY VISIT
DROPPED...
Dr. Rabindranath Tagore, the famous Indian poet and phile opher, arrived here yesterday morning on the P&O liner Naldera. He was met on board by many members of the local Indian community; including Mr. J. E: Buttonjes. It was hoped that Dr. Tagore would leave the ship at Hong Kong and spend a 3 day visit in the Colony, taking the RMS Empress of Asia for Canada, his destination:
ness...
A small wooden box was handed end of the verandah and, on return- to the Coroner. In it were six ing to the Savoy Hotel, he noticed tightly-folded pieces of paper each a body lying with the feet toward of which bore a name. Six good the verandah and the head close men and true watched the Clerk)
$10,000 WORTH OF OPIUM.
SAMPAN WOMAN FINED.
mount the dais preparatory to pick to the partition. From the position SAYS PASSENGER LEFT. IT." ing three of the pieces of paper of the body, witness was of the from the box, thereby deciding opinion that deceased had been The mistress of a passenger which of the assembled gentlemen gripping the coping of the verandah sampan lying in the Yaumati would be required to serve as the and had then fallen back. The Typhoon Shelter was charged'be- jury.
body was badly burned; the tongue fore Mr. T. S. Whyte Smith, at the Before the Clerk inserted his hand was protruding between the teeth Kowloon Magistracy yesterday. into the box, Mr. J. Fleming asked and some of the intestines were pro afternoon, with possession of 810 leave to address the Coroner. He truding
taels of raw opium and 900 taels said he held 50,000 shares in a com- pany connected with the Hotel The was called to the top floor of the Leseby appeared on behalf of the Sub-Inspector J., S. Dick said he of prepared opium. Mr. F. H. capital of the company was about Savoy Hotel by the last witness, defendant and pleaded not guilty. $275,000. In the circumstances, he It was just daylight at the time, Bergeant Poynts said that at 7:15 queried whether it would be advis- The previous witness pointed out p.m. on March 9th, he boarded the able for him to serve on the jury. the body to him and he reported it defendant's boat, which was lying
to a fire brigade officer.
alongside a steam flannelf next to the M.BK wharf. Defendant said Moss said he did not examine the was made and the contraband was Fire Brigade Station Officer G. C. that she was the mistress Arch body.
Mr. Hamilton intimated that, in these circumstances, he would take the responsibility of discharging Mr. Fleming.
Following a Precedent.
However, Dr. Tagore is not in
Trying to Evade the Flames. * very good health and was obliged
Mr. N.. 8. Brown asked what to decline the invitation to visit would be the nature of the inquiry dare say you could tell by reason Coroner: In your opinion-and I the island. He a remaining The Coroner replied that the in- aboard, and was unable to give any quiry was concerned with the death of your experience as a fireman interview to the Fress. He haa of Mr. Woods. The jury would re-died 1
how would you say that Mr. Woods decided to continue his voyage on the Naldera" to Japan, where he will board the Empress of Asia for Canada":
The s. Naldern sails for the Northern ports this morning.
18
turn a verdict on that point, but he wished them to understand that Witness: I should say that just they would be expected to cover the prior to death he got behind the whole of the inquiry which would door to shield himself from the endeavour to elucidate the cause ames: He evidently got against and history of the fire, and the the wall and tried to avoid the constructional and fire brigade flames. That is the opinion forta questions. It was proposed to ed.
4'
3. Alternating with slide presen- tation of principles; are such films as-Democratic National Conven- tion, Eva Leont in "Care Nome," Robertson speech "What is Eappen KOWLOON TRAFFIC CASES. follow the precedent established by
ing in China," Commander Byrd and his taketoff on his Atlantic Right. A railway trip to the coun- try with the locomotive bell ring- ing and the booming of its great whistle, Badjo quartette, Old soun ery fiddler; Bres. Coolidge on Taxa- tion, Lindbergh's welcome in Wash. ington:
From the Brst the Shanghai Y.M.C.A was embarrassed by the crowds. We finished and had two days in which to get the outfit ready for the rough travel conditions of a month's sea trip to South China: In Amoy.
DR. B. SOUSA FINED. www
Dr. B. Sousa was summoned be- fore Mr. T. 8. Whyte Smith at the
Kowloon Magistracy yesterday for leaving his car outside the white lines opposite the Railway Station
The defendant admitted the offence
car.
bat said that his wife drove the She had not driven for some months and "whs unaware of the new regulations.
Sub-Inspector MoWalter inform
"the Magistrate that the lines were comparatively new, having been there fór about fivé ·weeks. · 7.
A fine of 85 was imposed.
No Name Mentioned.
The owner of ear No. 385 was
Although warned, Amoy, the next city, did not realise the seriousness of the crowd problem until they had' to call but a squad of soldreza
and even then people were climb also summoned for the same offence. ing the big front fence, trying to Mr. Horace. Lo appeared on behalf break in the back door, ani kwamp of the Hong Kong Automobile ing the auditorium The three Association and said that the sim- lectures a day schedule was increase mons was bad in that the name of
of aix
In the meantime I wired warn-
dogs to Swatow and Foochow buy
How They Enjoyed It.".
Mr. Justice Wood in 'connection with the great racecourse fire in 1918.
Mr. Brown then said that ho was a representative of a large fire in
surance company and he did not think it would be wise for him to sit in a judicial capacity.
Continuing his evidence, witness said he waited untila Sanitary Board coolie came up and the body was then taken down to the ground floor." asa depan
Chief Inspector CF. Frith, of
the Sanitary Department, said he took charge of the body, which was placed in a coffin and taken away Mr. Hamilton: think your ex-in the dead van." Witness gave perience will be of very great assist the driver of the van a chit on ance to me, Mr. Brown. We are not which he had written, This is the a judicial inquiry in that sense of the term
The jury were then picked and consisted of Mr. N. 8. Brown (fore man), Mr. C. Little, and Mr. Ir C. F. Bellamy.
found in sealed tins concealed be- low the deck boards
passenger who brought the stuff on client had been deceived by a Mr. Loseby submitted that his
board and went away to change some money. She was not the. owner of the boat but merely the mistress. The tins were sealed and she was not aware of the contents.
Taking into consideration that this was the defendants' first offence of this nature, the Magistrate, im- posed a fine of 89,000 or a month's imprisonment. As the boat was her apparent means of livelihood no order for its seizure was made. The contraband was ordered to be confiscated, the two lots of opium being valued at- 89,880 and 87,350 respectively.
MARCH CRIMINAL SESSIONS.
body of Mr. Woods of Wellington FIVE CASES TO COME BEFORE New Zealand. Be did tot recog nise him personally but the infor ME. JUSTICE WOOD. mation was given him by Sab Inspector Nicholls.
The March Criminal Sessions will Dr. Alexander Cannon said he was open at the Supreme Court on Mr. d'Almada e Castro said he was Medical Officer in charge of Victoria Monday at 10 m. before" Mr. instructed by his clients to express Mortuary. Ho performed a post Justice Wood. There are five cases their very great regret at the un martem examination upon deceased including the charges against two fortunate occurrence in which Mr.. Woods lost his life, and to express at noon on Monday. He could not Chinese for alleged dealing in their deepest sympathy with the personally identify the body as forged scris for 500 shares in Hong either European or Chinese, A Kong Tramways, Ltd. There are relatives, of deceased and the re- Intives of Mr and Mrs Bobson, the burning of the body was to the five counts including conspiracy to
In ex Mr. Seth, M. Kish, of the US extent of the fifth degree.
planation of that term, witness said commit an offence punishable by law, 'conspiracy to defraud, atfering
+-61
of
Mr.
smid Dr.
the alleged forged, share sarig.
ed successivaly to 3; 8, 7 and 8 per the "delendant was omitted. He Navy, the relatives of Mr. Baile, that the deep fascia and museles forged "documents (Pun Pui only), day, and even then thousands had quoted the decision of Mr. R E. Mr. Wong Kwong Leong, 'Dr. WODE were all very charred. Sub-Inspecbeing an accessory before the fact
a case and other Hei sure etme on I camped in the Authorities on the point It was and Leung Kwang. "They also desir Association dormitory, got burried not a mere technicality but a pointed him to express their sympathy out any reasonable doubt he could meals in a Chinese restaurant next based on very sound reasons.
with General and Mrs. Chen Ming identify the body as that
Lin Kong and Kwan Ping are Woods. The summons was dismissed. doors and held 'än
Shu, Mr. Andrew Piccioli, To Chat,
charged with possessing on Janu- ncstings per day average
Ng Ka Kuen and all others who Death Quite Painless?
".
ary 28th, 1929, moulds for coining were injured in the fire,
In my opinion,”
"the apparent resemblance of both Mr. H. C. Les associated his Cannbo, the primary cause of sides of the King's current coins on the frat night the thronging
clients with these expressions of death was burning; the secondary and possession of five and ten cent crowds swept over the door keepers "How the audiences have enjoy condolence."
cause was shock and asphyxia. As pieces with intent to utter. and completely filled the andied it! The movie men have been
regards the general physical con- The other three are robbery torium and the lawn adjoining. very keen and in one city a group Barricades were then put at the came forward with the proposal to The Coroner said the inquiry dition of deceased it was absolutely cases, as follow
Li Yuen: robbery by two or more front gate a quad of police provide 8100,000 to start the de- would probably take a considerable impossible to say owing to the state
of barning. Nobody else identified at a Chinese doctor's office, No. 63, was Becared and a stiff price velopment of a company in China time but he would get it through the body in my presence,
Jervois Street" on the day before put on admission tickets. Aat once. In Foochow an audience as quickly as possible while taking
| China New Year:" heavy schedule was carried out and of 500 government officials opened care not to overlook anything of
Coroner: Could you give us any Ho Chok Lam and Leung Ching: even then there was embarrassoient the programme. In each city the importance. He proposed at, that idea whether Mr. Woods was con-robbery by two or more at Mong
Lok on February 4th, 1929 by the Shsistent desire to see this highest authority initiated the aneet sitting to take evidence of the find scious when he was burned i
ing of the body, its transfer to the Dr. Canton: I should explain Ho Mun To and Ho Tee (an
On the Fifth Floor,
wondorful now invention. Counter An English lecture was given mortuary and the subsequent identi-that up to the third or fourth degree amah) robbery by two or more st
feit tickets in very close imitation of the originals were presented in in each city for returned students |fication. He would then adjourn of burning one can form such an Shamshuipo en February 8th. 1929 - considerable numbers, t
and for the isolated American and the case in order that the jury could opinion, but when a body is burned and HoMMun To is also charged (Continued at foot of next column) 1 British communities."
visit the scene of the fre.
to the fifth degree it is imposable with robbery.
Wm. POWELL, Ltd.
Telephone C. 478,
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