PAGE 2-HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
SALES OF TIMBER TO KIN LEE
AND MARSMAN CLOSELY QUESTIONED AT A.R.P. INQUIRY
Sales of timber by the SINGAPORE SAWMILL COMPANY and MESSRS. WONG TONG KEE to the KIN LEE firm of building contractors and MESSRS. MARSMAN HONGKONG CHINA LIMITED between October, 1940, and March, 1941, were closely questioned by the Chairman when evidence of the transactions were given by the mana- gers of the two timber firms before the Commission, appointed by Government to In- quire into certain matters relating to the AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS DEPARTMENT. yesterday afternoon.
During the morning session, TSANG PUI-FAN, foreman in the P.W.D., staled that, although he was responsible for giving the OK. to payment vouchers for the removal of muck from ARP. tunnels in Kowloon, certain vouchers had been passed to Government without his having seen, or initialled, them.
Well, you are one of the largest? Yes.
Have you Suld timber to Mars- man's?--Yes.
GENERAL & SPORTS
ENTRIES & WEIGHTS FOR 7TH EXTRA RACE MEETING
The following are the entries and some handicap weights for the Seventh Extra Bace Meeting of the Hongkong Jockey Club to be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Happy Valley-
At what price?--$1.50 per eutir Second
Would it be correct to say that Tsang also informed the. Commissioners that he October, 1940, you were in a posi
tion to supply Kin Lee with more
·Saw laughed when he
the
than $290 worth of timber?- Yes. statement in the Chinese
Would it also be correct to say Press that be owned a motor-that the price between October, toot car. The car in question, said 1940, and December, 1940, has gone Tsang, belonged to one of the up? Yes. by 10 to 15 per cent.
Your total sales to Kin Lee be sub-contractors
tweer: October, 1940, and March. him permission to use it on 1941, amounted to just over $18, his visits to sites.
1000?--I de not remember
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1941.
White Label EST. SCOTCH WHIST
GREAT ACT
PERIS
LAB
THE RIGHT LABEL
THE RIGHT LABEL
THE RIGHT LABEL
THE RIGHT LABEL
THE RIGHT LABEL
THE RIGHT LABEL
15.
White Label
DEWAR'S FAMOUS SCOTCH
1. or 10-2 og: 630 p.m.-Island Glory 145, Araxy II 145, A Surpris- Bay Handicap-First.or Second lng Time 181, Bendemeer 148, Section-Winner $756. Second $350. Bendigo 147, Black Seal 153, Cop- Third $250. For Chins Ponies, "O" sair 150, Crack Shot 146, Happy Olass. To be ridden by Jockeys Returns 184 Harmony Star. 143, who have not won ten races any- Joan 145, Jus Gentium 157, King's where at any time. No Whips or Flight 157, Lcx Fort 150, Mainsall Spurs allowed. Entrance $5. One 160, National Welfare 148, Never- Mile.
Never 148, Nigger 140, Ogle 140, Advancing Time, Blue Diamond. Royal Sovereign 149, Spitfire 140, Blue Fleid. Emergency Unit, Eve Sydney Diamond 142, Vitamin M. ot Folly, Eve of Peace, Galveston 144, Wayworth 145. 25 Entries. Bay, Humdrum Eye, Jennifer, 4 or 8.-3.30 or 5.30 p.m.-Vau- Jober, Lancashire Lass, Lauraber, cluse Handicap-First or second Night Express, Odeon, Oscar Zylch, Section Winner $900. Second $450, Peaceful View, Raconteur, Red Third $300. For Australian Ponles, Feather, Thirty Six. 19 Entries. "B" C7888. Bubscription Ponies of 2. or 5.-2.30 or 4 p.m.--Tweed 1941 barred. Jockey Allowance. E- Island Bay Handicap--First or trance $5, One file.
A Happy Tme, A Luxurious Time, į $900, Section-Winner Second $350. Third $250. For China Brown Derby. Catterick Bridge. Ponies, "B" Class, Jockey
Cheerful Star, Colooma. Connieber, Allow- ance. Entrance $5. From the + Contact, Criffel, Gay Fox, Gloam- Ing. Lucky Lady. Man-O'-War Marsh Warbler, Mountain View, Avon. Eve of Dancing, Eve of Piccadilly Jim,a Rowan, Sparrow, Grandeur. Ove of Heaven, Eve of Springhurst. Tornado Star, Van- And have you raised your prics Heason, Expansion Time. Galaxy. guard, Venus Bay, Vixen Tor. 23
we Gay Star, Hectic View, Hillsboro Entries. $30,000 STOCK
Bay, Hopeful Star. Hughber. John- These are facts, Do you, as a had an agreement with them.
6.4 30 p.m.-Port Philip Stakes. timber merchant, mean to tell this! When did you first sell to Mure.ber, Kentucky, King Kong. Oonagh, Winner $1,250. Second 8000. Third
Resisting Timc. Ronson, Sam's $350. For Australian Ponies, Grit-form 148, New Moon 145, Odin 148. Court, Cocklerol, Crack Shot, Derby Commission that in October, 1840, man's?--In October, 1940,
Choice, So Nice. Wonderful Sns of this Season. Weight 145 b. Figtall 145, Ratio Decidendi 151, Day, Devonian, Double Finesse, you did not have this quantity of
did J11 stop?-In And when timber in hand?-We always have January, 1943
Scheme 21 Entries,
1 lb, penalty for every $100 or part Riverside 148, Subpoena 145, Tro-Fiving Dutchman, Franklin, Goog- ly. Huscossay. Income Tax, King's What is the total amount you sold; 3.3 p.m.-Australian Subscrip- thereof won in stakes. Winners of pical Love 151. 18 Entries. man), Mr. L. C. F. Bellamy and between $30,000 and $40,000 worth
in stakes barred. 7. or
Leading 9-5 or 0 p.m.-Gosford Welcome, tion Ponies Autumn Plate.-Winner $750 or more
Star, Locus of timber in hand.
to them?$42,000.
Second Bet Stand!, Longdon, Misty View, New- Second $600. Third $300. Jockey Allowance. Entrance $5. One Handicap. First or You did not increase Marsman's $1,500,
tlon-Winner $850. Second $350.borni Star, Nomine Poenae, Ratio that had Ein Lee purchased all the price because Marsman's were also For Australian Subscription Pontes Mile.
Jay, Beal River, or this Season. Weight 140 lb. 1 lb. A Blossom Time 145 lbs., Amuse- Third $250. For Australian Ponies,, Decidendi, Sea old customers? Yes.
Lady. The $200 or part ment Tax 149, Canberra 145. Grace-"C" Class. Jockey Allowance. En-Shuttlecock, Bydney Have you sold any railway sleep penalty for every
Koala Bear, Triumphant Day, Tro Anzac Day, Araxy II, A Roaring pical Love, Twinkling Star, Vis Never. We do not deal in railway (One and a quarter Miles.
Amulet Star 148 tbs Angel of Miss Chalfont 145, National Re-Time, Battle, Bendigo, Centre Major. Vitamin M 34 Entries sleepers $
who
gave
He had never used it, declared witness, to go to dinner parties or to the cinema, but, at times, he had been given a "lift" to his house
The Commission comprises Mr. Justice P E. F Cressall Chair-
Mr S Hampden Ross with Mr. K. M. A Barnett as Secretary
Mr. D H Blake was present on
behalf of the Kin Lee firm.
In
Testifying before the Commission
Would it not be correct to say
Limber they needed from you in October, 1940), they would not have
had to pay you $18,000?--But we
in stock.
10 CENTS MORE That Is at 10 cents per cubic foot more than to Kin Ler-That is so. We had to deliver to Hong-
kong
Marsman's? No.
because
Mile Post,
It never variés
A S
WINE DEPT.
SOLE AGENTS: WATSON & CO., LIMITED.
CHATER RD.
the afternon, Mr. Chan Child not have all the measurements/ers to Marsman's or Kin Lec?-thereof won in stakes. Entrance $5. ful View 151, Iron Belle 151. King's trance $5. Six Furlongs,
hul said that he was the manageri of the Sing Chow Timber Co., which firm was also known as the
But. If they had purchased all they needed between October, 1940,
Have you ever purchased any
Singapore Sawmills Co., and that the firm was started about eight and March, 1941. In October, they railway sleepers?—Yes.
years ago.
Chairman. Do you remember selling during last year, uniber to Kin Lee? Yes
Can you tell me what kind of Uniber you sold to Kin Lee?We
sold various kinds of hardwood to
Thera
would have paid Jess than $18,000?
-Certainly.
From whoin?--From Jardine's. If you do Bot deal in rall- way sleepers. why did you pur. The next witness called was Mr. Sham Kal-yln. manager of the chase them?-We bought them as business department of Messrs. Oregon pine for making boxes.
AL what price did you purchase Wong Tong Kec.
Jardine's?-12 cents per board foot.
Chairman. They are timber from
merchants?—Yes
Where is their office? No. 2. Wal Ching Street?—Yes.
What are they?--In Chinese they are known as "Hung Chap," "Ying Mak" and "Shan Cheong."
Have you sold any railway sleep-way ers to Kin Ler?--No
You have never sold them any
Is your firm connected in any with any other timber firms? Yes, the Sham Mau,
What is the connexion?-Wong rallway sleepers--We do not sell Tong Kee have a thousand dollar railway sleepers.
Where do you get your wood from? From Singapore and San- dakan
SOLD FOR CASH Who approached you in con- nexion with the sales to Kin Lee? Our salesman spoke to Kin Lee's buyer.
Who is your salesman!--Chan Kam-fal
Who did he sell to?--I know the man as Ah Chlu
But at what price did you pur- chase per sleeper? Each sleeper is five cuble feet.
At what price per sleeper? --At $1 40 per cubic foot.
Each sleeper is five cubic feet. and the price is $1.40 per cubic share in the Shum Mau.
foot. Do you mean to tell me and When was the first time you sold the other Commissioners that you timber
Kin Lee About 10 paid $7 per sleeper?--Yes, years ago
the
What month did you purchase
I am not talking about 10 years those sleepers in? July or August ago What I am talking about is last year. timber 10
with connexion AHP work-In October. 1940
HAVE A CHAT
PAID $7 EACH
Do you mean that you paid $7 for each sleeper? Yes. they are of
Who approached you?-Kwong; a special size. Wing asked me to go and have a chat.
and that was the price you paid? Yes, and I was considered cheap
What was the chat about?at that time. Do you know how much umber: Kwong Wing said that they just
yon have said to Kin Lee? I enu-
Have you sold any of these
had a large contract and asked me steepers to Marsman's or Kin Ler?
test remember now as it was all, whether I could sell timber to nimo
sole for cash,
They paid you cash at delivery? - Cash before delivery.
Have your firm any connexiona with Pang. Chik and Tum?---No.
With Wong Tong Kee?--Sonie six or seven years ago we have had dealings with Wong Tong Kee, but not recently
Have you any connexions with that rm2-- No.
at a cheaper price....
What cheaper price? What I pest way a cheap price.
Yrs. Be on
I told him that as we have had dealings for so longi I could let him have the timber at a cheap price.
At this stage the Chairman an- nounced an adjournment until 11 a.m. today
MORNING SESSION Mr. George Tsang Tsang Pui- fan was the first witness called by the Commission yesterday morn! ing.
The Chairman: What are you in
Government?
Yes? I gave him the price of $1.80 per cubic foot for hardwood,
And did you sell any to him?the Yes. between October, 1940, and March. 1941, we sold him about 10.000 cubic feet of hardwood,
Are you still selling to Kin Ler? Yes, but the last lot has not yet been delivered.
What is the amount?--Only a) ---$17.000 odd. small quantity to the value of $180
edd
What did the tota) value come to"
Did your prices rise between October, 1940, and March, 19417- When did you first deal with Kin The price to Kin Lee remained at Lee?--In October, 1940,
And your last sale to them was in March, 1941?-No, we are at selling to them month by month.
But the last big lot was m March? Yes.
The price of timber has gone up since September, 19407-Yes, it went up gradually.
What is the rise, generally speak- ing?-About 50 per cent.
In Octuber. 1940, did your firm have large stock of timber hand? We always have a large stock at hand.
DIFFERENT SIZES
$1.80 per cuble foot.
Didn't you know that prices rose between October. 1940, and March, 10417-I did.
Then why did you lose money on your sales to Kin Lee?--We had au agreement with Kin Lee.
1
Tsang: I supervise some work. Are you a foreman in the P.W. D.?-Yes.
What is month.
Try
Welcome 151 Locus Standi 149,
LIPTONS
CEYLONTA TEA
Tel. 20818.
in the new FLAV-O-TAINER airtight bag
WHICH RETAINS ITS
MPTEN
yon salary?- $75
ກ
CETTARTA
Do you speak English?-Yes. Would you like to answer the questions in English to save time? -I rather speak Chinese.
When were you first employed as a' foreman in the P.W.D.?--In 1934 when I
the was transferred to
P.W.D. from the Shing Mun Valley Water Scheme.
Do you
know Mr. Campbell?--
Were you employed by him in the Shing Mun Reservoir Scheme?
Yes.
In writing or verbally?-Verbally. Yes,
RISE NOT GREAT Although you knew that there was a rise in the market, you did not take advantage of it because of your verbal agreement with Kin Lee? Yes, and because the rise was not great.
You were an office boy then. weren't you? No I was a checker. What pay did you get?-$25 a month.
How long did you remain on Is that the way you usually con that Schome? For about 9x Suppose that Kin Lee had bought duct business? No, it all depends months as a checker after which from you in October. 1948, the on the customer we are dealing I was transferred to the office. quantity they bought between Ochwith. Kin Lee is an old customer. What year was that?-1934. 1940, and March, 1941, would you So you did not take advantage And you continued in that job have had enough stock to supply of the rise in market because Kin until what year?-Up to 1937 when them? No, we did not have enough Ba Kin Lee bought different sizes. Lee was an old customer?--Yes, and the
Shing Mun Reservoir
In October, 1940, you sold them because we had a large stock and completed. $200 worth of timber? cannot because the rise was not great. remember the figures
I have it hero. In November, 1840, you sold them $1,100 worth. -Yes.
Also because Kin Lee was an old customer.
The fact remains that the res placement cost was greater than
In December, 1940, the sales rose the price in October, 1940-Yes. -
to over $7,000-Yos, Bir.
So you lost money on the deal?
In October, 1040, did you have --No. because we bad old stock.
was
And then you were transferred
to what job?--I was all employ- ed at Shing Mun as a charger.
At how much a month?--I think at $1.75 a day.
That was in 1937?--Yes.
BANK ACCOUNT
Did you open an account in the
And did
enough timber to supply them up Would it be correct to say that Underwriters Bank in February, to Desember, 1940-I do not re your firm is the largest One in the 18877-Yea. -
you on February member whether we had enough trade in Hongkong? We cannot stook to supply them as Kim Lee call our arm the biggest timber 1937 open it by depositing #207
Yes. always bought according to thole merchants in Hongkong but we
are the oldest, measurements.
Cont'd Page 7, Col. K
Sole Agents:
Distinctive
Flavour
CONNELL BROS. CO., LTD.