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A. S. WATSON & CO.,
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VERY OLD LIQUEUR
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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JULY 24, 1905.
On the 4th July, at Liaoyang, Manchuria, the wife of the Rev. GRO, DOUGLAS, M., of a daughter.
·T RETURN of visitors to the City Hat Reading- room for the week ending the aged July, 1905
Total, 218. Non-Chinese, 169; Chinese, 19:
MORE HOTEL SECRETS.
complimented him on the improvements ha had made; did you do so 2-1 probably shook hands with him and said "How Are you"
ugh the isth July, at Mokézishan, the wife of A PISHERMAN Was placed before Mr.G.N.Orme THE "HONGKONG'S DIRECTORS hard at him and said "
A. W. DANFORTH, of a son.
MARRIAGES.
On the 17th July, at robe, WILLIAM MOWAT, younger son of the late Alexander Law to Mary, widow of the late Albert Smith, On the 17th July, at Shanghai, EDWARD, son of Joseph Cotforth, Thomfield Villa, Upper Poppleton, York, to EMILY CLARA, fourth daughter of Alexander William Marin, Godfrey House, Godfrey Hill, Woolwich.
DEATHS.
this morning by Inspector Langley charged with fishing and killing fish with dynamite in the waters of the Colony. He had no defence and was foed 515,
THE decision of the Commission' appointed to investigate the circumstances of the capitain tion of Port Arthur was made known on hist ult. The Commission consider that the sur render of the fortress was justifiabla.
GIVE EVIDENCE:
JUDGMENT FOR THE HOTEL COMPANY.
The case of Ernest Wohlfatht, chef, against. the Hongkong Hotel Company, concluding for $1,000 damages for wrongful dismissal, was continued in the Supreme Court to-day-His Honour Mr. A. G. Wise, Pulsae Judge, on the bench.
Mr. R. F. G. Master, of Johnson, Stokes and Master, represented the plaintiff, and Mr. H, W.
Did you tell him the directors were dissatis- fied?--It wasn't my place to offer any comment on his work.
NEW DISHES.
By Mr. Looker-The chef has told us that bo' taught tbs Chinere a tremendous number of new dishes. Did you notice them during the first six months Better or worse?,
New dishes I noticed soma.. A lot or a for?-1 think I might say t
Wouldn't it have been reasonable to do so? noticed three or four entrees, and three or four sweets, and perhaps two or three preparations of fieb. Certainly not.
NO COMPLIMENTS. You are sure you did not compliment him on his work? I have given you an answer already. did not.
Did you teach the cook how to cook soused fish? You have misrepresented mo. I never
When you returned from England did you see any more new dishes?—No, I didn't notica
any.
On the 1st June, at Swanage, Dorset, SARAH! URSULA, the beloved wife of Robert R. West- to his traditions as to get drunk and become Looker of Deacon, Looker and Deacon appear said no. it is a lie, you have in your examina- Company, spoke to. the arrival of the chef in
all, late of Foockow, China.
On the 14th July, at Peking, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. 8. F. MAYERS, H. B. M. Legation.
The Houghong Celegraph
HONGKONG, MONDAY, JULY 24, 1935.
HIS EXCELLENCY'S ADDRESS.
A literary flavour pervaded the admirable address which His Excellency the Governor delivered at the Italian Convent on Saturday. We can easily understand how difficult it is for a public personage to say something new," as it is called, on such, occasions as a
FINE FLAVOUR prize distribution or a breaking-up ceremony but Sir Matthew Natthan not only overcanic that difficulty but actually managed to sub. mit some fresh ideas on a time-worn and
AND
NAVAL SINGH, Indian Watchman at the Hong- hong Colton Mills, so far forgot what was due incapable on Praya East, yesterday afternoon. He was placed in a cell, to "sleep it off" at No a Station, and this morning looked very penitent when placed before Mr. F. A. Hazeland, who said "52 or seven days."
SEKO, passenger-best woman, was charged before Mr. F. A. Hazeland this morning with being io unlawful possession of 49 fathoms and 3-feet of anchor cable, and also of a gold mounted half sovereign, reasonably suspected of having been stolen. The woman said she had had the cable lying in her house for over two years, but was very hary as to where she got it. She bought the half sovereign' three years ago, but forgot of whom she made the purchais. Case remanded.
.
INSPECTOR Gauld placed 19 Chinamen before Mr. F, 6. Hazeland, charged with maintaining a common gambling house and with gambling therein, on the 21ad inst. at Wanchala: Twelve of the men were sappers from Wellington Barracks, and the rest were house-boys, cooks and carpenters. Mr. R. Batlow, of Mr. H. K. Holmes's office, appeared for the defence and asked for a remand, which was granted, bail being allowed in $125 each for the first and
MELLOWNESS hackneyed subject. He dealt with the com-second defendants, and $10 each for the rest.
ATTAINED ONLY BY
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Per Dozen $16.50.
LIMITED,
WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS.
ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS.
ESTABLISHED A.D. 3841 Hongkong, 22nd July, 1915.
(32
GREGOR & CO.,
WE
"A MAN without a language" was a house boy, placed before Mr. F. A. Haceland this morning, charged with stealing a gold watch valued at 5300 When asked to plead as to his guilt or innocence, he suddenly discovered that he did not understand any known language, and when tried, with Tower-of-Babel effect, he only stared vacuously, but replied never a word. His Worship remanded the case to give the police an opportunity of finding the antithesis of this man, a man of many languages, who could act as interpreter for the accused.
NOTWITHSTANDING the constant arrest and
ed for the defendant firm.
As at the previous hearing there was a large number of Hotel servants in attendance. Mr. E. Osborne, chairman of the board of director of the Hongkong Hotel sal with counsel. The case for the plaintiff was closed at the last sitting.
MR. 05BORNE. IN THE BOX. Mr. Edward Osborne was the first witness called for the defence. He stated that in March 1903, he went to England, being empowered to engage a chef. He had an interview with the plaintiff which occupied three quarters of an hour. He explained that they did not want' a man to come to Hongkong to cook because the Chinese staff was quite capable of that, but they wanted a chef to look after the Chinese and in keep them up to the mark. He spoke
of
tion said that I tried to tell the man how to cook. I tell you that is a Jin. You misrepre. rent me,
"The witness said it was the custom of the heads of the departments lo allend' at the Board meetings.
When you started going round the Hotel-? | - didn't go round the Hotel.
IN THE KITCHEN.
MR. POTTY'S EVIDENCE."; Mr. Potts, director of the Hongkong Hotel
Hongkong. The board had been very dis satisfied with the chef's work, even after he had only been a few months in the Colony, The matter was discussed at every meeting end the directors were constantly giving in- structions to the chef through the manager. He saw no improvements in the service or pro paration of the food,
When the chef was dismissed was he dis When you started going into the kitchen-?missed solely as the result of ille row with Mr. Davies or through that on top of the previous didn's go into the kitchen, You said you went into the kitchen?--1 said | dissatisfaction?~On account of the previous I went into the kitchen once a week.
་
How far did you go towards the kitchen ?- The kitchen is on the top floor,
Where did you go to see the food-To the fresh provision room.
Where is that?-On the first floor. The rovisions you saw, had they been pass
CARROTS. You didn't examine each carrot separately, did you ?—No, I didn't examine each carrot.
What do you know about carrots ?-What any ordinary intelligent man knows and no more.
the life in Hongkong, the heat of the sum mer, probably the opposition of the Chinese,ed by the chef when you saw them ?-Some-
times they had. and every other drawback he could think of | He said that the chef would be under the direct orders of the manager, but so long as he per formed his duties satisfactorily he would be left alone. If he did not fulfil the expectations of the directors he would be told so, and if the dissatisfaction continued, he would be dis- missed. The plaintiff was apparently anxious to come and he was engaged. He was special. ly careful to tell the plaintiff that he must give satisfaction otherwise he would be dismissed and a special clause to that effect was put into the agreement.
Did the plaintiff clearly understand that he must give satisfaction otherwise he would be dismissed?-He clearly understood it; he said
50.
DIRECTORS DISSATISFIED. The chef arrived in September and the wit ness in March.
When you arrived did you find that the
Did you discuss the matter?-Several times He watched things for two months and found that in his opinion the food was not im proved; the service was the same. With the exception of a few sauces he did not think there was any improvement whatever. He allowed things to go on till the winter. The dis satisfaction continued, and the matter was discussed at various meetings. Messages were sent through Mr. Haynes to the chel.
NO SUCOESTIONS.
Did the chef attend the Board meetings -
punishment of cargo-boat enen for making fast to steamers e.tering the harbour, while the latter are under way, captains of steamers still have to complain of the practice which greatly impedes the progress, and interferes with the proper navigation of their vessels, and this morning Mr. M. McIver placed four masters of cargo boals before Mr. F. A. Hazeland for mak-directors were satisfied?-No. ing fast to the Wingched while under way, without the permission of the captain or officers, and two others for making fast to the ss.eung Shan under similar circumstances. His Wor ship warned them and fined them $25 each. On Friday we recorded the case of the old widow, Chan Chau, who attempted to commit suicide, because of her failure to collect a debt of $1 from a man who would not pay her, and whose relatives, at the heating of the case, showed a marked disinclination to effect her discharge by undertaking to look after her in Inture. The case was remanded for other rela- tives to be sought of a more humane disposition, and this morning, on a distant relative appear-When I returned I suggested that he should ing Before Mr. F. A. Hazeland, and promising attend the Board meetings in order to make to take care of her in future, the woman was suggestion. discharged with a warning not to attempt to take her own life again. The debt of, $, the cause of all the trouble, had since been paid, SARDOW is preparing some novelties for these. last few nights of his stay in the Colony. As will be seen from the advertisement appearing in another column, grand wrestling competitions will be held to-morrow and Wednesday for a solid gold medal, valued at Sco, as well as a silver and a bronze metal. Arrangements have been made for representatives of all nationale ties now in Hongkong to be present, while Mr. Alves, the well-known and popular local athlete, has kindly consented to try to secure the gold medal for this Colony. On Wednes day afternoon Sandow will hold a matinée, besides the evening performance, at which some special feature are to be presented. Thursday will be closing day of Sandow's season here.
Did he attend?~~~Yes.
Ever make a suggestion?-He` never made a suggestion; never make a remark.
to consequence of that-?, In consequence of that we stopped him attending.
position of letters, and there is no doubt that this is a matter which is well worth attention. Once we were all most interesting writers.. Recall for a moment the letters of Walpole or Creevey, and place those compositions alongside the short matter-of-fact epistles that prevail to-day. There is no comparison. We have lost, irretrievably it is to be feared, the knack of writing gossipy, friendly, pretty letters. In the hustle and confusion of modern life the graces are going; even lave letters, if we may judge from the occasional pikep which are allowed through the medium of the Courts, are not so highly flavoured as they used to be. Some few ladies still cultivate the art of writing a A. S. WATSON & Co., really interesting letter, but they are few and far between. It was not so very long ago that we treasured a letter as we would un- told gold; it was read aad re-read till it be came imprinted on the mind, and the writer's thoughts were entirely assimilated. Now adays we throw a letter aside like so much waste paper. The writer of a letter is tired of his effusion long before he has signed his name, and the recipient tosses it away as if it were an infliction for past sins. The increasing facilities for speedy writing, the use of the typewriter, and the cult of dicta- tion have led to the degeneration of the writing (faculty. Still those who have it should be encouraged to retain their posses. sion; for it is one of the most beautiful left to us in these modern days of rush and bustle. His Excellency emphasised the fact that the form of a letter should be the outcome a carefully arranged plan. It should start 34, QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL, oh given principle and tread certain But after all, is there not some- thing to be said for the letter which travels at will all over the hemisphere, the discursive though not necessarily prosy letter which talks about everything on the face of the earth? The old writers had the gift of easy writing to perfection. From a sugges Mu, A; S. Mihars, the Hongkong manager of tion that rheumatism was prevalent they the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, left Bangkok on the could meander through wordy glades til 12th insi. by the Nues Tung for Singapore His visit here, says the Bangkok Timis has they landed in an Indian wigwam, and dis naturally revived the discussion as to the like- cussed the features of a squaw. One of the lihood of a Japanese steamship line to Bang.and ordered to accept my decision or other
kak being established by the NY.K, Probably steps would be taken. charnis of George, Borrow's works is their nothing has yet been finally decided on. But Witness explained why the complaint book occasional inconsequence; at one moment it is tolerably certain that when the war is over, was started. Complaints were made about the the Japanese steamship companies will more he is regenerating the world; the next he is than ever devote themselves to the coasting way the food was served, but practically no im allowing his fancy to play by the wayside. trade throughout the Far East it is very The old diarists were notable for their asides natural that these operations should be extend- ed to Bangkok, but of course whether the trade And parenthetical observations. Chester prospect is regarded as sufficiently attractive is field the immaculate, the stately and polish.another matter, and one about which Mr. Mi- ed, finds his advice and directions illumined bara has probably been here to satisfy himself. by frequent irrelevancies. A letter that is Ar a general meeting of the Liverpool Steam- all meat loses its savour in the end, and for ship Owners Association, a resolution was passed protesting against the action of Russian that reason one would like to preserve the craisers in seizing, detaining, and destroying sauce of random talk. But His Excellency British shipping, and in particular, the steam when he spoke of ordered sentences and the ships Calchas, Knight Commander, and St Kilda, vessels belonging to members of the observance of forms was undoubtedly right Association, and against the want of protection afforded to the British mercantile flag The within limits. The ability to waive conven- resolution further declared that, in the tion is only allowed by intimacy with those opinion of this association, it is essential to the SANDEMAN & CO., conventions, and the ability to write an His Majesty's Government take promptly the
1ST FLOOR.
PORTS
FROM
OPORTO, PORTUGAL.
$20.00
to $42.00
PER DOZEN.
Hongkong, 24th July, 1905,
lines.
Winess continued to explain that complaints were made about the chef, and suggestions were sent to him, but he ignored them alto gether. The directors asked him (Mr. Osborne) to investigate matters personally. Every day at o'clock at tiffin time he saw the raw food which the chef had bought and passed. On several occasions he found the raw food unfit for eat. He pointed this out to the chef, but the raw food still continued. This broadly ex- ten led to all the market provisions.
CHEF IN A PASSION,
Did you continue that to the end?—I con- tinued it fill one day he flew into a passion and practically told me I knew nothing about if, He was told to attend at the Board meeting
provement took place.
:
He was dismissed on the day after the row with Mr. Davies?—Yes.
Was that dismissal in consequence of that row or in consequence of previous dissatisfac- tion ?--In consequence of previous dissatisfac tion.
COMPLAINTS.
Was there any reason for sending your (mes. sages through the Hotel manager 7-Because the staff is under the direction of the manager. What time of the day did you carry out these investigations at the Hotel -About five minutes past ons.
Did you consider the chef carried out his
duties according to his instructions?-He failed the to carry out bis instructions and failed to do
what he was engaged for.
steps necessary in Eastern water, in the Red Sea, and elsewhere to render impossible the sinking of neutral ships-an act which the Prime Minister characterised in the House of Commons on Aug. 15, 1914, as an interna tional outrage' and to obtain immediate com pensation for the owners and crews of the vessels already sunk or unjustifiably detained."
Were specific complaints made to him at the Board meetings?—Yes, there were specific complaints,
Cross-examined by Mr. Master--Have you ever worked in a Hotel No.
How long have you been a director of the Hongkong Hotel?--Since 1903.
You occupy some other positions in the
I
interesting letter which is not hide-bound by forms comes from a knowledge of the stereotyped way. If the girls of the Italian Convent were impressed by the excellent advice which the Governor gave to them on the subject of letters then we shall see the effect in a love for good writing. The
So Put Sang, a proprictor of a teashop at Des interesting man or woman is the person Vœux Road Wert, Hew is a precarious slate at who is never at fault for a subject; and the the Government Civil Hospital, with his throat
Colony ?--Yes, Jaid open in two places, and a severo scalp person whose letters are always fruity, without wound. It appears, that for some time past his being foolish, stands a better chance of cook, Leung Hing, had got into the habit of being appreciated than the matter-of-fact staying out late at night until at last his master severely reprimanded him for his conduct and individual who has no sense of the fitness of finally dismissed him. So said nothing, but things. The "complete letter writer" is bided his time, and at about a quarter to three yesterday morning, seising a chopper, hé štole never without friends.
fato his master's room, and as he lay there sleeping, mads three lungos at his throat one of which cut it open from under the ear, along the jaw to the chin, a second cating the throat
Has the amount of attention you have given open, and severing the artery, and a third gear to the Hongkong Hotel called for any com ly opening his cranium. He was not expected ment from the shareholders of the Hongkong
LOCAL AND GENERAL.
ONCE again the Ko Shing Theatre was "in Court this morning. The trouble in this case was that one of the fokis had been caught sell ing tickets for reserved seats at the theatre about the streets without a hawker's licence [33–16 | He was flued Sas, or four weeks' gaol.
Secretary of the Hongkong and. Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company ?--Yes.
Are you is the habit of personally superin; tending the cooking ?-No.
A PERSONAL QUERY,
You are not an expert ?-No.
Would you back your opinion against an expert of 19 years' experience in cooking vegetables ?—Yes, as far as an intelligent man can go.
What is your opinion as to carrots ?-What do you mean by carrots?
dissatisfaction.
A FRUITFUL TOPIC. By Mr. Masier--You often discussed the matter of the chef at the Board meeting ?-At almost every meeting.
Did you intimate your dissatisfaction to the chef?--Yes.
Is it the custom of the Hotel that all the upper employes should attend the Board meet- ings?-The menager and the compradore at. tend. When the chef first came he used to attend alio,
:
If the dissatisfaction of the -Board, was so great that it would justify dismissal would it not have been right to invite the plaintiff 10- attend at the meetings?-We sent instructions through the manager.
SPECIAL DINGERS.. You gave him a bonus în April ?—That was to encourage him to look after the special
dinner.
If you were dissatisfied with him at all why give him a bonus ?-We were satisfied with the special dinners.
As to the age of carrots -My opinion is as good as the chef's as to the age of a carrot.
How do you do it?-Any fool can see whether a carrot is.ald or fresh,
Was there over any discussion at the Board. What was the matter with the carrots ? meetings, while Mr. Parfitt was in England, They were overgrown,
about dismissing the plaintiff)-There was......... some discussion once,
A BONUS FOR THE CHEF. On the 6th of April you gave the chef a bonus. Yet you say you were dissatisfied with him? Is that right?—I think it shows the consistency with which the directors have treat ed the chef, while complaining about the qua lity of the food, and the service of the dining room, they were perfecty willing to recognise what he did at the private dinner parties. They always recognised that they were extremely well treated, and to encourage him we said that on those private dianer parties we would make him this bonus, but as to the general dining room we expressed our dissatisfaction.
A DIRECTOR'S FRIENDS,
A question was asked as to whether, Mr. Osborne was friendly disposed towards the plaintif
"I am not in the habit of making friends of subordinates in the Hotel," said Mr. Osborne.
The dismissal of the chef was due to the dissatisfaction of the directors with the plain, tiff, and not to the row with the acting man. ager. But the one coming on top of the other rather hastened matters,
Don't you think if there had been no row with the acting manager that the chef would have finished his three years' service?-No, I fancy not.
WAITING FOR IMPROVEMENTS,
During the whole time the plaintiff has been in the Hotel have you not noticed any improve ment in the food I cannot say I did personal ly. i know that before Mr. Osborne came back Mr. Polts and myself sat at the same table and we were always wondering when the im provements were to begin
that
Mrða. F. Davies was called. He stated had been acting manager since Mr. Hayreter for England one
HISTORY OF THE ROW Come down to the 26th of May. Tell us so what happened then-On the evening of the 25th of May about dinner time. I went to the fresh provision store and Wohlfarht was there with the compradore. When I walked in he seemed to be very excited. He said “What's this about soused fish 7. I will b- soon show you, you b— that you cannot come into myn kitchen." I looked at him and walked away, About a quarter of an hour later I spoke to the compradora and he came back and said—"I will b- soon show you, you b--, that you can't da what you like here." Then I spoke to him, for the first time. · I said " I have bad chough of this, chef. If you say another word! I will. suspend you." He said—" You b—fool, you THE GODOWN COMPANY,
can't suspend me.". And I said "You can With reference to my friend's remark about now consider yourself suspended." He snapped the Godown Company, are the Gedown Combis fingers and said "1 will take no notice of pany aware that you are a director of the you." I walked away. This occurred in the Hongkong Hotel Yes, they have sanctioned presence of the pantry staff.
Re-examined by Mr. Looker-Do you think it was possible for him to make improvements in all the things you wanted?—Yes, it was quite possible, if the man koew his work, ».
He was not asked to do anything Impos sible ?-Not at all
Witness said there had been no improve ments since the plaintiff came to the Batel.
it.
Have you had any experience of vegetable growing 7-I have, in a private garden.
How many years--Filteen years.
Do you grow vegetables ?—Yes.
By Mr. Master-What experience have you in hotel management?-Ten years in St. Leonards, Windsor, London and other places.
GENTLE REMINDERAA
Were the complaints made against the chať
Do you consider the carrots and the provi-of a serious character?-They, wouldn't have signs you used to see were fit to be employed been made if they hadn't been serious, jahi
Tell us about some of those complaints ? in the preparation of food?—I don't think they were fit to be in the Hotel, They were över. Bad fish, bad food, bad, vegetables. grown Chinese things.
The witness could conceive of nothing more serious than for a chef to be confronted with rotten food.
HR. PARFITT'S EVIDENCE.
Mr. Parfitt, another director of the Hongkong liute! Company, was the next witness called, He gave evidence as to the dissatisfaction, of the directors and said they were "rather dis
satisfied" with the chef's work. When return- ing from England this year he received a letter
from Mr. Usborne speaking of his dissatisfac
tion with the chef. It was evident from that letter that the dismissal of the plaintiff was con- templated. The matter was under constant discussion and Mr. Osborne wat deputed to personally investigate matters. The dismissal of the chef was due to dissatisfaction and not to the row with the manager. The directors, however, were fadignant with the chef over his behaviour towards the acting manager.
Did you see any improvement as the result of the chefs work?--No appreciable improve ment.
Was there any improvement in the service? —None.
"UNFIT FOR FOOD”
In the complaint book you said there was How much of your time do you give to the certain food served up that was unfit for food? Hongkong Hotel?-1 suppose ten minutes a-Absolutely, day, at tilu time.
to survive last night, but was still alive this and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company - morning, and doing as well as could be expect. I cannot say. ed, so that it is just possible that Leung may yet
escape the grave charge of murder in the first The plaintiff says that when you returned to degree. He is at present under arrest. Hongkong you shook hands with him and
Were they not more in the nature of re minders than complaints ?—I don't think so..
Haven't you laughed, with the chef at the triviality of the complaints?—I have, said Whether you consider the complaint trivial or not it is the complaint of the directors le and I advised him to carry them out.
Did you consider some of the complaints triviál ?—I can't way I did.
WHAT IS A SERIOUS COMPLAINT? What do you consider a serious offence
that there was not enough parsley in the sauce?-If the sauce is not properly prepared there is ground for complaint,
Is that a serious complaint? It is a com- plaint.
How often have you got messages for the chef?-Pretty well after every board meeting.
You always gave those messages to the chef?. Yes,
GOOD FRIENDS
Were you on good terms with the chef?-- Very good. We had little disputes when he didn't feel inclined to carry out the instructions.
received.
he
Were you not on betler terms with the chef before you became acting-manager?-No.
You didn't get on the high horse when you became acting manager Not at all.
You are not on, such good terms with the That occurred before the complaint book | plaintiff as you used to be ?--I am not on any
terms with him at all now, was started?-On frequent occasions.
1 the chef had been civil to the manager it was not probable that he would have been dismissed on the 1st of June. The chef had been warned that the directors were dissatisfied | with his services. They complained of bad fish, badly cooked vegetables, and so forth,
Had you words with him before 18th May? Only at odd times...
Did you give orders that the frying pan should be taken out of the kitchen ?—No How often did he use the word bu Three or four times, 1 cannot remember: