58
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
MERTING.
22nd inst, A meeting of the Legislative Council was held this afternoon, Prosent:-His Excellency the Covernor, Major Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M. O., R.E., His Excellency Major-General Villers Hatton, Hon. Mr. T. Sarcomba Smith (Colonial Secretary), Hon. Mr. A. M. Thom. Hon (Colonial Treasurer), Hon. Sir H. Spencer Berkeley (Attorney General), Hon. Capt. H. L. Barnes Lawrence (Harbour Mas tark
Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, (Uirector of Public Works)
Hon. Mr. A. W. Drawin (Registrar. General), Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, C.M.G., Hoa, Mr. Gershom Stewart, Hon. Mr. Wei Vuk, Hon. Mr. H. E. Po luck, K.C, and Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher (Clerk of Councils)."
The Hon. Mr. R. Shewan was abient.
MINUTES.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
ability of approaching the proprietors of the City Hall with a view to acquiring the building lo order that it may be altered to meet the necessity of the growing community?
The Colonial Secretary-Yes. TEACHING OF BANITATION TO CHINESE.
Mr. H. E. Pollock asked :--Will the Govern- mont stale what steps are being taken to educate the Chinese tenants of houses in the principles of sanitation and ventilation which are ap plicable to the houses in which they live? .
The Colonial Secretary replied-No steps re being taken to educate the Chinese tenants of hauses, but,instruction in. Hygiene has been. introduced into the curriculum of most Govern ment and Grant-in-aid Schools in the Colony, with the results, in the first year that are set forth in the paper lsid on the table this after
noon.
ROBINSON, ROAD.
Mr. Pollack asked:-For what purpose was, The minutes of the last meeting were read Robinson Road, Kowloon, opened up and on what date? When is it. anticipated that the and confrmed.
work will be completed and the road restored to its proper state?
REPORTS.
.'
The Colonial Secretary laid on the table a report on the Widow' and Orphans' Pension Fund for the year 19051. and a report on the teaching of hygisno in Hongkong schools.
FINANCE.
The Colonial Secretary laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 1 10 6 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded, Agreed.
THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.
His Excellency the Governor said-The need for a meeting of Council to-day is due to the requirements of Ordinance 6 of 1887 that the jury list for the year, which comes into force on 1st March, be considered and passed by this Council. It is also necessary to continue the Summoning of Chinese Ordin- ance of 1899 which expires on 30th March, This is an Ordinance which enables the Registrar General to summon Chinese from the Now Territories for the purpose of any inquiry into matters concerning the inhabit it is not often ants of these Territories. used, but it is desirable to have the power, and the Registrar General has requested that it should be continued for, at any rate, another two years. Advantage has been taken of the meeting, to ask the Council to vote the sums entered in the Financial Minutes Nos. I to s
5. which are before you. The first of these votes is for the sum of $8,000 to meet expenditure in connection with the, visit to the Colony of H. R. H. Prince Arthur of Commuglu. I
The Director of Public Works replied-The question is understood to refer to a trench re- centlyopaned from Middle Road northwards for distance of about 170 yards. It is for the pur. pase of raising a water main consequent upon the level of the road having been raised. It was not possible to carry out this work simul taneously with the construction of storm water drains and sewors recently undertaken. The opening was begun on the 8th February and it is anticipated that the work will be completed and the road restored to its proper state by the 3rd March.
FIRE ALARMS IN HONGKONG.
Mr. Pollock asked-Will the Government state what steps they have taken, and what further steps they intend to take and when, in connection with the installation of a systein of fire alarms? Will the Government also state what is the estimated cost of such installation?
The Colonial Secretary replied-Since the 12th of July, 1904, when a similar question was alked by the Honourable the member for the Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Honourable the member for the Justices of the Peace, Mr. Wodehouse, Assistant Superinten- dent of Police, whilst on leave in 1005 has made inquiries in London as to the system of fire alarms in use by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and reported that the system was not considered to be entirely satisfactory. Refer- enco was then made to Singapore to learn how the "Gamewell System" reported to be in
of that Ordinance that the scope and meaning of those expressions were so confined.
LUNATIC ABYLUMS,
ESTATES OF LUNATICS,
HAPHAZARD BIKEBT
REPAIRING.
ICE HOUSE STREET "UP" AGAIN.
2001 inet.
In
1906.
ALLEGED MURDER.
AN EXTRAORDINARY VUNNAN STORY.
and inst.
Before Mr. F.A. Hazeland, at the Magistracy this forenoon, Rueda Antonio Riva and Glad chino Rica Giovanni, the two Italians who «were remanded on several occasions, and whe are required by the Yunnan authorities, were brought up for examination under the extradi- tinn law, on a charge of committing murder within the jurisdiction of the Italian Consul at Mangtze, in Yunnan province, some time in August last year.
Mr. F. J. Badoley prosecuted on behalf of the
After reading out the various depositions of wiinesses which were written in Frosch and Italian, the Italian Consul-General stepped into the witness-box and put is as an exhibit the letter he received relating to the case from the Italian Coneel at Mangize.
**
Mr. F. P. Musso, interpreter, said that at 4 p.m. on December 14th last he read over and ex plained the charges to the defendants and ad- ministered the usual caution, in the Italing language. The men then made statements which witness took down in writing, word for word. After reading their statements the de fendants signed them. Translations of the state- ments were made.
CRIMINAL SESSIONS,
ALLEGED MURDER,
zoth inst. The second day of the Criminal Sessions opened this morning with the calling of Chan Kam, Wong Sing, and to Ah Wong, to answer to the charge of the murder of Chau Ben Chan, difas Choi Ming Chan, at Tai Po on the 3rd of February inst.
The Colonial Secretary seconded, agreed.
MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE.' The Attorney-General moved the first read. Ing of a Bill entitled. An Ordinance to amend
It is interesting to observe, remarks a corres- the Megistratos Ordinance, 1890. The object pondent, that Ice House Street is once again of this Ordinance is to remove doubts as to
in a state of upheaval. Somewhat less than the power of a Magistrate to treat a witness a couple of months ago, when the weather was who has come voluntarily before him in the
at its worst and mud reigned supreme, the
Str Henry Berkeley, Attoiasy-General, in- same manner as a witness' who has attended Telephone Company, or perhaps it was some an subpoena: and to remove doubts as to the other concern, had the street in disruptlon,
structed by Mr. F. B. L. Bowley, of the Crown jurisdiction of a Magistrate to deal summarily Now they are at it again. One side of the
Solicitor's office, appented to prosecute, Mr. M.. W. Slade, instructed by Mr. C. E. H., under the powers conferred by section 80 of the thoroughfare is "up" to the depth of about
Deavis, of Lesers. Wilkinson and Grist, appear- charged under section 83 (5) (a) of the Bank-thras fect, and the coolles are working away in
ed for the first and third prisonst, and Mr. C. ruptcy Ordinance with obtaining credit under that methodical, leisurely way which is so
G. Calthrop, under the same instructions, false pretences or by means of say other fmud; exasperating. It would not matter so much il and also to remove doubts as to the power of Ice House Street were a bye-lane of an unused Police. Mr. Volpicelli, Italian Consul watch appeared for the second prisoner. All the Justices of the Peace to issue search warranis | alley. But it is probably the busiest thoroached this case on behalf of his government. prisoners pleaded not guilty,
The following jury was impannelled -- under the Summary Offences Ordinance, 1845.
Means. C. G. S. Mackie (foraman), A, R. Agreed.
Low, C. E. P. Herbst, H. M. Tiffenbaker, H... F. Campbell, E. S. Clark, and S. H. Michael.
In opening the case, addressing the jury, the Attorney-General sail that the prisoners stood charged with the murder of Chau Beg Chan, alias Choi Ming Chan, and he asked the jury to remember that the deceased's name was Chau Ben Chan, and to note that the initials were "C.B. C. which would appear of some interest by-and-by, Deceased was an excias officer in the employ of the opiam farmer and was stationed at Tai-po, where he lived in a matshed just behind the Tai-po market. The deceased had with hini a boy, about fourteen years of age, and two chair coolies, who had come and offered their services to the decessed being, no doubt, robbery. On the night of the on the 1st February, the incentive of such offer zod February or early in the morning of the 3rd February the boy closed up the house, and lay down in the front room and went to sleep. Later the boy was wakened by a noise in bis master's room, and saw three men pressing his master down on the bed, and as he was geiting
men Enlled out “Come,”” and five other mon up to go to his master's assistance, one of the entered. The men, seeing the boy, caught hold of him and tied him to a table, and after ransacking the matshed they went off, with their booty, The boy man- aged to wriggle himself tree, and seeing his master stark and stiff on the bed, and tied up in a peculiar manner, he rushed off to the Tal- po Police Station and made a report, and the police at once went to the spot and found the deceased dead. The, police then sot tha telephone in operation, and owing to the early and prompt information given by the boy, the three prisoners were caught the same morning at half past three, by a police sergeant, who was in ambush at a pince called Pik Tes, some seven miles from Taipo, and in their passes- sion was found some of the deceased's pro- pety, while on the moment of finding them. selves about to be captured they threw away several sticles which had been stolen from the deceased, including a watch and chain,
fare for its size in all Hongkong. It
in the connecting link between Queen's Road and all the principal offices in the city. Stockbrokers, The Attorney-General moved the first read and business men generally, are rushing up ing of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to provide and down the miserably narrow street at all for the establishment of Lunatic Asylame and hours of the day-continually, in fact. to provide for the custody and care therein of ordinary seasons it is just possible for two portons of unsound mind. The object of this 'richshas skilfully steered to pass each other, Bill is to authorize the establishment of lunatic and even then there is some element of danger asylums and the detention therein of persons in the operation. But when the street is under of unsound mind) and to provide for the cus repair it is practically impossible to avoid a Even if the passing vehicles tody and care of persons detained in such collision.
manage safely to negotiate the passage, asylums.
Agreed.
the occupants are in such fear and trem bling of a spill, which would in all pro». The Attorney-General moved the first rend-bability result seriously, that their nerves are all ny for hours afterwards. Now why ing ola Bill entitled An Ordinance relating to the jurisdiction of the Supreme the cusing with ca House Street? If the gas people, Count with should be necessary to be perpetually. tinker respect to the care and commitment tody of the persons and estates of lunatics. the Public Works Department, the Telephone The object of this Ordinance is to confer upon Company and all the others who are at liberty to open the street at their own sweet will were to arrange matters the street need not be open- the judges of the Supreme Court, with respect
ed up once in a.blue moop, But 15 it is they to the persons and estates of such as being of sound mind are unable to lake care of them
all act independently and seem, indeed, to selves or estates, the like jurisdiction as is conferred by the Lunacy Act, 1890, upon the take a pride in following in each other's foot- Lord Chinncellor and Judges of the High Court steps. It is really too bad. Now that the Hon. of Judicature in England,
Mr. Pollock seems to be taking the streets and Ágreed.
roads under his wing he might give some of his attention to this matter. If he managed to secure some insprovement in the present methods of dealing with Ice House Street he would earn the gratitude of all who have busi- ness in the vicinity of the banks.
FINANCE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the Council, the Colo nial Secretary presiding.
It was agreed that the following votes be recommended for adoption by the Council -
PRINCE ARTHUR'S VISIT.
i
PAHANG GOLD MINES.
REDUCTION OF OUTPUT.
•
|
His Worship said that he was of opinion that the evidence heard was quite sufficient, and be cautioned the prisoners. August 14th, 1905, at about nine pm, he left The first defondant said that on the night of work to go home to sleep and when he got home
found his companions, Bozzello, and Bianchi there, The former was in bed and the latter was awake. Bianchi asked him whether he saw the dog, and he answered in the negative. He then asked him to get him the gall y lamp as he wanted to go and find the dog. He left in search of the dog and the first defendant went to bed. An hour or two later Bianchi returned with the second defendant. Bianchi then come up to the first defendant's bed and again questioned him about the dog. He told him that when he went out the dog, came back but out again. Bianchi told him to get up as 'he had invited the second defendant to the house. He refused to get up as he was tired after his day's work. He got up afterwards and they sat at a table drinking, while Bianchi looked sad. After they had been drinking a while the second defendant said
wns
authorised this expenditure being incurred operation there was working. The reply, after Reception Committee, and for illuminating the the Pahang correspondent of the Siraits Timce, that Bianchi rad forced him to drink
vote The
with the full confidence that the would be passed by the Council. second Financial Minute deals with the pay. ment of an account of services rendered last year by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Com pany. In future years this payment will be considerably reduced by the establishment of direct communication between the Harbour Office and the various signalling stations from which the approach of ships is signalled. Pro vision for this direct commumcation has, at will remember, been made in the Estimates you for the year. The Financial Minule. No is on account of a new rifle range which it if proposed to establish upon the leak mainly for the use of the Hongkong Volunteer Reserve Association, This is in pussuance of the general policy of the Government, the policy which, I am glad to say, has received the sup port of the public, to extend as much as-pos sible the practice of rifle shooting in the Colony, Financial Minute number 4 consists of two parts, of which the first for $65,201 is a re-vole of sums voted last year under Extraordinary Public Works, but which we did not spend during the ⚫year. Such a re-vote is necessary every year, because it is not possible to expend up to the exact amount sanctioned. Last year the re- voto amounted to $71,8361 this year, as I have stated, it is $65,201, There is a further vote on this same Financial Minute of $6,020 to cover the amounts hitherto provided for the Bacteri ological Institute; Gunpowder Depôt, Green Island, and Green Island Light Improvement. By this small additional vote no cost is involved la the improved total estimate for works. There is a further amount of $2,000 for com pensation to the owners of certain quarries at Lycemun, compensation necessitated by the exchange of lands with the War Department, The fifth Financial Minute is for the sum of $3,040 to cover the cost of furnishing the officers' quarters which have been created as Tai-po. These quarters are occupied by junior officers who could ill afford the expense of moving fur niture and furnishing the house themselves. It is proposed to charge them per cent. on the value of the furniture, which will be made available for them. The last Financial Minute is a small sum of $60 for the rent of a house at Tai-po Vilinge where the Govern ment dispensary is situated. It had been sug, gested this should have been provided for in the building proposed to be erected for the Magistrate at Tai po, but it was decided afterwards that it is best to continue the house in the village as the more ac cessible to the Chinese villagers, who use the dispensary. With reference to the four Bills which are down to be read first time, they will not be proceeded with until the complete legislative programme for the year is ready, but as they have been drafted thought it advisable they should be introduced to give members the greatest possible time for their consideration. The first of these Bills in Summary Offences Further Amendment Ordin- ance, 1906, and the object is to amend the summary amendment offence passed last year, to stop solicitation by prostitutes in the streets. Hon, members might recollect that on the second reading of that Ordinance last year an amendment was introduced which extended its scope by making peace regula. tions which applied to public streets apply also to private streets. This was explained by the Attorney-General on the second reading of the Bill, and the Bill was ultimately passed, no member dissecting, but I was afterwards in- formed by the senior unofficial member of Council that none of the unofficial members had understood the explanation and the Bill bad therefore been brought back so that its scope might be restricted. His Excellency went on to explain the objects of the other Bills, several of the suggestions embodied in the Bills having come from Mr. Gompertz, who was acting as police magistrate here for soma time.
some delay, was that there was no fire alarm system of any kind in Singapore. It in proposed to instruct Mr. R. R. Halifax, Assist ant Superintendent of Police, who is going on leave this spring, to make full inquiries into the systems in vogue in Great Britain and Ireland, but until his report is received so estimate of
the cost can be framed,
EXTENSION OF WATER STORAGE,
Mr. Pollock asked-Will the Government state what progress has been made with the works for the extension of water storage at Tylam and at Tytam Tuk and at Kowloon? Will the Government also state when these respective works are likely to be completed?
The Director of Public Works replied- Tytam Tuk Schenic-First section : The dam, which will be about po feet in height abové ground level, has been constructed for fully half its height. The new road is far advanced, about mile of main has been laid, and the erection of the pumping engines is about to be begun. It is anticipated that the whole of the works will be completed by the end of this year and that the dam will be completed in time to enable the reservoir to be filled during the coming wet season.
Tytam Tuk Scheme-Second section: Sur- veys in connection with the preparation of working drawings are proceeding.
Kowloon Water Works-Gravitation Scheme; The dam which will be about 100 feet in height above ground level, has been construct- ed for half its height. The main from the stor- nge reservoir to the service reservoir is nearly completed and will shortly be utilized for con- veying the waterfrom several perennial streams,
thus materially increasing the present supply The filter beds and catchwater are la progre It is anticipated that the whole of the works be completed by the middle of next year, but will be so far advanced as to afford a sufficient supply for present requirements by next diy
season.
THE PST OFFICE AND LAW COURTS, Mr. Pollock asked:-When is it anticipated that (a) the New Post Office, (b) the New Law Courts, will be completed?
The Director of Public Works replied: is anticipated that both buildings will be completed by the end of 1909.
PROPOSED NEW ROAD.
Mr. Pollock asked —Is it the intention of the Government to make a road from the top Tram Station to Plantation Road? If so, when? What is the estimated cost of such road?.
The Director of Public Works replied: By arrangement with the owners of the Peak Hotel, 2 portion of the road referred to, where it affect their properly, is to be made now, When this arrangement has been fulfilled, the Government will complete the road. The estimated cost of doing this is $8,500,
KENNEDY ROAD. *
Mr. Pollock anked-Will the Government procure and lay before the Council an estimate of the cost of prolonging Kennedy Road in n south-easterly direction from the point of its junction with the Wanchai Gop Road so that It may lead down to the Race Course at the back of the Mahommedan Cemetery?
The Director of Pubile Works replied-The question of improved communications in the locality referred to is at present receiving the attention of Government and the suggestion of the Hon. member will be considered,
HARLICH ROAD.
Mr. Pollock asked:-Will the Government procure and lay upon the table an estimate of the cost of continuing Harlech Road round the north side of Victoria Penk--(a) back to Victoria Gap, (b) to Barker Road?
The Director of Public Works replied-The cost is roughly estimated at from $25,000 to of funds be- $30,000. As there is no prospect ing avaliable in the near future to carry out this work, which is unt of great public im portance, it is not considered advisable at pre- sent to incur the expense of making the surveys preliminary to forming a detailed estimate.
Mr. Pollock-With reference to the last ques lion, will this estimate include taking the road
Victoria Gapl
SUMMONING OF CHINESE ORDINANCE, The Attorney General moved the following resolution :-Whereas by sections of "The Summoning of Chinese Ordinance, 1899," (No. 13 of 1899) it was enacted that the said Ordin ance should only continue in operation for the period of two years from the coming into opera-10 tion of the said Ordinance, and for such further
and wer
BUMMARY OFFENCES.
|
A sum of eight thousand dollars to meet expenditure incurred by the Treasurer of the
public buildings in connection with the visit to this Colony of H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught.
SIGNALLING VESSELS.
A sum of six hundred and eighty-one dollars and sixty cents in aid of the vote Miscellaneous Services, Telegraph Service-contribution in connection with signalling vessels and mes sages to Observatory.
PEAK RIFLE RANDE.
A sum of five thousand two hundred and fifty dollars in aid of the vote, Public Works Extraordinary, riffe range at the Peak,
PUBLIC WORKS KOWLOON-CANTON
RAILWAY,
A sum of sixty-five thousand two hundred
sum of six thousand and twenty dollars in aid of the vote-Public Works Extraordinary, for the following items- Bacteriological institute...$ 2,844.94 Government Civil Hospi
tal-extension of staff quarters......
3,00 1,00 Gunpowder depði, Green
Island
14.384.56 Harbour Office
6,926.53 Post Office, Shanghai..... 15.0±0.00 1,382.00 School, Yaumati Tai Po, quarters for offi-
5,086.00 Volunteer head-quarters
(contribution)
24.56 Miscellaneous drainage
works....
326.85 5,600.00
88.02
and one dollars and fourteen cents and a
ceri
Green Island light im-
Kowloon roads,
provement Kowloon-Canton railway --survey and prelimin- ary work
10,533.68
Bacteriological institute... 1,920.00 Gunpowder depot, Green
300.00
1,800.00
Island ......
Green Island light im.
provement
Compensation to lessces
of quarries D. 16 & D. 17, Lyemun.
565,201.14
2,000.00
-$ 6,020.00 A sum of three thousand and fry dollars in aid of the vote judicial and legal departments for the following items:-Magistracy, New Territories, other charges, furnishing of the ...........$1,520
new Tai Po auarters, Land Registry office, New Territorier, other charges, furnishing of the now Tai Po quarters, ...........
1,520 $3,040 A sum of sixty dollars in aid of the vote, Medical Department-other charges, B.- hospitals and asylums, Now Territory, rent of temporary dispensary at Tai Po.
Total
THE C.P.R. CO'S SERVICE,
22nd inst.
The Canadian Pacific Railway Company's 5.3. Monteagle, which has been detached from the Company's Atlantic fleet to supplement their intermediate service on the Pacific, left England on the 20th instant, for Hongkong via the Cape of Good Hope. Upon arrival here the finishing touches to her excellent now passenger accommodation will be given, and sho will be ready to sail hence for Vancouver via Shanghai, Nagasaki, Kobe and Yokohama, on the 2nd May, making her due at destina tion on the 26th May, as per schedule,
The Monteagla is a twin screw, bilge keel steamship of 5.500 tons, has accommodation for 125 intermediate, also for 30 to 40 Euro pean steerage (3rd class) passengers. This vessel will be a decided acquisition to the air ready favourably known intermediate service of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company,
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF A SINGAPORE SKIPPER,
The body of a European found at Tanjong The Director of Public Works-Assuming the
of a Geitan named Wilhelm Ablert who has as might, from time to time, hen, member refers to only one of these altes. Kalong, Singapore, has been identified as that Petermin
by resolution of the Legislative natives the estimate will not be greatly affected been missing from Anderson's Hotel in Cecil Council, and whereas such operation has been by the change,
sl., where he was staying, since the 8th Instant continued by resolution of this Council until
Deceased was of German nationality and was the 30th day of March, 1906, inclusive; it is The Attorney General moved the Arst reade known in Singapore as he has been in com bereby resolved by this Council that "The ing of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend mand of the local steamer Hong Wan. He Summoning of Chinese Ordinance, 1899" the Summary Offences (Amendment) Ordi- spake English well and bas a wife in Liver shall be further continued in operation for
niece, 1005. The object is to condoe the. pool: What caused deceased's death has not the further period of two years from the 31st meaning of the expressions thoroughfare" yet come out, though the police are making day of March, 1906, Inclusive,
and "public place? as used in the Summary every effort to arrive at the facts, the stomach The Colonial Secretary seconded. Agreed..
of Offences (Amendment) Ordinance, 1903, to the deceased having been seat to the Govern THE CITY HALL.
purposes of sections, 3 and 4 of that Ordinance ment analyst for examination. When he left Mr. Gerehom Stewart asked Will the Inasmuch as the unofficial members of the the botol Ablert was wearing a watch and chal, Government ako Into consideration, the advis- Council understood when voting for the passing I but those were not found on the body.
The Raub gold output for December, states is returned as 591 ounces from 3,696 tons of ore treated, valued at approximately $11.0co, the 75% royalty on which would be $515. From the published figures for last year, it appeats that the export of gold from Pahang has fallen off considerably as compared with the year previous to that. In 1904, 18,004 ounces were obtained, but in 1905 only 9,661-a reduction of almost half this is due to Raub being now the only working gold mine in the State, and to the list of closed mines being a long one Punjom, Selensing, Kechu, Tekkai, Tul, and Sepan. This is the first time during the past eleven years that the gold export has failed to roach five figures, and, in this connection, it is interesting to note that the total output for the last to years, (that is, since the commencement
an average of 14,454 a year.
of British Protection), had 231,260 ounces, or
THE SEIZURE OF POLLAKS CASE.
IMPORTANT RULING.
Judgment was delivered by the Court of Appeal in the Straits Settlements in the case re the exportation of Straits dollars which, it will be remembered, created a great senan tion last year among the Chinese merchants of Penang and the Straits generally. On the oth January, 1935, ode Khoo Sen Yern, a member of the firm of Jin Yio Tong & Co., remitted in the ordinary course of business the sum of $5,496 to Hongkong, but prior thereto he called of and obtained from Messrs. Adamson, Glifillan & Co., agents in Penang for the P. & 6, 5. N. Co., a permit for the shipment of the said dollars, which permit was duly signed by the Harbour Master and by the Assistant Treasurer of the Government at Penang, duly authorised thereto and then exchanged by the said Messrs. Adamson, Gilfillan & Co. for a shipping order. The defendants say that the said
which is now in the possession of the Register of Imports and Exports and in pursuance of which the said dollars were shipped by them, gave them all the authority necessary Lif
any were necessary) to send the said dollars to Hongkong, These dollars in the course of transit were seized in the port of Singapore and detained.
ball a bottle of brandy. Bianchi said the ccond defendant was not forced, but that he drank it of his own will. The second defendant naked Bianchi. if he had called him to his hous to call him a thief Bianchi got up from the table, glass in hand, and said that the second defendant was a thief, Then a row between the second defendant and Bianchi followed, and second defendant slapped Bianchi's face. At that moment the first defendant was at a cask filling a glass, and seeing the two men fighting to stop. The fight was stopped, and they he got between to separate them, and told them relurard To their places at the table. Bianchi placed his head on the table and pre- tended to be asleep. A few minutes later Bianchi got up to go to bed and said that on the morrow he would report the maller to his superior, The first defendant told him not to
do that, as he was also in the wrong, having invited a friend to his houre and then called him a thief. Bianchi said he knew the reason why he did not want the affair reported because he had come to live with pigs!" Bianchi went to bed and the first and second defendants returned to the table for about five minutes. When they were about to go 10
bed Bianchi asked them to leave the house, saying that he would not care if he killed them both. On turaing round to face Bianchi the first defendant saw that ho ha la rifle in his band, which was pointed at his face. At the same moment he pulled the trigger but the ballet missed Riva. In a hurry he tried to re-load the riffe and the first defendant sprang on him. They had
struggle and the first defendant succeeded in getting the rifle. Bianchi then placed his hands in his trousers packet to draw out a revolver but found some difficulty, as the arm had got stuck in his pocket. The first defendant was afraid of what was going to happen as Bianchi had threatened a few days previously to blow the roof off somebody's head, so he then gave him a blow with the butt-end of the rifle on the right arm and received a "bith" on the forehead from Bianchi. They parted then and went to bed. Next afternoon the first defendant went to measure some work at the mines and on returning the sub. overseer asked for Bianchi.
After tiffin the defendant continued his state- ment. He said that after the row that night Bianchi went out during the night and fell into a hole hurting his head. Next day he ac companied Bianchi to a boat. Defendant had nothing more to say.
The case first came before Mr. Justice Fisher and judgment was delivered by the learned judge on the 15th November last year,
On the other hand the Italian authorities | wherein he held that the seizure was lawful.
alleged that defendant struck Bianchi on the The defendante appealed, against the dehead with the rifle during the struggle, fractur cision contending that the seizure was con-
ing his skull and killing him." trary to the provisions of the Ordinance
The case was proceeding when our repoter XXIV of 1993 or to the provisions of the left the Court, prohibition in Government Notification, No. 67 of 1905, or contrary to law.
Judgment in the above case was delivered on the 6th inst. the Court being of opinion:- That it was a condition precedent to the order published in the Gazette of 16th January, 1905, having any force that it should be approved by the Secretary of State that until such approval was given the order had an force and effect and that nothing done subsequently could give it force or effect on a date earlier than that of the approval. Under the circumstances there fore of this case the seizure of the dollars in question was illegal and the plaintiff's claim cannot be allowed.
MARTIN'S TABLES.
Although the adoption of the metric system as been under consideration for a consider able period now Great Britain still clings to the pounds, shillings and ponce, rather than adopt a sndard af tens. Those who have lived in the East know how much easier it is to calculate values in dollars and cents than in the currency of the United Kingdom, but the people of the old country were ever averae to change. In measurements, also, the simplicity of metres and kilometres is so generally re- cognised that engineers prefer that method of calculation to yards and feat. Mr. Alfred J. Martin is an enthusiast in advocating the metric system and for a number of years be has been
ADMIRAL NOEL IN DANGER.
IN COLLISION WITH AN ELECTRIC CAR. What might have proved a very serious ac "Martin's Tables" a book entitled which gives both methods of calculation in all forms, and proves con. cident occurred just in front of the entrance to the British Legation on the 27th ult., says the clusively the superiority of the one lan- Stain Oberder, Mr. Ralph Paget, H.B.M. gunga in commerce" system to the intricate processes which have to be overcome by the Minister, and Admiral Sir Gerard Noel, were starting out for the Royal Bangkok Sports British schoolboy and merchant. Some time Club Gymkhama at Sapatoom in air. Paget'e ago the Colonial Office invited the Governors motor car, which he was driving himself, of British colonies to state their views as to the They emerged from the Legation grounds by advisability of adopting the metric system. the gate to the north side of the Queen Victoria The reply from this Colony wass "Hongkong Memorial and were run foto by a tram-car, the would take action with other colonies." recond of two proceeding city wards at appar Martin's tables is a mine of information on ently their usual speed. The motor-cat had one | every conceivable subject connected with of its wheels knocked into pieces and its front measurements and calculations. It is publish neither the British Admiral nor Minister was portion considerably damaged but fortunately ed by Mr. T. Fisher Unwin, 1 Adolpht Ter Injured in any way. The whole thing seems to have been caused by the carelessness of the tram-car driver as, had he been on the look out, he must have seen the motor coming through the open rail work or through the southern gateway. Had the car gone through the latter it would have been different as there the trace and buildings to some extent mask the view of the roadway, As it is there is a nice little bill for someone pay, to say nothing of the vexatious delay to Mr. Pager in having his car fald up for repairs for perhaps three months or
30,
race, London, WC, and 2,6.
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A post mortem examination was held by Dr. Hunter and he would state that manual strar. qulation was the cause of death. The threa prisoners ware present, and they were therefore all and each individually responsible for all acts done in effect the common purpose, which was robbery. To quote Archibald's Criminal Procedure: "When a person does an net known to be dangerous to life and likely in itself to cause death, and death ensues, that is murder," for in such a case it implies, malice afore thought."
Continuing, the Attorney Genem! said that all participating in such act were equally guilty of murder in the first degree, all being concerned in the common object-of the act.
Mr. Slade-Yes, the common object, but what was the common object"?
The Attorney Gene al-The common object was robbery. But your Lordship mast request ny learned friend to reserve his comments until I have concluded my statement. Now, the cominion purpose in this cate was robbery, vad murder resulted, and therefore all those present at the time were guilty of that murder, without regard to whose hand actually caused the death.
The Attorney-General then proceeded to quote at some length authorities bearing on that point of law, even going so far back as to quote Leech's Act of 1730
Mr. Stade and Mr. Calthrop said that the Attorney General had not quoted his authorities in full in some of which it was found the Judge was against the point, when
His Honour said they must not interrupt the the speaker at pressol. 'It was for him, laley, to consider the point,
The
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Attorney-General aid he saw no use in bly quoting is relevant matter to the Court, and proceeded to read further authorities, after which he informed the jury that he would satisfy them by the evidence that he would adduce that the prisoners at the bar ware guilty of murder in the first degree, and bs would ask them to return a verdict, if they were con vinced, to that effect..
The first witness called was Lee Kam Sang, aged fifteen, who had been the boy in the employ of the deceased who spoke to being woke up and seeing the first prisoner, one of deceased's chair coolies, pressing his master down on the bad assisted by the other chair coolle, who had escaped, and five other men, of whom the other prisoners were two of them. Deceased called to witness to save life", and so be tried to make the men'let go, but he was not strong enough and the first prisoner seized witness and held him, while another, whose face he could not ace, tied him up, with his arms behind him, to a table. Witness then proceeded to corroborate the Attorney-General's opening
Itatement.
The case for the prosecution being closed, Mr. Stade for the defence of the first and third defendants argued that no charge of murder could lie against the prisoners inasmuch as there was no malice aforethought, and said it was for the prosecution to prove that the man who held the deceased by the throat did so with such force as to know that he was en- dangering life, or putting it in another way, that he intended to kill him, and uniers that could be proved there was no other charge than one of manslaughter possible, and he submitted that that was all that the jury had to consider. Mr. Slade then proceeded at great length to quote authorities in support of his ronteation,
Counsel having addressed the Jury, and His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Francis Piggott,, having summed up, the jury at 5.45 PM refused a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners, and the latter wore thereupon sentenced to suffer the death penalty..
This el. sed the Sessions,
THE DOLLAR RATE,
PETITION BY BINGAPORE POLICE
It is understood that the European contin.. SPECIMENS of new sliver dollars (ons tael gent of the Straite Police have sent in a petition value) have been sent from the central mint to to H. E the Governor, asking for an increased the branch mints at Tientsin, Nanking, Wurate of remuneration owing to the present doller chang and Canton with instructions that the rate. It is claimed that a full sergeant is DOW misting of the coins begin at once. The new receiving less salary than when he was a con- dollars will be first circulated in the treaty porta alable two years ago. The petition has been as stipulated in the new Anglo-Chinese Cam-forwarded through the Inspector General of mercial Treaty. Work on the four subsidiary Police, and it is hoped that his recommendation colos will begin later. It is expected that the will lend to the consideration of the condition new dollar, the silver standard of Chlon, will of one of the hardest worked bodies of man be put into circulation before the end of 1906. the serylos of the Government