THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. WEDNESDAY,
DECEMBER 6, 1933.
13
HONGKONG SLUM SCANDALS: OVERCROWDING THE ROOT EVIL
HAPPY TREASURY
POSITION
Sharp Riso in Week's
Rovonue
London, Dec. 5.
The latest. Treasury re- turns show that ordinary revenue for the current financial year, up to 2nd December, amounted to £376,183,440. At the cor- responding date of last year, the amount stood at £364,577,567,
„Ordinary expenditure to date for the current year totalled £466,788,277, ́ ́as compared with £519,964,- 340 at the corresponding date last year.—British Wircless.
CAPT. YOUNGS'
MURDER
MRS. HADLEY GIVEN LEAVE TO APPEAL
Shanghai, Dec. 5.
STARTLING FACTS IN S.P.C. REPORT
OVERCROWDING REVELATIONS
NEW AREAS NEARLY AS BAD
"There can be no doubt that one of the most crying needs of the Colony is the clearance and complete re- construction (with open spaces) of the congested areas in the older parts of the city of Victoria.
"The existing conditions not only produce discose among the inhabi. tants of those areas but also breeding render these potential places of disease o standing menace to the health of the whole community."
America greats, the end of Prohibition with relish.
overcrowding cannot be elimi- nated until there is an increase In the standard of wages, Aftor stressing the need for the welfare establishment of infant In these words, the Committee centres in each of the Society's of the Hongkong Society for the districts, and an arrangement by Protection of Children refers, in which the Society's Inspectors Its annual report, and draws atten- could have their offices in the tion to one of Hongkong's biggest premises of the centres, thus main- holding its annual meeting at the with the medical officers in charge, social problems. The Society Itaining the closest possible Hasion Cathedral Hall at 5.15 p.m. on the the Committee states: 14th inst, under the chairman- ship of H. E. the Governor,
018
918 NEW CASES.
A Full Court sitting in H. M. Supreme Court yesterday morning granted leave to Appeal to Katherine Hadley against the sen- tence of death passed on her on October 18 for the murder of Walter Clifford Youngs. At the A. request of the court, Mr. 11, Reoks, who conducted her defence, The report states that ariast will conduct the appeal, which will the year under review the Society be laid before the court on Satur has favestigated and dealt with day morning at 10 o'clock.
new савен affecting the Five minutes before the Full welfare or 1,625 children, the Court, comprising the Chief Jus-number of cases being 37 in excess tice of Hongkong, Mr. Justice of those for the previous year. In Wood, Judge P. Grant Jones the great majority of the cases (presiding), and Mr. C. H. Haines, there was a genuine need for the acting Assistant Judge, entered. Society's help, but in a few cases Mrs. Hadley, dressed in a blue, it was found that parents whose knitted dress, black coat, and means did not justify that course brown hat, entered the box, but were seeking to obtain free sup- after some conversation between plies of milk foods. Cases of this the Clerks of the Court, she was type were dropped after warning escorted outside again.
as to the necessity for fuisling parental responsibilities.
. Their Lordship entered, and when they had taken their seats the Presiding. Judge said:
make three requesta.
Mr. Reeks said he was prepared - to do so liut would require a short:
·ndjournment.
THE BLACK SPOT.
"Three cubicles, four bed. spinces. Lived in by seven families comprising in all 24 people.
The bedspaces in this tenement were rented at $2.80 per month.
POVERTY MAIN FACTOR,
Poverty, aa in previous years, ogata stands out as the cause of the greater number of the cases brought to the Society's notice. During the year under review it appeared as a factor in 800 enses.
AND
SO SAY ALL OF U.S.
PROHIBITION END CELEBRATED
PRESIDENTIAL APPEAL
New York, Dec. 5. Owing to the bad trade condi- tions now prevalling much
Prohibition in the United employment and part time employ-States is Dead. ment has been encountered.
un-
Last year your Committee re- It died an unlamented death ported that the average monthly to-day, unhonoured, but Income per head in the Society's
READY VICTIMS.
NEW PROBLEM.
not
DIRECTORS' FEES BATTLE
(Continued from Paga 1.)'
Article he referred to was Article Board is not one that might be con.
91 and not Article 11,
SHAREHOLDERS GENEROUS. Supporting the amendment Mr.
[J. Gould sald:
по
Įsidered excessive.
NOT COMMENSURATE. Annlogous cases can do cited of
Mr. Chairman. For the second Companies having increased Diree- In the copy of the suggested now time this year I feel impelled to tors fees on a scale much more. Articles which has been open for oppose a proposal of the kind now generous than that objected to in your inspection at the General before us. I think thoro can be this Company, For obvious ren- two opinions that it is sons. I refrain from citing them. Managers' office during the poat three weeks.. I do not think there manifestly unfair to ask share-In fact, if any critlelem could be In-Justifiably directed on the proposal fore that they call for any special holders to sanction a large comment, but there are a few of crease in the Directors' Teas nt now under consideration, the com- the proposed new Articles which time other than at the annual ment would rather be, in my hum- I would like to deni with shortly. general meeting, at a time when ble opinion, a bias in favour of the necessarily they are entirely in the Directors that they have not been The powers, to issue shares at dark as to how the Company's granted fair and reasonable re- affairs aro progreasing. As a muncration for services rendered a discount (Articlb 1) and to
shareholders of and responsibilities undertaken." general rule, Issue redeemable preference
Hongkong Companies are always! Those responsibilties have since. shares (Article 49) are both new, generous to their officers and ser been largely increased, and we do and they have been included, an
NEW POWERS.
it, in vlow of our submission of these facts to the mooting, an in-
A Company cannot do either of vants when warranted by a Com- not consider that the present fees pany's earnings, and I can see no re nt.nl commensurate with the thear things without being all- thorised to do so by its Articles, valid reason why the practice of duties the Board is called upon to If these powers were omitted such a matter being dealt with at porform. therefore. It would be necessary if the annual general meeting should the Company ever wanted to issue be departed from. shares at a discount or to issue redeemable preference shares for them first to alter their Articles Young Yau, and would ask share of Association. I wish to makeholders present to vote for it.
It quite clear that this power
}
I beg therefore to support the slatenco is urged for the retention by Mr. of the smaller sum as Directors' re- amendment proposed
by Mr. muneration; I repeat to you, that Croucher, and seconded
the Board will not be opposed to, your insistence, although we can. not refrain from a candid expresi
would only be used under special} HON. MR. BRAGA'S REPLY. alon of opinion that the insistence circumstances, and that bofore The Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga: Lndles any issue of shares at a discount and Gentlemen, have listened does not do justice to a fair and
impartial judgment. can take place the Companies Or-very enrefully to Mr. Gould's j dinance requires that the consent remarks.
STANDARD of office. of the shareholdera be obtained by | That shareholders may have a Mr. Scott Harston said:-Mr. the passing of a Special Resolution correct appreciation
andi of your Chairman
Gentlemen | and thereafter sanctioned by the Directors' views in the matter it would like to make a few remarks Court before any such Issue 8 is necessary that I should briefly | in regard to tha pipposed made.
state our opinions at this meeting. amendment to the Company's pro- Another now Article is that At the outset, however, I may say posed new Articles of Association which restricts the Company from that I am authorised by my fellow which are now' under discusRÍOK. declaring any larger dividend or Directors to make it clear that In the first place I desire to eume than that recommended by there is no intention on our part record that, in my oplulon, the in- the Board of Directors. This is to oppose shareholders' wishes if crease in the Directors' foos in In accordance with modern they actually represent the con- dleated in the draft of the new practice, and is a provision which sensus of opinion in favour of the jurticles in question is undoubted- Is now generally inserted in the stand taken up by Mr. Croucherly fully warranted in view of the Articles of Association of Com and Mr. Gould and their associates. responsibilities, and duites entail. panies,
Furthermore, not only have we nood upon the Directors. These re- POWER OF REFUSAL desire to oppose your views, but sponsibilities, I would emphasise, The power which the Board of we would abstain from voting on have been added to under the new
Ordinanco Directors formerly had to refuse Mr. Croucher's amendment if it la Companies
recently brought into effect. to register transfer of partly pressed to a division.
Tho
has Chairman
The office of Director is far fro ad shares to a person of whoni they did not approve has been touched upon the subject of the being a sinecure, and is, to my extended to enable the Directors Directors' remuneration In his mind, one which very obviously in similar circumstances to refuse speech. With your permission calls for remuneration in keeping to be a little more with the standard of the office it a transfer of fully paid shares, would like and the Board are also given explicit.
gelf, and I very strongly submit that the Directors' present re-
proper standard.
wer to arrange for capital called u in advance to participate in
already
NEVER COMPLACENT.
RIGHT OF CRITICISM. In the case of another Company. my attitude in regard to the feas payable to the Directors, was chal lenged on the ground that I was thereby inyin round that I was
or more
cases was $2.93; this year it has necessarily unsung, when Ohio, to report the even lower average Pennsylvania and Utah ratified profits instead of bearing interest tion after the remarks made by
In the absence of any explana-muneration is far short of the of 32.49.
at an agreed rate, Repeal.
The addition to Article 88 has Mr. Gould just now, the impression There is undoubledly a tendency The annoyance engendered by been inserted merely to clarify might be gained that because of the Directors' past complacency In among those applying for relief Utah in postponing the ratifica- the position. Our General Mann- the matter of their fees, they have to minimize their income and in tion vote for six hours, was for-gers have always been entitled to the case of casual Inbourers it is gotten when at last the news be paid the rent of the office space been quite satisfied with the rate "Let Hadley be brought in."
Aure As in previous years the Weat-Impossible to devise any
I may state with perfect sincerity termed "rather a novel doctrine the court, and made her way to estimated population density of from many source goes to confirm given the O.K. and that the teration to Article 88 is merely that this is not the case. As long that Shareholders were to be
She entered from the back of ern District of Hongkong, with its check, but information gathered came through that Utah had used by the Company, and the al- of remuneration. In point of fact
confirmatory of this,
DIRECTORS FEES.
as two years ago, the Directors denied the right of criticism," but the box once again, only to be 1,000 persons per acre, produced that wage rates are substantially country was at last free to
The remuneration of Directors considered at one of their meet-I would point out that in the in- Instructed to stand behind the the highest number of cases-44; as representell by the applicants. celebrate Prohibition's obsequies.
of coming stance referred to, I did not chal- lawyers' bench, where she
Strange was Kowloon with its far greater area
to say, the occasion is increased by the proposed newings the advisability NO INCOME. addressed as follows by Judge but lower population density of
found the country really unpre- Articles from $1,000 per annum before shareholders for an in- lenge the Shareholders Right of creeso of their remuneration, criticism. What I did challenge P. Grant Jones:
300 persons Per acre followed In 157 cases dealt with during pared. Thousands of restaurants into $2,000 per annum.
Your Board have for some time They did not then proceed with was the exercise of that right in "Katherine Hadley, you have ap- second with 312 cases; while the the year there was no income at New York have not yet been given
since it was the particular circumstances' ob- plied against the sentence of the Eastern District, which embraces all, while in a further 643 cases their licences-and-though-a-laatust-felt-that their remuneration their proposal, Court passed on you on October both the old and congested par- the income was at or below the minute effort was made to speed has been inadequate to the dutles thought that, sooner or later, the taining in that instance.
There is one other subject to 18 last. In this application you tions of Wanchal and the new area gure of $4.00 per head per month up the issue, there were many pro-and responsiblities involved, and Company's Articles of Association
have, to bo brought which I wish toʻrefer, namely, the of the Praya East Reclamation. which the Society recognizes as priators who were distinctly angry the new Ordinance has not only might
line with the new law, suggestion (put forward to me by "You request that the Couri produced 262 cases.
Kreatly increased the liabilities Into
Board the poverty line-the minimum at being left out in the cold. assign you legal aid," he continued,
of a Director but has also limited and it was considered expedient to Mr. Croucher) that the and then said, to Mr. Reeks, "Mr. the occupation of a floor, taken soul together..
The following is an entry as to Income required to keep body and The United States is now fneed In very severe manner the right defer action until the arrival of should consist of one
now. members who can introduce busi- Recks, you acted for the prisoner haphazard from the reports of the
with the problem of the control to an indemnity from the Com-that time. It has arrived In the original trial, and the Court Western District Inspector, which obtain adequate and decent aceon present entrusted to a
Apart from the inability to of the liquor trade, which is at pany which was formerly always It is for this reason that Article 91 ness to the Company. This sug feels that nothing could be better may be accepted as typical of the modation, the most immediate con-pointed by the Administration, un- tion.
body ap-given in the Articles of Asaocin embodies the change which, we gestion-as I have already stated consider, provides for a fair re- to Mr. Croucher-1 regard as in the interests of justice than congestion which is normally sequence of poverty is the innbl-il Congress has enacted the neces- that you should represent her in found in that District:
I do not think that there are muneration for, as the Chairman eminently sound and reasonable, her application. The Court would
lity of parents to obtain sufficient jaary législation.
any other alterations or additions has already stated, duties and re- and I would add that as I have also informed.. Mr. food for be much obliged to you if you
themselves and their
The Temperance organisations that call for explanation or com-ponsibilities involved that wore already
Croucher-my own sent can hitherto inadequately paid.
be children. would take on the conduct of her
are urging the substitution of ment.
readily availed of for the purpose. State purchasing and retail mono-)
har Your Board appeal,"
been ap-
COMPANY'S EARNINGS. polles for the ordinary licensing, proached by certain shareholders
I will submit to you very concise
AMENDMENT CARRIED. It follows naturally that many system.
The Chairman: The amendment on the aubiect, of the Directors' ENORMOUS COST. half-starved mothers have little or
remuneration and they will now figures of the Company's earnings Continuing, his Lordship said:
no milk for their babies and that Prohibition is estimated to have have an opportunity of addressing for the past three years. They before the meeting, as proposed by show that in 1930 the Gross Proft Mr. Croucher and seconded by Mr. "Then you ask that you may be) - UNFORTUNATE DELAY. the cost of any good prepared milk cost the United States £4,500,000,- you thereon If they so wish, present at the hearing of this ap-i
After the Resolution has been amounted to $221,016.99, Nelt Pro-Yeung Yau is."That the proposed plication, and the Court
Dealing with the suggested re- food is beyond their means. They 000 since it was enforced on July grants that also: Mr. Reeks,
$150,000 was paid in dividends to Company contained in the printed construction of the congested fall back on the cheapest varieties 1, 1919, in its toll of lives, includ-moved and seconded, if any share-t to $181,774.99, and a sum of new Articles of Association of the would
of of tinned skim-milk (often solding criminals, prohibiton areas in the older parts
officers holder wishes to suggest any shareholders. In 1981, Gross Pro-document referred to in the Spe- Saturday the 9th suit you?"
amendments in the proposed new
$251,600.51, Nett Profit cial Resolution now, put to this "Yes, my lords," was the reply. It is good news that this need has nature of the contents of the tin)
Victoria, the Committee says:without adequate intimation of the and the victims of bad liquor,
The amount of liquor actually Articles, such suggestions can be it was
|$214,810.36, and dividend and meeting be amended by substitut- whereupon Judge Grant Jones received shelal recognition and is and on cereal pastes, with the in-sold under Prohibition, through put to the meeting in the form of bonus paid to shareholders $200, ing the figures: $1,000 for the
of it being resolution and, if carried, can be promised attention if a profit evitable result that the children bootleggers, much to Saturday, the 9th at 10 o'clock" arises from the City Development suffer from malnutrition and are synthetic concoctions, is believed incorporated in the print which 000. In 1932, Gross Profit totalled figures, $2,000 where the same. to have exceeded the per capita I shall hign for the purpose of $154,881.59, Nett Proft $117,417.04, occur in Article 91 thereof. Will He then thanked Mr. N. the removal of conditions which
Scheme, but It is unfortunate that ready victims of disonse..
During the year the Society sup-figures ruling before Prohibition identification prior to the regolu- and dividend to shareholders $100, you please vote gentlemen,
The amendment was carried, Ivano, local Russian lawyer, for entall a heavy toll of lives cannot plied milk or other food in 702 came into force. The anti-Pro-tion befug Anally put to the meet 900. For those three years the
dissentient,,, although Directors' fees amounted in the without being present.
be commenced until the hoped-for cases, and the cost of this supply hibitionists estirante it at 200,000-ing.
THE RESOLUTION, aggregate to $15,000, which repre-several shareholders refrained in the 000 gallons a year-Reuter. profit materializes.
the heaviest item It would be is
ROOSEVELT'S PLEA.
1 Bow propose as a specialents the following proportions: from voting.
The Chairman: I now propose: erroneous to regard overcrowding Society's budget.
President Roosevelt has issued resolution "That as on, and from On gross proft 2.30 per cent.; on
"That the Articles of Association as a condition found only in the
proclamation announcing the the date of the passing of this not profit 2.918 per cent. old and over-built alum districts.
A Company that is capable of contained in the printed document repeal of the Prohibition Amend-resolution the regulations con-
to this Meeting as The prevalence of the bed-space The vicious circle of poverty: ment, and calling on citizens to tained in the printed document earning in gross profits over $600,- submitted as a unit of accommodation may over-crowding and disease
by substituting the con- co-operate with the Government in submitted to the meeting and for 000 during the past three years, amended perhaps be regarded as come cri-stituten, as heretofore, the enemy efforts to restore greator respect the purpose of identification sub-and distributed in dividends nearly figures, "$1,000 for the Agdres JUST RETIRED FROM terlon of the degree of overcrowd-which the Society has to fight and for the law by confining pur- scribed by the Chairman thereof half a million dollars to share-$2,000 in Article 91 thereof and ing and it is found that in the it is recoguised that, save in its chases of alcoholic beverages to be approved and adopted as the holders, or approximately 25 ner for the purpose of identification Society's cases during the past educational work and in those licensed dealers or agencies. Articles of Association of the Com-cent. of the total capital of the signed by the Chairman of the year the Western District of cases in which it ands employ-
to the meeting be and the same are here- Hongkong showed a percentage of ment, the relief which it brings is State should authorise the
The President urged that no pany in, substitution for, and to Company, is not one as
ro-the exclusion of, all the existing management of which the Direc-by adopted in substitution for and 68.02 hed-space wille Eastern but
a palliative and does not turn of the saloon, either old Articles thereof.”
tors need be ashamed. The figures to the exclusion of the oxisting Hongkong, which embraces the remove the underlying causes. style or in modern guise.
are such as to disprove the conten. Articles of Association of the Com- Ho. Mr. H. F. Campbell seconded. on that the Directors are sum- pany." (By Teloraph. Copyright, Telegraphie Mro. Newly built reclamation area show- Though thila may be felt to be an added: "We must remove for AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
Mr. Croucher secondled and the.. sapes Ordinance, 1871. Received December edva percentage of 69.40. Kow-unsatisfactory state of affairs, it over the menace of the bootlegger Mr. Croucher: Mr.
Chairman clently remunerated for the ser # 1.19 p.m.)
London, Dec. 6.
loon showed a percentage of 66.66. is at least a consolation to know and others who profited at the and gentleman: In view of the vices they conscientiously render-resolution was carried,
ad,
Shareholders present The death has occurred of Mr. HIGHER WAGES' NEEDED. that the Society is instrumental in expense of good government, low informal Interviews some of the.
Messrs. Ngal Sze-yam, Wong Pak- Gavin Scott, M.A., C.LE.. formerly
preventing much zunnecessary | and order.”
shareholders have had with you *** SHAREHOLDERS' BONUS. fun, Shun Hip-tong, M. 3. Gann;" of the Indian Civil Service, at the It seems a reasonable deduction suffering and in saving many The nows that Utah had rati- Mr. Chairman, the Board has bien In 1931, shareholders at the an- Mak Ching, Joseph Gould, P. M
that, while paucity of accommoda- lives.
fed ropont was flashed by tele-made aware that we propose to nual meeting pressed for, and ro N. da SilvaN, AV. A. Crouchor The Society concluded the pro- graph and radio throughout the move attion in the vicinity of work is a
An amendment deleting (ceived a bonus in addition to the Mok Ying-kie Leung Hau-yuen, F with a deficit of country. Glasgow University and
Article No. 11 from the Resolu-dividend recommended by the H, Kow, P. H. Sin, J. F. Grose, A. Cam-contributory factor, overcrowding vlous year bridge, he took his degree at is rather the result of the lack $4,218.19 on the your's working
EFFIGY LYNCHED.
tion submitted to us.
Board. We feel that, if we had re: C. Greaven, AJ. Edgar, F. M. Glasgow in 1897, with Logan Gold of means to rent better. accom. And has unfortunately again to
The lynching of “Old 'Man Pro- I bog, therefore, to move an presented to you how Inadequate Ellis, Chon Po-min, L. Weill, H.. Modal as the most distinguished modation near to work or to pay report a deficiency on the year's hibition from a flagpole was the amendment that Article No. 11 the Directors fees wore at that Dreyer, W MeLean, A. A. Botelho, gindunte in Arts of the year. He the cost of transport to and from working but the amount this year algnal for an outburst of rejoicing be deleted altogether, and I think time, shareholders might have been C. W. L. Cole, Pang Kit-wal, Wong antored the I.C.S. by competitive work from outlying districts where le only $295.19.
on Broadway. The effigy was I am right that the effect of this Inclined to agree with the reason- Kit-wan, Tong Hee-man, K. 6. examination in 1898 and
Having regard to the fact that inter placed in a coffin and drawn amendment, if carried, will be ableness of the request that fark, 1. W. Showan, Soo Pul-chon nerved there are empty houses than the
that the Directors fees will Directora feas bo increased as now Pang Wal-hang, Sau-nam, Chau many years in
direct result of the nature of the the expenditure during the year through Broadway by a camel. various
under review amounted to $24,. Supplios of liquor and wine are revert automatically to the old sought by the proposed alteration Stu-yin, E. Abrahan, F. A. Kavior, capacities in Burma, including the premises available. post of Presif ent of the Municipal If this deduction be correct, the previous your the position coctions include "New Deal The Charman corrected Mr. figurce, it can be seen that the Campbell, G. A. Harriman, J. Dick 653.13 as against $21,560.29 during plentiful, and the many new con- scale of $1,000 each), TA of Article No. 91 under discussion. Tao. Wai, Mo Ying-pul, Wong
- Mr. Young Yau seconded.
With the presentation of these Wing-hong, W. A: Zimmern, H. F then, although, sluni, clearance cannot be regarded as wholly cocktail, which la proving most
popular-Reuter.. may be successfully tackled, unsatisfactory,
Croucher remarking that the revision of the food desired by the and Mr. Young Fung-ahi,
conclucied: 1
This application is adjourned
DEATH OF MR. GAVIN SCOTT
I.CS.
(Our Own Correspondent).
age of 67 yours.
After
brilliant 1
*for
career
-Committee in Rangoon, and Com-
missioner of the Rangoon Corpora-; tion. He retired last year.
VICIOUS CIRCLE. -
were