CO129-333 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [1-4] — Page 202

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Chun's machinations that Chou escaped from Hongkong, and that his

property was mortgaged under an assumed name. This is, according

to the Prefect, a matter of common knowledge both at Canton and

Hongkong.

Feng Hua Chun is thus an important witness

in the case, and for whatever complications have arisen with the

Bank he alone is responsible. The Frefect accordingly requests me

to communicate with you,with a view to compelling Feng Hua Chun to

appear in Court to give evidence and to be otherwise dealt with.

On the evidence of the accountant, Chou Tung

Sheng is, as a matter of fact, a joint partner in the Yeo Usiang

or Bung Chi Coal Depot which has been seized, and has further ad-

-vanced money to the concern, so that the total is 150,000 taeis.

Further, the business of Feng Hua Chun is carried on to a great

extent with Chou Tung Sheng's capital. The depot and coal which

have been seized must therefore be realised to cover Chou's de-

-falcations of public money. Feng Hua Chun is also responsible

for whatever complications may result from the mortgaging of the

coal by him to the National Bank.

It has been clearly established that Feng

Hua Chun has been guilty of irregularities in connection with

Chou's shares in the National Bank of China, and in mortgaging his

property under an assumed name.

The property at present attached aust there-

-fore be sold to cover Chou Tung Sheng's defalcations, and as the

sum raised thereby will be quite inadequate, the balance must be

recovered from Feng Hua Chun. I should be glad therefore if you

would move the Governor of Hongkong to give proof of his friendly

disposition towards this Government by compelling Feng hua Chun

to proceed to Canton for examination and trial.

The statement in my previous despatch that

the depot seized, as well as the coal, is the property of Chou

Tung Sheng, was perfectly correct.

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