1918-09-02 — Page 3

HONGKONG BEAUTIFUL "' - AND HOUSE-RENTS.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE.

#

-BY. A ̈ EUROPEAN OF MODERATE MEANS.

[CONTRIBUTED.]

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND, 1918.

make itself responsible for a vast housing scheme for the poorer Chinese, so that indirectly the Europeans might benefit through lessening of the demand for houses in those localities in which they desire to congregate: We should be using i a Nasmyth hammer to crack a oat, and I doubt whether the nut would be crack ed even then. At the present moment there are hundreds of ane building sites within a three-mile radius of Kowloon Ferry and no one, apparently, is anxious Mr. F. B to take them up. There are no electric ears, but I ask, again-What do we want}

I have been interested in-and, may say, a little amused at the agitation which has been started in favour of the "Hongkong Beautiful." Bowley, by his criticism of the city's sanitary arrangements and his references

It was

to the evils of overcrowding in Chinese quarters, set the ball rolling. given another kick by Mr. A. H. Harris Professor Middleton Smith has now join ed, in the game, both candidates for the vacancy on the Legislative Council adopt- id housing reform as their war-ery when appealing for the suffrages of Ulzat Justices of the "Peace, and, soon, if we ar not, enreful, we shall have a public committee formed to put out those "rea soned and far-sighted views and plans" only to and possibly, after considerable expenditure of time and treuble, that these plans, desirable as they may appear on the qurface, are of such a nebulous character that they will amount to little or nothing.

j

In

CORRESPONDENCE. DEFENCE CORPS AND POLIĆE

DUTIES.

[TO TAR EDITOR OF THE “HONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]

S1.With reference to Hr. F. C. Jen- kin's speech at a presentation to C. B. B. Wilks, I think it only fair to all ranks of the Infantry Battalion of the Defence Corps to make the following

Battalion are perfectly willing to so statement:" All men of the Infantry

patrol and other work for the Palice, in addition to any drills they may be ordered to perform, provided they are allowed

A CHANNEL-SWEEPING INCIDENT.

JAPANESE SKIPPERS FINED.

At the Marine Court on Saturday, before Commander Beckwith, R.N., G. Baudin, master of the 1.s. Sentai Maru, and S. Akoi, master of the s.s. Aishon

far, were charged with unlawfully entering the channel at Wagian whilst sweeping operations were in progress on August 99th.

James Brown stated that be werping towards the Waglan entrance of the channel when he noticed the enkai Maru approaching. He biew

to do so under their own officers and blasts on his whistle and the Senkai Haru Non- Commissioned Officers and under proceeded seawards. He continued sweep the direct orders of the Captain-Superin-ing, and after some time, saw the Stukai tendent of Police."-Yours faithfully,

Maru and “he Nishan Moru again enter. ing the channel. He blew busts once more, and signalled to the vereby to keep more to the starboard side. The signal

H, A. MORGAN, Major (Administrative Commandagt,

and H. K.D,C.J Defence Corps Headquarters,

Hongkong. 31st August, 1915. LOCAL PORTUGUESE AND

WAR SERVILE:

[TO THE EDITUR OF THE "HONGKONG'

DAILY PRESS."]

was answered by the Sehkai Maru, who stopped her engines, but the Kiskun Maru only slowed down and took notice of the

signals. Complainant proceeded to the

Senkai Maru and asked her three times to keep clear of the aweepers. The Senkai Maru then went slowly along the sweepers' course, forcing the latter to Com- manœuvre to avoid, a collision.

plainant then proceeded to the Kishan Hara and ordered the Captain to keep off, threatening to send in a report to the Harbour Authorities if he did not do so, but the Captain took no notice, with the result that, the trawlers had once more to manœuvre to avoid a collision...

If there was this great demand for houses if there were a sufficient number of Euro peans struggling for an outlet to some place where they could secure fresh air and peaceful nights surely some enter prising builder would be willing to speculathin a few bricks and mortar even if these people of med-rat- meanie enuld not raise sufficient madney to build homes for themselves.

To be an hour away from the centre of business activity in no great hardship; to hire or maintain riesha would reduce the time of the journey by half, and would add scarcely more than $10 a month to the cost of living--and what would that matter if taken of these opportunities it seems to rents were low. While advantage is not me that this demand cannot be so great as we are sometimes led to believe most countries awaiting development

SIR, In the course of an address on bouses spring up in all sorts of out of the occasion of a farewell presentation It is very easy-agd a pleasant ocupa the-way places. Here we have fine, well- tion for those in whom all civic spirit made roads and yet the land alongside at the Police Reserve Club, Mr. F. C. is not yet dead to lie back in a long idle. The cost of the land cannot, Jenkin, D.S.P. (E), is reported to have I think, by any stretch of the imagina coramitted himself to the following state chair on

a warm summer, evening, and, tion, be described as unreasonable, nor through clouds of tobacco smoke, to are the building regulations, as far as ment:"There was another class of per- I know, onerous. What is the nature of

son in the Colony who during this war picture the ideal Garden City as it might the encouragement that we are praying had an opportunity to serve the Govern be designed in Utopia". One can visualise tor?

Still dealing with the requirements of meat-he referred to the members of the the whole of the Kowloon Peninsula in the Europeans-although, after all, it is tersected by wide well-lighted avenues.enly one branch, and perhaps the least Portuguese and other race-yet had not They were people who were lined on either side with picturesque important branch of the subject-it has done so.

been suggested that the opening-up of the little houses," and down the centre would Pokfulam catchment area for building earning their living in this Colony and were enjoying its hospitality and protec gö clanging the electric cars filled with would relieve us of all our

tion, and yet they refrained from giving troubles. It is questionable, consider five minutes of their time to the service ordeely, well-dressed throngs of Chinese ing the long periods of drought which of the Colony and from taking a share curlies with happy, smiling faces, travel- occur occasionally, and the necessity cf with their comrades who had been in the ling to and from their daily toil. "There securing as much water as possible from force all these years.

the higher levels, whether it would be a With the members of the "other races" would probably be no fares to pay be wise policy to rely altogether upon I am not at all concerned they are, cap

It is conceivable that able of taking ap the cudgels on their tile an enlightened Covernment, with Tytam Tuk.

combination of circumstances might place long-sighted views of the Empire's res in an unhappy predicament the own behalf; but as regards the reference quirements, would run the cars as a pub-Pokialam arch was utilised, but that by to the Portuguese, I think it is about time that an emphatic protest was lodged in fic service in order, in this way, to the way. I suppose the cost of building the public Press against the insinuations provide employers with much needed houses on the higher levels would be such

and aspersions from time to time cas: that Judging from Investor's" figures,

After further evidence for the prosez- against the little-understood and much- cheap labour.

Before any public committee is appoint. rats would be in the neighbourhood of maligned section of the community oftior, Commander Beckwith found that

Or the lower levels. I

both the masters had caused inconveni- ed let us know exactly what we want, 150-a-month

which cult the European of moderate

to understand why one ence to the lanches in the LAUGS. or the result will be a meeting, & resolu- means Would be in competition again of Mr. Jenkins professional avocation, tien of their duty, and he Ened them tiou. and then death from laadition. The

with the Chinese and Japanese.

Un irate correspondent to the Daily occupying the position of prominence8550each; in default, two months' bard

which he enjoys in this Colony, should labour, ances with so litle sense of responsibility bave delivered himself of public atter of the harm which his lack of reflection Let the public committee con- is calculated to inflict on those against THE LOCAL LABOUR STRIKE.

Be- whom his allegations are directed. fore committing himself to the damaging statement now animadverted upon, Mr. Jeakia owed it sure of his facts.

measure.

houses,

present

Then,

It is

The master of the Senkai Maru deposed that when be entered the channel he saw another steamer there. He also saw the sweepers a long distance away. A nence come alongside nia vessel and signalled to him, and he obeyed the warning by altering his course and then stopping his engines. When the launch ordered him to go ahead he went full speed ahead, keeping clear of the sweepers

The master of the Kishan Maru said be noticed SURL: sweepers coming towards him and later saw a 'signal to stop his engines. He obeyed the instruc- tion and some time later the launch signalled to him to go ahead and keep clear of the sweepers. following the Senkai Baru, about 800. feet off the sweepers.

This he did,

TWO LEADERS IMPRISONED.

At the as a public duty to make

record of the Constitutional Reform Association which, by the way. collected quite a number of odd dollars out to Taipo it, a taxes-fare Government Pre thought thas we all might flock from, those Europeans of moderate menns whose lot it is our desite to lighten would only run the morning train ten minutes earlier.. That appears a simple should be regarded as a serious warning. What is the problem i Do not let us

centrate on that first I daresay that confuse the issue. Are we longing for

if an extensively signed petition was that city of our dreains where every

presented to Government House that

Hongkong Magistracy on prospect pleases," or do we simply want

concession would he granted. We could

Saturday, before Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, our rents reduced? As a practical man

tablazon Reduction in Bepts in their again, there has been some talk of im that, in one of his published despatches boat-builders' strike at Ap L: Chau. were

would advise the public committee to watch results for a month or so

It is a matter of common knowledge three Chinese, alleged to be leafers ni a to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, charged, on remand, with using threats Juliowing--and, of course, the whole 8 of the Finance Committee of the the Governor of Hongkong mentioned the of violence (in company with another bunther if they wish to obtain a large proved ferry-services. At a recent meet hearted support and co-operation of the Legislative Court has that passed in services offered by members of the Portu- man not in custody) to workmen, with the in the de. some thousands of dollars was passed in guese community, through the Portuguese intention of preventing them from carry- "people" is xine

proposed connection with the resumption of Ferry Consul in Hongkong, to the Government ing out their duties. matic movement which it

Piery so that, presumably, something, will of the Colony. That offer, though grace- to initiate If it was found that an

the Mr. M, Lo prosecuted, and Mr. organisation was necessary to bring about be done in this direction before long, fully recognized, was not accepted by

And of the

Regarding that G. R. Haywood defended the first two Some nei-cheong? needed I would myself risk another dollar might be, built there, but a very

Frother section of the Portuguese com-accused.

It will be remembered that the, defend- munity who own allegiance to his Majesty ence to which I have just alluded, and erable part of the hill would have to be King George, the vast majority--probably anta were alleged to have appealed to the in spite of the rather saddening experi I daresay there would be many others cut away and this would add to their not less than from 80 to 90 per cent.Secretary for Chinese Affairs to make an cost and, unless I am in error, they would belong either to the Police Reserve or the order for ap, increase, in their vages. who would follow my example. But stand a very good chance of being flood- fecal Defence Corps of the Colony. Those They were informed that the masters the problem involved in a reduction of rents presenta not one, but many, died during the rainy reason.

No, sir, as our American cousins would not serving in either, are for the most had explained that business was slack and part either under some physical dis-that, therefore, they were unable to grant euities, and I would suggest that it should

the demand. The men were advised to be decided for the public committee say, with emphasis on the sir, the inability or are over-age.

portant side of the problem is how to

The Portuguese earn their living and beforehand which particular one

continue their work, büt were informed provide room for the expansion of the should endeavour to overcome."

At the same To bring a decent home within the Chinese population. To talk about great enjoy time hospitality of the Colony cot they were absolutely free to follow their

on sufferance, but by virtue of reciprocal inclination in the matter. munici rights and privileges enjoyed by the sub-time they were warned that they must reach of the European of moderate schemes of development, the means. That seems a sound, practical partion of tramways, the subsidising feets of the two countries-Great

Britain

not deter the other men from working, and Portugal--between whom treaties of and, at first sight, easy proposition to of ferries and what-not for the

or the consequences to them would be tackle The need is said to be urgent. As a matter of fact, I don't know that, in exist.

of the Europeans appears to me absurd friendship, commerce and navigation Berious. The defendants had a "second The simplest plan, of course, would be their hearts, they want these things. They and bear in mind,also, that there are interview with the Secretary for Chinese to persuade the Government to build in some quiet neighbourhood, thirty or forty really want a few cheap houses reserved a considerably greater number of his own Affairs and being dissatisfied, apparently,

for them at the Penk. This is out of semi-detached villas and to let them, a

Onationals now enjoying meat, not alone ing day. They pressed the other work- a price which would just cover their cost, the question, and, therefore, they will of the Portuguese

Let it rest at that. in Portugal but in Portuguese colonies men to follow their example, and those to those Europeans who could show that never be satisfied.

As regards the Chinese, one would

Fearing their need for such accommodation. was

are very well who declined were threatened. and dependencies, where they Asufficiently pressing to warrant this pre-suite, from the correspondence on the received, as they should be, and are carr violence, those who wished to remain at

that nothing was being done to ferential treatment a row of superior provide for them to live. Several ing their living besides providing a com- their work. left their employment. The alms houses, in effect The problem

petence for the future. Can Mr. Jenkin defendants were able thus to induce about reclamation schemes are already in eile any example of their serving in the 300 men to strike thereby, dislocating would be solved for a few years, at any hand. More than the total revenue of Municipal Force of any branch of the work altogether. Except in a few cases, rate, for the number of Europeans now 201

the Colony twenty years or so ago Defence Corps of the Portuguese Govate the fron did not return to work. clamouring for houses must be compara now being spent annually by ment 7-Yours faithfully. tively small considering that, according the Public Works Department alone,

they

bizg

3.3

possible.

along 88

mas

Mr. Jenkin should be charitable

the hospitality with the result, struck work the follow-

B.

Hongkong, 31st August, 1918.

- Jh

The defence denied all the allegations. It was stated that the defendants were not near the scene of the strike on the day in question and, therefore, could not have used threats. The trouble was that they were being insufficially paid. Mr. Wolfe sentenced the first two de- fendants to three months' hard labour each, and discharged the third defendant, as the prosecution did not wish to presa the charge against him,

to the conscription figures, there are, Roads are being pushed excluding Government servants, less than rapidly

There iz 400 males under forty years of age

be one or two instances where, on the the Colony, and some of these, I

presume surface, it would appear that the Gov- are satisfied as they are. But, alas!

erninent has hindered development, but, ALLEGED POCKET-PICKING. sentiment steps in; there would be broadly speaking, I think it is true that whisper of charity, and those who are every encouragement is given to builders COMPLAINANT ENGROSSED IN now bemoaning their fate-if there be to build. Bham Bui Fo was simply a THE ANTICS OF & MONKEY. any such and imploring the Government stretch of seawater four or five years. toda something would look upon these ago. Now it is almost a city of Chinese At the Hongkong, Magistracy, on

askance and refuse to enter them

houses. Isn't that an enterprise which Saturday, before Mr, E. D. C. Wolte, de do so. Therefore, that delight deserves some little commendation? Isn't three Chinese were charged with steal- fully aimple scheme must be put on one it better to allow development to take ing a purse, containing 307; with bring

paid to side na impracticable.

its normal course, ander wise and ade in unlawful possession of $25; and with thing more enduring must be thought of time in empty talk upon grandiose Sincere Co.

Something more statesmanlike, some quate supervision, than to waste a lot assaulting a watchman employed by the upon the other two defendants assaulted ost. To build houses nad to place the schemes which present conditions do not in the open market in obviously no warrant. Let the Government govern. solution. Our imaginary man of There may be certain sites in the city complainant was sitting on the roof

moderate means would not be able to which might be used to better advantage garden of the Sincere Company's store one because there would be so than they are at present. If it is thought when the purse was stolen. Owing to many others ready and willing to pay that a public committee, after discussion several complaints that pick-pockets were a higher rent than be could afford. and consideration, would be able to offer frequenting the root-garden, the Co the population was not increasing the practical suggestions on those lines let pany had employed an Indian watchman. fact of building houses and still more the committes be formed as quickly as The complainant bad taken off his long house would, I suppose, tend to reduce possible. But do not let us work our coat, when one of the defendants came rents in time. But the population is solves into a frenzy about the City from behind and put his band inside ing the antics of a monkey when the

increasing rapidly. Beautiful" of any such nonsense. I am complainant's pocket. increasing, and

The watchman Moreover, I do not think I should be very democrat and believe in government noticed the other two defendants stand man extracted the pures from his coat wide of the mark if I said that now by the people for the people, and in ing behind the man who was committing

pocket houses are already being erected at the many other of Abraham Lincoln's wise the theft evidently with the intention of ment made by Le Inspector.

The watchman corroborated the state- rate of a thousand a year. Even a pub sayings. I also firmly believe that there lie committee cannot. wave a magic wand is enough enterprise in Hongkong to meet extracting the purse, complainant xing bail for the second and third da covering his actions, Just as the man Mr. Wolfe remanded the case till today, for greater development seized his hand. and bring cities into being during the the demand ...night. What would the committee want schenies than those now under way when

the Government to do? Not, surely, to such a demand arises.

Bucure

came up and arrested the man, where-

him. The watchman, however,, managed Inspector O'Sullivan stated that the to put the men ander restraint with the assistance of several other employés of the Sincere Company. On the way to the Police Station the men offered a bribe to the watchman. When charged with did not understand. They were examin- the offence, the men pretended that they ed, and the Police found 225 concealed in the shoes of one of the defendants --- Complainant stated that he was watch.

The watchman" then (Continued at foot of next Column.}

fendants at $950 each. The first defend: ant was not allowed bail

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