1918-10-17 — Page 3

TEN HONGKONG DAILY PRESS. THURSDAY, QUTUBER 171H, 1918.

B.M. THE KING AND "QUE ALLEGED THEFT FROM

DAY."

KOWLOON-CANTON BAILWAY.

CLERK "REPORTED TO HAVE S

ABSCONDED WITH $3,015.

A ROYAL CONTRIBUTION OF £10,000,

The following message from His Majesty the King has boon received:-

York Cottage Sandringham,

Norfolk

It has been reported that Lam Kam

HONGKONG PUBLIC WORES cent for making out the drawing of a

DEPARTMENT..

retaining wall-there is no design, for

SOME COMMON FALLACIES,

[BY AN ENGINEERING CORRESPONDENT.]

it is a rule-of-thumb type of work-and supervising its construction, therefore the, Public Works.

partment ought to

[We welcome, the enclosed contribution, make up its mind a

Tong, a clerk in the Kowloon Canton which wo print with pleasure for we have for a nalla to the best position

Railway, and a member of the Police

pany.

Reserve, absconded on Tuesday afternoon, On the occasion of Our Day, 1018, with about $3,915 belonging to the Com bave much pleasure in congratulating the British Red Cross and the Order ol St. John on the magnificent work which they, in conjunction, have achieved dur- ing more than 4 years of warfare, and in expressing the conâdent hope that their efforts may continue to receive from my people the Boancial support which they require. By personal observation in the United Kingdom and on the Western Front I am convinced the appeal of the joint Committee for funds is more than justified by the manner in which they carry out their widespread and respon. sible labours in co-operation with the

medical services of the forces. In- Flanders, France. Italy and Malta, in Palestine, Macedonia and Egypt, Meso-

It appears that the clerk was given the accumulated takings of the Company on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, amount ing to over $5,000, both notes and sub- diary coins, which were distributed into two bags. He was asked to take the money to the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and deposit it there, and he set out on his errand with an Indian watchman and two of the railway coolics. The clerk carried the bag of notes while the Indian watch- man, had charge of the bag of silver coins When the party reached the Kawloon Ferry, the clerk, on the pretext of meet

ing someone, stopped at the forry gates, and asked the watchman and the coolice to proceed to the launch. The men com-

arrange its gradients, and always been consisters in our endeavours supervise the construction for a sum of to let the public so all sides of any que per cent on the amount paid to the tion under discussion. Even our contri-contractor who does the work hutar, is will be noticed, desires to more supervision of spanding money in the P.W,D., which is our main object-En, H.D.r.]

It has been said that statistics can be made to prove anything. It must be can fussed that the deductions made from certain statistics recently quoted in leading article in the Daily Preat were used to suggest a state of affairs in the Government Service which might well be which was probably conveyed to the mind called alarming. The general impression

of the European layman, entirely ignor ant of engineering work, was, that the Public Works Department of this Colony is a very expensive luxury. What sort of impression the Chinesa readers formed

In actual fact, it is arguable that straightforward work, such as building houses and retaining walls, ought not to be done by the Public Works Depart ment; although it would be of interest to know whether the quarters greeted for Government servants really did cost more than 6 per cent for professional saper vision. Bus, that is not the class of work thee the Colony needs & Public Works Department for. The latter might devote

public money in protecting us against more of its time, and therefore the

some of the architectural atrocities! which mar the Colony. The Puolass the Government to look after the in- terests, and even the safety, of the public as opposed to the interest of the in dividual. The Building Authority is a valuable sub-department of the Govern ment, and it is a section of the Pablio)

ment of percentage is to be applied, held responsible in the ease of any disaster, from the collapse of a matshed surely the Building Authority, who is

potamin and East Africa and in Russia.plied expecting the clerk to join them is, perhaps, not difficult to conjectureWorks Department; but it does not Roumania and Siberia the joint Soci before the ferry started He, however, they might well puzzle their minda con- spend, except on salaries. If this argu- ties have relieved the suffering, healed did not do so, and the launch proceeded cerning our local oficials when they are with only the watchman and the two told that it costs 9 per cent, for salaries the sick, and saved valuable lives for the coolies, who went to the Bank and waited if the Government does a job of work, service of the Empire in war and prace. They have also been able to give welcome the arrival of the clerk. They waited two while the private firms can do things of assistance to our Allies, and in making hours and then, growing alarmed, telė

a similar nature for 5 per cent. It sounds provision for the sick and wounded have phoned to the Kowloon Railway office very much like the sort of thing. that all over the Colony, Few local archit not forgotten the prisoners-of-war, whose The Kowloon Police were informed and Europeans say Boot the Government ects in private practice would care to be

privations they have done much to alleviate. But it must be remembered that pence, even when declared, will not

bring a cessation of the work of the hospitals, and, indeed, the demand on the resources of the Red Cross must inevitably continue for some time after hostilities have ended. Impressed as E am by the vast obligations which must still fall on the joint Societies. I have much pleasure in contributing the sum of £10,000,

(Signed) Gronce, R. and I." October 11th, 1918

LADY MAY'S ROSE FUND.

LIST NO. 10,

́Already" äckñowledged.

Misses Joyce and Dorothy Holyoak

Mrs. Jordan

Mrs. Danby .....

Total

the clerk's house was searched and rela- tives questioned, but to no purpose. No indication of his whereabouts could

ascertained.*

be

It was stated that the clerk was met by a motor-car and that he entered it and was driven in the direction of Yaumati, while another rumour was to the effect that a coolie had disappeared along with the clerk. The detectives are on the trail of the missing man, and it is believed that he will be apprehended within the next few days:

SPORT.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. ROYAL ENGINEERS, 1 v. 5OUTH CHINA ATHLETIC, L.

|

to a' landslide, might well claim. 14 pár cent. for passing the plans submitted and keeping an ere on the work in progress

the Building Authority for less.

architect obtains his 5 per cent. or 63 per cent, whether he puts up one house

Departments at Peking-and Canton,

Concerning the main thesis of the

The remuneration paid for services article mentioned, it would be unfair for

rendered in engineering york is not all professional engineer to make any com- ments unless challenged to do so in plain-ailing matter of commission or publics and even then he might well repercontages such as in some other busi fuse to criticise the efficiency of men in

nesses or professions. In general, an his own profession. It is not proposed to discuss whether the staff is excessive

or a row of cae hundred houses all exact- or the administration is at fault." It would, for example, be very awkward it ly the same. But even in architecture one barrister were asked whether her special work, such as the Victoria thought that the services of another

Memorial, is paid for differently. But barrister were really worth retaining, or

in engineering, the work is so various even whether the figure marked on a brief that any such rules do not obtain. A were reasonable. And yet the writer does clear to the layman. An engineer was couple of examples will make this quite not hesitate to say that the professional men in the Public Works Department are asked to design a very delicate measur as a general rule, very much underpaid.

ing instrument to determine whether n For us own part he would much rather well-known piece of material stretched as have the prospects of the ordinary mea much as was generally supposed. The in commerce in this Colony than be in thing was complicated; the engineer re the P.W.D. There is nothing at all per scientific knowledge to do the work. It quired the highest mathematical and sonal in the statement; it is entirely took him some little time, and be was general

It was very hard to convince anyone in paid £500 for the information which he $3,138.50

public life in Great Britain, before the obtained from his instrument. He had The Chinese proved themselves worthy war, that modern scientific progress at only spent about £10 on all the materials 100.00

of promotion to the first division yester- entirely altered engineering work of serl in his experiments. The percentage 95.00

course the war has made a difference, basis would have hit him hard. That day, meeting a full frat division team of and Cabinet Ministers have displayed a may be an extreme case; but it suggests 20.00

Royal Engineers in a friendly match and frenzied energy is bestowing: K.B.E., the manner in which the Public Works 3,283.50 effecting a draw. The sappers were the C.B.E., O.B., and similar decorations Department should spend some of its most aggressive generally, especially in pain who have been connected with the the lives of the public. On anothe upon members of the engineering pro- money, especially in order to protect the early stages of the game bat the production of munitions. There have occasion manufacturer sent thrde Athletic opened the scoring, their right been columns of such awards of late in samples of steel to the National Physical half beating Jarrett with a good shot the engineering journals. But very few Laboratory, near London, for the routine people realise that the steam engine, the tests. They were satisfactory, and as a from well out. Pascall, on the Army left, steam turbine, cheap Bessemer steel, the result ho purchased some thousands of eventually brought the scores level with telegraph and the dynamo were first pounds worth of steel. But the National a fine hard drive which the goalkeeper was produced as commercial propositions in Physical Laboratory charged him some England. Fewer people understand the such sum as a guinea for the certificate The Treasurer of the above fund (the powerless to deal with. In the second half effect of those productions upon our posi unon which he made the purchase. They Rev. F. G. B. Hastings; R.N.) acknow. the Engineers often looked like searing tion among the nations of the world. did not ask for a percentage fee. Ledges

gratefully the following monthly and most of the play took place in the Only those who attempt to find an open. The services rendered to the com

the final whistle, Pascall put in a hot profession realise that it costs just about shot from the left wing, which the goal as much to properly train an engineer keeper only kept out of goal by conceding as a doctor or other professional man. acorner. The corner caused the Athletic Anyone who cares to do so can enquire quite a few anxious moments, but the as to the remuneration given to oficials ball was eventually cleared and the game in the Public Works Department, and ended in a draw of one goal each. This is compare it, age for age, with that given the second time these teams have met this to those in the Cadet service. The cost season, the result on each occasion being of the training is, or should be, about the same in each case. Whatever the old system, Oxford, Cambridge and the other Universities now educata young engineers in the theory

CORRECTION LIST 7. For "Mr. Eric Noller"

read

**Mr and Mrs. Noller

8100

100

BERVICES ENTERTAINMENT

FUND,

ber: for period ending 15th Chinese half of the field. Shortly before ing for their soon the engineering munity and the remuneration paid to the

P. P. Wodehouse

$10

"Ken"

"A. and F. M.

50

W. 8. Brown

5

RS".

25

10

10

W. L. Leask

A G. Gordon

R. Belilics'

M. 8"

a. Thorne

A. H. C.

H.W, Looker

Total

-10

$130

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE,

COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative

Louncil will be held to day, at 2.30 p.m.

The Orders of the Day are as follows:-

a draw.

H.M.8.

9. ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE, I

THE LOCAL FIRMS.

W.D. officials cannot be compared on this basis of percentage. It might as reasonably be said that if the cost of the Public Works Department were 25 per cent of the capital. expenditure, instead of per cent, it had become more eficient. The suggestion, that the extra 3 per cent, had been spent on work of research nature would make us all feck more comfortable, for it would show an increase of energy and enterprise.

A LOCAL QESESSION.

This is This is no attempt to camouflage any

This match between a ship in port to be suficient to astract men as well whole organisation. By all means let the remuneration offered by this Colony failures made by individuals or the (reds) and St. Joseph's College, took place trained as those who go to India. And public inquire into the details of ex on the Navy ground, before a large zum there should be good prospects. Those in penditure in any Government depart ber of spectators. The sailors possessed the stronger teun and the result was never the local PW.D. service are not at allment, but let it remember that it is not easy for the layman to understand really in doubt. St. Joseph's were not at 8000 full strength

technical details. It usually takes from The Navy opened the scoring, Frampton doing the trick W

While considering this question of five to seven years to train an engineer,. Shortly afterwards, the civilians attacked remuneration it may be as well for us who is then put on to very junior work The Navy custodian gathered the ball and to remember the general impression of and often makes r

mistakes, however clever cleared by throwing out, but the leather comfortable opulence which members of he may be was pounced upon by a St. Joseph's for the local firms of engineers and architects On arrival in the Colony one of the ward and promptly, netted, rather to the manage to convey, and compare it with first impressions of one engineer was Second reading of the Bill intituled consternation of the Navy defence. The the style of living of most of the pre- that, the work of the local P.W.D. is of Au Ordinance to amend the Opium wards, the Reds attacked strongly, and it be forgotten that the Government carried along difficult contours; retain- scores were level at the interval After-fessional men in the P.W.D. Nor should a very anasaal character. The roads are Ordignace, 1914, and the Opium Ordin- Tune and Rogers were each responsible for stem to have a difficulty in retaining ing walls are needed for almost every a gou the final result being a win for the services of their own architects, who building, above the reclamation level. ance, 1917,

Second reading of the Bill intituled An

the sailors by three goals to one soon discover that they enn make a very All sorts of difficulties, including a very Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding my d

UNIVERSITY, 4 v. 88ru. Co. R.G.A., 0.

much better living in private practice. great variety of work and the peculiar tan million six hundred and five thousand

The unfortunate engineer does not have the habits of Chinese contractors, suggest These teams met in a "friendly" on same local opportunities; his prospects themselves to the technical man. But the the hundred and forty-five dollars to the the Club ground. The play was fairly outs here, cannot be compared with those general public has got into the habit of even in the first half, the interval arriving of similar men in municipal employment grambling shoot the P.W.D. There have with both goals intact. In the second in Great Britain. He finds it very dif- been, it is said, muddles in the past. But half the University forwards showed ficult to get away from the Colony when there are the successes of the present, great form. Possessing fine turn of once he takes op his local employment including the dam at Tytan Tuk. On speed they frequently broke away and on The real fallser underlying the several occasions the Inte Hon Mr. The following telegrams have been no less than four ocensions beat the Army Editorial criticism in the apposition Hewitt discussed the P.WD with the eived by the American Consulate ed: Bhaiman, who was playing in, flannels, work costs about the same for general was obsessed with the idea that it could goalkeeper. Shortly before time was call that all engineering and architectural writer, and nobody could donbt that be eral, Hongkong, from the Manila Juving just previously taken part in a wash vinthere is also mis-state never do anything right. His motives Obscrvatory Sw

Ericket match, broke through, and had the most about the 5 per cent which is were of the best; be thought that he acted University goal at his mercy, but he mis said to be adopted by reputable archit in the public interest; but he got into el badly at the final effort and the gunnerects and civil engineers in private prab the habit of condemning before, the core

Public Service of the your 1918,

TYPHOON WARNINGS

October 15th, 6. p.

Typhoon in about 125deg Long, F. and left the field with a blank sheet.. 7deg Lat. N., moving W.N.W

October 16th, 11.40 a.m.:

than 100 miles distant, moving W.

tice. In this Colony the gustom seems was tried. It is unlikely that we shall to be to pay the 3 per cent plus 11 per persuade public servants to be proud of. cent for getting out quantities really and enthusiastic about, their work, if yelona. or typhoon W. of Luzon, less eace Prize, awarded him in connection system obtains with three of the local criticise without expert knowledge. On Mr. Roosevelt, has given the Nobel per cent dia, all At any rate, that w withhold praise and continually with the Bano-Japanese Treaty, to vari- frms, and to doube by the time that the other hand it does seem to be un- qua American and foreign charitica. His they have inished with Chinese Confortunate that the Committee appointed Viva steel ships, built by Japan for the Vice-Consul at Harbin and Vladivostock! However, we will not now dia

gifts include £100 to the acting American tractors they deserve very much more to advise about the expenditure in this their great spending department never seems United States Shipping Board; have ar for the Czecho-Blouka, “the extraordin grievances. The point which must be to issue any raport or give evidence of rived at a Pacific part, Japan is build ary feature of whoce great sad heroid feat emphasised as that it is impossible to say is literally unparalleled so far as I know that, because local custom recognises that ang 46 ships under two contracts,

id ancient or modern warfare.””

a civil engineer should be paid 81 per

some of the work done in this Colony site interest For it not untrue to say

to know a little is to excuse a lot

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WEST OF ENGLAND

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