RANDOM REFLECTIONS.
Bush thay be bad, but the share -market seems to be booming. I ander stand that the explanation is that a good deal of money converted into gold' when exchange shared up to six shillings and over, is now being reconverted with the dollar nearly down to ar. And still they
say Exchange is no robbery!
From the comments which have been avoked in some quarters on the letter sent by the Constitutional Reform Association to the Sanitary Board, on a scavenging questing, one "might suppose that the Constitutional Reform Association was
circulate it. will hear the
"
THE - HONGKUNG DAILY PRESS," THURSDAY, MAħCH 17f8, 1981.
FALSE. PRETENCES
PECULIARITIES OF THE ALLEGED
SUGGESTED INFORMALITY OF
ENGAGEMENT.
The piece-goods men CHARGE OF FORGERY AND CREW'S CLAIM FOR WAGES. out in this, I think, We' cannot get клу from the fact that the money spent on these luxurious entertainments benefits trade in some form or other, and thus creates. employment for people who would be without it if the money were hoarded,
FORGED 'DOCUMENT.
QUESTIONS OF PROBABILITY DISCUSSED.
"
The hearing of the case in which Shaw People who subscribe for these expen Lai Saug, managing partner of the Kow, sive entertainmenta enn presumably afford the money, or they would not sub-ton Stores, is charged with forgery and cribe; but if they can save something false pretences, was continued at the of this spare cash." by greater sim Magistracy, yesterday afternoon, before plicity in the entertainment, and a sorely Mr. R. E. Lindarli. stricken world can be helped thereby, The complainant, Mr. J. H. van Gennep it is necessary to make the same organi-Luhrs, managing director of the Holland sed effort to get thë sum so saved devoted Pacific Trading Co., Ltd., alleges that the defendant cut down a contract form, to purposes which may be deemed more
which had been signed but only partially
formed for the sole purpose of agitating helpful; else what." spare cash" is saved
Before the Acting Chief Justice, (Mr. H. H. J. Gompertz), at the Supreme: Court, yesterday, the case was continued In which Chan Ah Fook, a boatswain, and twelve other members of the crew of the British steamer Sequiga sued the Standard Transportation Company of Hongkong, a subsidiary company of the Standard Oil Company of New York.
The plaintiffs were represented by Mr., G. Alabaster, instructed by Moses. K. Hall Brutten & Co., and the do- fendants by Mr. R. E: Pollock, K.C.. and Mr. F. C. Jenkin, instructed by Messrs. Wilkinson and Grist.
Evidence by members of the crew as to
on nine entertainment, may go on another: filled up, in order to forge a document the details of their engagenient having
10
purporting to be a receips entitling the defendant to #3,000-from the complainant. The defence is that the receipt is genuine document and is a receipt for deposit of $5,000, made by defendant as security for goods he undertook to sell for the complainant's firm.
י,
for a reform of the constitution of the Colony and that any thing else the Asso- ciation concerns itself with is a new
Reports the Northern Chinese departure." That, however, is quite a mistake. The first public meeting called Papers recently indicated that, follow ing shortly upon the visit of the Crown under its auspices, in November, 1018, Prince of Japan to the Colony, we should passed resolutions relating to the House having a visit from the youthful ex: ng Question and the exclusion of Ger- Emperor of China, who according to the
Mr. H. Blake (of Messrs. Wilkinson mats, and it was not till the early part report, was first, to visit to Japan, then, of 1919 that the Association brought the question of Constitutional Reform before come to Hongkong en route to India and, & Grist) appeared for the complainant, Europe. Mr. R. F. Johnston; formerly of and Mr. A. H. Crew (of Messrs Hastings a public meeting. Everything the Asso-]
the Hongkong Civil Service, and now & Hastings) for the defendant. ciation does is not brought before a public
the English tutor of the ex-Emperor, bas Dieet.ng. More's the pits, perhaps written to a Shanghai contemporary to I understand that its Correspon
say that the published statements on the dence has been concerned with a wide subject (which appeared first in the variety of questions, some of which bave Chinese Fress) may possibly reflect The witness repeated his "denial that been raised in the form of questions in credit on the iniaginative powers of some the defendant had any dealings with the Legislative Council and also in the unknown, Chinese journalist, but they his firm in a personal capacity, apart from
have the disadvantage of being entirely the Kowloon' Store“, -
House of Commona.
untrue i
Pratically the whole afternoon was occupied in the completion of the cross exaur nation of the complainant by Mr.
Crew.
The reason items in accounts rendered were differentiated was that some items rapresented sales on consignment, and others, sales out- He denied that he asked the right. defendant for a deposit before letting
him have goods for Macao,
been given,
Mr. Pollock, for the defence, submitted that there was no case to answer. Ho said the plaintiffs relied upon the letter of September 4th, 1918, as constituting a ical and effective agreement between then and the defendants. He urged that such a letter could not be regarded as a con-
deamen, nor the data from which they tract, it did not give the names of the were engaged." Nothing could be con sidered unless in the articles. Moreover, the term “not to exceed 18 months," could not be construed to mean" for the full period of 18 montba" Plaintiffs had failed to prove that they were entitled to
employment for the full period of 18 months. Therefore, there was no case to answer. The defence had paid into Court the plaintiffs' wages in full at the New York raten Therefore the defence had done all that was necessary. The plain- tifla had not proved their right to em. ployment for the full period of 18 months and had not even attempted to show that, it was wrongful to discharge them in Hongkong.
Air. Alabaster said that he would say nothing about the articles at this stage, because they did not arike on the point. Under the agreement the voyage was from New York to the Orient thence to and
The claim made for the CR."A} that, through its activities "the Interests"! have I am told there has been a very con not been very successful in securing repre-siderable accession of strength to the sentation has been described as fudge," membership of the Victoria Recreation but the fact is indisputable that with Club; from the ranks of young men who one exception (in which success was have come out from home since the war, gained by a margin of only four votes) the and the result is very noticeable in the Interests have failed to secure the return increasing amount of rowing activity thing, there is no typewriter in my office. tiffs from New York to the Orient. They
of any candidate they have put forward since the end of 1915, whether for election by the Justices of the Peace or the Chamber of Commerce. The Association's agitation for the election of all the European unofficial members of the Legislative Council is not likely to dease until it is secured.
Mr. Crew: You deny that, on his pro- ducing the notes, you had, this receipt typed in your office?
Witness: Did II I deny it. For one.
that makes that type.
ber of blank contract forms handed by You suggest it is cut down from a num
you to the defendant-I think one is sufficient,
Well say one of a number, then!-Yes: Do you seriously tell the Court that you handed the defendant blank forms of con tract on which he could commit your firm to any extent -I admit it was careless, but I do say $0.
The question of price and time of de
You are a business man you were a anker-but you are a business man now
-Yes.
it
to be seen in the harbour of an evening, The V.RC. is one of the Colony's oldest institutions and its regatta's used to be" gala days in the social life of the Colony For some years past it had seemed that the Club was becoming moribund, but since the Hon. Mr. Claud Severn began to take an active' interest in its affairs The suggestion made by Mr. Moxon on the institution has shown a very gratify. retiring from the presidency of the local ing recovery, not a little of it due, Ilivery was left open 1-Yes. branch of the Royal Society of St. ingine, to the energy and enthusiasm! George, that the time has come to call of the present secretary, Mr. Witchell. a. halt to the increasing luxury and in a seaport like Hongkong rowing and aquatic sports should figure much more splendour which surround the annual entertainments given by this Society and prominently in the records of recreation the kindred society of St. Andrew's, than has been the case now for many receives, I think, wide endorsement-years past. perhaps nut entirely confined to
(Sgd.) ILLEGIBLE. This is the signa. our Own Colony. I noticed recently
meeting of subscribers Post Office to the Postmaster General. to the St. George's Ball at Penang Hongkong, as printed in the annual report át was decided to discontinue the of the Hongkong General Chamber of practice of members of the St. George's Commerce. If that doesn't teach the and St. Andrew's Societies inviting each
gentleman who was Acting Postmaster other to their respective balls. How General of the Straits Settlements in subscribers to St. George's Ball came to October and November last year to write -speak for members of the St. Andrew's legibly the name his parents conferred
Society in the matter, I did not gather from the report, but assume that there is common understanding between the twa Societies in Penang on the subject.
that at ++
Mayflare. venture to suggest that the growth of the Colony of Hongkong. and the miserably inade
ture to two letters from the Singapore
upon him, it ought to.
RODERICK RANDOM.
EX-ENEMY SHIPS.
BRITAIN'S SHARE: 301.
Public aunouncement has now been
fro for a period not exceeding 18 months What the at certain rates of wages: defence had dona was to bring the plain-
had not completed the agreement by taking them thence to and fro" in the agreement. The agreement did not accordance with the declared intention of
state where the plaintiffs could be dis charged, but it did state that after reach- ing the Orient they should go to and fro for ported not exceeding 18 months. Mr. Pollock said that a very vital ob jection to the letter had just come to his Reference to the Act would knowledge. abow that the agreemont, or rather letter. as they did not admit that it was an agreement, did not come under the Act. or the son that it failed to comply sions of the Act. The letter merely gave with some of the most important provi
Can you suggest how any agent could general schedule of the wages it was intended to pay the various ratings but get a customer unless he could tell him no statement of the capacity in which the price and time of delivery 1-Yes, it each man was to serve, as required by is quite usual. The business done by the a
Nor did the letter give the French firms, and by nearly all American name of each toan or the scale of provi firms, here, in an a commission basis. Į xions, "How can we sue anybody on The importer produces to the customer this letter which is not signed by one of "If it the original invoices, and a debit-note the 22 men" asked Counsel. for commission.
cannot bind any particular individual it But the defendant could have had you cannot bind the owners. Therefore, it is not an agreement. It is -mero invita- defendants were prepared to give tion, a prospectus stating the wages the It could not possibly be called an agreement between the ship and the men," The hearing was adjourned.
for millions-He has tried to have me with a man we trusted; he was in the for $5,000, any way. We were dealing office every day.
Mr. Crew: You were handing these forms to a'penniless man ?—‚ ̈
Witness: The Kowloon Stores were not penniless..
Have you in your office one contract
signed by the Kowloon Stores 1-Na
What motive can you suggest for this extraordinarily XTOS8 blackmail, in attempting to obtain this 85,0001 It is an extremely barefaced attempt'at black- mail-It certainly is.
Mr. Crew: This is the most wonderful forgery that has ever been produced.
The Magistrate: If the sheet had been cut with a knife, how do you account for the gum ?
Witness: How he did it, I can't say. I did not see him doing it.
The Magistrate: 'You suggest the gum
in all part of the forgery†
quale City Hall we possess for giving made of all the steamers allotted to the he said. differentiated between transae pone re-examination of the complainant
Can you suggest any motive-To get some hard cash. I suppose.
"Hard in the getting. I should say,"
The witness replied in the affirmative. was Mr. Crew's comment. He produced
It was agreed to interpose a witness a hook, kept by the defendant, which, whose evidence would be short and post- tions with the complainant on behalf of to another sitting. British. Empire by the Reparations. Com the Kowloon Stores and on defendant's ball on such a scale, make the Penang
Mr. Blake intimated that the com- decision one which may well be consider ssion under the terms of the Treaty of own behalf. Mr. Crew asked the complainant's printer would give evidence, ed here by both Societies. Mr. Moxon's Versailles, with the exception of 38 plainant where goods to the amount of but he would rather postpone calling him $2,000, shown in this book, were derived until he had had an opportunity of dis steamers and
12 sailing ships. from. RCM0 remarks, however, were not specially These vessels were interned in South
Mr. Blake: That is what we want to cussing with him this question of the directed against the size of the gatherings American porta, and are being repaired know
gum.
Mr. Crew: And I had much rather he but against the increasing luxury and
or are about to be repaired. There will
were called now, without any discussion. ́aplendour" which surround them; nor possibly also be a pumber of prize ships,
Mr. Blake: Very well, I will call him did he put his objection on the besides some other vessels; but it is not ground that the cost was unduly burden. yet known if these latter ships will be some to the subscribers, but rather coure available within the terms of the
Peace Treaty. on the ground that the world is in.
S
The Magistrate: This is the first time this particular sum has been mentioned.
Mr. Crew: I quite agree.
N
"The w
The witness, who is connected with the
Mr. Blake: We can find out by check ing the defendant's book with our books. Wing Fat Printing Co., Ltd., of 149. Wing Mr. Crew (to the witness) Do you Lok Street, said his firm printed the think this was a clever attempt to get contract forms for the complainant; they a, horrid mess? and that "there is no public announcement has been made,
The total number of vessels of which money on the part of the defendant?
Witness: 1 think it was very cunning had never printed for him sheets of the
size of the receipt form. doubt that a better use can be found for including passenger and cargo steamers, indeed. our spare monies than unnecessarily sailing ships, and trawlers, in 301, and Where do you think he ought to be lavish entertainments." 1, for one of these there have been sold 145 steamers, in the dock, or in the lunatie asylum 1- entirely agree, but unless the Committee four sailing ships, and two trawlers. It is a matter to be decided by the Court
There remain, therefore, for disposal, not by me.. draws that spare cash for some specific besides the few doubtful vessels referred
Does it seem to you clever to bring to better purpose, in the same way as they total of 150 vessels unsold. Besides the be a forgery 1-It is an extraordinary case to above, 129 steamers and 22 trawlers, a you a receipt which you would know to have drawa-it for luxurious entertain stipulation that the vessels would be pur- of impudence, certainly. ment, I do not see how the enforcement chasable only by British nationals, the
Mr. Crew: I suggest "foolishness, of greater austerity or simplicity in principle has been established that these there are criminal laws in this. Cology.
ex-enemy ships shall remain on the
The Magistrate: It is rather asking for these entertainments is to help 'n world British Register for ten years.
trouble, any why.uni in a horrid mess."?
Mr. Binke (to the Magistrate). There are defects in the type on the two sheets as to those l that are identical. Shall I examina him The Magistrate: As you wish, Mr. Blake. word "Trading," and other letters, show
It was elicited that the "A” in thờ
ed "white" nt corners in exactly the same places on the contract form and on the receipt form; also that when the receipt form and the contract form wers The gross tonnage of the passenger Mr. Crew: A desperate attempt to get placed one above the other, with the vessels sold to date totala 188,497 tons, and 95,000 out of someone who would im-right hand bottom corner of each sheet the deadweight tonnage of the cargo mediately recognise the document as a juxtaposition, the printed words were The witnesK: there is one thing that the present steamers, 755,531 tons, & mixed total of forgery (To the witness); I put it to exactly super-imposed, conditions in the world are teaching us 24,028 tona Of the unsold vessels (axyou that in January and February the expreased the view that the upper edge it is that restricted circulation of cluding trawlers, etc.), the gross tonnage defendant applied to you for the return of the receipt form had been cut with a
of the pasonger steamers is, approxi- of the 85,000 deposit 1 money is bad for trade The more mately, 369,634 and the deadweight of the witness: It is a lie... money circulates the better it is for enrgo stebmers 716,132 tons. trade. If you haven't the money, you cannot buy, of course, and the ranks of
The following deaths are announced!- the unemployed are increased in conso Alexander Whyte, formerly principal of quence; and the result is much the same New College, Edinburgh; Dr. Jokun if you have the money and decline to Beattie Crozier, philosophical writer.
In further cross-examination, Mr. Crow directed the witness' attention to part cles of gum whering to the upper edge of the receipt form, and huggested that the sheet had been torn out of a pad.
Witness: We noticed that peculiarity
pen-kn'ic, but be could not account for the presence of particles of gum along the upper edge. His firm had never printed tear-off pads of this size for the com- plainant's firm. He expressed the opin- on that the quality of paper of the two forms in question was identical.
At this stage the bearing was adjourned for a week, the Magistrate having no free.
(Continued as out of next column.) day in the interrel
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