1921-08-21 — Page 3

Page

CENTRE OF ACTIVITY. „GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT THAT

IS ALWAYS BUSY.

A MAGISTERÍAL MORNING'S WORK.

The vast and dignified Supreme Court at Hongkong may be deserted, save for clerk using it as a short cut from one office to another; the Indian maurers whe avail themselves of the machinery of the Summary Court for enforcing their often hard and unconscionable bargains may be otherwise engaged and the Court is silent as the grave, but go up the hill to the Magistracy and a very different cens meets the eye. Here one finds no summer slackness and no vacations." "..

A large gloomy court, packed to suffocation point with Chinese in every stage of dress and undrews. In the centre a large enclosure; the duck-the wooden pillars at the four corners orna mented with carved representations of the British crownto, indicate, perhaps, the special solicitude of the State for all who find themselves within the space thus -marked öff. The dock is as full as

Chinese chicken crate with dejected Specimens of humanity, squatting on the foor, waiting their turn to stand up and Answer the charges brought against them. They glance, fnarfully, over the edge, from time to time, curious as to the process by which justice is adminis- tered, and apprehensive of their own

ate.

In front of the dock sit police inspec- tors, solicitors and such as have business in the court. Left and right are the wit Deas. box and interpreter's stand, res pectively and facing all, the magis

terial bench.

**

R

1

"Plenty doing to-day," marmurs an "Small inspector, an we take a seat. Larcenies mostly." Stealing," which the army euphemises ne winning or scrounging" is larceny " "in the polien court. The Larceny Ordinance of 1885-abused the other day for its defects-like a well known brand of whisky-is "still going strong."

A RE-DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY. Everyone seems more or less bored by what is happening at the momentall except one man in the witness box who is animated and excited by a strong sense of grievance and an impassioned desire for justice. It seems that there were two bathers (among others) at Ken- nedy Town; one had three pairs of trousers on; the other had nose.

The man in the witness box was the man with none, und such an unequal distri- bation of the product of industry offend ed his sense of economics and probably, also, his sense of decency...

It is the duty of a free and progressies people to consider from time to time how far and in what direction. He old institutions

require modification to adapt them to changing conditions of modern life, and Iata glad therefore to learn that the Chief Pleas Sark, in consultation with my kittenant- Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, have recently had under consideration the qucation of reform in the legislative and executive system of Sark. I trust that these delibera tions may shartly result in measures schich will breathe new life and rigour into the ancient constitution of the island and increase the happiness and well-being of my faithful. subjects in Sark."

H.M. KING GEORGE-V. .{

THR- HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, AUGUST 23ND, 1991;

"MUCH ADO ABOUT

NOTHING."

THE SCHOOLBOY AND THE

TRUTHFUL COOLIE. :

M. Remedios, a very self-possessed young schoolboy, was summoned, before Mr. R. F. Lindsell, at the Magistracy, on Saturday, by riokahs, coolie who alleged that the boy had assaulted him and set his dogs at him.

The boy gave his version of the occur rence in the simple, unadorned style of the schoolboy's essay: We were play. ing football. The ball hit his ricksha. Ho abused us. 1 punched him. Another coolie went to his help. I ran away. He heaved a brick. I lodged it and hurt

small kid."

"What about the dog, inquired the Magistrate, having first elicited that the small kid was not seriously damag od.

The toy denied any share by the dog. I be was bitten by the dog, the police would have seen the bites, he added, acutely.

Inspector Brown agreed that the only injury the coolie exhibited was, appar ently, the effect of a blow on the mouth.

The ricksha coolie was invited to tell his story and surprised and delighted the court by actually relating (without. pressure) facts which told against him- self. The proverbial "oldest inhabit

ans" at the Inspectors' table could not recollect such an incident in the whole

course of his experience.

The coolie said that the defendant and other boys were playing football in Nathan Road, Kowloon, and the ball bounced against the wheel of his rick sha. “I told him," added the coolie

not to play football in the street. It is not the place,' I said."

14

A MISSING TANK.

MYSTERY

OF

A SAMPAN.

STATE OF LOCAL TRADE. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT.

The Standard Oil Company, on Sater-

The fortnightly Price Current and day, at the Magistracy, charged alurket Report issued by the Hongkong Chinese, in charge of one of their motor. General Chamber of Commerce states:- boats, with the theft of a tack.

Cotton piece goods and fancy cotton The defendant said, by way of ex-goods.-A moderate business has been planstion, that the tank had been re-done since our last report in grey and placed, recently, and there was not sub-white shirtings chiefly. Local values have cient room on the boat to keep the old declined acmewhat, but, generally speak- about Manchester parities. one, Ho

put it on a sampau, tempor- ing, are artly, and now could not find the Some sales are reported of Venetians and Italians. Although hostilities be- sampan."

Mr Fothergill, of the Standard Oiltween the Kwang Provinces have ter Co., restarked that that was the defen.inated, conditions are still unsettled, dant's excuse when first asked about the but a general improvement is looked for tank. He was given time to look for the about the end of this month.

Cotton Yarn.-A very moderate busi sampan and, when the subject was men- tioned again, he said the tank had been nuss transpired. Notwithstanding the taken to n house. He was told to con-appreciable decline in exchange, prices realised show slight declines on the pre- Latterly values have rey it to the Company's Laichikok in- stallation, and afterwards reverted to the vious fortaight. sampan atory. Mr. Fothergill believed hardened somewhat. Quotations are:- that the tank was taken away in a sam-No. 10s at $138 to $189; No. 12s at $137

to $188, No. 16s at #196 to $219; No. nearing to the defendant's wife. Sentence of four weeks' imprisonment 20s at $200 to $230. Arrivals 3,000 bales, with hard labour was imposed.

Sales 3,000 bales. Shipments mil. Un- sold Stock 1,000 bales. Bargains 10,000 balen.

ALLEGED KIDNAPPING. SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT IN NATHAN

ROAD.

Before Mr. R. E. Lindsell, us, the

Magistracy, on Saturday, a Chinese was charged with kidearring a mui tsa

Woollerts,No business has been done; market remains 'unchanged.

Rat Cottons.-Values are practically uhaltered as follows:-Indian descrip tions at to $23 per picul. Chinese descriptions at $25) to 836 per picul.

Metals.--Business has been "done in

S. Bars to arrive at prices ranging from $3.10 to 6.25 per picul. There are The Magistrate suggested that the case further enquiries, but owing to a armer had better go before the Secretariat for market in London, business is difficult to Chinese Affairs, as a preliminary-

MS. Plates have been bring about. inspector Brown He had the girl in booked at 93.25 per picul. Locally his charge, so the case seems clear market prices have sagged away slightly. enough. She was sent out to buy some

Wire nails have been offered at $7.95 to things and stoppid to look at a theatri-88, without finding buyers. cal performatice. The defendant was seen, by someone from the Kwong Wah Hospital, to take her by the arm, along Nathan Road. He followed and heard the man tell her to sit down and wait for him. The coolie: No, rudely-Sensation.)

He then went away and the watcher ask- "Oh you admit you were rather ruded the child if she knew the man.

She about it," said the Magistrate, in a tone said No” and was about to take her of pleased surprise,

questioner's advice and go home when the defendant returned and again took charge of her. He was apparently going to take her away by train.

"very

The Magistrate: You said that", mildly and politely, I suppose?

"Yes, I was," said the coolie, smiling, He went on to say that the boy set his dogs at him. Each of them got hold of his legs but they did not bite him.

Well-trained dogs," commented the Magistrate. "And then?

"The defondant punched me on the nose."

"And you went off and saw Inspector Brown?

"

"I went to get a constable to arrest the defendant," replied the coolie, who evidently took a serious view of the case.

"But you never told the "constable about the dogs," remarked the Betch

"No," was the reply, "I was rather ruled (free translation).

There was next a dispute between complainant and defendant, as to whe The de- ther another coolie took part. fendant said it was two against one." The complainant was told that he should bave brought the other coalie as a wit-

ries8.

Now, why did you make such a fuss about this ball hitting your ricksha?" asked the Magistrate, desirous of cutting a long story short.. "You admit you abused him."

"No, I only spoke rudely rejoined the coole, anxious not to go beyond his first admission.

ነ

The individual standing out from the

"Well, the affair is so trivial, I dis welter in the dock as defendant in this

Hemiss the summons," said the Magistrate, "a mistake." ease says it was wishes the Court to believe that he is and the next case was called forthwith.

so absent-minded that he puts on three pairs of trousers-ever in this weather- without knowing it.

"Curious mistake," comments the Magistrate grimly, It is found, from the records, that this man has had pre- vious fits of absent-mindedness at the bathing benches, He is sent to prison, and will spend some hours in stocks on the bosch as a warning to others.

YOUTHFUL PRECOCITY.

A precocious boy of ten now peeps over He has stolen. the edge of the dock. packing cases from Moutrie's,so the charge indicates.

The Mingistrate: It amounts to An attempt at kidnapping.

Inspector Brown: We are charging him with the fall offence.

The defendant said the girl asked him to take her to the banyan tree opposite (This was identi- the police station."

fied as a place in the opposite direction to that in which the defendant was tak ing the child.)

The case was adjourned until today.

TRADE DEPRESSION IN THE

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS..

COMMISSION PROJECTED,

Flour Market report-Stock: About 95,000 sucks. Quotations: American Patent $4.70 per sack, American cut off 23.10 per sack, American 'stralgh 83.55 per sack, Shanghai finur $3.45 per sack

Window Glass.-Market is slightly easier both here and in Belgium.

Sugar-Market steady. Saltpette.-Stock 4.300 bags. Market

steady.

BOMBAY LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL.

FRANCHISE FOR WOMEN APPROVED.

BONDAY, August 1st. The Bombay Legislative Council has passed a resolution in favour of the granting of the franchise to women, and is now discussing a resolution asking the Government to introduce suitable machin- ery the

prevention and early settle. ment of Labour.

disputes. On betalf of the Government it was stated that the newly instituted Labour Office was collecting valuable data relat-, ing to labour which might be the basis machinery for the preven- forrikes. The Straits papers have been officially tion 1 of

His Excellency the The Government eventually accepted an informed that Governor has decided to appoint a Com-amendment or the appointment of a mission to enquire into, and report on Committee to report on the question, but the present state of trade depression, several Indian members having advocated brought about in the main by the con- compulsion in settling labour disputes, tinued depression in the Rubber Indus- the Government pointed out that compul and to make such recommendation assory legislation was impossible, for it was may appear necessary for the extension the inherent right of the workman to of credit facilities.

down tools, and it was impossible to com. pel a man to work if he did not wänt to work.

try:

The Commission is being appointed at once and is expected to commence its investigations. immediately.

A TRAMWAY TRAVELLER'S

COMPLAINT.

He

NEW CRICKET . " PITCHES."""

now

The fortune of £57,000 left by the late William Gunn, the great Notts profes The following specimen of the epistol-aional, must be very nearly, if not quite, ary art was received recently by the Tram-record. Gunn was among the pioneers

of "sports outfitting, which has way Company, at Shanghai:-

DEAR SIR-Last-day I set number seven usurped the place of innkeeping with old rond electric-car, I took tow eants to numericcketers. The old custom ordained that ber three hundred twenty-one conductor if a county professional did not keep pub" already, he should invest his Where to. buy ticket. Ho ask me

benefit }} I did not steal them," says the boy. answer him, did you don't ask me. Please

money in a snug tavern, which he would proceed to adorn, with "The man who stole them wanted me to you take tow cents ticket give me. take them away to sell." The boy, who were chideme. I said, did you want sel trophy bats and balls. ODUNTERFEIT SOVEREIGNS, DATED 1401. Amongst this man's belongings, by the thus acknowledges a dubious environ-fish, of course, ho were treat me, because way, are found two counterfeit English ment, adds that his father has given it. I wrote letter to sir. quest you ques Rovereigna; very light, but otherwise him two dollars to set him up in busition him. I thank presentable imitations. King Edward ness" as a hawker. VI.'s head, and St. George and the

"Perhaps your father' stole the wood," Dragon are there, but the superscription suggests the Magistrate,

The amall boy repudiates the imputa is farrago of nonsense, something about Napoleon in dog-Latin and the tion upon his parent. date is a long way out-1401 Ha can- He goes away to be whipped, just to not be charged, however, with any remind him that he is not a man yet. offence under this head. The Ordinance Wo try to find him, afterwards, to make mentions "three or more" and he has up his capital by the dollar required to only two: The moral would appear to casure his start in life, but he has dis- be that when the tram-conductors have appeared into the uncharted wilderness ture" worked off two bad ten-cent, pieces Da ef China town."

A DIFFERENCE IN TEAMS. Nether integuments," as

Dickens

the unsuspecting passenger he is begin- ning to stand within the danger of the law. He must be careful not to accept and the other Victorians, in an excess another "dud""

of modesty, used to call them, form the

ELEMENTS OF IMPROBABILITY.

At five o'clock on Saturday morning, subject of the next charge. The people a man emerges from the stairway of Noncerted live in a Chinese coolie house, WI only wanted to borrow his trou-

Why did you not nak himin quires the Magistrate.

...

you air,

(Signed)

"

Now-a-days the sports shop is more popular, especially with cricket "stars," whose aanes are a goodwill in them- selves.

THE COST OF LIVING IN HONGKONG.

INTERESTING FIGURES.

The current number of the British Chamber of Commerce Journal (Shanghai) contains an article on the cost of living in Shanghai, Tientsin, Hongkong, and Burma with comparative figures showing some of the leading items of expendi.

The following tables are given for Hongkong:-.

YOUNG BACHELOR

YOUN MARRIED COUPLE

{d} * (e) 0

Kebis!

[lotte.

ITEM.

(4)

-Abaving reated Bording

mes like Bo

Boardies Kanse

othe

1.-House Rent g-Food

45

50

150

300

250

540

1

120.

15

15

B

3.-Sodas, Wines, etc.....

4-Tobacco, Papers, etc.. 5.---Lighting

Amusements

..

8.

-Club Bills

-Clothes-

11-Furniture, etc.)

19.

76,. Des Voeux Road, looks this way anders," says the defendant.. that, and hurries away. His clothes bulge; Chinese clothes don't lead them- selves readily to the transportation, of

**He was not there," says the other" bulky articles. A constable, trained to Why not wait till he came back!" distrust his fellow men, stops the man persists the Magistrate. Was it not and finds two electric light bulbs in his because you know perfectly well that he pockete. Unwillingly the man accom-would not give you permission + " panies the constable to the place from " Quite 80, says the defendant in a whence he came; on the landing a bulb is surprising outburst of candour. missing from its socket. A

Yes, quite po," repeats the Magis-

The man says he bought the bulb from trate. Well, that is stealing, not. "So-and-so of "auch-and-such A borrowing street," Warned by experience, the The defendant is given 14 days in police have already investigated this | which to sort out his rather muddled story and found it to be, false.

ideas of meum and tuum..

TERSPAESING ÁT A POLICE STATION,

10-Laundry,

Car and Chauffeur?

13-Chair

$888281988

៩, ១៥៥៩ - Y

81.1988

144-Insurance

15.-Servants

H

Total in Mex. Dollars...

283

308

463

506

512

807

Totals in sterling at rate of exchange at time of writ- There is another element of improb

|ing," 21-$7.64

£37 0 10 240 6 3. £80 5 10 £7801 £8703 £103′15 ability. The man says he has neither home nor employment; yet, needing food The proceedings are varied by a These figures compare as follows:-Shang--| China in the fault of residents themselves "and shelter, he investe his, just coins in--charge, against two men, of trespassing hai, 8301, 3328 and 3483 respectively for the and cannot be put down to circumstances

two electric, light bulbs!

at a police station of all places. They young bachelor, and 8658, 8553, and 2849 out of their control. What is termed It is one of the rules of the game that went there to bail out a friend, they for the young married couple; for Tien- the standard of life is artificially nothing shall be said about a prisoner's say, and found themselves in the vicinity in the respective totals are 2302, 3327, high and could

be lowered by past until he shell, hare born.com of the cells. Cells are not open to toe and 8379 for the young bachelor and voluntary offarta com no mord victed, fair, and square, on the merits public, except by formal introduction 002071 and reactively for the this not so and residents can of the present chargs. It then appears through an arrest and to impress this young married couple. These figures show lower the cost of living than by taking that the man is an old collector of other fact on the visitors they are fined 83 Wongkong, to the channast place of the thought, they call city sunet But De poople's electric light fittings; ho, “makos | each.

The figures for Burma in their In--both cases publicity cannot be a speciality of it," as the Magistrate Opium charges, presenting no fen.) sterling equivalents, are considerably helpful." puts it. Six weeks! is the laconis tures of intersat, conclude a strenuous

lower,

WA THAY OMark that much items as verdiet.

morning and everyone is glad when the The Journal expresses the view that in dentist's and doctor's bills and no place (Continued at foot of next column.) day's charge sheet is cleared.

lenme respecte the expensiveness of life in in the liste given.

LANE, CRAWFORD & CO

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