1923-04-17 — Page 5

Page

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE RENTS ORDINANCE.:

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE RONGKONG DAILY PRESS.")

SIR,- convinced, from information ~which has reached me, that tenants and pub-tenants in this Coleny have only a

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, APRIL 1718, 1926.

MORE FIGHTING AT CANTON.

YUNNAN AND KWANGST TROOPS

IN SERIOUS CONFLICT..

Telegraphic news reached the Colony yesterday of a serious outbreak of fight- ing between Yunnan and Kwangsi troops

nt Canton,

A force of Yunnanese troops is quarter

THE WAR MEMORIAL

SALE OF CROWN LAND.

SIR PAUL OHATER EXPLAINS THE KEEN COMPETITION FOR LOTS AT

NURSING HOME SCHEME.

SUBSCRIBERS' MEETING.

A meeting of subscribers to the Hongkong War Memorial Fund was held at the offiros of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. Ltd., yesterday after noon, when the Chairman of the Com-

very imperfect knowledge of the protesed near the White Cloud Mountain, anumittee, Six C. Paul Chater, K.G.M.C., Lion which they are legally entitled to it appears that" on Sunday the aratrics made a long statement explaining the new under the Ronts Ordinnace, 1939 (No. 14

belonging to this force who were patrol-scheme for establishing a Nursing House of 10).

Accordingly I desire to point out, for ling, the north-eastern outskirts of the in memory of the fallen. general information, the protection, which City came into conflict with a company the Rents Ordinance gives to every kind of Kwangsi troops who headquarters are of tenant and subtonant, from the prin pipal tenant of a houss or floor right

down to the coolie or ocespies a mere beil-space.

workman who

at In Tong. There was a "misunder

ณ

Thow present at the meeting were as follow:

KOWLOON.

Three pieces of Crown Innd were put up for sale at the offices of the P.W.D. yesterday afternoon,two at Kowloon, and one at Kennedy Town. The sale room was picked to overflowing with Chinese bidders, and competition was un usually keen, especially for the Kowloon lots.

The rat sale was Inland Lot No. 2115, Kenedy Town a pices of inne abou 8,000 square feet in ama, and let at an annual rental of 850. The upset price was $1,800. Bidding for this lot was brisk, and the land eventually, went to Mr. Li Sing Ku for $27,000,

Except in the case of a furnished honics, Reinforcements wero called up by The Chainyan said.—ât a subscribers $110 The upset price was placed at

or furnished flat or an office on godown, the law is as follows (~-

1.-Subject to what is stated hereafter nader paragraphs 3 and 4, no notice to quit is of any force or validity, even though the tenant's lease or agreement for! lease with the lessor to him states that

The people living near the scene of battle were fleeing into the City for

which sum it was eventually knocked

When the second sale was announced matters became exciting. The property The Hon. Mr. A. G. Stephen, Messrs.sok was a plot f land situated at the standing" of some kind which resulted in E. J. Chapman, L. G. Bird, D.G.M. junction of Nathan and Gascoign Roads, Bernard, A. O Lang, N. 8. Watson, the Kowloon, and known as Kowloon Inland skirmish," in which both parties are Rer, J. Kirk Macoche, and Dr. G. M. Lot No. 153. The Innd has au area of reported to have suffered heavy casual-Harston.

roughly 8,000 feet, and the annual rental both parties and heavy ighting developed mosting hold on December 2nd, 1920, it 890,0x, but the bidding started at $25,000. was thought that it would be best to and there was general clamour of in the evening, and the telegram reported merge the War Memorial Scheme in a voices to bid $30,000. The price went up that the sounds of firing were still being proposed scheme for the erection of by leaps and bounds to $50,000, rising combined club for Navy, Army and $300 at a time, but from that figure on- Civilians; this was later found to be wards the sale proceeded a little more heard at noon yesterday.

impracticable; but it was decided to erect decorously to 831,000, after which it pro- on the finest site" a replica of the Cenotaph in Whitehall designed by Mr. ceded by laboured stages to $37.500. for Lutyens Permission was obtained from

The third sale was New Kowloon Inland was considerable delay in obtaining the plans; however, the work is now weil Lot No 436. situated on the newly re under way and we hope to navell the claimed land adjoining the Samsbuipo Cenotaph on Empire Day May 24th. It Reclamation. Bidding started at $23,000, and went rapidly up to $60,000, proceed- will cost about 260.000. At a Meeting of the Committee hold on August 22, 1991, ing slowly from then onwards to 881,800, authorities were unable to come to any was a dispute as to the owner, and the was stated that the Naval and Military where it stopped. Unfortunately there satisfactory agreement as to the future and had to be sold all over again. "This control and management of the proposed time bidding was keener than ever, and Club, and the heme was therefore there seemed to be considerable anxiety. dropped, 1 then suggested that the all round to get hold of the land. The Memorial take the form of an up-to-date final price at the second sale was even Nursing Home on the higher levels; it higher than at the first, the lot being was felt that "such a Home would be 4 knocked down to Mr. Pun Hi Ting, and great boon to the Colony; it would be Mr. Li Sing Kit for 808,700 of service to the Community in assisting to minimise the death rate, anil in the restoring to health of those falling sick. It would be managed by a board of governors composed of lay members of the Community, with one or two Government Ufficials serving on it; the staff to consist of resident doctor and resident trained nurses and private practitioners to be allowed to attend patients. I felt certain that I could raise $250,000 and as the Government had undertaken to give us a like sum (making $300,000), we could, with this, make a very fine Nursing Hemo

ho is to give up possession on a certain refuge, and people are becoming apple Lutyens to use his design, but there down to Chan Lai To.

kate (see the first paragraph of section hensive that the warfare may extend to (1) of the Rents Ordinance).

the Yunnan and Kwangsi troops station- -A tchant or sub-tenant is not legallyed within the City. bound to pay either to his immediate landlord or to anybody else more than the Yesterday morning, on account of the

standard" rent of that part of a domestic dwelling which ho occupies (.e., severe fring all shops were closed, and the rent of such accommodation on the traffe was practically suspended. The 31st December, 1020) (see 4 (1) (n) of Bund was strongly guarded by Yunnanesse the Rents Ordinance).

troops, and the Headquarters of Sua This point that the Ordinance applies Yat Sen at the Cemit Works was under do sub-tenancies of even the smallest character (g, cubicle or bed-space) re the protection of the Yurnan Leader, quires to be most forcibly emphasized in Yeung Tag Pui and the river patrol view of complaints which have been made. boats.

(i) That the Ordinance affords no relief to the Ordinary workman or coolic, and

(ii) That the only effect of the Ordin ance is that the principal tenant makes a profit out of the premises instead of the landlord.

Sun Yat Sea cabled to the Navy at Whampoa, ordering them to proceed to Canton at

oner. He also enbled to Hui Sung Chi, who is approaching Swatow, to immediately despatch some of his troops to Canton.

"

Any such profiteering on the part of the principal tenant or any sub-tenant According to news received from an is contrary to the Rents Ordinance. bo cause under that Ordinance neither the other source, the soldiers under the com- principal tenant nor any sub-tenant is mand of the Kwangsi leader, Sum Hang entitled to raise the rent of any bed-space. Ying, have been defeated, and driven out cubicle, room, portion of a floor, floor or of Canton. This has not yet been con- I have sufficient moner left to carry

standard building above the

rent for

Man

on. On September 23rd, 1991, I received the same (ie, the rent which was being firmed. The City is at present quiet, and a letter from the Government stating that paid for the same on the 31st December, is now practically under the control of ne the scheme for the proposed olur bad inen).

Memorial should be confined to the In view of the fact that so many in the Yuananese troops. under Teung Hinilen through they thought that the War erection of the Corotaph already decided crentes of pay have been demanded by the As there are now approximately 25,000 on should be one with the balance of

and asking

for recommendatica as to Chinese working classes since the 10th

what July, 1921. (the date of the Rents Ordin- ance: 1821, which contained identical Kwangsi soldiers scattered around Canton subs:riptions remaining. At a Committeo provisions on the above points with the decisive engagement is expected. The Meeting held on October 3rd, 1921, this of the Government was CODE Rents Ordinancu, 1022) on the ground Yunnanese troops have such a deal ofsidered but your Committee were of the that they were obliged to pay more rent

opinion that the Nursing for the quarters in which they live, it is fighting on their way from Szechuca to unanimous

Home Scheme should be proceeded with. to be hoped that the Tenants' Association, Canton, and are expected to put up a

A sub-committee consisting of the Hos which has been doing good work, will stubborn fight.

Mr. A. G. Stephen, the Hon. Mr. H. E. take measures to inform Chinese coolies,

Pollock, the Hou. Mr. Lau Chu Pak, and workmen, netisans and others of their

myself, were appointed to interview H, E.

Yesterday's Canton Daily News, which

abere undoubted rights under the Rents contains no reference to the foregoing Ordinance, to resist the rising of rent!

The Senior representative in Hong- kong for the time being of Messrs. John Swiry & Sons Ltd. (Messrs. Butterfeld & Sire Ltd.).

The Chief Manager for the time being of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. 2-The Committee shall consist of: --

The Trustees of the Home,.

3.-

Government Official to be nominated by the Governor. The Chairman for the time being of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.

The members to be co-opted annually by the Committee to serve for one year.

-Two wards, to named after the late Mr. Granville Sharp and/or his wife Matilda Lincolne Sharp, shall be set apart for free patiente

4-The Trustees for the time being of

the Will of the late Mr. Granville Sharp shall at the expiration of 7 years from January 1st, 1922, report to the Registrar as to #hether the provisions of the articles as above mentioned have beer, and are being duly observed and carried out,

It is also intended that in addition to the Governor, to ask that the Government the Committee as constituted by the $250.000 being a like amount to

and (subject to paragrapha 3 and 4 of encounter, has the following, additional renew their former offer in proviCourt, the Senior representative in Kong-1

this letter) to stop on where they are information relating to the fighting last Furthermore, such profiteering ought, in week at the Wongaha railway station :--- my opinion, to be made a criminal oftenor

WONGSHA NOW. QUIET.

YUNNANESE TOP FIGHTING.

that

we aim

which I had undertaken to raise. The kong of any firm-subscribing 820,000 result was the Government granted upwards be fuciu a member of it. us a site and $200,000.00, on condition The decision of the Shareholders of the that the Community subscribed an equal Peak Hospital to wind up the Company amcunt. In April 1992 the stage bad was arrived at about July, 1923, and it J-1 new proceed to deal with cases in which the lessor tries to get rid of

been reached when it was necessary that is only by the generosity of Mr. J. E. a trgant upon the plea of reconstruction.

The condition of F. E. Moore, chief the Nursing Home should be provided Joseph in buying the place and handing with Constitution Or Articles of it over to the Government, that the Peak aud, in this connection, it is advisable to. remind occupants of premises that they offer of the es. Pathos, who was acciden- Association in accordance with the law Hospital is running to-day; the Govern This was ment is I believe responsible for the many safely, disregard any notice to quit, talis shot by a stray bullet during the tone and approved by your Committee maintenance of it. This is one of the

governing such institution. on the plea of reconstruction, unless

(1) Buch notice to quit is a three Yunnaness affray at Wongsha early on It was then found that the 8400,000.00 reasons, that the scheme now submitted the morning of April 12th when his ship consisting of $200,000.00 from the Gover to you is a much more elaborate one than months' notice; and (2) such notice to quit stetes in writing was anchoring off the Centon-Hankowicnt and $200,000.00 to be raised by the that contemplated at first, and as. I have Community would not be enough to said it is necessary to raise a much larger: whether the lessor intends to pull Railroad, Kwangtung Section, is improv provide an Institution of a scale to meet sum. It is estimated that to build and down or to reconstruct; and (3) such notice niso states the exacting, and it is believed that he will soon the growing needs of the Colony. It was furnish a Nursing House such

necessary to raise more money, and. I still 10 wounded the cutliced a proposal made by mysel at will entail an expenditure of oue! million dollars and I ain very pleased to nature of the reconstruction intend-recover. There are

Tuonanese soldiers lying at the hospital and the Eos. Mr. Stephen, we baing the say that most of this is already in sight. ed; and

Trustees of the Granville Sharp Estate, contributions promised (and in some 4) such reconstruction is of such an as a result of the battle at Wongsha.

for the utilization of half the surplus extent na to make such building a The Canton-Eunkow Railroad Wangsha income of that Estate as from January cases paid) together with the estimated "new building" within the men

It was estimated that the contributions from Sharp's Estate, and 1st, 1922. money thus provided would be sufficient interest amount to $900,000; we can there increase the building fund by fore confidently appeal for the additional 150,000.00 and to provide a subsequent $100,000 required. The Government has annual endowment of $70,000.00. I may very kindly assisted us by granting the Fay that this action was taken at the 200,000 already mentioned, and a very instance of the late Mr. E. H. Sharp, fino site about 12 acres, situated about then my co-trustee of the Sharp Estate, 700 feet above sea level; the site is abora measure of assistance to the overlooks the Harbour and the Race who expressed a desire to extend the new motor road to the Peak and Nursing Home, scheme, but was un Courses it will bo shaded from the oven- fortunately drawing up prometed by lines from ing sun and will enjoy the south easterly

ing of the Public Health and Build-Station is now quiet, and only a few ings Ordinance: 1903; that is to say, Yunnanese guards are posted there. the reconstruction of the whole or any two of its main walls or the Train service resumed April 14th; and a removal of the root and the recon detachment of those who participated in struction of at least one half of each the fighting last Thursday and Friday of any two of its main walls, whether at the same time or by in moved to Poontong and quartered at stalments at different times; or else Chen's Temple, early Saturday morning, the raising of the existing building Business in Wongsha was resumed last to a total height exceeding one and

Saturday... half times the original height of the buildings (ser 471)(f) of the Rents Ordinance, and the definition of new building." in section 6 of Ordinance 1 of 1903);

It may also be desirable, in connec tion with repairs to buildings, to remind parties concerned of the provisions of section 20 of the Rents Ordinance, which runs an follows:

(2) unless the Court is satisfied that alternative accommodation, reason- ably equivalent as regards rent and suitabila'y in all respects, is avail able.

The above remarks do

to

in detail. The text breeze through Middle Gap in the summers step was an application to the Court it will be approached by a nearly lovel based on affidavite sworn by Mr. Boraard motor road branch of the main road. on behalf of the Committee, and by the Plans of the Nursing Home have been Hon. Mr. Stepher and myself on behalf prepared and we consulted Drs. Johnson, of the Sharp Estate. On August 12th, Harston, Forsyth and Alle as to their 1922, the Chief Justice gave judgment suitability technically; the doctors made approving

the scheme, subject to further certain suggestions for improvements and detalla being submitted as to the working these have already been adopted; the not, of course, cf. the proposed Nursing Home On plans are on the table, and may be in-

March 7th, 1923, a further judgment was

spected. I may say that accommodation given, based on an Affidavit by Mr. D. G. provided for 35 single rooms.

There will be two free wards of 10 beds each any net whatsoever with intent to inducohich is of percssity. somewhat labor M. Bernard, and on" Articles interide hich will be named after the late Mr. the lessee of any domestic tenement to

Memorial Nursing Home in recordance give up posision of such domestic tenerate and complicated, but it is hoped govern the proposed Hongkong ment shall be liable upon summary con- that they may help to show teannts and with the suggestion contained in the Granville Sharp and his wife Matilda viction to a fine not exceeding one thon sub-tcuants, down to the coolie occupying previous judgment; the effect of the inter Sharp, in accordance with the terms sand dollars, and shall also be liable in the bed-space, that they have read rights judgment is that from January 1st, 1922 under which we get the grant from that half the surplus income from Granville Estate On the 2nd floor will be situated damages, to the lessee for any loss which

Estate after providing for the the operating theatres and subsiduary

Every person who shall mala fide do exhaust all the intricacies of a measure

the lessee may sustain by reason of such and safeguards under the Rents Ordinance of the Matilda Hospital is rooms; Nurses quarters are on the third

Sveit

Yours faithfully,

E. POLLOCK

you

the

ance which secure them in the possession 4-Another point which may be noted

erection and or endowment of the Hong-detached houses for the Surgeon and is that a notice by the lessor that he of their accommodation and protect them to be appropriated yearly towards the floor and there will be two semi- requires possession of the who's or part from being obliged to pay any rent higher Long War Memorial Nursing Home In Physician reached by a covered corridor

I have now explained to of any domestic building may be dis than the rent prevailing for the same ac the Judgment certain conditions are from the main building. regarded by the occupants (see (1) (e)commodation on the 31st December, 1920. made, the chief ones boing that:--

1-The Trustees of the Nursing Home scheme which has been approved, by thir Committee, and hops that it this meeting of the Rents Ordinance), unless

shall be The Trustees for the time being of you will authorise the Committee to pro- the Will of the late Mr Granville coed with it along the lines I have set Sharp from whose Eetato a large out Before, however, putting this pro- proportion of the fund is, with, posni to the meeting. I shall be glad to the sanction of the Court, derived answer any qutations that subscribers may The Managing Director in Hong. desire to nekega

kong for the time being of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson Do., Ltd. (Jonihued at foot of next column.)

41) such lessor requires the same for occupation as a residence for him- self or his family or for any person bona fide residing or to reside with him, or for some person in his whole-time employment, or in the whole-time pmployment of come tenant from him; and also (Continue at foot of nees column.):

Prince's Buildings,

April 16th, 1923. So farther letter I shall deal

with amendments which are ro quired on the "reconstruction" provisions of tho Rents Ordin ABCO HEP

There were no questions, and as there was no further hins the meeting was brought to a conclusing.

WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED

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AT

PRICES

$105

TO

$200

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CALL AND INSPECT THESE CARRIAGES.

WE CAN SUPPLY A CHEAPER MAKE

$95 AND $110

THESE ARE GOOD VALUE

IN ELEPHANT, SUEDE AND BLUE FINISHES.

FOLDING CARS

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AND

$35 EACH.

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