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THE HONGKONG DAILY PRERS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 2018, 1828.

THE SHIPPING CONTROL

REPORT.

MR. C. R. BURKILL'S REPLY.

THE SATISFACTION OF HONGKONG CAN BE EASILY

UNDERSTOOD."

We have received, for publication the] Wolkowṛa would have practically paid i following statement by Mr. C. R. Burkill, year's insurance premia of 200,000-(see of Shanghai, in reply to the Report on Par. 21, 17th October, 1918)-to run their the Shipping Control in Hongkong issuedown insurance, a little over a month ago:—

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The money is kept for insurance In reply to Mr. Fletcher's statement refagainst war risk. Shipping Control 1917/1923, I would like The Government did not ascertain from to reply to certain statements made by each owner the extent of war insuranen him.

covered (March' 13th circular Latter Sec Mr. Fletcher lose sight of the fact that 11 and 13), but insured "ach boat for the Wallor action was based on as a specific value (total £979,000)'and then. question of principle. The 'viluun, afterwards ran the awful, and terrible risk during certain periods of Control, was on their own account, presumably with not used in aid or defence of the Crown some reference to the £010.000 valuation, Colony of Hongkong.", which was the par- but did not disclose to any owner the pose for which the Governor was enabled) vafus placed on his boat or the insur- commandeer her under Order-inance thereon-quite oblivious of the fact Council 28th October, 1596. This fact of of possibility of overlap in insurance.

principle. ectus to he lost sight of by dragging in the Patriot (which was owned by my firm). This boat was used for carrying conl from Chinwangtao to Hongkong. Coal was essential in "aid or defence of the Crown Colony," there- fore we have never claimed for the Patrint as it appeared to us that she came withini the principle." Mr. Fletcher is quite correct in saying that the Patriot was under a charter for $12,000 a month to the Kailan Mining Administration and earned $15,000, tirus innking

the increased earning capacity," but

The greatest feature in the defence has been this war risk, The Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak, July 26th, 1923, mys:-

"I think a good deal of confusion of thought has arisen in the minds of the Shanghai public at least partly frem ignorance of inct-probably from ignor ance of fact-is not realising that this Clovernment, throughout the Shipping Control, was running a very serious insurance risk"

But on the Government's own figures it could have been covered for, ünder

800,000. Mr. Fletcher grits out of all

this by saying:

li

Y

T. 1017, the Indo-China 'Steam Naviga tigi Co, made a profit du "working of stunders of £387,359 anil paid 801% divid end (Fairplay, June 7th, 1923).

THE FLOODS..

HOUSEN COLLAPSE IN WONG NET

-CHONG VILLAGE.

house collapses and flooded ronds was caused by, the heavy rains of Tuesdöý night and yesterday morning.

From these figures it seems obvious that A good deal of damage in the way of the tranip ship-owner was not où this same basis as the Companies owning fleets and it would be interesting to know what the Imperial Government made out of the Indo-China requisition over and above the 1587.530 profit made by the Compuny from operating their Steamers in 1917.

Also, how many Indo-China steamers were requisitioned and how many were not? While the Government's instruktionis jargo that the ramp owners' remuneration was not to be appreciably higher or lower than that of competing vessels, the results as indicated above do not point to quality of treatment, and this apparent inequality of treatment leaves an avenge open for the Hongkong Government to establish a Com pensation Board (as in England) and re- Compense shipowners who can prove that they made a loss,

In conclusion, while agreeing with the Fletcher's reply is a complete vindication Hon. Mr. Holyik that the Hon. Mr.

of himself, I cannot agree that the Shang- hai public is se ignorant as the Hou, Mr. Holyoak thinks, or that his opinion is shared that the Hon. Mr. Fletcher's reply vindicates the Government, as there is in the 20 pagys un reply to the fact that evr tain ships were not used in aid or defeuer of the Crown Colony but were let out at the highest possible rates, || The only excuse is the Home Govern- ment, and by shielding themselves behind the Home Government the Colonial Government considers its herour duly satisfied.

During the 24 hours ended at 10 am, yesterday 7.07 inches of rain were re- corded at the Observatory.

1

At Wong Nei Chong village, Happy Valley, a bank built up in connection with reclamation work in 'front of the village collapsed, and was the cause of the collapse of some Chinese houses in the village. Other houses followed and it is feared some fatalities have occurred. Altogether iwenty houses collapsed; whilst the whole village was almost en five feet deep, and Inspector Kerrison, tirely flooded. In parts the water was

of the Sanitary Department had to swini

some yards when bringing three old men safely to dry land.

The Fire Brigade suon arrived on the seene, slso the metor ambulance,' though they were unable to be of any great asaistauce. One body was recovered floating down a chause) (ent to relievē the flouds), and a small Chinese boy is missing. He was washing clothes in the nullah leading out of the village, and was scen to be washed away by the water.

The satisfaction of Hongkong can easily be understood A few hipowner not Hongkong residents--have subscribed over 2 millions to the cuffets of the Govern ment. The Shipowners" Iegal action has

The tramway service at Happy Valley been defeated by an indemnity Act, was disheated, and no ears were run for Hongkong industries were not taxed, several hours yesterday morning while the thing is quite happy and also indigent and debris & cleared off the track.

that non-resident British should feel at all annoyed or question their At one point a portion of the Cemetery artions.

C. R. BURKELL,

MOLLER AND CO. AND THE

wall has been washed away.

The Race Course, was flooded, and in parts was two feet deep with water,

The Craigengower Bowling green was also inundated, and the water poured swiftly into Bowrington Canal, forming a A Briton writing to the V. Dally by no means small entárnet. The roar of Mean xaya:

SHIPPING CONTROL

Rond.

under law of Charters the profit went}

It did not occur to the Government to the Kailan Mining Administration. The

to notify them individually as to the Manager thereof, being an honourable

precise manner in which the risk was gentleman, gave my firm half of such in- creased warning-but as already stated the This was after going to the expense of

being carried,” Patriot has nothing whatever to do with obtaining a valuation of each Stramer the question as, in our opinion, she was from Messrs, Goddard & Douglas, total- legally used by the Hongkong Governing 2070,000 for 14 steamers (ira. ment,

valuation £140.000) and evering same With reference to the Wallows it is for 3 months with a local Company, 'nervssary to go back, to her first Govern-) To get back to Wollow history. Being ment control. This was a requisition from unsatisfactory as Collier, she took fully sympathizing with Mr. Moller and away

I think busing men in general, while the water could he heard a hundred yards the Admiralty dated 10th April, 16, and earzo to Jayn (April, 1918), to return his colleagues, are inclined, many of them, she was, employed carrying coal from with sugar. This was when she was to conclude that Moller & Co. are merely Wanchai Gap Road, just below Kennedy A serious landslip occurred on the Calcutta to Colombo and was returned under the control of the Association of victims of to us in June, 1010, extra Insurance Bains and Vested interests" in Hong-maneuvre necessitated by war contingency very clever piece of incurred paid by Admiralty. Subs, khng I mean the Control Committer of and legally carried out by the Govern felt for the safety of a large residential At one time" grave anxiety was quently she was chartered (July, 1917), which Mr. Fletcher speaks so highly and ment oficials at Hongkong and one that building immediately above. For the rice trade for one year at on which We

not represented, Were

The road $31.000 per month, after 3 months of this although our ships and others in same very well be called a diplomatic itself has been partially carried down the charter she was taken by the Admiralty category were worth £979,000.

triumph. Cetter December 10th, 1987) and used as The control hy these gentlemen of the a collier intween Chinwangtao and Hong Filmer was of ghort duration. A letter kong till the Spring of 1818,.

was addressed to Mr. Fletcher by Mr Mr. Fletcher states; The Solicitors Wilkinson on 24th April, 1018, and, in of the Wollewra Steamship Co. wrote to reply, the Secretary to the Shipping Con-e expense of Moller & Co. when so much open drain running down from Wanchai, the Commodore 10th Dreemier, 1917, s. 1trol Committee handed the boat back as Admiralty and they proceeded to ask for Mr. Wilkinson, of Messrs. Moller & Co. appear to be. Moler & Co. have only by the terrific force of the water. The Wollmern has her requisitioned by the from date of next discharge to be run by Hongkong Governant's action may heavy masury having heen torn away However, hard and anjustifiable the Gap suffered considerable damage, the

Re making Profits, which Mr. Fletcher disclaims all thought of but which in themselves to blame for delaying action road alongside is undermined, though the

when requested to do so, and they should uncrete crust still remains intact. Paragraph 14 Sir Henry May foresaw never have allowed any influence to come

A far as it is possible to foreste, there will reminin, after payment of alleen them and that end in so im charges a substantial prost to the portant a matter. account of the Government. `. I need hardly say that the purpose of the scheme is not that the Government should take over a profitable comer ciaf undertaking.”

certain information.

Perfectly true, but why not go on and quote the Admiralty's reply, 11th Dec,, 1017, which stated that the vessel *** has! been requisitioned, for the Phantal Gov- kenment, which will nesduubt gier you the informmtion requiged,"

The information required was the quis tion of war risk, and on 11th December our Legal Advisers wrote to the Hon." Colonial Secretary re war risk and The right course would have been to hand received a reply dated 17th December, the Wallowrn back to the Rice Charterera 1017 Colouin! Sperstary's Office, sigued at $51,000, as they had about 7 months by Claud Severn, Colonial Secretary. In to run, but 851.000 as a hire was out this letter, paragraph 5, it states

of date" and she was chartered June,

No patriotic person should blame the hill side, and trees, "earth," wire, and invernment officials for having seized the broken railings are lying in a taugled only opportunity opened to them, to save the Government from humiliation even at mase at the foot of the hill. The big-

was, at stake.

9.

A series landslide at the lower end of Stuble Road has closed the road to traffic Many individuals and concerns have once more. A-ig retaining wall has come” stained without murmur proportionately greater loss than Moller & Co. by Govern down, and it is doubtful whether the road whole of the British Empire was at stake. ment actions during the war, when the will be re-opened for some daye.

There have been a good many minor People who run up against clover people landslides along Barker Road and Peak with greater foresight than themselves and suffer loss in consequence umler whatever Road, bet trafic is possible on both

rcmstances should inwardly digest and reads.. make, no fuss about it.

71

mut proposed to insure against war with 1019, for $110,000 a month; for 6 monthя "In my statement: Further as the and then for a further 6 months at $50,000 Hou. A. C. M. Fletcher is still trailing a month to carry coolies from Amoy to THE WRONG WAY TO DO IT. the red herring, re Imperial Govegonjent | Rangoon and Singapore.

ing

BILL OF LADING.

On the Peak there is a fall of earth in the cutting below "The Mount" (Jar..

tion and Severs, reads was obstructed by dine's house), and the juuction of Planta-

¦ á fall of earth' from ahove,

and the Naval Commodore being hon R* Mr. Fletcher and the Indemnity Art i IMPROPER STAMPING OF A sible" nmy I point out to the hon. gentle and my statement at Moller & Co.'s Meet- man that the Admiralty requisition of 30th December, 1917, WAS correct in principle, the boat being used as a collier till the Spring of 1019. The “pad herring" refers to the controlling of the bont dated 19th March, 1918. by H, E. the Governor and signed by " Claud Severn, Colonial Secretary.", Under this Control all negotiations, instructions and corres. pondence were with the Hongkong Gor- ernment and to get out of this the "red herring of Imperial Government and the postponement was agreed upon, had place of the proper authorised stamp. A railway bridge crossing a stream on Commodore was trailed on more than one any idea of any Indemnity Act or had occasion without effect. Why, when we suything to do with the initiation of any said a number of similar mistakes had and it will be some time before a tempor- Sergt. Neil, in asking for a conviction, this side of Shatin has been washed away brought an action-in-December, 1919, didth Act; I have always had the higbest bera made recently and be brought they structure can be erected. The service not the Hongkong Government nou-suit tee for Mr. Fletcher's bonesty and case is a warning to others.

has been curtailed considerably in con us by defending the action and proving ourtesy through several years of negotia

Bequence. that it shou'd have been instituted against dairill always esteem” bis "fair- the Imperial Government Instead, they briefed practically everyone in Hongkong that we wild employ in an action against them a splendid piece of work for <Government,

The Island Road between Shaukiwan and Repulse Bay is closed owing to a "After agreeing to postpone the case

A representative of Messi, Reuter, Institute: against the Government be. Cause the Shipping Controller was go-Brockmann & Co., 98. Des Vieux Roader of heavy landslides, though the ing on leave and because we were given Central, was prosecuted at the Magia Pokfulum Road is unaffected.

A house collapse at No. 79, Second Melbourne, for failing to affix the proper Street, and the verandahs of Nos. 0, 11, embossed stamp to a bit of lading.

to understand it would help materially tracy yesterday morning, before Mr. an amicable settlement, we found that

the postponement was merely used to Puable an Indemnity Act to be fruned The explanation given was that ordinary 13, and 15, Tai Nan Road, have fallen, passed which put us out of Court." pestage stamps to the value of 30 centsThese inishāps are not regarded as ex- I wish to explain that I do not for one had been affixed to the bill of lading by ceptionally serious.

Paragraph 13; Mr. Fletcher's reply:-

The Imperial Government is in no way interested in the financial arrange- ments or their results except to see, This was February and Murch, 1918.

Paragraph 14:

moment suggest that Mr. Fletcher, when a European recently out from Europe in

minded.

A fine of 25 was imposed.

ON ITS SIDE..

This Colony is concerned only with of action was entirely one-sided and necessitating his being sent to hospital,

vessels registered in Hongkong and Shanghai, fifteen in number. The cir- cular letter, which you have in your hands, outlines the scheme "under which it is proposed to control these vessels." This proves that fusncial profits ‘and risks were account of Hongkong Govern

inent.

...

On the question of war risk, a great point has been made by the Attorney

· General und by others of the rink tho Hongkong Government ran under this heading. The risk could have been in sured for less than 8300,000 a year wide

insurance for £970,000 for a month's cost $48,710.41. After covering the risk for months without disclosing saree to owners, a brain-wave suddenly struck the Govern ment and Vital Requirements, Committed: They were inking in one quonth wors than the cost of one year's insurance of £979,000 and 2 months' profits of the

BRIDGE PARTLY WASHED AWAY.

During the heavy downpour yesterday |morning, part of Quarry Bay bridge was washed away by the floods and the Public Works Department have informed the Police that the road is closed to traffic.

the case which the Singapore Govertiment Our case against the Government, and lost, brought the attestoin of the Home CROWDED MOTOR BUS TURNS Government to the fact that they had, on Colonial Indemnity Act and, as Mr. Flet cher states, the first proposal re "same A serious motor-bus accident took place reached Hongkong, February 13th, 1021. on the Kowloon City Rond early yesterday While wo had to adhere to our agreement morning. A bus, containing upwards of to postpone action till Mr. Fletcher re. 20 passengers went off the road and turi Lurned, the. Government rend the Indemen on its side in a paddy feld. Two of

THE DAMAGED AMERICAN nity Bill for the first time. The postpone the passengers were injured, one seriously, ment

MAIL. not reflect any great crolit on the The bus, which belongs to the Kai Tak- Government

Considerable space

Motor Bus Company, was on its way from LETTER MAIL IN GOOD ÖRDER." in' Mr.Fletcher's Kawloon City to Kowloon Terry, and reply is, dovated to the treatment of the when near the Sung Wang Toi bill it President Grant, white on the voyage

In the fire which occurred on the a trait uwner rinaris the large Companies suddenly skidded to the left and went from Yokohama to Kobe, a quantity of Paragraph 19:-

The question of the remaneration to /off the road into the field. It is stated mail for. Hongkong and Manila was in be paid to owners was one of consider face from the heavy downpour of rain where the mails were being carried. That nble, clifficulty. The Shipping Control with one hand and as controlling the portion of the contents not damaged by jured. The Gre began in No. 8 hold ler's instructions were that the remun Hration was not to be appreciably steering wheel with the other when the fire was salted with the deluge of water higher or lower than that of competing accident happened. vessels, the vessels most directly con corned being those of the Indo-China, Paragraph 14:-

you" uro no doubt aware,' Cond-

that the driver was trying to shield his

ARMED ROBBERY.

and steam.

The General Post Office, Hongkong, finished sorting the mail for Hongkong brought by this steamer lust night.

Out of a total of 300 bags 100 were

patios, such as the Indo-China Steamy Won Street, Wanchai, arly yesterday tuined printed matter and newspapers An armed robbery took place at No. 4. badly damaged.. The damaged bags con- Navigation Company and the Ching Navigation Company, whose vengols are morning, Three mun, two of whom were only, the letter mail being in good order. registered in the United Kingdom, are armed with revolvers, forced an entrance The latter will be delivered at 10 o'clock running those vessels at fixed rates in into the house through the window of this morning but it will be some time der what is known as liner requisition, cool-house, and held up the innter all the profits over and above those rates women-bound and gagged them, stayed being taken by the Imperial Govern on the premises for two hourg and finally

get away with foot to the value of 883.30.

ment

before the sorting of the damaged portion of the mail is completed.

Details of the damaged mail will he announced later..

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