1926-02-26 — Page 5

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CANTON SITUATION.

STRIKE PICKETS WITHDRAWN FROM CUSTOMS PREMISES.

COMMISSIONER'S TRANSFER “

WANTED BY BOYCOTTERS.

THE ALTERNATIVE-AN AGITATION TO MAKE CANTON A FREE PORT.

[ROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT]

of

Pending the re-opening of the port Canton to regular traffic, a number of foreign ladies and children-families for the most part of members of the foreign staffs-left Canton for Hongkong on

·February 23rd and 24th. Since the stop page of Canton-Hongkong river traffic, foreign families on the Shareca havo hnd considerable difficulty with their food supplies.

SUPREME COURT.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH. 1926-

A LOST WILL.. ENGINEER'S FIANCEE GETS $14,000.

...Some time ago Messrs. Johnson, Stokes

SUMMARY COURT:

CLAIM FOR WAGES FATËS.

At the Summary Court, yesterday, before Mr. Justice Wood, Mr. J. Mac- Portland, 10, Mongkok Road, Yaumati,

Shan firin

CONSPIRACY CHARGE FAILS.

CASE FOR PROSECUTION COLLAPSES.

A case of alleged conspiracy, at the Central Magistracy yesterday afternoon,

& Masters handed the will of the late Claimed $350 as wages due from the Tung collapsed before the evidence of the pro Mr. George Young, marine enginer, in the employ of the Douglas Steamship Company, to the Registrar of the Sup reme Court, who to the best of his know.

trar, on going to the safe found the will

Mr. C. A. S. Russ was for plaintif, and Mr. L. S. Turner for the defendant firm

Plaintiff said that he was employed ledgo put it in a locked safe. Sometime with Messrs. Raven & Basto in 1923, and later when Messrs. Johnson, Stokes & later with the Hongkong Engineering Masters applied for the will, the Regis Company, but he eventually returned to his former employers. He left their en- missing, A thorough search was made,ploy at the end of January of this year. not only at the Registrar's offices in the Consequent on a fatal accident in Stubbe Supreme Court but also at the offices of Road, he was asked to supervise some the solicitors, but the document could not work there. The Tung Shan firm were be found.

Before Sir Henry Gollan, the Chief the contractors for the work, and Messrs. Justice at the Supreme Court yester Raven & Basto wore the architects. At day, Mr. I. G. Sheldon (instructed by that time he was employed by the latter Mr. L. D. Andrews, of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Masters) applied for graat of firm, and had a deal of work to super- visc. On October 1st, Mr. A. B. F. probate in respect of a copy of the wall.

It was stated that deceased leh pro- Raven asked him to supervise the work perty to the value of $13,931, and an in Stubbs Road, and undertook that the afidavit was read to the effect that the defendant firm would pay him a salary Notwithstanding the boycott in the last sole executrix and benificiary under the of $180, and $20 each month for expenses. few mantha, >mmunication

On October 8th, Mr. Raven handed him between will was Misa Edith May Fincher.

The will was made on June Is, 1992, a letter which stated that the defendant Ilongkong and Canton, for, the benefit of dwellers on the Shameen, had not been and sixteen months later Mr. Young firm had agreed to his appointment as died. At the time the will was made, supervisor. When he went to the defen- interrupted, sometimes one, and some-deceased was third officer on the ss. Hai dant firm, they refused to pay him his times two, British steamers keeping on Hoy, the bout being in the harbour salary, the run. No steamer, however, has gone following a voyage to the Chinese toastal

ports. from Hangkung to Canton with food Since February supplies for Shameen 22nd, except what might be carried up the River by foreign gunboats. A Cus- toms launch is plying between Hongkong und Canton..

In her affidavit Miss Fincher spoke of an engagement between deceased and her. self, which had continued up to his death, The decensed had told her that it was his intention to leave all his property to her.

A number of extracts from letters which she had received were read, one of which was to the effect that he had given instructions that "all that I bave is for you.

}

Since the 1st of February, no fewer than 13 junks full of car had been taken hy strike pickets while on their

Afidavits were also read giving proofs Yessels to the Customs way from

of the criginal will having been returned Examination Shed on the "Bund, these to the Registrar by Messrs. Johnson alone involving more than 1,000 packages Stokes & Masters, and how the Fristrar to the best of his knowledge and belief of gonds.

had put it in his safe, but on seting it Although about five junks were return another occasion had failed to find ed to the Customs by the pickets in the trace of it.

Mr. Sheldon said that the relatives of course of a fortnight, the other eight the deceased had been written to, and were not released until February 20th, with one exception, they all agreed to The exception was a Mrs. when the Commissioner. of Customs in the will. Canton threatened to suspend the further Laurence Craft, of Lake Terrace, Wash- ington, Seattle. According to the other issue of permits to vessels to work their members of the family, they had not cargo, until this nuisance was removed, heard from her for two years, and on Some cargo appears to have been missing, that occasion she had stated that it was her intention of removing from that from the junks returned to the Customs.ddress. In the last few months also a, consider- With regard to the mother of decesard, able quantity of other goods has been Mrs. A. Marshall, widow, the excutrix taken by the pickets and not yet restored. and benificiary had agreed to make over Now the Commissioner of Customs has His Lordship said that it was pleasing put into effect his threat, and since the that such a compromise had been come and no vessel has beca permitted to work to and in view of the circumstances of the case, he would grant the application cargo in Cantor, except those carrying for the probate of the copy of the will rice, which have since 24th been unload to he granted, until such time as the ing. Passengers on incoming ships have original will might be found. been also since then permitted, to trans- fer their baggage.

Unaware of the situation in Canton, several vessels have arrived there in the Jast few days, including three German, three French, five Japanese, and two American vessels.

a part of the estate to her

-W

MOCK TRIAL. AMUSING EVENING AT THE Y.SI.C.A.

Last evening at the European. TLC.A., Kowloon, was an interesting and amus As stated yesterday, the Kuomintang ing one, a Mock Trial being staged by the nerabers. The trial took place in Political Commission, the most authorita- the Lounge, which had been very effec- tive branch of the Cauton Government, tively transformed into a police court..

The trial centred around an alleged on February 2nd, decided to order the Strike Committee to return all junks arned robbery at "Cumshaw Villa" and the story of this "outrage was vividly recently seized contrary to Customs re- told, and the incidents realistically de gulations; to assure the Commissioner of serihed by the complainant and witnesses for the prosecution. The defence was Customs that the Canton Government also excellently carried out while the would see protection accorded hereafter addresses of Counsel on both sides were to insure the smooth administration of forceful. The mirth provoking dialogue introduced into the trial did not fail to the Customs, especially the safe transfer bring forth the hearty laughter of the of goods between vessels and the Cus-large audience. Although the trial was toms House; and to instruct the Strike designed to be semi-drama and semi- comedy, it gave a very excellent idea of Committee not to examine incoming goods court procedure. before the Customs authorities, have finished with the collection of duty and

released the goods.

Since the 2nd, the strike pickets have withdrawn from the Customs premises.

The Strike Committee, it is understood, will ask the Inspector-General of Customs at Peking to dismiss the present Canton Commissioner of Customs Should this request bo donied, the workers will petition the Kuomintang to declare Canton a free port.

Vas

left

His Lordship pointed out that, in the statement of necount it was stated that his salary for January was paid on Jadu ary 1st. That item would therefore have to be deleted from his claim.

Replying to Mr. Turner, witness said that he had no correspondence with the defendant firm with regard to this ar- rangement. but he had looked on the defendants as being responsible for his pay, from the beginning. He admitted that he had several conferences with Mr. Raven with regard to his salary. He also stated that he was drawing $250 a month from Messrs. Raven & Basto.

Witness was shown

13

Mr. Raven was present, as a witness for the defence, but he was called by Mr. Russ.

letter dated October 9th, which set out the appoint- ment of the plaintiff as supervisor. He denied having given the letter to plain. tiff, and arided:" He must have pinched it from the office. He admitted having shown the letter to plaintiff, but reiter ated that he had never given it to him.

His Lordship: Why did you show him that letter?

Witness: So that he might know that he was to undertake the supervision of

the work.

His Lordship: Plaintiff says that you contracted with the defendant Srm on his behalf with regard to wages.

Witness: No; the only contract made was between plaintiff and myself.

Replying to M. Russ, witness said that he was responsible for paying plaintiff, aid that he had paid all that was due to him, excepting 850

Mr. Turner claimed costs.

|

secution had been completed, the police afficer in charge of the case stating that it was useless to call further witnesses as the witness on whom he had largely relied to secure a conviction had told different story in the witness box than that he told to the police previously.

The case referred to was one in which

Shuen Hau Wo and Chiu Suke Ng, the atter manager of the Tai Hing shop, Wing Lok Street, were charged with others not in custory with, on February 10th, 1920, and on divers dates before unlawfully, fraudulently and deceitfully conspiring, to cheat and defraud the Hau Cheong piece goods shop, of B, Lyndhurst Terrace, of six rolls of woollen cloth, valued at 8950.

The firss defendant was represented by Me Armstrong and Mr. D. McCallum appeared for the second man.

Evidence was given to the effect that the goods were delivered to the Tai Hing shop, where the manager denied that be had ordered any and refused to pay for them. The goods, were then taken to

prospective purchaser, who returned then as he could not find morey to pay. On the way back to the shop, the foki who was carrying the cloth met a repre sentative of the firm to which it belong- ed. who had already reported the matter to the police and had had the first defendant arrested.

From further evidence it appeared that first defendant had simply instructed a Chinese club boy to follow another man to regain some loaned money, and apparently had nothing to do with the purchase of cloth.

It was after the evidence regarding the following of this man to get back some loaned money that the case for the prosecution broke down, the detective in charge stating that the club boy had given a different story in Court to the one he had told the police, and therefore he did not consider it worth while calling further evidence as it was on this witness he had mainly relied for a conviction.

The magistrute (Major C. Willson) discharged both defendants.

A LOVER'S BARGAIN.

A CHINESE GIRL AND HER

DON JUAN.

At the Central Magistracy yesterday, Chinese was charged with the theft of $1,115 It was alleged that the money had been handed to him by his fiancée who had stolen it from her foster-mother's cash-box. The girl was charged with the

eft last December and had been bound.

over,

iler ever had disappeared, but on Wednesday, the girl saw him near Well- His Lordship gave judgment for the ington Barracks, and followed him un- defendants with costs.

A MURDER VERDICT.

SEQUEL TO BOATWOMAN'S TRAGIC DEATH.

An inquest was held at the Kowloon Magistracy yesterday, Mr. E.. W. Hamil ton, sitting as Coroner, concerning the death of a boatwoman who was found tied to an anchor in the harbour at Wan- chai on February 8th. The body was found by a boatman, and a report was immediately made to the police.

observed, until he was seen to enter No. 18. Tai Wo Street.... She burried home and informed her foster-mother, who, in turn, informed the police, and defendant was arrested.

The girl's foster-mother saill, ̈- in evidence yesterday, that she gave him $300 following her daughter's "betrothal to him.

The girl said that be obtained $500 by saying he wanted the money to pay for medical attendance. Two days inter he induced her to give him another $500.. this being said to be for securing a com- mission in the Canton army. A request for the remaining $115 followed, the rea-. son being that the defendant wanted the Dr. J. T. Smalley who made a post-money for travelling expenses to Canton.. mortem examination said that there were Pressed as to the real reason for giving traces of six wounds on the deceased's defendant the money, the girl said that skall, which had been caused by a blunt defendant promised to marry her and she Death was due to hemor- believed his promises to return the money instrument. rhage consequent on these wounds, which for replacement in the box without the were serious enough to cause the death foster-mother knowing anything about it. The case was adjourned until to-mor of any average person There was no trace of drowning, and he was, of the row for a relative of the defendant to opinion that the body was thrown into be called." the water after life was extinct.

Evidence was given to the effect that the woman was seen to take three men

A verdict of murder against some per- son or persons unknown was returned.

SIGNALLING PRACTICE.

25.

The novelty was that the trial was notas paszengers in her sampaa on February t and dried in any way in the form of 7th and she had not been seen alive since. The sampan was found unoccupied near a play or sketch, and the dedsion of

guilty στ not guilty"

the Praya wall! entirely to the decision of the jury.

Those taking part in the trial were as under: Judge, the Rev. J. Horace John- sten; Counsel for the Prosecution, Mr. C. W. Skeet and Mr. Baxter; Counsel for the Defence, Mr. T. Sands and Mr.. Grifith: Clerk of the Court, Mr. V Harman; Police Inspector, MJ. T Long; Witnesses for Prosecution, Messrs. Van der Stars, J. Wallace and Thomas; Witnesses for the Defence, Mean. Petrie and Alltres: Complainant. Mr. Cutting Prisoner, Dr. G. W. Hollings, Usher, Mr. Avenall; Court Police Officer, Mr. Barrett; Jury, Mesars Walker, Blick. Johnson, Sewell, Wilford, A. M. Other and Capt. Blayney.

A third Ladies Night at the YMCA has been arranged for Thursday, March 18th, and another debate is to be held on Thursday, March 25th.

TROUBLE IN PIECE-GOODS THADE. The dispute between the employers and the employees of the Canton Piece-goods Guild over demands for better conditions of service and higher wages bad not been settled up to February 24th The shops bave not yet resumed. business since Chinese New Year holidays. The mer. chants in this trade have been suffering THE COMING FLOWER SHOW. a great deal since the boycott. as their

We are asked by Mr. E. RC Bornell, Kouds were mainly either British or Japanese

Since the boycott began it has the Hon. Secretary of the Hongkong been possible to get British goods into Horticultural Society, to mention that the Canton only through payment of heavy entries for the Flower Show case at bribes to the strike pickets; and the o'clock next Monday, the 1st March. It Canton agents, in order to forward goods is hoped, Mr. Hornell says, that all in- inland, were mulcted in very heavy ex- terested in horticulture will dente a part penses. It is pointed out that the mer of this week end in shroffing up their chants which have been doing business gardens with a view to sending in us had done so simply to relieve the con- many entries as possible. If there is any gestions in Hongkong godowns, there reasonable doubt as to whether any parti- being no money in the hade. The mecular exhibit will be ready or good enough chants think that they cannot improye for the Show on the 11th Marea, intend- the conditions of their employees under ing exhibitors should certainly enter it, present circumstances. Altogether come remembering that one week of fine Go large piece-goods importing firms and weather can make all the difference to a well-known retailers are involved in this. garden.

BY WARSHIPS-AND MERCHANT VESSELS.

HOCKEY CLUB DINNER. LAST EVENING'S PLEASANT FUNCTION..

A private dinner was held by the men bers of the Hongkong Hockey Club last night at the Hongkong Yolunteer Defence Corps Headquarters, there being a com- pany of members and guests present to the number of about twenty."

Licut-Col. L. G. Bird, U.S.O. (Presi dent of the Club), presided, and WAS: supported by Mr. E. J. R. Mitchell (Cap- tain of the Club), ML W. Woodward The quarterly returns of H.3. hips (Vice-Captain) and Mr. H. Owen Hughes There were repre- upon signalling practice with merchant (Hon. Secretary). vessels during the quarter ending Septem- sentatives also present from the Hockey ber 30th, 1925, shows & great improvement Clubs of the Services, / over previous reports. The total number The toast of "The King" was sub- of successful exercises was 2,027, as committed by the President of the Club and pared with 1,139, 1,649, and 1,582 for the Mr. Mitchell proposed the toast of " Our

This was Guesta.”. three preceding quarters.

Following the dinner, a very enjoyable largely due to the good showing made by vessels on the China Station, the first five time was spent by the company places in order of merit being occupied by the Despatch, Dioriede, Bluebell, Hawkins and Titania, all of this squad- ron. The Despatch had a total of 287 successful exercises, whereas the top ships three months and six months ago had only 127 and 107 respectively. There were, altogether 36 failures to establish com- munication, as against last time, when the total exercises numbered little more than half.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

A photoplay in which thrills run rama- pant, opened at the Queen's Theatre yesterday and continues there until to morrow sight. It is called "The Bridge of Sighs

The story is by a well-known song. On the mercantile side, the ships of writer, Charles K Harris, and tells of the Indo-China Steam Navigation Co. the reckless, son of a millionaire whom Ltd., have regained first place in order bitter experience and suffering maste of merit, with 189 exercises, more than human. It is an absorbing romance en- double the number made by the Ellerman soted by Creighton Hale, Alec B. Francis, Line ships when they topped the last Richard Tucker, Balph Lewis and Clifford return. The Ellerman Lines on this Batm occasion come second, with 145 exercises; On Sunday there will be a complete and the. China Steam Navigation Co., change of programme, of which the big Ltd., third, with 129. The P and O. feature will be "Bouls for Sale," a tale Co., which was second last time, now of Hollywood life. The picture is de takes, fourth position, with 116.

scribed as being daring but truthfal"

HIDDEN

QUALITY.

WHAT IS UNDER THE

SURFACE IS AS GOOD AS ON THE SURFACE, A PIECE OF FURNITURE MAY LOOK OUTWARDLY ATTRACTIVE; IT MAY BE COVERED IN GOOD MATERIALS, THE DESIGN MAY BE SOUND-BUT IF THE OUT-OF-SIGHT FEATURES ARE NOT UP TO STANDARD, THAT - PIECE LACKS “QUALITY.

IT IS CLO SE ATTENTION TO THESE DETAILS THAT ENSURES EACH ITEM OF OUR "PRODUCTIONS. BEING UNRIVALLED IN VALUE AND CONSTRUCTION.

#

WHAT ARE OUT OF SIGHT ARE AS GOOD AS ON THE SURFACE

ÎN UPHOLSTERY WE USE ONLY THE BEST COPPER WIRE SPRINGS, FINE HAIR STUFFINGS, AND IN WOOD WORK ONLY THE BEST OF TEAK AND HARDWOOD.

THEREFORE OUR FURNITURE AND UPHOLSTERY MEANS TO YOU DE- PENDABLE · ·HONEST GOODS AT WORTH-WHILE PRICES.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

It is essential for the future prosperity of trade in Hongkong and South China, that there should be increased co-operation between Foreign and Chinese business Arms,

.

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All information regarding Advertisements from-- THE ADVERTISING and PUBLICITY BUREAU,

Alexandra Buildings. Tel. C. 80.

A.P.B.

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