1926-04-28 — Page 5

Page

BRUSH WITH THE PICKETS.

BRITISH, PATROL BOAT TO THE RESCUE.

:

CAPTURE OF CANTON GOVERN. MENT LAUNCH.

[BY A SHAMERY CORRESPONDENT. ]

CANTON, April 26th.

At noon to-day pickets interfered while some furniture belonging to "Mr. Quinn was being removed by lighter from Pak lok Tong to Shameen, but there were British A unexpected developmenta patrol boat appeared on the scene and the pickets retired in discomfiture.

The lighter containing the furniture waa towed by a motor-boat belonging to the Electric Company. While it was en route) a picket launch böve in sight and doubt less the occupants thought that here was an excellent opportunity of securing souse very useful articles free of charge.

The White Russians in charge of the fumiturs did not stay to argue the mat tr. Deeming discretion' to be the better part of valour they immediately jumped overboard, Things might have gone bad ly with them but. fortunately, Customs launch was passing and picked them up wo that they escaped with nothing worse than a drenching.

The pickets then took charge of the situation. Having placed some of the crew of the Electric Company's motor- hoat under arrest they took the lighter The occurrence, in tow and made off. however, unhappily for the pickets, had heen reported to, a"British gunboat and one of H.B.M.'s patrol boats was ent in pursuit.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28TH,

THE WING ON CASE. CHIEF CASHIER CROSS-EXAMINED. * A VERY UNSATISFACTORY

WITNESS."

The case in which Au Kim Lai and Lam Fook Chiu are charged with at tempting to defraud the Wing On Bank of $50,000 was resumed before Sir Henry Gollan, the "Chief Justics yesterday.

Mr. F. C. Jenkin and Mr. H. G. Sheldon (instructed by Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master) appeared for the pro- secution, while Mr. C. G. Alabaster and Mr. Elsley Zeitlyn (instructed by Messrs. d'Almada and Nephew and Messrs, G. K. Hall Bruttor) appeared for the defend

Ants.

"A.

BANKRUPTCY · COURT, SEQUEL.

PROCEEDINGS AGAINST

MANAGING-PARTNER. FALSE STATEMENTS, ALLEGED. Alleged to have made false statements to the Official Receiver, in relation to a petition in bankruptcy filed against his firm in February, the managing partner

of a local Chinese firm was the defendant

at the Central Magistracy yesterday after noon, in proceedings which have been taken against him in view of matters aris of this bankruptcy case. ing out

The case came before Mr. R. E. Lind sell and the defendant was Chau, Siu Hin, Managing Partner of the Wing Shing Shung Firm, of No. 38, Ko Shing Street.

There were five charges, in ali, prefer red against him.

The first alleges that on or about April 16th be made false statements to the Official Receiver relating to the affairs of the Wing Shing Shung Firm.

AN UNKNOWN DEPOSITOR. Kwok Woon Kwan, the chief cashier of the Wing On Company, was further cross-examined by Mr. Elsler Zeitiya,

Witness said that he was certain that it was not An Kita Lui, the first prisoner,

The second charge is an alternative one who originally, deposited the money in the Wing On Bank. The man who de- which alleges that he made sworn state posited the money had worn spectacles, ments on oath which he knew to be false, and in no way resembled the first prisoner did not believe to be true in relation

to the affairs of the firm.

er.

Mr. Zeitlyn drow witness's attention to the fact that he had previously stated that Au Kim Lui resembled the original depositor. Witness replied that the man- ager had suggested that the depositor was Au Kim Lui. but witness had dis- Witness also stated that be "agreed.

again saw the original depositor when the money was withdrawn, and he was positive that the person was not the first prisoner.

Questioned concerning the writing or the alleged deposit book, witness said that it was similar to his, except that his handwriting was more finely written. He thought that the handwriting in the book denoted a certain stoppage by whomso ever wrote it."

Witness also mentioned some minor particolars in the writing which convinced him that it was not his.

ALLEGED YALBITY,

"

· INTERVIEWS WITH' DEFENDANT.

Witness had certain-interviews with the defendant in his offer in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings. On these occasions defendant was asked certain

uations and these were put to him through as interpreter and his answers given to witness by the interpreter and written down, after which defendant ap- pended his signature to them. "Defendant also made certain statements which were

also written down.

When asked if he admitted gartnership in the Wing Shing Shung firm, defendant

denied that he was a partuer.

Witness then proceeded to hand in as exhibits in the case statements made by the defendant during these interviews, which information concerns allegations made in the charges preferred against him.

In relation to charge (1) of false statements made to the Official Receiver, defendant in his statements denied partnership: he also stated that the books of the firm were destroyed by white ants and not by hand; with regard to the alleged deposits to different Arms, he him or by someone on his behalf. He stated that the money was received by further stated that the sum of 29,500 was of the Wing Shing Shung Firm to the paid on his instructions and on behal! Wing Yue Wo Firm No. 12, Wo Hing The third charge is that within four Sai Street, and the sum of $1,500 to the months before the presentation of the Tai Hing Firm of No. 7, Queen's Road bankruptcy petition against the firm, he West contrary to the allegation that concealed, destroyed, mutilated or faisi these amounts were not paid to these fed, or was privy to such actions, in re-firms. Other statements mentioned that to the firm's affairs.

firm by the accountant, who had signed, spect to certain account books relating noentries appeared in the books of the after January 95th, 1925. Further state- ments made by defendant bearing on Charge 2 were also banded in. In con- nection with the allegation in Charges 3, 4 and 5 that false entries were made a certain books of the firm, statementa in this respect were to the effect that the entries related to the payment of $9,500 to the Wing Yue Wo Erm and $1,500 to the Tai Hing firm.

The fourth charge is an alternative one which alleges that being a clerk, officer for avant employed-in the service of the Wing Shing Shung firm, be wilfully and with intent to defraud, destroyed, alter ed, mutilated or falsified certain hooks belonging to the firm.

ན་

CASE OUTLINED.

Thu fifth charge. also alternative, alleged that on a date unknown he made

omittting or i or concurred in making false entries or

OTHER EVIDENCE. omitted, or concurred in altering certain material matters in the!

The Interpreter to the Official Re accounts of the firm.

Mr. E. S. C. Brooks appeared for the ceiver gave formal evidence as to inter-

defence.

ments made by the defendant at the i It was now the pickets turn to take

prosecution, and Mr. Watson was for thepreting the questions, answers and state-

terviews with the Official Receiver. fright. As soon as they saw the armed

One of the complaining partners in Witness was closely questioned with

Outlining the case. Mr. Brooks said Jaunch coming they guided their boat to

regard to the withdrawal of the money that in this case the Wing Shing Shung the Wing Shing Firm gave evidence bear-- the Electric Company's bund and left it He said that he told the depositor to firm carried on business at No. 38, Koing out the statements made by Mr. there and decamped as quickly as pos-withdraw the remaining 81.000 because he Shing Street. The two complainants and Brooks regarding defendant being left in sible dragging some of the unfortunate had withdrawn large deposits in the the defendant were partners. The former control of the business, and also spoke

course of a few days.

Mr. Zeitlyn pointed out that the assist.normally lived in Canton, and only as to the sale of the business carried out a year; the last time being about came down from Canton and remonstrat ant cashier had stated in evidence that visited the firm in Hongkong about once by the defendant. He said that when he when the depositor withdrew the money. February last year. They went back to td with defendant about selling the husi- ke alone saw the man.

Canton leaving everything in order, the ness he got no satisfaction and then put in two Hongkong Witness said it was false, as he had business to be carried on by defendant. an advertisement

On December 31st, 1925, defendant, enter. Chinese newspapers regarding to non- personally spoken to the depositer.

el into an agreement for the sale of the validity of the sale. He did this entire- Witness in reply to further interroga. business for 819,500. tions said that the questions put to bumy on his own responsibility and without at the Magistracy were not altogether consulting complainants at all.

His Worship: He was the managing He agreed that he clear to his mind. had understood the questions about the partner? number of deposit books outstanding.

Mr. Zeitlyn: Then why did you not tell the truth on every point!-I did not

motor-boat men with them.

It

The British patrol launch took the lighter and also the pickets launch in tow and brought them to Shameen. was a smart and quick piece of work. The Euraiture was captured by the pie- 'kets a 12.15 and by 1.30 the pickets' "launch was moored here. It can be seen

It is, as far as one, from Shameen Dow. can judge, & Chinese Government launch. It has the Chinese Naval Bag aft and the picket fag on the bows. The funnel is painted with the Government colours. T all appearances the launch is one of the fair sized members of the armed mosquito fleet owned by the Canton Government

authorities.

The launch will be returned to the Government in due course and doubtless a strong protest will be made at the same time against the use to, which it has been put. Surely it would be opportune to "point out to the Government that if such launches were caught in the same way again they would be sunk without refer Buce to the Government or anyone else. No one would bave the slightest ground for complah.

possibilities of the trade boycott being brought to an end.

THE STRANGENESS OF TRUTH.

understand the law,

Then do you say that the telling of the truth is a matter of law-No.

Counsel went on to draw his attention to the differences in his evidence and that of the assistant cashier.

Mr. Brooks: At ney rate he was in charge of the business. The other two partners lived in Canton and only came

down occasionally.

BOOKS DESTROYED.

Continuing, Mr. Brooks said that the agreement referred to provided that the sale should be completed on February 9th. On January 8th notice of the His Lordship interrupted and said that sale was advertised in the Government it was a matter for comment. Witness Gazette. Sometime between January 15th had given a series of concrete answers, and 20th this year, the defendant dea and now anid that he had not understood troyed four important books of the firm, the questions put to him.

Witness gave three different answers when he was questioncil in regard to the numbering of the deposit books. He said that he memorized the number, that he entered it immediately in the cash re gister, and he finally said that he wrote the number down on a piece of paper at the time the book was taken out.

**PLEASING HIS EMPLOYERS."

Witness visited the Wing Yue Wo Arm found no entry in the books showing and as shown the account books. He any payment by the Wing Shing Shung Erm of 89,500. He also inspected the books of the Tai Hing firm and did not fad an entry there for the payment of 1,500.

In answer to Mr. Lindsell, witness said that defendant was in sole charge of the business in Hongkong and was the managing partner.

Mr. Lindsell: Do you say that in spite of that he had no authority to sell the busincas!

Witness: He had no authority to sell.

CASE ADJOURNED.

י,

At this juncture of the proceedings, such as the cash books and deposit books, His Worhsip adjourned further hearing 4th. He also fixed the afternoon of May was no record of cash transactions. They

date for further hearing, it leaving the other books in which there of the case until the afternoon of May had the date roughly on which these 6th s books were destroyed. The complainants being intimated that there were six or Mr. Watson applied for a reduction in heard of the sale sometime during seven more witnesses for the defence. January And came down to Hongkong and remonstrated with the defendant, the bail, from 87,000 to 85,000, comment- who could not satisfy them. On Februarying that in order that the defence might 4th the complainants put a notice in two be properly conducted it was necessary On being re-examined by Mr. Jenkin, Hongkong Chinese newspapers stating that defendant could come to his office Mr. Brooks opposed a reduction in APOLOGY TO COL HAYLEY BELI

witness's attention was drawn to a state that the sale was being carried through and go over the books, etc. Evidence is always accumulating to ment which he had made that the de- without their consent and thus it would show that the Strike pickets have the suppositor, when he asked leave to allow not be valid. The sale was to have been bail and said defendant could he quite His Worship said that he could not re- port of some members of the Canton $1,000 to stand in the bank, had said completed, according to the agreement, easily seen in prison and the books were

that He wanted to take the book away on February Oth; and on that day a always available.

bankruptcy petition WRS presented Government. The problem to decide is to change the label.

one reduction, at the request of Mr. Witness said that he did not mean to against the firm by a woman named Fung duce the bail. There had already been how many inembers of the Government

made on February 10th, and his actively encourage them and how, many say that. He had really meant it in another Kam. The interim receiving order was Watson, from 810,000 to 87,000, and after

Man way he hail supposed that the wish to put an end to their excesses, wanted to take the book away to change (Mr. Brooks) firm were instructed in all this was a serious charge. Having solved this riddle one could'specu- the label, because I saw the Professor the matter. The making of the actual late upon which of the parties was likely there yesterday with the transmitting receiving order was delayed on his (Mr. Court when he asked for an adjourn to socure the upper hand and upon the light showing how the label had been Brooks) appearance in the Bankruptcy VALUABLE WATCH RECOVERED.

forged." (Laughter.)

The receiving order was not PAWNBROKER WHO WOULD SELL His Lordship: That appears to me to ment

IT FOR $30. be ludicrous. By his not giving correct actually made until March 30th. On answers one has to try and discover what April 10th the assignment in, the sale of The Government, as was naturally to he really means. I cannot say that he is the business was completed, the com- |- The gold watch valued at $540, the 1

plainant considering that it was just as be expected, has disassociated itself a satisfactory witness by any means.

Before witness left the witness-box His well to let the thing go through. The entirely from the assault upon Colonel

Lordship informed him that in future balance of the money, about $10,000, was when he gave evidence he would have to now in the hands of the Official Receiver. "Mr. Brooks, suggested that the bank- answer the questions truthfully and not! wander ineffectually in his answers. If he ruptcy proceedings was entirely a collusive The prosecution thought more of telling the truth than of petition between the petitioning, creditor pleasing his employers be would make a and the defendant.

alleged that this petitioner's debt and better witness.

Ng King Cheung, a Chinese medical that other debts shown in the books of practitioner of 40, Queen's Road West, the firm were fictitious, and did not in said that he knew the prisoners, since fact exist. they were in the habit of calling on him. He had, treated the first prisoner occa- Mr. E L: Agnesis (the Official Receiver) tionally, and also prisoner's wife. The was called, and produced the Court file DESTRUCTION OF HUNDREDS OF third prisoner, who bad absconded, was relating to the Baakruptcy proceedings in

arrested in his house. "HOUSES.

Mr. G. A. Ya, assistant at the Yoke connection with this firm, and also pro. duced his office miscellaneous file, with a hama Specie Bank in Hongkong, pre copy of the agreement relating to the sale duced draft dated April 25th, 1923, in of the business. The date of the agree (FROM CUE CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]

favour of one Lai Kam for the sum of meat, he said was December 31st, 1925. 877,898.05.

Witness then proceeded to give evidento This was collected by the

bearing out the statement made by Mr. Hotong, a village near Kongmoon, which Bank of East Asia,

Ling, Man Fai, cashier in the Hongkong Brooks, and said the application for the before the boycott, furnished large sup: Branch of the Bank of East Asia, pro-interim receiving order was made on plies of vegetables to Hongkong, has been diced a copy of an account in the bank February 9th, and was granted on Febru ary 10th He then took possession of the the scene of a disastrous conflict between in the of Man Fat & Co.

Ching Tai Tsun, a sub-accountant in Grm's books, etc. Witness then went on the Les and the Yang clans: The found thre Industrial and Commercial Bank to give evidence regarding the granting has resulted in the destruction of han produced a copy of an account at the of the actual receiving order and the com: It was stated in evidence that accused was under the influence of drink when "dreds of houses and huts, mostly of the bank in 1923 in the name of the Kwong pletion of the sale, stating that he re-

ceived the balance of the purchase money, he committed the assault."! Yung clan. Troops were sent to suppress Cheong Firm and Au Kim Lui

He was being-examined by Mr. Zeitlyn less the payment made to the landlord the feud with the result that still more when the case was adjourned until for rent, the balance amounting to about labour, and ordered to pay 83 compen

$10,000. village homes were destroyed.

Hayley Bell. A letter of apology was sent to him and Mr. C. C. Wu suggested that he should be provided with an armed guard as a protection in future. Colonel Hayley Bell, however, refused the offer."

A VILLAGE FEUD.

to-day.

'OFFICIAL, RECEIVER CALLED.

has been traced to a pawnshop, but the property of Capt. Ingles of s... Seistan

At the Kowloon Magistracy yester. person who pledged has not been found. day, Divisional Inspector Fincott applied Ordinance, for the surrender of the watch. for an order, under the Fawnbrokers without payment.

The pawnbroker, in court, said he had. by respectably dressed Chinese. On only $10 for it. It had been pledged being informed that the watch was worth nearly 8000, he said that he would have sold it for 830

•

The necessary order was made.

AMERICAN SEAMAN GAOLED. UNPROVOKED ASSAULT ON

COOLIE.

Before Mr. J. H. B. Nihill at the Kowloon Magistracy yesterday, Harold Little, a seaman on the 1.3. President Jefferson was charged with assaulting & cargo coolie at the Kowloon Godowns on Monday.

He was sentenced to seven days hard

sation to the coolie,

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