1927-06-24 — Page 10

10

COLONY'S RATEABLE

VALUE.

THE 1927-1928 ASSESSMENT.

85 PER CENT. INCREASE IN 10 YEARS.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JUNE 24th, 1927.

During the 10 years 1918-19 to 1027-28 the rateable value of the Colony has increased by 813,377,703 gr 88.34 per cont.

This very remarkable statement. occurs in the report on the Assessment for the year 1927-1028 drawn up by Mr. C. Mel. Messer, the Colonial Treasurer and Assessor.

The report states that by order of H.E. the Governor in Council A new valuation of the whole Colony has been made and the Rateable Value has thereby been increased from $270,237 to 820,018,439 an addition of $1,018,202 or 3.64 per cent.

The following table gives a comparison of the Assessments for the year 1928-1927 and 1927-1028:-

Valuation 1027-1029.

8

*

Inc. 2

Per Dec. cent.

$

5.01

502,085

Victoria 20,315,922 20,325,022-21,338,342 21,339,342 1,022,420

District.

Valuation 1920-1927,

*

&

The City of

Dil District

487,078

Shaukiwan,

Saiwanho,

and Quar

ry Bay,

504,709

577,403

Hong Kong.

Village

978,900 2,011,409 1,110,260 2,190,764 148,284

1,420,491

1,356.230

1,018,530

1,633,072

Mongkok-

tyui

1,054,025,

1,002,615

and Hok

Un

631,750

507,810

Kowloon

Villages

217,032

187,842

New Terri

tories

C98,118 5,040,546

750,674 5,488,343

27,005,237

.Kowloon

Point

Yaumati

Hunghom

Total

27,008,237

7.20

132,503 2.70

29,016,439 1,107,705 152,503

152,503

29,016,439 1,018,202

Iuc. 3.0j

The number of tenements reported to be vacant averaged about 415 monthly, as compared with 200 last year.

The following comparative statement shows the Rateable Value of the Colony of Hong Kong in each of the ten years from 1918-1919 to 1927:1028 inclusive: --

Year.

Increase Percentage of as compared Increase com- with previous pared with

previous year.

Batcable

Value.

year.

1018-10 1010.20

8 15,038,730

-1,226,583

3.52

10,304;501

006,005

4:25

1020-21

17.408,950

1,104,185

0.77

-1921-22

18,600,000

1.287.701

7.49-

1922-27

19,806,920

1,100,200

3.91

1D23-24

21,069,700

1,253,774

4.32

1024-25

22,147,951

1,089.251

1925-26

27,287,82

5,139,011

23.20

1926-27

27,908,237

710,335

1027-29

29,016,430

1,018,202

2.60 3.04

MAKING BRITISH

COMMUNISTS.

WORKERS FORCED "TO"JOIN"

SOVIET UNION.

25 QUESTIONS TO ANSWER.

5.16

HONOURS RENOUNCED.

KING ALFONSO'S MINISTERS

AND HIS 21 ANNIVER--

SARY.

MADRID.

BOYCOTT HANDICAPS SEAMEN'S MISSION.

MORE SUBSCRIBERS ·

WANTED.

SEAMEN APPRECIATE FIRE: SIDE HOSPITALITY.

"HELD BY THE LAW."

A GRIPPING PICTURE WORTH SEEING.

SHOWING AT THE QUEEN'S

THEATRE.

Any picture which includes Mar- In the course of its annual reguerite de la Motte in its cast can port the Hong Kong branch of the always be relied upon to prove of Missions to Scammen states that interest, and the Universal Jewel the sad condition of affairs in China still continues to affect the work of the Society. We are, how ever, very thankful that we have in spite of very difficulty boen able to keep the flag flying without making any very stringent retrenchments."

run at

The Institute.

Little changes have been made, beyond the necessary and usual effort to ensure the minimum of waste and the maximum of economy without letting thous who use the Inalitute auffer. Nevertheless for the greater part of the year it was B loss, as, owing to the long-continued boycott, many Coast Officers and Engineers were out of employment, and while some of them received temporary assistance from the Colonial Government, there were also very many who did not come within the terms of re ference which qualified them for that help, and we could not turn such out with nowhere else for them

to go. In consequence the drain on our very slender resources was more than we could really bear. Few of them were able to make Any repayment of the debts thus incurred amounting in all to near- ly 88,000.

production. Held by the Law," which opened at the Queen's Theatre yesterday and is showing to-day and to-morrow proves no exception to the rule.

"Held by the Law" is a type of picture that has not been screened at the Queen's Theatre for some time past and comes as a decided and refreshing change. It is an excellent picture following upon an- other film which met with a good reception earlier this week, namoly

The Thundering Herd." Entirely different in conception and plot, it is just gripping in

its interest although in a different way.

EARL BEATTY BLAMED FOR JUTLAND.

ADMIRAL HARPER'S

CHARGES.

"BAD TACTICS AND BAD GUNNERY.”

NEGOTIATING. WITH TIBETANS.

SIRE YOUNGHUSBAND'S EXPERIENCE.

OUR PARENTS.

www

BY A MODERN SOCIETY GIRL.

The parent problem is one of the most pressing of the modern

FIRMNESS AND CAJOLERY, generation. Surely parents realise

the almost continual and univorsal The Mission to Tibet is one of the strife that is being waged between It was Admiral Bratty who suffered most exciting episodes Sir Francis. Parents and children, with the re- a partial defcus at the battle of Younghusband has to tell in his sult that a great gulf seems fixed. published book,

"The Jutland, owing to bad tactics, recently

There are faults on both sides. bad signalling, and bad gunnery. Light of Experience. The Tibetans First of all we look back on the This is only one of the sensational were extraordinarily dithcult to conclusions on the battle published negotiate with; they simply would childhood memories of our parents. by Rear Admiral J. E. T. Harper, have nothing to do with British What was their attitude towards the compiler of the original official emissaries. On one occasion the record of the fighting at Jutland. Commissioner in despair took two

us then?

Was it one of sym- did The so-called Harper Report is companions, and rodo straight out pathetic understanding, or one of the most famous secret docu- into the Tibetan camp.

they only think of correcting us, or ments in the world. It was written "We were courteously received, were we just ignored and abandon. for the Admiralty in 1010, and has for the Tibetans are naturally never been allowed to see the light.eurteous; and I proceeded to ex-

ed to the care of nurses and gov- Rear Admiral. Harper is now on plain to them what our objects erneases? To some of us the chief the retired list, and free from some were, how we quite understood recollection of our parents was of the restrictions of King's Regu- their desire to be left alone, and lations and be now publishes. The for a century bad left them alone, summed up in the urso's "I'll Truth About Jutland (Joba. Mur- but when they started having re-tail your mother of you."

"This is still not the report. That is Government document, and can

ray).

only be published by the Goveru

ment.

gutar conmunications with the Kussians while they declined to re- ceave a single letter from us, we felt bound to protest. They listen ed but would make no reply, and even refused my request to report to Lhasa what I had said.

On the other hand, some, parents who idolized their children when they were young forget that they have grown up, and continue to treat them as if they were eight years old.

their children's reserve, not realis- Parents complain bitterly of

ing that it is due to their great

They liko

Mr. Bridgeman, the First Lord of the Admiralty, replying in the House of Commons to Sir Robert

Things so far had not proceeded Hamilton, said that the Harper favourably. On the other hand, "Held by the Law" was written Report on the battle of Jutland there had been no hostility display by Bayard Voiller, a popular mas-

would be published as originally ter of melodrams, and mystery, and compiled and without argcndment.] there was a sudden change to ex ed. But as I prepared to leave the author of "Within the Law"

Admiral Harper says he has and The Thirteenth Chair." The

only attempted to outline.

treme danger Three Lamas who love of independence. "the picture now showing at the Queen's salient features of the battle" from had been sitting at the end of the to feel that they lead their own is as good, if not better, than the information that has been publish- rom hissed out that I should not life and that they can cope with other two. Interest is caught from ed. His reasons for publishing the leave till I promised to return to the opening acone, and is sustained book are stated in his introduction,

India with all my men. The at- their own problems; and young until the end.

His contention is that the recordsphere became tenso as light people prefer to pay the price of There is nothing particularly un-of the battle, which he drow up,

ning, and the situation was only learning by experience, though usual in the

story itself. It opens has been amended and altered by

saved through our keeping perfect- Kowloon Institute.

Sinclair (Johanie Walker) and such an extent that it is no longer an Englishman who is keeping with the engagement party of Tom subsequent Boards of Admiralty to ly cool. It takes a lot of nerve for Our property in Kowloon at the Mary Travis (Marguerite de la the Harper Record.

un Asiatic actually to lay hands on early part of the year was about Motte), & scene which is turned

calm. The Tibetans hesitated. And to be let, when two careful examina tions by experts of the structure of Tom's father, while drinking the into tragedy by the murder of

once the Gret inoment of excitement the building showed one of the prin-health of the engaged couple in the

we were able to talk them over and was over their nerve was gone, and cipal walls to be in such a weak quiet of the library with his friend

get away back to our own camp. state that only very expensive re George Travis, Mary's father. pairs. would make the place safe. About to disclose to his friend the This Our

finances would not allow, and we had at last to surrender family bas disgraced him, Henry. manner in which a member of his the site to the Colonial Government, Sinclair is shot dead before the dis- from which we had held it on a

closure of his enemy is made. No charitable lease for

forty

one sees who fires the shot, the years.

revolver is found the floor near the dead man and George Travis.

some

An Evening In Home Atmosphere Appreciated.

Ralph Lewis, as George Travis, plays the part of the condemned. and innocent man in a most realis tic way, and his portrayal of the part in the vell a few hours before the time fixed for his execution 18 masterly.

The revolver having been held by The value of what we may term

a person wearing gloves, no clue Institutional Effort, that is work is left in the way of finger prints, done in and through such Organiza- although the detective in charge of tions as the Missions to Seamen, the case decides that the gloves Y.M.C.A., Social Clubs, etc., too

would bear grease marks from the well proved to need any demon- weapon. The mystery is not solv. stration, but there is a way of en-ed, but suspicion falls on Mary's tertaining which is often over father, the only man in the library looked. We have our houses, our

when the murder was committed, own books, our gardens, and above

and he is arrested, tried and con- all our own firesides, and these men

demned to the electric chair.. whose professions keep them con- tinually on the move deeply-appre ciate even just one ovening spent in a private house, a simple meal, a yarn over the fire, a little music perhaps, or a hand of bridge. In Simplicity has marked the celostitutes are a great means of in- bration of the 25th anniversary of troduction, and those helping there. Marguerite de la Motte plays the King Alfousa's accession, the only must incet and get to know many part of the grief stricken daughter festivity in Madrid being a recep men quite well. It only now and Hundreds of British working tion at the palace. A Te Deum was again one or two of those men could

as only she can play such a part.

Of course, the mystery is solved a who are employed by Soviet sung in the cathedral. The funds spend sach an evening in proper

in the end by Mary Travis who commercial undertakings in Eng-which would have been used to cele hone atmosphere, the benefit would obtains a clue when hope to save be immense. There are, we know, her father is all but gone. Little land are being forced against their hate the event have been contr

buted to charity and to national often difficulties and disappoint incidents, deemed unimportant are will to join the local mestkom subscription for the University of menta Anrangeinents are made, remembered, and the real murderer (branch) of the Union of Soviet Madrid.

and then upset by exigencies ofis dramatically unmasked a few The Princes Juan and Gonzalo, the Service, attempt after attempt minutes before the execution is to and Commercial Employees-a Rus-

the King's younger sous, have re faile, and so on, but it is well take place at Sing Sing sian trade union.

worth keeping on, and we would. reived the Order of the Golden humbly put forward this sugges Fleech, and his brother-in-law.

tion in the hope that some of our eu-Prince Charles, has been made cap and their friends at least may find

tain-general, but the Premier Gen eral Primo de Rivera, and his Minist possible to entrain along these ters have renounced the honours lines. Home counts every time. which the King desired to bestow,

After joining the union the men hers are expected to show

thusiasm for it If they become apathetic or show signs of disgust, they are

"frozen" out-that is,

they are eventually discharged on

somos pretext.

At present the directors of Rus aian Oil Products, Ltd.-which, in addition to selling the petrol and oil from wells in Russia confiscated by the Soviet Government from British subjects without compensa tion, is a large distributing or ganisation-is particularly active in forcing its motor-lorry drivers and depot men into the Soviet

Union.

The company is extending its so- tivities over a wide area in the West of England and South Wales, and the officials of the Bristol branch, which also controls South. Wales, have been given orders that all their workers are to be mem- bors of the Union of Soviet and Commercial Employees.

A Plak Form.

In London, Preston, Gloucester, Birmingham, and other distribut ing centres from which the Rus sim Oil Products Ltd. is sending out the stolen potro!, the work of anaking British Communists is going on.

Spain will be shortened by 10 per

The sentences on all prisoners in

cent.

Finance,

of our generous subscribers either The loss of trade has caused many

"Distortions,"

opening phase of the operations Admiral Harper's judgment of the when Beatty's battle cruiser force of ten capital ships was opposed to von Hipper's force of five ships is that-

A British squadron, greatly superior in numbers and gun power, not only failed to defeat weaker enemy, who made no effort avoid action, but in the course of fifty minutes suffered what can only be described as a partial defeat.

He further gives as the reason for his judgment that

Beatty expected as aneeting with the enemy to the south-eastward, yet he stationed the heaviest and slowest ships of his force five the north-westward, miles, to where they would certainly be de

He layed coming into action. made the fatal and elementary mistake of dividing his forces, for by that he could only engage with part of them. This produc-

.ed results that can only be term-

ed disastrous.

Fatoiul Half-Hour. Dealing with the signals made to the battleships when the action be failure on the part of the signal gan, Admiral Harper days it was staff of the Lion to pass the execu tive signal to her consorts (the battleships) that lost Beatty the services of those powerful ships during the most critical and most fatetai half hour."

Admiral Harper's conclusion about what is generally called "the thrilling story. One perhaps did and nine o'clock that night, when Main Action," between six o'clock

wonder why the detective who de- the Grand Fleet was intermittent- cided that the gloves would bearly engaged with the High Seas grease marks did not examine the Flect, is equally surprising gloves worn by the men he held for the murder, and find them clean. But this is only minor flaw and interest. does not, at all detract from the

How it is done makes a most

Next Week.

It should be mentioned that on

to curtail or to withdraw; and as Twenty-five years ago our spécial we are labouring under the incubus correspondent in Madrid, describ. of the Praya East Reclamation and Sunday there opens at the Queen's ing the acression of King Alfonso, our share in that work as well as Theatre, a film which has been long said, the young monarch drove a serious overdraft at the Bank, we anticipated, namely, The Flag through the streeta aitting beside can only plead for more financia! Lieutenant Films of a naval or his mother and sister. The Queen support than we are at present military character always appeal, Mother showed the greatest solici- getting.

and undoubtedly this one will, tude that her son should make a The balated sheet shows a debit Further reference to it will appear pleasant impression on his subjects. of 8838 brought forward from the in our Cinema Notes on Monday Repeatedly she placed her hand on previous year, which was reduced after the opening screening. his shoulder. apparently suggesting to $303, a

very creditable per- still more frequent and kindlier reformance.

Expenditure came to cognition of the loyal multitude $18,272 and income to $18,847.

Have you been or are you now

a member of the board, or a shareholder, in any private com-

ART ON THE RAILWAYS.

AFRICA.

pany, trading, enterprise, or BRITISH POSTERS IN SOUTH bank 1

State the frus and institutions you have been employed before (poat and salary)

where

What was your last employ meat, salary, and reason for loaving (in detaii)?

NIPAH POSSIBILITIES IN F.M.S.

HIGH YIELDS: TAPPING FORCE PROBLEM,

The possibilities of nipah palm catates as a future source of power alcohol have recently attracted some notice, writes the Chief Becretary, F.M.S., in his annual report for

1026,

who long to confide in their parents their parents wish to spare them this. Of course, there are some

but refrain from doing so, knowing

sympathy or understanding for well that they will not receive the

which they are seeking.

•

•

to any request for concessions Sir. When finally Lhasa was reached, Francis bad only one reply, name-

Parents' do not always realise the ly that the King would eut off his insurmountable barrier

that is head if he dared to make any inch bound to exist between members of proposal. Actual agreement to the different generations. treaty, however, was difficult to

They try obtain; and endless argument at.

as exasperated the invaders.

in some casen to, throw themselves back into youth and become their daughter's best friend, and do not understand that that is impossible. The league of youth is against them and it is a friend or sister who al ways comes before one's mother.

One of the hardest problems for parents and daughters arises from conflict concerning trivial conven- tionalities, though as we get older we often thank our father and mother for having made certain wise rules.

Protesta End in Laughter. So I had them all up together, and in the presence of the Chinese Resident (who was supposed to have authority over them, but had none at all, and a year later was killed by them) said that I would negotiate with them for a week lenger, but that if at the end of the week the treaty was not signed I would resume military opera tions against them. They made our protestations I was now brutally talking of war when I had incapacity of some parents to ap Again, the gulf is widened by the so far been talking of peace. If I

preciate things which appeal tre- meant to fight, they would fight tuo.mendously to the younger genera But when I told them that I know tion. They scoff ut contemporary they could do no such thing, they plays, fail to see beauty in modern suddenly collapsed, burst out laughing, and forthwith agreed to barrel. But they would not the whole treaty, lock, stock, and have been happy if the ground had. not been well prepared. We had to make them disposed to agree.

£150 DAMAGES TO GIRL.

LIBEL IN LETTER TO MINISTRY OF LABOUR.

painting and poetry and are unable to enter into the spirit of a modern tendency to infringe upon their novel, very often because of its ideas of morality.

Neither can our parents keep up with the pace of present-day life. Young people now are so full of energy that they like to be in per petual motion.: Parents cannot cope with this restlessness, neither can they understand it when we go to the other extreme of complete Inaction in the country as the natural reaction after a period of We mental and physical strain, · The jury awarded £160 damages cannot do as our parents did-keep to Miss Louise Collins, of Bolney, up an even tenor in our lives: al street, Dorset-road, Clapham, S.W.,ways so much work, so much plea- in her action against H. Whiteway sure, and so much rest. To us con-

trast is essential. and Co., Ltd., of Vauxhall, S.E., alleging malicious prosecution and libel.

that the

company

The damages were awarded for the libel, the jury finding on the other cause honestly believed they bad a case against Miss Collins to go before a magistrate.

Our feelings towards our parents- are quite unlike those of the pre- vious generation. Very few of us respect them. On the whole, our strongest impulse towards them is like to shield them from worry. one of affection and protection. We

The actions before dark on May 31st must be considered, therefore, to be in the nature of preliminary skirmishes," he says. The real problem which then faced Jellicoe was how to make as certain as human brain could make it, thus the enemy fleet would be brought to action as carly as possible after daylight the following morning." In other words, according to Admiral Harper, the real battle of Jutland

The parents who fail to obtain ought to have taken place on June prosecution of Mies Collins and which they desire are those who

It was never fought.

The action was a sequel to the that concord with their children three other girls in respect of tin- battle against the rapid and in- tet. Why did it not happen?

He puts forward an explanation. foil taken away from the company's evitable evolution of the world.

was continuous fighting bottling factory at Vauxhall. The Youth is part of the sanchinery of astern of the Grand Fleet during agistrate stopped the case against this progress, and it is liko put- ting a car into reverse gear to force the night. It might have been the girls and discharged them. sgall craft actions. It might have The libels were alleged to be con- us to keep behind. been serious. No one, he says, told į tained in correspondence between Jellicoe.

the company and the Ministry of The jury found that saw there was malice in respect of one

Jetter.

There

Two battleships of the Fifth | Labour. Battle Squadron definitely German battleships at 11.35 in the night fighting. Their published re- ports contain the details. He com- plains again that at the time no one told Jellicce

We are no longer under the delu. sion that our parents aro full of worldly wisdom, and making uso of the experience to which they. have attained. We understand now that youth is in full possession of the thinking and neting period of life. Our parents' favourite motto, "Information' Withheld.”

If Youth only know, and if Age Admiral Harper again declares only could," is no longer applicable

one told Jellicoe.

to the present day. We know as "Such information if given to than our parents, which is a sub- much, often great deal more, Jellicoe," he says, "must have

conscious source of warry to them. entirely altered his plans during the night; but this vital informa- the bridging over of this gulf. This Our great object now should be tion which could have reached cannot be done by complete sur him before 9.30 p.m. was with-

JOHANNESBURG. Publicity designs exchanged. be tweed the South African Railway Administration and British railway-

An exaggerated importance ap- | companies have brought the Union There are two existing estates in pears to have been attached by no Are you a member of a trade many of its most beautiful posters.

Selangor with a planted area of certain commanding officers to union and since when 1.

Travollers on British railways are over 300 sores varying-in age from keeping the position of our battle At the bottom of the form is exhorted to aes South Africa, by year to nearly, four years. The feet concealed during the night at nota:

Any further information pictorial poaters specially designed growth is reported to be excellent all costs," They tried to keep. I may be enclosed on a separate to attract the British tourist. In and the older palme are, already Scheer in the dark, and all they An applicant for work with the, sheet."

exchange for this line-side advertis: fruiting.

did was to keep Jollicos in the Russian Oil Products Ltd. has to When the workers join the Lon- ing space the posters of British rail-

dark. The department has records of

Admiral Harper declares that the hil in a pink form on which are don branch of the Soviet Union way companies are exhibited free yields taken over a period of two years from some palms eight to 25 questions. Here are some of the they fill in a card headed, "Union to the same extent in the Union,

reason the German floot escaped of Boviet and Commercial Em- The South African traveller con- questions:

nine years old growing in condi- was also partly due to the Ad- tions less favourable than those pumiralty. ployees of the U.S.9.R. Joint Mest-sequently buying admission to an

He draws attention to kom in Great Britain." This is art gallery with every railway ticket states.

the fact that a message was made filed at Soviet House, in Moorgate he takes. York Cathedral, the lake These records show that very high by Bchcor by wireless shortly after street, E.C., which was recently districts of England; and the yields of 1,000 gallons of alcohol hine p.m. asking for an airship raided, and a copy is sent to Rus heather-swept hills of Scotland and per acre per annum are quite prob reconnaissance near Hora's Reef Are you

other pictures by famous artists able and if such difficulties as main at daylight. (He escaped, it will British Creditors of Russia, or

One of the questions to be answer- compare well with the delightfully taining a large enough tapping be remembered, by the Hora's Beef the General Commission for Pro-ed on this card--which is printed composed posters advertising the fores and finding a atable and passage). That message was inter-message, though not referred to in tection of French interests in in Russian as well as English-is: Leipzig Fair and the attractions at satisfactory market can be overcome copted and decoted by the Ad- the official narrative, was brought Russia, or similar bodies?

to light by Sir Julian Corbett in When did you start work in the Viennn, which are also to be soon the prospects would appear to be miralty. (Vontiqued on next Column). Soviet institutions in England † in the Union.

very bright.

(Continued on nezt columni»

the official history.

*

Do you know Russian and where did you learn it t

Hare you

lived in Russia;

where and when 7 member of the

Bin

held. Apparently it was doomed ronder on one side alone; both sufholent to send him a brief aum compromise, Children should mary about one and a half hours which they seem to have forgotten.

remember

two important things later stating the course and speed One is a sense of duty and grati of the enemy, but omitting all tude towards their parents, to reference to the all-important whom they owe fact, 1

& great deal of plain indication that their happiness. Schcer intended returning by the Horn's Roof passage."

The second thing to remember s that not always shall we have their The existence of this intercepted companionship And devotion. Therefore it should give us the desire to brighten their lives by our unselfishness, thereby making. ourselves happy.