1928-02-11 — Page 5

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THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11th, 1928,

THE REDS AROUND MURDER OF P. S. FRANCIS LAW SOCIETY ý. C. M.

SWATOW.

MILITARY OPERATIONS

COMMENCED.

WONG SHIU HUNG'S BIG

UNDERTAKING.

LESS NERVOUSNESS IN THE CITY.

[FROM OUR SWATOW CORRESPONDENT, ],

Sw.crow; Feb. 9th.

were

The military authorities began to fake an interest in the Chaoyang situation on Saturday but their initiat efforts

ineffective. They sent up & small force of 300 which was promptly surrounded, cut up and dispersed by the Reds. Over 100 soliders were killed and the Commanding Offer was, wounded and is now back in hospital in Swaton. Yesterday 1,000 more troops were sent up, and this morning between 300 and 600 were seen on their way to Kityang. The Reds ** are reported to be r'umerous (6,000 strong) and fairly well armed.

IN SHANGHAI.

POLICE RAID.

SUSPECTED CHINESE

CAUGHT.

A party of Municipal police. under Det.-Sub-Inspr. Henry, work- any in conjunction with the French authorities, raided a Chinese house in Rue Conty, Shanghai, on Mon day, and arrested one" man, who. they believe, was one of the gang of kidnappers, who on November sth shot and killed P.S. Francis deserted house in Kuling

Reach

Acting on information received, the Settlement officers, applied to the French for the needed per mission and assistance, and cota Lined parties approached the hous, which seemed to be deserted. Having posted the піссевальгу guards, the remainder of the group rushed the house, and upon breaking in, found their man in Led. He was unarmed and offered no resistance. The poser made thorough search of the premises, bas found nothing of an incriminat-

Although the military authorities do not appear to be taking theiring nature. A woman, believed to task very seriously there is less be the man's concubine, also was nervousness in the city, merely taken into custody. think because the community are surprised that the job is being thekled at all. I have a feeling -that-Wong-Shin-Hung has a big undertaking in front of him if as

on

It will be recalled that, Nowender 28th, a gang of kidnap pers had broken into a house ser the intersection of Burkill-Road and Thilet, Road, and, on emerg

HOUGHTON..

PROSECUTION SAYS: NOTHING LESS THAN BLACKMAIL.

JUDGMENT ON THURSDAY NEXT.

The summons

gainst C.

M

Houghton of the South China Trade Protection Association, taken by the Hong Kong Caw Society for practising as a solicitor without having been admitted and enrolled, was continued yesterday before Mr.

tracy

Brother Aimar of the St. Joseph's College. giving evidence under subpoena, said that Houghton was

"SAN NAM HOI” PIRACY.

VESSEL ADEQUATELY-

PROTECTED.

OFFICERS' ACTION PRAISED.

The enquiry into the death of the late Mr. Harry Coaway, chief) officer of the 8.5 San-dam -Huy

at the

and two Indian guards of the same vessel, was concluded yesterday be. fore Major C. Willson Central Magistracy.

The jury returned a verdict as follows:

LANE, CRAWFORD, LIMITED.

·REDUCTION OF CAPITAL AFFIRMED BY COURT.

“XO GOODWILL."

CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE EXPERTS.

ka

A petition for confirming the re- chiction of the capital of Lane, Crawford. Lu (and reduced) from

$1,500,000 to "#000,000 was beard berore the Chier Justice (Sir Henry

Douan) at the Supreme Court yea- terday afternoon. atter counsel a statement, His Lordship made the There was no opposition.

R. A. Wadeson, of alesers. Jr. t. Gi. Sheldon, instructed by

Deacone, in making the application, saki this was a petition made under

tion of their expital might be con- Section 17 18 by Lane, Crawford, Ltd. (and reuced), that the reduc- armed by the Court.

P. Lindsell at the Central Magia Conway and the two Indian guards order appted for

We find that the late Mr. Harry met their death as a result of bullet wounds received during an encour iter with pirates on board the as

Sun Nam Hei on January - 17th, ipes, on a voyage from Kengmoen.

murder against Chu Kni Shuen

"We return a verdict of wilful! (one of the pirates recognised) and others unknown,

January 1st. In the ordinary a teacher in the College unill

course of events, the defendant would be teaching from 1.90 p.m. until pt. On a few occasions. the defendant had applied for leave of absence for a couple of hours,

Witness also remembered that on

One or two occasions, leave had been refused the defendant.

The defendant called this evid.

effect that he was not present when once in support of an alibi to the

nn alleged interview took place bes tween him, «Haynes and the con- plainant Pang Chau.

་་

A Chinese employee of the South China Trade Protection Associa tion said that he was present January 20th when Pang Chau called at the office. The defendant was nos there.

ነነ

Houghton: Do you know the man Suen 1—Yes.

Haughton: Did you see Haynes hand the key to Suen -No.

We are of the opinion that the Captain had taken all necessary précaution and that the ship was adequately protected gainst piracy We are satisfied that the Captain, the late Chief Officer, the Chief En gineer and the Indian guards did their best under the circumstances to protect the ship, and but for their outstanding bravery, the ship of the pirates. would have fallen into the hands

"We extend our sympathy to the family of the late Mr. Conway and the Indian guards.""

The Coroner said that he quite agreed with the verdict and wished tassociate himself with the jury in the expression of sympathy to

the decraseds' families.

Mr. K. Lo, on behalf of the extended his sympathy. Mr. Lo owners of the Sun Nam Hoi also

further added that he and the. owners would also associate them-

it is reported, be is to clear them, were fired upon by Chinese whole country of "Red" and

police. A Sikh joined in the chase, suchlike elements from the Chao and one of the men was wounded Mei prefecture down to your New

near Park Road.

The others had Territories and inland to Canton disappeared, and Chief Inspector

Reports from Mission Chinese Aiers ordered a search to be made Society, objected to this question. 1 Ruards of the vessel had shown

who have escaped from the Hailok- hong district indicate that the Reds" have several almost im- prognable positions about 20 miles from Hoifung, plenty of armuoi- tion, stores for three or four years and houses stacked up with small coin. And, understand, being atterly outlawed on every side, they are prepared to stand sad fight. There has been much in the papers about the total eclipse of the sun of Chang Fat Fri and his Ironsides yet several responsible Chinese hare atoutly maintain that he's far from om being eliminated. They say he is just biding a woe" and that much will be heard of him later when he starts to make himself, a nuisance in the Northern part of this drend- fub Province.

TO CRUSH THE COM- MUNISTS.

DIVISION TO MARCH ON- IN HOL FUNG AND LOK FUNG.

of the vicinity.

Mr. D. H. Blake, for the Lawselves in saying that the officers and The defendant explained that he great bravery under a most terrify

ing ordeal. brought out this fuct in order to show that, he did not threaten Pang Chau and that he did not act as a solicitor.

Quite by accident Francis and Read stumbled on a trail of blood, more than an hour later, and tracked one man through a desert- l" area. Francis rushed through the back door of the house before which the blood stains stopped, jumped on to a motor lory," "and was shot dead by one of the gangor January 191–Yes.

Houghton: Was the door ever locked that afternoon, or any at- rennst made to detain Pang Chau

No.

Houghton: Were you in the office

from the driver's seat. F.C. Rend, Houghton: Did you hear me at although shot through the abdo any time use the wards deporta men, killed Francis's mirdere

criminal proceedings!

tion

1.4

or

If the police have enough evi--No.

any solicitor to represent them un- less they were willing to pay. The percentage charged was too low to meet a solicitor's fee.

The primary method of the Association. Mr. Blake said in collecting nd accounts for their customers was to write unpleasant letters to the debtory and in order to be effective, the letters were couched in threatening language, { In England and elsewhere en

deavours were being made to keep down such methods, for it amount Cross-examined by Mr. Blakeed to nothing else than blackmail witness said that the letter address Mr. Blake then referred to the ed to Pang Chau had never been | letter written to Pang Chau. 15 seen by him before.

rend as follows:-

dence to convict the man arrested. Houghton: Were you present at three of the Shoshing gang will the interview with Pang Chau - have been brought to justice.

قديم

COMMUNIST CENTRE.

IMPORTANT DISCOVERY

SINGAPORE.

c.i.D. ARRESTS.

Yes.

Mr. Blake: Were the books of Chan Hin referred to?-Yes, the IN account books of this company were

mentioned.

January 19th.

Mr. Pang Chau, ex-Managing Partner of the Chau Hon Company.

Dear Sir, Our client, Mr. Mr. Blake Was there any mug Chang. Kim, has submitted to "us gestion by anybody that if the account books written by you for account was not paid criminal the purpose of auditing. We have proceedings would be taken to inform you that unless you inter hard something to the effect that view us at 4 p.m. on the 19th in What is believed to have been a the accounts must, be paid other- centre from which Communist pro-wise the complainant Chau Hint, nnd make any necessary adjustment, we are instructed to paganda and activity throughout would take proceedings. Chau Hintake criminal proceedings without part of the world was directed has been unearthed by the Criminal Investigation Department at Sin-

(Wah T Tat Pan)

General La Tsui Hain has ordered Commander Tam Kai Shau to con- centrate the 2nd Division at Shek-gapore. lung on the 12th inst, with a view to operation against the Com- munist forces in the Hoi Fung and Lak Fung Districts

́ ́ The "Irontidos" Detented.

Commander Wong Hon Man wired Canton on the 3rd inst. reporting that the defeated troops under the command of General Li Hon Wan of the 26th Division of the 4th Army, had evacuated the Ping Wo District in the Fukien border.

SALT GABELLE AND

NANKING.

FOREIGN PERSONNEL TO OPERATE

REVENUE AVAILABLE FOR LOAN SERVICE.

Mr. Rodney Gilbert, writing to the X-C. Daily News from Peking under date February 6th states that it is reported on good authority that the foren personnel of the Salt Gabells will resume control of the collection of the salt revenue

in the territory controlled by the

Nationaliste.

It is also stated that 30 per cent. of the grass revenue will be avail- able for the service of the foreign foans secured on the salt revenue.

The adjustment of minor ques tions in connection with the ad ministration is progressing favour ably,

Four Chinese Then and Оле Chinese woman have been arrested. and a large quantity of Communis: literature has been seized.

One of the arrested men speaks English, and is said to have been a military officer in China, where he caine under. Russian induence.

tre

All the arrested persons China-born, and there is ground for beleving that they are not underlings, but the brains of the locul Communist activity, and fur- ther, that a great deal of the Coun munist propaganda in the Dutch East Indies has been directed from their headquarters here.

The documents seized are numer ous, and they include printed and typewritten documents in English and Chinese. Some of them are aluted at British Impenialism."

SHANGHAI FRENCH MUNI CIPAL COUNCIL.

NEW SECRETARY APPOINTED.

was then present

To further questions, witness said that Pang Chau remained in the office of the South China Trade Protection Association for nearly an hour and a hall,

The office boy of this Association also gave evidence. He said that there were two keys to the offe possession and the other with door; one of which

was in his Haynes. The defendant Houghton was not there at 2 p.m. on Janu- Ary 20th. The key had never left his possession and nobody locked the door on that particular after

Ikoon.

Houghton then told his Worship that he had nothing further to say unless the Magistrate would like to ask him any question. He further added that from the evidence the Court would readily see that he was not in the office on that particuin afternoon and therefore he could not have threatened the complain ant Pang Chau with criminal pro- weedings.

further notice. Commending the forementioned to your immediate attention. South China Trade Pro tection Association. C. M. Hough ten, Accountant.

That

Continuing, Mr. Blake said there could be no doubt as to the meaning of that letter. It simply meant threatening the man with a charge of embezzlement and falsi

Also the

feation

accounta of

Proceeding, Mr. Sheldon stated that the Company was incorporated in 1922 under the Companies Ord

nance of 1911-1921.

Counsel referred to the objects of the Company, and continuing, said the capital was $1,500,000, divided into 130,000 shares of $10 each. The Company has issued 123,000 of these shates and the sum of $10 per share fas been paid thereon.

By special resolutions passed at extraordinary general meetings of the Company, er. January 16th and 31st, respectively, it was resolved that the capital of the Company be reduced.

The resolution pased at these meetings w

That the capital of the Com pany be reduced from 81,500,000, divided into 130,000 shares of 810 euch, to $900,000, divided into 130.000 shares of $6 each, and that such reduction be effected by cancelling the capital which has been lost or is unrepresented by available assets to the extent of $4 per share upon each of the 125,000 shares which have been issued and are now outstanding,

by reducing the nonsinal amount of all shares in the Com- pany's capital from 10 to * per share."

!

Continuing Mr. Sheldon said: Previous to the passing of such special resolution paid up capital of the Company to the extens, of 300,000 and upwards had been lost, or was unrepresented by available assets,

The Minute.

Mr. Sheldon eak that a minute proposed to be registered in con- armation of the reduction was s under :-

"The capital of Laney Craw- ford, Ltd. (od reduced), bence- farth is $300,000, divided into 150,000 shares (of which 195,000 have been issued) of 86 ench, instead of the original capital of $1,300.000, divided into 130,000 shares of $10 each. At the time of the registration of this minute the sum of 86 has been and is to be deemed paid up on each of the said shares."

Mr. Sheldon said there was also an application that the words " and

reduced" be dispensed with alto- gether.

Mr. Sheldon then proceeded to deal with affidavits relating to the reduction of capital, and mentioned ene by Mr. T. G. Weall (Chairman of the Company).

shown

Depreciation Of Assets, . Quoting "from "this affidavit, Mr. Sheldon said it stated: ""At the preset the the following items evidence given as to what had assets have depreciated, or cannot in the balance sheet a5

taken place at the interview also now be called available or realis left no room for doubt as to what she assets; namely, goodwill, fix- had happened. The defendant, had tures and friggs, investments, and undoubtedly used threats to Pang the balance of the profit and loss Chau to induce him to pay, 8730account, and they have depreciated plus 20 per cent. costs in order to

to the following extent:-Good- effect a settlement. In doing so

will, $300,000; fixtures and fittings, the defendant was trying to do 803,000; investments, $384,023.51; Pang Chau out of 20 per cent. proft and ices account, $3,430.54 although he was supposes to be being

Лока a total

of in all paid 20 per cent by his customer. 356.451.30, loss on the assete side There was also po doubt that the of the balance sheet. Deducting defendant had threatened the man this amount from the total shown with deportation.

on the assets eale of the balance Asked by his Worship to quote an sheet, there is left total assets to Authority on such cases, Mr. Blake the value of $1,151,796.79. Liabili- Addressing the Court Mr. Blake said that the Home Law equires ties for all practical purposes are said that the South China Trade proof that a person had pretended the same as shown in the balance": Protection Association, according to be a solicitor, but the Hong sheet, namely: 8454.231.14. to their own evidence, was conduct Kong only say when a person acts Deducting the amonot of the ing their business on the same tines

as a solicitor.

Jiabilities from the amount of the as the Banbury (Australia) Asso-

Mr. Blake then cited several depreciated arets, it appears that ciation. The working of this Assocases, in one of which, the decision the surplus amoints to #007,545.65, ciation was described by Mr. J. T.

was in favour of the defendant.but the paid up apital of the Com- Dobbie who gave evidence the pre- His Worship then pointed out pant is $1,250,000 $500,000 and viqua day The N.-C. Daily News is inform

that the latest decision at Home on upwards has been lost, or is unre- that M. J. Verdier has been

of such a nature was in presented by availabe oasete. favour of the defence.

The loss is attributed to the fol appointed secretary to the French

Mr. Blake said that the general Jowing circumstances: depreciation Municipal Council, a post left

public in Hong Kong must be proof the investments held by the vacant by the recent death of ants and was 112 miles from the tected from this sort of practise. Company; loss on revaluation of P. Legendre.

It was not like people at Home who fittings and fixtures; kes on the could read English and would know Company's proft and loss account; Touching on the objects of the at once whether the letter came South Chine Trade Protection from a law on etter me loss on revaluation of the Com-

pany's floating assets. Association, Mr. Blake said that it dividual. These letters, were sent appeared from the prospectuses, to Chinese and in

in, one came the that the first aim was to save heavy cipient had to ask a friend to legal expenses for people who had translate the letter to him. M. Sigaut, inspector-general of bad debts to collect. The Associa Mr. Lindsell: At present I am tion charged 15 per cent. for debts against you, but I am prepared to up to three months old. From per vent, and 25 per cent. for debts would like to make an objection.

Mr. Dobbie then sold that he three to six months, they charged 20give the case further consideration.

over six months.

Mr. Lindsell I cannot hear you. It would therefore be seen that You are a the Association could not possibly Anished

witness and you are have made any arrangement with Judgment will be delivered on created by M. Sigaut's departure. (Continued on next (olumn,) Thursday.

M. Verdier is an engineer from L'Eenle Centrale des Arts et Manufactures," and came to Shang- hai as a professor to the Institut Franco-Chinois, while lately he has held the position of head of the Public Works Department.

This information is apparently available in London because cabled demands in connection with the salt securities have been frequent duz the Messageries Maritimes is going ing the past few daya,"

home an leave to-day (Saturday), published last Thursday stated that in Shanghai for some years, has A Reuter cable from Shanghai M. Cochet, who ins already been dr. F. B. Chien, Chief of the Salt been appointed general agent, and Administration of the Nationalist it is understand, be bae also be Ministry of Finance-had- denied appointed to the French Municipal this report, describing it as with Commission to fill the vacancy out foundation."

As to the Banbury Association,

Mr. Blake said that Banbury which is on the west conet of Australia, had only 2,400 inhabit city of Perth. I will not say more than this."

..

The Directors 'consider this must be regarded as a permanent de- Bekme, and that it ought to be written off and cancelled,

?

Wm. POWELL, Ltd.

CARPET DEPT.

BEAUTIFUL

CARPETS & RUGS

SUPERIOR QUALITY ANMINSTER

HEARTH & SOFA RUGS

引

SIZE

2'

3" x 4' 6"

3′ 0′′ x 6′ O“.

PR

4 0' x 6' 3"

A

PRICE

$12.50

$29.50

$34.50

HEAVY QUALITY SEAMLESS AXMINSTER SQUARES

SIZE

"g

* g' 9'. x 12' 10' x 13'--*

12' x 15'

+

FOR

PRICE $115.00

+

$150.00

$195.00

$250.00

WONDERFUL" "VALUE.

The Viva-tonal Columbia

POPULAR TABLE GRAND $90.00 Evan Respons, Increased MuSICAL BAYOL,

GREATHE VOLume without Distortion.

The ANDERSON

Music Co., Ltd.

IOE HOUSE ST. TEL. C. 1322.

17. Appointment

GENERAL ACCIDENT, FIRE & LIFE ASSURANCE CORPORATION, LTD, as appointment

THANK GOODNESS

IAM

NSURED!

For Full Particulars of Accident Insurance, Apply to the Agents-

JAMES H. BACKHOUSE LTD.

14, CHATEA BOAD (Ski Froɑn)

Mr. Sheldon: I am instructed, Mr. Sheldon: that is the experts

view, my Lord, that this is so, my Lord.

The Chief Justice: Supposing you were selling the business and stock, won't the "goodwill" be worth anything, it a

Mr. Sheldon replied that the His Lordship's Comment On chartered accountante. who were

̈M Goodwill.”.

experte, had stated that the pre- When Mr Sheldon referred to sent marketable value could not be the matter of the "goodwill" of inlculated and that they could not the business, His Lordship remark-enter in the books at the moment ed: "I am rather struck with the the marketable value.

His Lordship: It seesge to me to fnet that the whole of the good-

be rather extraordinary that a busi will of the harness aux gone,

nem like Lane, Crawford's haa, no (Continued on next Column)

goodwill."

His Lordship Yes. Far be it from me to, question experts views, but it strikes me as being

rather curious.

Mr. Sheldon then proceeded with the petition, as reported above.

In conclusion, Mr. Sheidon asked that the reduction of capital be. confirmed by the Court that the minute, as set out in the petition, be ennctioned; and that the words "and reduced he dispensed with, within one inanth from date.

His Lordship made this necessary order to that effect