1928-04-06 — Page 5

Page

CANTON PRECAU- TIONS RELAXED.

PATROLS AND DETECTIVES

BUSY...

THE WATCHMEN'S ORDINANCE.

PETITION FROM 300 INDIANS.

POLICY OF CURRENCY BILL AMENDED AND PASSED.

DEFLATION CONTINUED.

"BAD SILVER COINAGE.

(FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.)

་་ ་་

TO COME INTO FORCE ON MAY 1st,

The Ordinance for the registration and regulation of watchmen, which has been for a long time under consideration, was finally amended and passed at the Legislative Coun

It will el yesterday afternoon. however, not" come into operation until May 1st.

CANTON, April 6th, Canton rapidly going back to normal and nocturnal restrictions have been relaxed. Last night, a far as the writer was able to ascer

It was anticipated that Indians tain, only the front of the Central Police Headquarters on Wai Sun who objected to the Bill would Malco was a prohibited area, all brief counsel to appear on their other streets being open to traffe behalf at yesterday's meeting. In although the patrols were bway stead they contented themselves stopping and searching belated with submitting to wayfarers.

rumors

The 11th measures for defence. and the 12th Divisions of the 4th Army under General Chen Trai Tong, which had been despatched to the Hai-luk Fang districts to suppress Communists and outlaws

H.E. the Governor and the members of the Council a petition which had been drawn up for them by their Co. The solicitors, Messrs. Russ petition was made in the name of Basant Singh, Kahair Singh and

in the Colony who follow the oc cupation of watchmen. S

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. FRIDAY,

BUILDERS' BRICK DISPUTE.

BOTH SIDES WIN CLAIMS.

NET GAIN OF $2,255 FOR PLAINTIFFS.

The Chief Justice gave his decision at the Supreme Court yesterday, as soon as Counsel arguments were concluded, in the Case in which the. Ng Hing Con pany claimed $43,938 19 from the Hing Tip Company, Limited, for! work done and materials supplied The in the building of houses.

for counter-claimed defendant's $21,000 on the grounds that the tricks wed were interior to those stipulated in the contract.

A SURPLUS LAST YEAR.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK MUCH BRIGHTER.

CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE ·

JUSTIFIED.

TRIBUTES TO MR. D. G. M. L

BERNARD AT COUNCIL MEETING.

APRIL 6th, 1928.

COLLISION IN CAPSUIMUN.

WHICH VESSEL DID THE STRIKING?

CONTRADICTORY EVIDENCE."

The adjourned hearing of the enquiry at the Marine Court was resumed yesterday morning before Commander J. B., Newill, President, and assisted by a Court of Your At the meeting of the Legislative other Naval and Mercantile Officers. Mr. Hugh Jones appeared on Council yesterday afternoon fur. The plaintiffa were awarded ther, tributes were paid to the serbehalf of the Standard Oil Corn- $33,760 with costs and on the vices to the Colony rendered by pany and for the coxswain and counter-claim the following awards it. D. G. M. Bernard who left for crew of the "Socony launch

made Defective bricks,

work, Home earlier in the week. These Katonah, and the master of the 8.5. were 819,880; other defective

4.625; delay in completion of can- tributes were heartily endorsed by Taming (Capt. Geq. D. S. Milla) Liff and paid for by the defendant,

act 87,500 water used by plain-F.E. The Governor who referred to was represented by Mr. G. K. Ell a member of the Councils in the $600; removal of earth from the the fact that Mr. Bernard became Brutton.

dark and dangerous days of the eite, 8000,

Spring of 1026. His Excellency contrasted the position then with that at the present day. Last year the Government budgeted for

Theac amounts total 833,505, leaving a net profit for the plain

tiff of 82,953,

: Counsels' Speeches.

In the course of his address on behalf of defendants, Mr. Jenkin said that the contract was perfect

clear and there could be no mis. deficit of a million dollars, but

tba: should have been used.

He

A DEcuit Witness. The coxswain of the "Socony "

tug Eatonah continuing his evi- dence was examined by the Court regarding the exact position of the mast lights. Extremely difficulty was experienced in translating and

answer. The witness appeared to contradict himsell several times but.. with the aid of models it was elicit ed that the upper steaming light of the Taming was to the left of the lower light when he first sighted

Owing to the recent General Toui King Tong, Com mander of the 5th Army, has hastily returned from Waichow to consult the Canton authoritice. on Sapooran Singh on their own behalf take about the quality of the bricks | surplus of half a million was explaining the exact questions which and on behalf of 300 Indians resident | courd sot prave absolutely that no realised. The present year was be the Court wished the witness to contract bricks had been used, but gun with a surplus of assets over a very fair test had revealed no liabilities of four million dollars trace of any.

On plaintiffs' own evidence that and in the quarter just completed they paid $190 per 10,000 for the revenue had exceeded the estimates bricks it was clear they were not by more than seven lakhs of dollars

Hoa, Sir Henry Pollock said: up to the sample, the ruling price quantities. The number of bricks of the Legislative Council after the used, 2,300,000 would have been departure of Mr. Bernard from the again questioned the witoess with Kong aire to associate themselves with paper representing lights. As a re larger, namely 2,913,000 if they had Colony, the Unofficial Members da the aid of pencils and bills of Your Excellency's remarks, recent- been the specified Nam bricks..

ly published in the Press, in regard suit of these demonstrations the to Mr. Bernard's valuable services witness totally reversed his state- to the Colony. His sound judgments regarding the position of the

The petitioners submitted that watchmen in Hong Kong were, with few exceptions, either Indian or Chinese and that as the Chiness were exempt from the compulsory passed would be in the nature of

there, have also returned to Can- provisions of this bill, the bill, being 3933 per 10,000 for large Sir,-As this is the first meeting her. The Court still unsatisfied

ton. These two divisions, under the command respectively of Brig. Generis Yi Han Mow and Heang Hon Pin, arrived in Canton on steamers. A régiment of General Wong Shiu Hung's Army at Shin- kwan has also been, ordered to re- inforce the policing of the Canton Hankow Railway.

la reply Mr. Sheldon said that it had not been proved that the contract bricks could not be obtain

discriminatory measure against Indians who were British subjects in favour of Chinese who, mostly, were not. This discrimination they contended seemed to bear with greater harshness "in view of the

ed at $100 per 10,000. He contendment and shrewd common se Taming lights, fact that all Indians were already, in effect, registered with the Police

ed that this view was supported by were of great benefit not only in

the The Court then came and could not leave the Colony

the plaintiffs" brick-book If the this Council, but also in without the sauction of the Police, whilst Chinese could come and go other side bad wished to challenge Executive Council. We desire to at will. It was not suggested that they should have had it trans-record our appreciation accord registration of Indian watchmen lated and based cross-examinationingly. would in itself in any way adversely upon it. His clients had relied military circles affect the petitioners but that in the form taken by the bill it did cast a slur on members of the Indian race, as such.

THE APRIL 1ST PLOT.

According to theee soldiers were summarily call. ed back because the Government Com- that the had discovered munists were planning another uprising for April 1st. So far no trouble, has occurred but the Gov- grnment has just instructed, its detectives to make every effort to search out Communist rendevous. General Tang Shih Tang, Police Commissioner of Carton, has order ed his men to keep a close watch on all the tea houses, particularly those on Tai Yi Po and those da Wai On Road, West According to the, Police Commissioner, they are suspicious, because in spite of heavy running expenses and an exceedingly small volume of their trade, these businesses carry on in a most flourishing manner...

The number of police squads in principal thoroughfares of the city searching suspicious persons for "ilheit, firearms has of late beza increased. Several armoured cars) also vigilantly pátroling the streets both day and right

aro

THE CURRENCY.

The Provincial Treasury has re- cently received in payments for revenue, taxes and duties; am wa usually large amount of Central Bank of China netes More than 8400,000 have been paid in during the past week or s2 and this sum will all be withdrawn from circula- tion.

People throughout Kwangtung have been very reluctant to accept subsidary coin made in the 13th

The Petition concluded:~" It is respectfully submitted that if your petitioners correctly interpret the reasons for the bill, the bill

was intended to provide a corps

to the

decision that the Katonah had altered its course to starboard just Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow: On be after sighting the part light of the Taming. The Taming had also targely upon that evidence which half of the Chinese Community my apparently altered. its course aud Chinese colleague and I heartily the defence had not challenged.

Mr. Potter replied that the book associate ourselves with the re-opened both side lights

"Ousses" From The Taming

Eridge. hed only been available for a week marks of the hon. anior unofficial His Lordship entered judgment member concerning the valuable as stated.

services rendered by Mr. Bernard to the Colony during the time he tive and Legislative Councils.. Secretary clause 7 was omitted from served as a member of the Execu;

H.E. the Governor: Gentlemen, I heartily endoree what Sir Henry

"

the Bill. This read.

TE such a of police watchmen. corps is desirable it seems equally desirable that it should be under

have said. Mr. Bernard became a proper discipline as is provided by the bill. Nowhere, however,

member of the Executive and Legis lative Councils of this Colony in can any reason be found why

the dark and dangerous days of the such an admirable bill should be married to provisions so wide in

(2) No person shall, without the spring of 1926. We then had seldom their

permission of the Captain Super-before us a choice between good and scope. Registration of watchmen in principle does not

intendent of Police, knowingly bad. We were usually confronted employ or continue to employ as by nothing but a choice of evils. appear in any way contrary to the spirit of freedom of com-

a watchman any person who is In taking the difficult decisions tract. It is only in the com-

cmployed by any other employer. which had then to be made, I felt pulsory parts of the bill, as

In support of his motion the that I could implicitly rely on Mr. applied to private watchmen that the rights of the individual Attorney-General said it was pro- Bemard to interpret to me the true citizen are interfered with. It is posed to leave this matter, which opinions of the local mercantle respectfully submitted that the was one of private contract, to the community as well as of the Hong efficiency either of & corps of watch employers themselves to deal with, Kong General Chamber of Com- tura explain faithfully to all with inen or of a system of registration and not to make it a prohibition merce, and that he would in his whom he came in contact the real of watchmen can best be tested under the bill

It was then agreed that an ad- by a voluntary system. If em ployers find police watch nen ditional clause should be added policy underlying the actions of better than private watchmen reading." This Ordinance shall come the Hong Kong Government. The surely the private watchm will into operation on the first day of Calony has now safely weathered lose their employment. If on the May, 1928, the Attorney-General the storm and the financial outlook com- knows, we hadgeted for a deficit of other hand employers find private expinining that the reason why it is much brighter. As the Council

than police was proposed to insert a watchmen, it does not seem un-mencing clause was in order to give & milion dollars in respect of the reasonable that they should be time for persons who will be affect-year 1927. But the year's working ed by the Ordinance to register in fact realized a surplus of allowed to employ those who servo

gan the financial year now current them best, and who are under themselves before the Ordinance half a million dollars. So we be

came into operation. their own control.

with a total surplus of assets over Habilities amounting to about four therefore petitioners Your

million dollars Moreover, the first pray that the bill be so amended ns to exclude all provisions of

(1) No person shall, without the permission of the Captain Super-Pollock and Sir Shou-son Chowing the first blast of the Antonak'a intendent of Police, perform.or continue to perform the duties of a watchman for more than one employer.

watchmen

better

Council resumed and the Bill was H.E. the Governor: Council ad- then read a third time and passed.

April 19th, at 2.30 p.m.

Mr. W. G. Lawson was called and stated that he held a master'a certi- Socony" Inunch Katonah. A ficate and was a passenger on the little prior to the collision the wit ness was in his cabin and an heir- whistle prepared himself to come on deck: On hearing the second long blast of the Katonah he hurried on decit. On his way up he heard the telegraph of the engine room, followed by the full reverse of the engines. Arriving on deck he saw the Taming about 30 yards ahead bearing across the bows of the Antonah, There was no chance of avoiding the collision. The Tamiag at the bridge deck. Asked by Mr. struck the lighter a glancing blow Hall Brutton how long witness was on desk at the time of the collision, onsly "Long enough to hear the Mr. Lawson replied rather humor enases" which the coxswain and I received from the bridge of the Taming" "They probably took me

were received just before the im for one of the Chinese crew Mr. Lawaan also stated that the "cuases pact took place.

The Katonah's" Pilot. The pilot of the Katonah was passing Ma Wan Point the courac was, altered to starboard. They then called and stated that after

then steered towards the north mast head and port lights of the share for about 15 minutes. The

port bow. On sighting the red the Colony's revenue for that quarlight of the Taming the Katonah

compulsory nature which your journs until this day, fortnight, quarter of the year 1928 bás now Taming were then sighted on his

petitioners 'consider unworkable, unjust, discriminatory, inequitable and unfair and to represent an attack on a loyal and provident elaas composed of natural born British subjects."

NEW MEMBER.

Hon. Mr. W.,E. L. Shenton took member of the Council. He fills the the oath upon taking his seat as vacancy, on. H.E. the Governor's nomination, caused by the retire. ment of Mr. D. G. M. Bernard.

gone by; and I am glad to say that

ter shows an increase of more thun seven lakhs of dollars over

COUNTERFEITER ARRESTED.

blow a blast and altered her course

soon he saw both side lights of the also altered her course and very

then blew one long blast and put approaching vessel. The coxswain the helm on centre. As the Taming ordered the engines to be stopped. was still closing the coxswain By this time only the green light of the Taming was showing and the coxswain ordered the engines full

natern

Questioned by Mr. Hall Brutton. the witness replied that he could not see the Taming until she was. within 2,000 feet of them because of the surrounding high lands

Those present at the Council meeting were HE the Governor, H.E. the General Officer Command ing the Troops, the Colonial Secrethe estimate. Therefore, although little a starboard. The Taming tary, the Attorney-General, the caution is still necessary, confidence Colonial Treasurer, the Director of in, the future is justified. In the The Attorney-General, moved that Public Works, the Captain Super- achievement of this happy result year of the Republic, In many dis- this petition be laid upon the table. intendent al Police, the Secretary Mr. Bernard played a notable part tricts, notably Toyshan, Sun Wai He said: I understand copies of the for Chinese Affairs, the Hon. Sir not only as member of the Execu and Hoi Ping, these silver coine are petition have been received by all Henry Pollock, the Hon, Sir Shou- tive and Legislative Councils, but son Chow, Hon. Dr. Kotewall, Hon also se Chairman of the Hong Kong not used at all, in spite of Govern-members of the Council so that no ment protests and warnings. As a doubt they have given the matter Mr. W. EL. Shenton, Hon. Mr.General Chamber of Commerce and result they pour into Canton where full consideration. The petition has A. C. Hynes, Hon. Mr. 3. Owen as the bead of the great fum of misa tim andly from our delibera. under the immediate eyes of the also been considered by the Govern

tions and we do well to place ou Government, they have to be cement and discussed in the Executive Hughes and Mr. T. W. Ainsworth Jardine, Matheson & Co. We shall record our warm appreciation of cepted. However, the big merchants Council this morning. As a result (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

bris services to Hong Kong. accept them. only with great re of that consideration and discussion luctance. Hawkers, ricsha pullers it is proposed to make two amend

(Applause.)! and small merchants refuse them ments to the Bill in Committee at altogether, insisting that they have a later stage of this meeting.

The Colonial Secretary seconded experienced great difficulty in mak

and this procedure was agreed to ing purchases with such coin.

Later the Attorney-General moved The trouble is that the coins are not up to standard In the 13th that the Council go into Committeo year of the Republic when the silver for further consideration of the money in question was coined. Watchmen's Bill, and in Committee Kwangtung was under Yang Hai he moved that Clause 3 be amend

A meeting of the Finance Com Min and Liu Chin Wan, whoso ed by the insertion of the word

#t I police before "watchmen in soldiers surreptitiously ined a huge number of cunterfeit twenty- paragraphs a, b, c, d and e in sub-mittee followed the Council meet ing. The votes totalling $133,932, cent pieces, most of which bore the section (1). The effect of the the Colonial Secretary presid. words "made in the 13th year of amendment, he said, will be that details of which were given in yes the Republic"

the power of fixing wages, making terday's Daily Prest, were approv The Provincial Administration and itering grades and ranka af

In connection with the vote of haa sued a public declaration to Watchmen, regulating conditions of the effect that its new coins must be employment, providing for discip $103,000 for enlarging the accom accepted. The Canton Chamber of line and control and imposing duties modation in the Colonial Socre Commerce have supported the Gov- and obligations on employers, will tariat, the Hon. Mr. J. Owen ernment declaration and issued apply only to police watchmen and Hughes asked whether this sum it similar statement to the merchants will not apply to private watchmen cluded the rental which would have of the city. Yet in spite of the The Colonial Becretary, seconded to be paid for extra offices whilst combined efforts of the Government and this was agreed to

The Colonial Secretary: Yes It On the motion of the Attorney building was in progress, and the Chamber, people are 20. cepting sach new coins with can- General seconded by the Colonial will cover all the costs as far as

one can foresee.

tion.

(Continued on next Column),

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

RAID ON HOUSE IN YAUMATI

Boever.

The Court then questioned the witness with regard to the range of vision and decided that it was pos sible to ste for. a distance of six milea West when clear of Ma Wan Island. The witness denied that the lighter lashed to the tug ob A Chinese was formally charged structed his view in any way what- before Jr. W. Schofield at the unlawfully having in his possession Dockyards stated that he had sur- Kowloon Magistracy yesterday with Mr. B. E. Duncan, of the Talkoo opinion that the lighter had struck three moulds upon which were im vored both the ss. Toming and the of the King's curent silver coin. pressed a resemblance of both sider lighter Veraan and formed his The defendant was arrested as n the Taming. His statements, how

Decision Reserved. result of a raid on No, 350 Port ever, were subject to a strong denial At the resumption of the enquiry and Street, by a party of detec by Mr. Hugh Jonea,

in the afternoon, the President, tives, & quantity of paraphernalin for the manufacture of counterfeit coins was also seized.... Iemand for a week intimating that The Court has not yet come to inspector Fallos applied for Comdr, J. B. Newill, D.S.O said other charges might preferred may decision, but the finding will be ing. The enquiry was then closed. granted. against the prisoner. This was delivered to both parties in writ

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