1928-07-05 — Page 5

INDEPENDENCE DAY.

AMERICAN COMMUNITY "EN FETE."

OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE

FUNCTIONS.

The "Stars and Stripes" were seen averywhere in the Colony yesterday in celebration of the 152nd anniversary of the Declara- tion of American Independence, and British and foreign warships in port were "dressed" for the occasion.

CANTON 'BUSES.

SUSPENDING SERVICE ON

THE 20TH.

It is rumoured, says the Canton Gazette, that the local bus com panies have planned to suspend running from the 20th inst. as a protest against the Municipality regulations.

It will be recalled that three months ago the Bureau of Public Utility announced that within three months all public buses wers

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, JULY 5th, 1928.

WEST RIVER

SHIPPING.

MANY ABUSES.

MASTERS WHO ARE FIGURE HEADS.

METHODS OF OWNERS AND

COMPRADORES..

[BY CLC.)

INCORRECT RATE RETURN.

GOVERNMENT'S LOSS ON NEW VALUATION:

RESTAURANT PARTNER

FINED.

A partner in a Chinese restau- rant business at Woosung Street, Yaumati, was prosecuted by the Public Works Department at the The Marine Court of Enquiry Kowloon Magistracy yesterday for which investigated the sinking of furnishing false and incorrect re- the Kochow, took a step in the turns in respect of premises lensed right direction when it made a re- from the Wing On Company,

Mr. W. D. Owen (of: Hestra commendation that the Hong Kong

the defence, pleaded not guilty.

Mr. J. Bing, Acting Assistant Assessor of Rates, prosecuting, said cerned was "made for 1998-1999 and the defendant was informed that for the previous year. On receipt of the valuation farm the defendant rest. for the premises was $500 per month inclusive, whereas the valus

the amount was $9,600 the same as

ditions under which West River This ruling of the Bureau of Pub-steamers flying the British ag are lio Utility was made in'view of the run. The urgency of such an in- thât ä ̈valuation of the houses con-1 accidents that had happened owing vestigation is obvious especially to the unstable build of the buses when one calls to mind the Leung The new requirement necessitated on tragedy of a year ago and the use of modern buses, with a can only hope that the existing con- low centre of gravity, weather-ditions will be drastically changed proof bodies, and comfortable even if this does not snit certain

people interested, seats. Safety is the keynote of the now regulations

ROUND THE POLICE COURTS.

SCHOOL GIRLS ATTACKED

BY ROBBERS.

Plucky arrests by a vegetable gardener and another Chinese 'of alleged highwaymen were described from the witacs box when two Chi- nesa were brought before the Kow Joan Magistrate (Mr. W. Schofield) by Inspector Fallon on a charge of new school girl. robbery with violence from a Chi- The property stolen was a gold bangle valued

#_$30.

The tomplainant stated that she was in Koon City Road on her way to school as To Kwa Wah on Jund 20th With anther girl when she waa Andrékly attacked. She was

branded a knife removed her bangle. She related bow the two men were arrested and identified the Arat defendahi að áà the insa who had the knife and the second defendant as his coufederale.

The girl's compasión, also attend- ing the sale school, gave corre borating evidence.

to be replaced by vehicles "of The American community was modern type, and that all the old

jete, two public and many

ones were to be withdrawn from private functions being given. The service. Failure to effect replace first was held at the American Club ments would result in cancellation Government enquire into the con- Hastings, Denays and Bowley) for bald by dqa man while another who at Duddell Street in the morning. of the bus franchiss. where Mr. Roger C. Tredwell, United States Consul-General, was

At Home" to all well-wishers. Among the many guests present to offer their felicitations were H.E the Officer Administering the Government (the Hon, Mr. W. T. Southorn, CM.G.) attended by him! A.D.C., and representatives from both the Army and Navy. There were also representatives from the Legislative Council, the Courts of Justice, and a number of other Government and Consular officials.

The usual gun salute was fired at

noon.

the Bureau of Public Utility to The bus companies have asked

modify their regulations, but the

Municipal Bureau has preserved an unyielding attitude. The bus companiei declare that three

in which to effect the change re months was far too short a period quired, that an enormous amount of capital was necessary to buy the

American Community At Home." Lane, Crawford's Restaurant was the rendezvous for Americans and their friends, during the afternoon.

new buses, and, that the old buses The doorways were hung with the could not be disposed of readily Stars and Stripes and the tables in and would be practically a dead all three rooms tastefully decorated loss, with flowers. Nearly 500 persons The cheapest type of the modern were assembled by 5.30, refresh bus of the type required costs about meats were served to all, and a $4,000, while there ste better makes large number danced in the res-at higher prices. taurant which was cleared for the The stand that the bus companies intend to adopt is that all their vehicles will be taken off the run as from the 20th inst. and will be kept of the roads until some com- promise can be arrived at with the Municipal authorities.

occasion,

the revelations made there. One

informed the Treasury that the

A vegetable gardener såld that be observed the attack on the-gícis and ran towards the spot blowing

police whistle. The men released their victims and ran away, but The caught the second defendant after a chase. Another witness

It is always difficult for thosetion had been based on a rental of who have not been initiated into 8000 per month exclusive. The

of accidents, Auch as the Auchor Chiness business methods to fix the assessment was accordingly

duced to 88,500. blame on the right person in cases

Mr. A. Kirk, Valuation and he The master of the vessel concerned sumptions Officer, said that be az- is invariably made the scape-goat, certained, from the Wing On Cam and we have the instances of the pany that the rental was 8500 per Lenny Kwong and the Kochow,month, the rates being payable by when the late Capt. Wilson and the tenant. A rent collector of the Capt. Morgan were penalised. No firm also stated that he collected one denies that they were technical 8800 rent from the defendant'

to blame, but there is a lot arm, the last collection being for which needs the light of day. below the surface in this matter the twelfth moon last year.

actually exercises.

In closing his case, Mr. Ring asked for a conviction more on principle than anything else, nå it realise that correct and true state was important for the Chinese to ments must be rendered on the forms supplied by the Treasury.

A Misunderstanding. With - Tha

Landlords,

Mr. Owen submitted that in de

gave evidence of hearing cries for assistance. He joined in the chase him till the police arrived. and arrested the other man, holding

The case was remanded until this afternoon.

"A PUBLIC NUISANCE.”

A Chinese was fined £10 by Mr. W. Schofield at the Kowloon Magie tracy for making himself "a public nuisance." He was also ordered ta plainant, who said that the accused pay $10 compensation to the com- struck him for no apparent reason.

The defendant was also bound over' in a band of $100 for one year.

CRUELTY TO FOWLS.

A

To Comply With Regulations, regulations, a master of a vessel is According to the Board of Trade

invested with full power, and can command the vessel in such a manner as to keep within the re gulations. But where Chinese owned vessels are concerned, the point often arises as to what power the claring 8600 as the monthly rantal conix American ladies who

person holding the nominal position there had been a misunderstanding ed before Major C. Willson at the Two Chinese stallholders appear- served as hostesses had a busy

of "master'

between the partners of the defen Central Magistracy charged with It will often.. found that &dant's firm and the manager of the cruelty to fowls. time shaking hands with all comers, H.E. the Officer Administering

European skipper on board & West Wing On Company. A representa in siz orates, which and were pro- The birds were the Government (the Hon, W. T.

Should this be done the Can. He has to do what the owner of five of the landlords was approach-vided with no water to drink. Southorn) arrived just after 5

ed for a reduction in rent and the The o'clock. His Excellency's entrance ton public will be in for

the National (inconvenient time. The buses aro Morgan admitted that the head defendant understood that this had guilty. The first defendant said was heralded by Anthem, and the sudden ceasation a great convenience in the city. i fuki did the stowage of..cargo and been granted before he made out that owing to an oversight, on of the buzz of conversation was There will be the rickshas to fail the Chinese "pilot most of the

The supervisor of Wing On's pro- Dragon festival day, his folis ston- very impressive.

back upon, but these will be found navigation. In the case of the vision department gave evidence of ped work and forgot to give the The hostesses were Mrs. Giffen. extremely slow as compared to the mung Krong the aged Capt having been approached by the declaimed that he had given the chick-

The ricksha pullers Dus,

Wilson was there mainly to complyfendant for a reduction in rent. with the regulations requiring. doubtless looking forward to a

The manager was out at the time fully certificated master." season of plenty..

and, he forgot about the matter. comes The question

this. His Worship remarked that the "Who is the responsible party1" defendant was an optimist to sa The answer in fact is, the owner, sume that the rent had been reduc and on some vessels, the compradore | éd. rules supreme.

*

#

дл

are

NO MORE MAHJONGG.'

DRASTIC CANTON REGULA TION.

Mrs Benson, Mrs, Dunbar, Mrs. Parker, Mr Pethick, and Mrs. Drolette.

Each member of the American community was at liberty to invite as many guests possible, and among those present who received official invitations from the American Consulite were:" H.E. the Oficer Administering the Government (the · Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn, C.M.G.), H.E the General Officer Commanding the Troops (Colonel R. B. Skinner,

At the 119th meeting of the O.B.E.), the Colonial Secretary Branch Political Council, held last (the Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax, Friday a resolution was passed Works (the Hon, Mr. H. T. Cressy, shops and houses. This ruling i C.M.G.), the Director of Public prohibiting gambling in private C.BE), the Captain Superintend cludes the very popular game ent of Police (the Hon. Mr. E. D."Mahjongg." It was not learned C. Wolle, CMG.), the Colonial what steps were being taken to en- Treasurer (the Hon. Mr. C. McL force this rule,

Mahjongg will be permitted in Messer, O.B.E.), the Chief Justice (Sir Henry Gollan, K.C.), Com public restaurants and hotels, but modore J. L. Pearson, C.M.G., and will be subject to a special tax, many officers of His Majesty's to be devoted to the people's phy. Services and the foreign Consulssical training campaign through

Several private parties were given out the province. at night by the benedicks of the American community.

IN CANTON.

RECEPTION AT CONSULATE,

(PRVÝ OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]

Members of the military and civil. organisations under the control of Branch Political Council have been circularised with the request to pay "fenst" or "entertainment" taxes according to existing, regulations. This circular was sentat the instance of the Commissioner of the Department of Finance as it was believed that government officers were inclined to disregard this tax This entertainment tax is now to be increased, the increase being sane Americans in Canton are to-day tioned pat the meeting of the celebrating Independence Day at Council. the American Consulate-General, Regulations are now being drawn Shameen. The various functions to govern the collection of the above started this morning at 11-o'clock | two taxEK, and will last until 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. Douglas Jenkins,

CANTON, July 4th.

the American Consul-General, is

River boat is only 4, figurehead,

the compradore tells him. Capt.

to

the form.

a

It was stated by Mr. Ring that Ship Owners' Point Of View. the difference in the assessment From investigations made among 8403 to the Government. Further, would mean a quarterly loss, of several owners of West River that the revised valuation would steamers. I gathered that among have to stand and the Treasury most of them there is nothing could not collect on the original for the safety of the lives of pas that the six houses used as like a proper sense of responsibility SZEBssment. He also pointed out

do? If we do not allow our ships and could therefore be regarded as sengers and crew. What can we restaurant had one main staircase to carry as much as we can get under one tenant we can make no profit," ohe owner mid. He went on to explain that times are very hard and. it cost plenty money" to run a ship. "We have to go out and beg for cargo, and if we do get a few toris more than our ship should carry,

we are only too pleased."

His Worship said that in view of the lightness of the maximum penalty and the site of the pre mises, he would impose the maxi- mum fine of $100.

temptation to men in their position is a most unfair one and formal consure when things go wrong does dothing to remedy the evil.

The ship owners are certainly hit by the present depression in trade; and in order to keep themselves going they far too often ignore shipping laws and regulations.

Smuggling Passengers To Saigon. There is very keen competition

An instance of a tyrannical among them and each ship owner engages about thirty or forty Chinese shipowner was given to me by a Norwegian skipper. He was "brokers" to go round soliciting for cargo, and whether the ship is engaged to take over the command fully loaded or not, they do not, of a vessel on the Saigon-Hong and declare they cannot refuse Houg run by a Chinese owner. He business brought in by the brokers made two trips and found nothing But just before leaving If they did, the brokers would lose Hong Kong for the third trip, he their commission and would refuse found that he had 40 passengers on to work for them again.

Some of the ships are contracted board his ship in excess of those he was allowed to carry. He at out to compradores. On such vessels

once sitinimoned the mate and the the owners have practically no control. Before the compradore compradore and told them to have pays a lump sum down for the ship, the excess passengers removed, or the owners are made to understand he would not leave port. The com- that they must comply with what pradore did not comply and the skipper had to blow his syren and smil for the assistance of the police to remove the men.

receiving his guests at the Con- friendly set-to with the South Chine sulate, and all foreign nationals on Dragons There was a large crowd Shameen and in Canton, American of spectatora present including ever the compradore may wish as and European returned students, several Naval officers with their regards the vessels. and many high Canton officials wives..

-The masters are often engaged to were invited to the telebration. The game in itself did not amount comply with the regulations. They All the American residents are to much as the Dragons were simply are seldom expected to do any having a holiday, and the shope swept off their feet by the Navy navigation and have only to show and offices

Other boys, but the sporting spirit in themselves on the bridge when a are closed. foreign nationale, however, are which the game was played, and vessel is leaving or entering port. doing business as usual.

the friendly jests of the spectators, If a skipper tries to exert his more than atoned for the poor dis rights, he ie told to quit the ship, There are owners and compradores Although the Dragons lost beavily who require a master only to accept to the Naval men, they nevertheless orders, ask no questions and let must be congratulated for the fight other people run the ship. they put up with only a scratch team as several of their regular players were absent.

FRIENDLY BASEBALL

GAME:

U.B. NAVY ». SOUTH CHINA,

DRAGONS.

play of ball craft.

༞

The Dragons, however, started out in the very beginning of the first Wherever there is an American canto with a home run by Tommy community or a U.S. gunboat in Chind, who connected a nice bingle port, no celebration of Inde over short. pendence Day could be considered The Americans retaliated and got complete without a game of base- ten man home, putting seventeen ball....

counter

men to bat. In the second frame ttraction Despite the counter sttraction of Dragons scored another single and the reception at the Lane, Craw the Americans piled up another ford's Restaurant yesterday after-sovon. The third and fourth stanzas noon, the United States Navy man- for the Dragons resulted in ro, aged to send a team down to while the Navy pocketed 1 run in the Happy Valley diamond for a the third and five in the fourth

(Continued on next Column)},{ The final ecozé was 23 to 2.

...

"What The Masters Bay.

wrong.

two defendants pleaded

fowl water.

The other accused

as water earlier in the day.

Inspector George Fowler of the S.P.C.A. prosecuted.

Eis Worship imposed a fine of 810 on each of the defendants. ASHAMED OF HIS TROUSERS"?

A Chinese appeared before Mr. W. Schofield at the Kowloon Magis tracy on the charge of unlawful · possession of a pair of trousers

The accused was very indignant, and exclaimed "If I stole those trousers, I am ready to be betieaded!"

The defendant was arrested by & Chinese constable who noticed him concealing the trousers beneath his jacket. Ho failed to give an adequate explanation nad arrested.

VAI

When cross-examined in Court, the defendant said that the trousers. were his own, but he refused to say where he got them. He fürther added that he was sometimes men- tally unsound and did not know what he was doing.

Wm. POWELL, Ltd.

12, Des Vœux Road.

ANNOUNCE

THEIR

CLOSING

SALE

Will Commence On

TUESDAY, JULY 3rd.

When the Entire Stock will be offered at"

33%

Discount

off all Goods in the Ladies and Furnishing Departments

In the

Gentlemen's Department

We shall hold Our

Annual Summer Sale.

Columbia RECORDS

New

Ask to Hear Specially the

NEWEST DANCES

4712 IT'S RAY BAY RAINING. Fox-Trot.

ID NEVER BE BAPPY

Records of

4719/1

MASSED

DANCE

BANDS

as at the

Royal

Albe

BLESS HER LITTI E HEART LEFT MY SUGAR STANDING

110

TheAnderson

Music &

Electric Recording Without Scratch

GENERAL ACCIDENT, FIRE & LIFE

Magistrate: A very strange way, by App ASSURANCE CORPORATION, LTD. BA

to carry one's trousera!

Defendant: They are old, and I

Police evidence showed that the am ashamed to carry them openly. defendant had two previous con- victions for stealing.

The Magistrate imposed a fine of 220 with the alternative of month's imprisonment,

SERIOUS ÁLLEGATIONS AGAINST WELL-TO-DO

CHINESE.

Chan Tuk Chan, a Chinese of the

better class appeared before Mr. B E. Lindsell at the Central Magis tracy on two serious charges of in- decent behaviour and assaulting a 13 year old Chinese girl.

Mr. J. M. Remedios appeared on behalf of the defendant.

UNMUZZLED DOGS.

When he returned from Saigon,

Bebective Bergeant Whelan, who he was paid off, Saigon being a

prosecuted, applied for a week's rich field for smuggled emigrants.

Such are the conditions existing formal remand on thé instruction o vessels drned by Chinese, and of the Assistant Attorney General

The Magistrate fixed hail at 8500 particularly on the small boata plying to Kongmoon, Wuchow and and refused to reduce the amount other River ports. There are, of on application by Mr. Benedios course, companies, such as the on the grounds that the charges Hong Kong Canton and Macao were of a serious nature Steamboat Co., Ltd., and others. The remand for ons week was also. who pay regular "Guild" wages granted. to their masters and offoers, and In conversation with several give the masters the customary masters of West River boats, the powers making them responsible for general impression conveyed was the work they are supposed to do..

owhere of dogs from that from their point of view it It is only fair to the aged masters, various parts of the City appeared came to a matter of "Hobson's of these small vessels that the Gov-before Major C. Willson at the Choice." Several of the skippers ernment should look into the matter Central Magistracy for allowing on this run are past middle-age, and insist that steamers flying the their dogs to roain about without They are no longer able to compete British flag be made to comply with muzzles with younger men and often only the Board of Trade Regulations, One defendant said that her dog an old follow who has been nat and that the masters should be given had just been washed and ran out, of work for a long spell will take a real and not a nominal command, while another blamed an Indian over the nominal command of It is a matter also for the nasocia constable who was said to have West River steamer, and once tions of merchant service officers taken a lenal from the boy who wan they have taken the command they and engineers, as it effects the in charge of the dog. canbot be too conscientious. The credit of their profession and the

(Oontinued on nest Oolumn), welfare of individual members

Negligent

Fines of 64 and 83 were imposed on four of the "owner

THANK GOODNESS JAM INCURED

For Full Particulars of Accident Insurance, Apply to the Agenteni JAMES H. BACKHOUSE

11, UKATSE HUAD (URD FLOOR)

LTD.