1928-10-31 — Page 5

Page

RICE FAMINE FEARED.

SERIOUS SITUATION IN EAST RIVER DISTRICTS.

TOTAL FAILURE OF CROP.

[TROW QUE CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]

CANTON, Oct. 30th.

PAYING PUBLICTM

DEBTS.

CANTON'S AMBITIOUS"

SCHEME.

TO START FROM TO-DAY.

FIRST FRUITS OF PEACE.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31st, 1928.

SINGAPORE-HONG

KONG FLIGHT.

.

BRITISH SEAPLANES START TO-MORROW.

CORRESPONDENCE.

A TAIPO CASE.

AVIATION IN HONG KONG. HOW CHAMBER OF COM

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONG KONG DAILY PRESS."}

"

Sin-I think the keen interest that has been shown in the Colony during the past year in Commercial Aviation, both "Passenger, Freight and Mail Services," and "the Sen- |

we really do require the necessary organizations in Hong Kong to develop this new means of transport and sport.

MERCE. "CHOP "'

TRANSFERS..

SEQUEL TO WRONGFUL ARREST OF FISHERMAN,

Owing to the long drought the [sou OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT Kong will be started, calling at plane Flying Club," has proved that and fuki of the Wo Shing Hing Lung

rice Belds in the East River dis tricts, extending for scores of miles, are withering and likely to bear either a scanty crop or no crop at

all. In many places the exceeding ingly weak stalks are dead and the

CANTON, Oct. 30th..

The Canton Political Council has at last decided to pay back in instalments, beginning from Noven her lat, its public debts. The

Another novel fight is to be made by the four British seaplanes which recently visited India and Australia ëë rodie to Singapore. On November 1st a crpise to Hong

Labusa, Manila, and other points on the way. The complete itinerary appears below, including the dates of arrival and departure from each air-bort and the number of statute miles to be covered on each flight

The news from Canton, that prae- tical steps have already been taken

of this machine over the future routes of Kwangtung, has come as a shock to many.

The case in which a Taipo fsher- man, Les Wo Hurn, was awarded #500 damages against the master

fish Ahop and a Chinese detective at Taipo, fot wrongful arrost was recalled in the Summary Court yes. terday, 'before Mr. Justice P. Jacks, when the victim of the illegal airest. was sued for the sum of 8388.17 by

Mr. G. S. Hugh Jones appeared

Arcülli was for the defendant

Outlining the case, Mr. Hugh Jones said that the amount claim-

soil cracked like a net work. But amount how dar from the various of the cruise: The present plan in the development of commercial the Wo Shing Hing Lang fish shop. in the rice fields in parrow tallers loans which people were forced to calls for the return of the flying air lines, in the form of purchasing where water is always plentiful advance to the Government in re boat to Singapore after a tour of a Ryon monoplane, and the testing for the plaintiffs and Mr. A. el

cent years has now reached a total 5,340 miles in a period of 41 days. of about 816,700,000, Of this huge sum about 27,500,000 consists of general public debts, and over 93,000,000 is in short term bonds. The remaining 80,000,000 is the loan which the Canton bankers had t advance to the Government about two years ago to resuscitate the then badly depreciated Central Bank of China notes.

the crop is quite flourishing and a good harvest may be reaped. But these fields are small and insigni- ficant when compared with the bulk of the East River districts.

The writer noticed these con ditions while travelling from Can- ton to Hong Kong by train yester- day. The whole East River dis trict is very dry, so dry that one could see the bottom of the East River at Sheklung and other places. Men were walking across the East River at this point, the water being not more than knee deep.

The

Singapore ... 470 Kuching 440 Labuan..... 400 P. Princesa.. 400 Manila 300 Salongué.... 330 Hong Kong.. 500

Mike to Dates. Next Port. Arrival, Leave.

Nov. 18t 1st- 5th 5th 7th 7th sth

· 10th 17th 26th

9th

18th 17th

Touraine

Oth Bay 520

esth 96th 30th Coconit, Bay 590 Bangkok 300

30th Dec. 5th Victoria Point 370 5th Penang... £30.. Singapore

7th 11th

the

7th this

11th

$1,200,000 A MONTH. Beginning from to-morrow Government will pay back money in instalments of $1,200,000 month with the hope of clearing up the debt within a year and i vincial, Treasury will authorize the Central Bank of China to pay cach-1127, the 5-1150 and the S-1151.

The plance making the trip aro

Let us congratulate Canton oned was really the balance of a their courage and enterprise, and. wish them every success with their new venture, which it is to he hoped will eventually link up with the lines that it is proposed to operate from Hong Kong.

current account between the two parties, and that it endeavouring the collect the amount, plaintiffs in this action and a Chinese detective were sued for wrongful arrest and that damages of $500 had been awarded against them,

Baving carefully examined the prospects of opening up air ser. A big portion of the debt owing vices between Hong Kong, Canton, by the defendant was run up when Macho, Swatow, Amoy, Foochow, the firm was conducted by the pre- and Shanghai, and being in posses-vious proprietors. The business

ponds and ditches along either side half. Of this sum which the Pro- the S-1152, the flagship," the sion of the full facts as to the pre: changed hands on January 8th, this

of the permanent way were dried

dent position regarding these pro

up and cracked, while the higher month, $600,000 to the amortization The ranking amphibian ia under the posed services, I feel it incumbent and liabilities being transferred. A

and much shallower rice fields be yond were baked like brick. From the railway one saw farmers gather ed in melancholy groups showing unmistakable signs of distress and despair. It is quite evident that their crops are a failure and that ruin, and even starvation is await ing many of them unless relief is brought to them before the approach of winter. Their misery and dis- Aress have been increased through the depredations of outlaws and Communists. Hardly have they

of repaired the invager these brigands than they are faced with an even more serious crisis...

It is most doubtful whether the Government will be able to do much for the famine-stricken prople of the East River considering their ether commitments.

of Flight Lieutenant H, G. Say, Corporal J. A. Coyne and Leading

Aircraftman F. S. Nelson...

In the 8-1127 are Squadron Leader

of the bankers' loan, 8400,000 for direct command of Group Captain redemption of the short term bonds, H. M. Cave-Brown Cave, command and $200,000, for the various publising officer of the flight, with a crew debts.

regards the redemption of the short term bonds, the Government has decided to pay half in cash and the other half in a new issue of short term bonds. These bonds will be redeemable three months The from the date of issue. Government will redeem in Nai vember short term bonds which were due in October and November of the last year. In December the Government will redeem those which were due in December of the Inst year and January of this year. In January 1929 it will redeem those which were due in February and March of this year, and so on until all of the short term bands are rudeemed.

As regards the paying back of the various general public debts, more or less similar procedure will be adopted, the details of which have not as yet been published. But it is understood that the pay- ments will be made 40 per cent. in cash and 80 per cent. in new bonds This, of course, prolonga the pay cial burden of the Government. But the payment in instalments of $600,000 a month of the six million dollar loan advanced by the bankers will, it is reported, he made in

on nie, as far as permissible to ex plain some of the salient points that have caused the delay. în bringing the plans for the Hong Kong ser- vices to an immediate and successful

conclusion.

יו

1-Those who have read my G. E. Livock, Squadron Leader Particles and letters in the Press will Maitlands, Sergeant W. L. Cush fully appreciate that I have stress- although I strongly believe flying to ing and Leading Aircraftman 3.ed the policy of "Bafety First

be perfectly safe.

Williams,

The S-1150 is manned by Flight.

This policy applies not only to the Lieutenant D. W. Carnegie, Flying actual firing side of the business, Offieer G. E. Nicholetts, Corporal but to the necessary ground or W. McMeeking and Leading Airganisation and financial aide as well. craftman E. H. Myera.

The S-1151 will carry Flight Lieu. tenant C G. Wigglesworth, Flight Lieutenant S. D. Scott, Sergeant J. K. Semple and Corporal A. H. Hart.

These four machines are "South- ampton" type flying boats, built by the Supermarine Aviation Com-

GREAT ATHLETIC MEETINGment process and eases the finan-pany, Ltd. Each vessel has a span

IN CANTON.

OVER 3,000 STUDENTS TO TAKE PART.

[FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT. 1

CANTON, Oct. 30th.

cash.

The Canton Political Council has also decided to deduct no more

money from the salaries of all the

Covernment officials and officers

of 75 feet, a length of 50 feet, draught of about 3 feet and a weight, under norinal load, of ap proximately seven tons.

The aircraft are similar in type to the standard "Southampton" flying boats used by the Royal Air Force in home waters, except" that

To attain Safety First pro- gress must be made with caution. every link in the chain must be

sound.

-It has been the policy of the Home Government to control pum mercial aviation, and keep it within

reasonable bounds

This is of vital importance to the public who propose to use, and to' beneft by, commercial aviation.

The question of the proper con trol to be exercised over civilian flying in the Colony has been under consideration, and I am able to state that very satisfactory progress has been made.

year to the present plaintiff, assets

further sum had, since the transier of the business, been incurred by the defendant, who had admitted the debt and had paid the money into Court. The sum now claimed was owing to the previous part-

ners.

Mr. Hugh Jones said that defend- ant was a fisherman and used to sell his catch to the plaintiff firm, who sometimes made advances to him which were repaid by fish be brought to the shop.

Customs At Taipo

It was customary at Taipo for a transfer of business to be enquired into by the Taipo Chinese Chamber of Commerce, who investigated the

that everything was in order and accounts and satisfied themselves that the consideration, money was paid. When the business, waş transferred to the plaintiff the customary procedure was followed. A summary of accounts was drawn up which was investigated by the Chamber of Commerce. They found. That meant that the Chamber had them correct and chopped them. satisfied themselves that any money 3. The fastest and best methods

shown to be owing was in fact of communication are necessary to

debt. trade, the child of the transportowing, including the defendant's His Lordship: Are you contend- family is the aeroplane, and like all children it requires the care and

ing that the decision of the Cham- attention of its parents.

The Home Government' haveber was binding on the debtor?

Mr. Hugh Jones: No, that is e point which your Lordship has to decide. I only mention it as part of the evidence I will call to sub- stantiate the plaintiff's claim. It is also a part of our case that sub- ness the defendant, called at the sequent to the transfer of the busi shop and verified the accounts with the transferees,

The 11th annual provincial trackeginning from November 1st. Up duralumin hulls are used instead of given commercial aviation the op-

and field athletic meeting will he held on the campus of Sun Yat Sen University beginning from Novem ber 1st (to-morrow). The meeting will last five days and several thou sand students from all parts of Kwangtung have arrived in Canton and are ready for the fray. About 4,000 students have entered and will- participate in the contesta. Over 30,000 spectators, mostly high school students, are expected to arrive in Canton to-morrow. or the next day from all over the Province. The assembly of this large number of spectator is largely due to the generosity of the river junk pro- prietors, railway authorities and the hotel managements in Canton,

to now they have been getting only 50 per cent. of their salaries, which was bardly enough, they said, to support their families and make both ends meet. This decision of the Canton Political Council tas been received with great delight by all Government oficials and officers, especially those of the lower ranks.

ANTI-PIRACY PROTECTION.

JAPANESE STEAMER'S NOVEL EQUIPMENT.

".

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha will shortly put their new steamer, the

Canton-maru, into service between Canton and Keelung. An interest- ing feature of this vessel is the anti-piracy equipment which, in the words of othcinis of the com- pany, is calculated to discourage even the most die-hard pirate chief from attempting to gain control of the steamer on the high seas/

the usual wooden halls, and the interior equipment has been, con-

siderably modified. No armanient

or cameras are carried over foreign territory.

portunity to get on its feet and make a living for itself, but if the Colonies require this new method of transport it is expected that they will produce the necessary organi sations, granting them support dur- ing the first few years;

4. Before a start can be made with the actual Hying slipways and typhoon proof langars must be built and these must be carefully design-

Although all the vessels are, of the same type, the 3-1162 will be distinguished from the other craft by absence of black marke on itsed as they must be suitable to with-

bull,

Due to the small space allowed for equipment, the airmen have dis carded their mens jackets and swords, and are carrying only ser vice dress and dinner jackets.

The crew of each flying boat con- sists of two officers and two airmez. Facilities are provided so that this erew may live on board the plane when necessary. A crew of one officer and four airmen from the unit always are on duty in the craft, and all officers and men sleep on board the night prior to the take, off. Apart from this the established

all of whom have consented to re- duce their rates and charge only 70 per cent. of normal prices. The British section of the Kowloon: Canton Railway is reducing its fares by per cent, during, the periods of the meeting. To ob tain these privileges, however, each traveller will have to wear the special uniform of his institution It is said that electricity plays and to give other proofs that be is

an important part in this anti- genuine student going to Canton piracy arrangement on the Canton The campus of Sun Yat Sen Uni- maru. In addition to grills, shech off duty to sleep on shore in ports where accommodations are versity is ready for the conteste. has a system of movable "com~ Stands have been built for the stud-panion-ways

easily availabie ents and for the public, and a large chargeable with a deadly current

агсав and

stand the special climatic condi- tions, quite apart from the fact that they must be capable of housing the types of aircraft that may be ex- pected in five years,

A rush job would very likely pro- duce untold waste in three or four years time,

4.

"Thunder. Will Strike Mai!! Corroborative evidence was given by Cheung Tai Kwai, one of the partners of the plaintiff firm, whe said that the business was bought for $5,000, which included the asets and outstanding debts. At the time of the transfer, said wit- ness, the defendant owed the sum of 8351.50. Three days after the Aviation Insurance is a dif. transfer notices were sent out and the change was advertised. One ficult problem, statisties are avail- able for Europe, but not for Asia such notice was sent to the defend- ant. He did not reply but called The importance of this problem at the shop. On that occasion wit- must not be forgotten.

neas showed him the entries in the when it is realised that premiums books and the defendant then ad- for goods transported by air are less in Europe, than for surface transport, this point will be fully appreciated.

Perhaps

These and many other problems have to be, I should say, have been considered, and the time is fast ap- year will bear fruit.

After plaintiff had been cross- mitted owing the money. examined by Mr. Arculli, at some length, he asked permission to say a few words. Permission having been granted, plaintiff in a most selemn tone said: "What I have

programme allows the officers and proaching when the work of the last said in this Court is true and if

I have given false evidence against the defendant, may the thunder strike me dead."

The foundations of Imperial Air ways, Ltd., were started in 1919 by the serial transport companies that

Plaintiff also added that when operated between that date and 1024 defendant went to him and admit. It is usual for each fight to when the present Company wasted. his debt, he told witness that and imposing pailau has been erect- of thousands of volts. The bridge start at daybreak, and for all flying launched

The success of Imperial Airways was so kind that I lent him $30 he had no money and, witness said: ed in front of the entrance to the and engine-room are automatically

boats to refuel immediately they University. The seating capacity protected against piratical -at-

have moored at their day's destina is practically beyond praise, but to pass the Chinese New Year." of these stands is estimated at over

tempts, whereas the various possen-

that success is very largely due to

The case was adjourned. 40,000. The place resembles an ger classes are completely separat- tion. American football field or a British ed,

The officers and men of each boat, the sound foundations, and the re- with the exception of the command-mainder of it is definitely due to a cautious policy which includes the ing officer who may find it neces sary to come ashore at once, remain selection of a first class staff. in their craft until the refueling is completed and the routine work done.

Tace

"Government officials, prominent merchants and various public or ganizations have given numerous silver and gold badges, caps, Baga, banners, and books for the success. ful contestants. There are no less than 60 zilver cups of various shapes and sizes.

communication between the saloon and 'steerage passengers and hetween the latter and second-class passengers being absolutely cut off

while the steamer is at ses.

The Cantonmaru is 2,800 tons a length of 300 feet, gross, with beam of .45. fect, and draught of 24.9 feet, and has a speed of some 18 knots. Her passenger accommo The money for the construction of dation is superior to that of any the stands and paila, and other 0.8.K. vessel in service between

This unit of the Royal Air Force left England in October, 1927, to carry out a cruise to the Far East including fights around India and Australis, and from Singapore to

In years to come it is to be hoped the aerial transport services unt will operate from Hong Kong will take their place in the Empire Air Services, and think all will agree, it would be a great pity if the foundations were found to be built on sand when that time comes.

Safety First but let "Speed Hong Kong behind Yours, etc.,

"

SIX SMALL-POX FATALITIES

LAST WEEK.

Health returns for last week show seven fresh esses of smapox and six deatha, all Chinese.

Other notifications were 1 Chinese case of enteric (fatal), 1 British

infidenza fatalities.

initial expenses of the meeting has Canton and Keelung, but apart Hong Kong and back to Singapore, be added, otherwise we shall fart case of cerebrospinal fever and 2 Also been given by merchants, from the question of accommoda fficials, and public organizations tion, her anti-piracy equipment and the Kwangtung Government ought to be a great attraction for

nervous travellers on this route. contributed $10,000.

drawn up by the Air Ministry. The accordance with a programme cruise has been completed with the exception of the last stage.

R. VAUGHAN-FOWLER Kowloon Hotel, Kowloon, October 30th, 1928.

On. Monday 2 cases of diphtheric 1. Chinese and 1 British) and 1 Chinese case of puerperal fever. were reported

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