1929-03-14 — Page 5

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CANTON WATERWORKS COMPANY.

SHAREHOLDER'S PROTEST AT GOVERNMENT'S

ACTION.

STORY OF HOW IT WAS TAKEN OVER.

THE COMPENSATION QUESTION.

We have received the following Jetter from Mr. Y. E. Wong, who describes himself as a "Shareholder of the Canton Waterworks Company." Mr. Wong complains that the Municipal Government forcibly took, control of the Company and are refusing adequate compensation to shareholders, the Commission appointed to enquire. into the question consisting of a majority of Government officials, It will be remembered that our Chinese correspondant in Canton has several times dealt with the Municipality's side of the question.

Mr. Wong writes:

Allow me the courtesy of your columns to put before the public the full circumstances surrounding

!

What the Shareholders Olain,.

Despite the injustice, share holders do not wish to oppose the Municipal authority more than they

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MARCH 14th, 1929.

CORRESPONDENCE. SEAPLANE CRASH

ADMIRAL BRISTOL

IN CANTON.

ENTERTAINED BY THE

GOVERNMENT.

[FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT:]

CANTON, March 13th. Adeniral Mark Bristol, Comman-

Asherille. The usual salutes were

THE HOTEL FIRE INQUEST.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "' HONG KONG DAILY FRENS"]

SI-It has been stated that Mr. E. W. Hamilton will preside over the inquest arising out of the hotel disaster.

responsibility placed upon Bis

AT KAI TACK.

WELL-KNOWN FOOTBALLER

INJURED.

OCCUPANTS RESCUED BY MOTOR BOAT.

Described in official circles ag "a

minor mishap," a seaplane collided with the sea-wall bordering Kai on Tuesday morn-

water.

The machine was in perfect con

It was dition before the crash." badly damaged by the collision and was salved in a sinking condition.

No personal reflection is intended. der-in-Chief of the, United States upon Mr. Hamilton, but I am sure there are many persons in the Asiatic Fleet, arrived in Canton Colony who will agree with me that on Tuesday evening in the U.S.S. it is most unfair to him personally, Tack aerodrome o

and to the community generally, ing. The machine had been in the postponed till yesterday as Tuesday that he should have this very heavy air on a practice flight and the was the anniversary of the death of shoulders. Mr. Hamilton is not pilot apparently misjudged his. Dr. Sun Yat Sen. The senior Chi-I believe, a qualified, barrister, and speed when descending to the has had a very short period of nese Naval Officer,, however, made practical experience on the Bench a formal visit to the Asheville, During that time he has certainly Yesterday morning the Asheville done very well in that capacity, but saluted the Chinese flag with this jaquiry is of such a complex charamber that it will need the guns to which the Fai Ying replied. guidance of a coroner with very Later in the morning the Admiral long and wide experience of hand- Douglas Jenkin, the ling witresses, the careful sifting and Mr.

dure.

Is it fair, moreover, to place Mr. W. Austin, MC, M.M., RA, the Hamilton in a position where it well-known football referee, who quite possibly may be bis duty to sustained a fractured arm and aumerous bruises and is now in hospital, Lieut. Walter, R.A., "whe austained very slight injuries, and the pilot, Lieus. Hale, a Devel officer from H.M.9. Hermes.

Of a type commonly seen flying over the harbour, the seaplane car-

a recent act of the Canton Muni- can help, and are willing to haveAmerican Consul-General called on of evidence, and with legal proce ried three passengers-Captain A

cipal Government which, at the time of its perpetration, aroused the most intense resentment on the part of those who suffered by it, and is still a sore point with the Canton public.

I refer to the forcible seizure of the Canton Water Works Company,

A purely private concern. on Janu nary 10th last by the Mayor of Canton, Mr. Lam Wan Kai.

Let me basten to explain at the outset that I am not imbued with communistic taint, nor is this an outburst against the present regime for political purposes.

Fall Control Demanded. On January 10th officers of the Municipal Government presented themselves at the premises of the

to

the Company, taken over, but they ask, in all fairness, that they be paid the full value of the assets of the Company, the value to be assessed by an independent,. im. partial board of arbitrators, or if

Government House and was enter tained to tiffin by Mr. Wu Koon Ki the Acting Head of the Provincial Government. A large number of the guests also included Mr. Leung loading officials were present and Tsick Wai, acting Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of Kwangtang. Among the American guesta present so wished, by a board of two of Capt. Castleman; Comdr. cials and two shareholders and a Culp, US.S. Asheville; Lacut ifth man to be elected according Comdr. Wheeler Capt. Awtis, to majority opinion of these four. U.S.S. Guam; Consul McKenna: Vice-Consuls Newhall and Bon The report of this board of arbi-bright, Dr. James M. Henry, Fro trators is to be considered faak vest of Lingnan University: Dr. and binding on both the Govern Paul J. Todd, and Messrs. G. W. Greene; F. H. Tyson, Martel Hall; ment and shareholders, and cash is Roger Wilcott; and Julean Arnold, to be paid without delay. So far the American Commercial Attache the Government has refused to con. to China, who is in Canton on a

visit. sider this proposal, but insists that four members of the board are to be it nominees leaving one mem ber only for the shareholders to` elect.

ANXIETY FOR GEN. CHEN

MING SHU.

Jum

senior official under whom, se

up unfavourably against a Government Cadet, he may be him- self serving in a few months!

We all know the rumours and harges which are being bandied the Fire Brigade is being criticised, about the Colony. We know that the safety arrangements of the hotel, nud, the public authority which passed those arrangements, We also know the popular theories as to how the fire originated.

In fairness to all parties concern-

ed, these matters must be cleared up to the complete satisfaction of the public. "No doubt the insurance companies also will have something to say, and probably learned coun- will represent the parties con- cerned at the coming inquiry.

I would suggest that either Mr. Much anxiety was felt in Canton Jacks, who has been filling the posi- when news was received of the intion of Paians Judge with disting jury to General Chen Ming Shu and on, or the Attorney-General should A third alternative has been put his wife, in the King Edward Hotel act as coroner in an inquiry in forward by the shareholders and fire in Hong Kong, and many ex-volving personal reputations and that is that should the Government pressions of sympathy have been the efficiency of Government De

not as

Tait, Commissioner of Education," have been down to see General Chen and were much relieved to find that the injuries were serious as was feared and that the patients were making good progress towards recovery. made the journey yesterday.

OLD RESIDENT. Hong Kong, March 19th.

BROKERS AND · THEIR·· WAYS.

According to one report, the pilot escaped injury, but the Daily Press was informed by one of his brother

officers that he was also hurt.

The mishap is forming the subject of an inquiry.

Taking into consideration the

fact that there are nearly always R.A. machines in the air during the daytime, the exceedingly small number of accidents reflects great credit upon the skill of the pilots and points, to the comparative safety of aviation.

Particularly is this the case, in the latter respect when one reflects that the seaplane crashed at over 40 m.p.h. Ead it been a motor-car colliding with a brick wall the results would most likely have been

concerned.

KING EDWARD HOTEL FIRE.

Water Works Company and de- be unable at the present moment made to the relatives of his Secre-partments. It may not be accord. fatal so far as the occupants were manded that all records and funds to find the funds to pay for the tary, the late Mr. Cheung Hai Kanging to precedent, but neither way of the Company be handed over to Company, the control and manage, Several officials, including Mr. Wong the freYours, etc...

ment be given back to the share them, in other words, they demand-holders' representatives and direc ed full control of the Company and tors. In view of the complaints of inefficiency, they suggest that the its business. The ultimatum was Government appoint a supervisor given that everything was

be to sit on the board, and also sug gest that alter a period of three or Burrendered within one hour's time. four months if the Company do The officers were accompanied by not show improvement in the opera- tion of the water supply service armed forces and the Company's they would be willing to have the men had no option, in view of the Government taka over the Com- pany, provided of course that cash display of force," but to submit.

is paid for the shares, to be valued The reason given for the seizure by an impartial commission.

was that the Company had failed to provide an efficient service for the public.

The Government has turned a

deaf ear to all these proposals and sits tight in the control of the No 'Change.

waterworks."

Other officials

HIGH EXPLOSIVES UNEARTHED.

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

12

SI-I deeply sympathise with. C.A.S.R." How naughty of these bullying bullion brokers" to push A large quantity of ammunition him into the gutter! He certainly and high explosives has been un-seems very bitter against the frater earthed at the former headquarters nity has be perhaps been caught Leung Kai Street. The End was Why does he not come and reside of the Tea Leal Workers' Union in on the wrong side in exchange made by a group of soldiers who on Shameen? We only ride bikes were sent to clean up the premises, here and are known for our polite which have been empty since the peas In case of an emergency; ago, and are in a dirty, dilapidated step on to if he happens to be on Reds were driven out over a year there is always some nice grass to condition. One of the soldiers that side of the road—Yours, etc. noticed that the bricks in a stair- SHAMEEN NON-BULLION" case had been tampered with and

EXCHANGE BROKER. a search was made. Fourteen field just what the erstwhile directors gun charges were soon discoveréd had been doing, making no attempt and three bags filled with sticks of to change the old routine yet the dynamite. The Tea Leaf Workers' professed reason for taking over Union was a Communist organisa the Company was the ineficiency' tion, and took an active part in of the management. One is pro- the Communist upheaval. Subse; foundly impressed at the manner quently it has been dissolved and in which inefficiency vanishes the leaders suitably punished, but After the lapse of six weeks from into thin air without any alterna until this discovery was made the the time of the acizure, the Munitions or reforms, just merely place had been sealed up. cipal Government announces that it through officialdom invading the will:appoint & commission to sasCAK premises.

I do not propose to review, the controversy that bad gone on for into the affair by the stolid man- A apice of comedy is introduced time previously over the alleged inefficient functioning of the ner in which the Government offi- Waterworks, but will mention that cials are carrying on the marage the Company, with a plant design-ment exactly as it had been run ed to care for the needs of 10,000 before. They are content to do

Dow called upon to supply water to fully four times this number. This so-called in efficiency is the root cause of the whole trouble.

families, are

Commission to Assess Value of Plant.

M

I

A Dangerous Precedant.

TALKIES IN CANTON.

Shameen, March 12th."

CHINESE CURIOS UNDER

THE HAMMER. BRISK BIDDING AT MRS. EDE'S SALE.

MR. ENOS SETH'S FUNERAL TO-DAY.

NO MORE REMAINS FOUND.

The remains found on the roof of the King Edward Hotel on Tuesday have been identified as fragments of pyjamas provided those of Mr. Enos Seth. Charred almost the only clue. The funeral will take place this afternoon," the cortego being expected to pass the Monument at about 5.15.

No more bodies had been found up to a late hour last night, although a huge mass of debris has still to be cleared and examined. Sanitary coolies were busy all day yesterday on the ruing and Ice House Street, save for the narrow pavement on the further side, is still barricaded.

I am afraid the barricades will

said a P.W.D. official to a Daily remain in position for some time,"

Pres representative yesterday. "It will be many days before the inside The auction sale of the household of the building is cleared and then effects of Mrs. C. Montague Ede, there will be a considerable amount of 0, Bowen Road, began at 11 m

| of shoring inside to be done before the value of the plant, the commis.

At the Y.M.C.A. Dr. C. E. Roosterday, Messrs. Lammert Bros, we can re-open the road. aion to 'consist of four Government

In thus grabbing the private bertson and Mr. Y. T. Han are

being the auctioneers. men and but one representative of company the Government has ap giving a series of lectures on the number of people and the bidding real danger from collapse of the

No Danger "to Tubilo, The sale was attended by a large "Of course, the public are in no the shareholders and another one parently failed to pay due regard talking films," represents the General Chamber of to a very serious aspect that arises days,

to last four was very brisk. Most of the things walls. They stood the tremendous Commerce. Such a preponderant as a result of its action. A prece- Among other talking films will be always the rale at auction sales, a not the slightest sign of a bulge starting from Thursday. obtained good prices, though, as heat remarkably well and there is majority in favour of the Govern, dent is established and no private shown: Commander Byrd taking off certain number changed hands for or weakness in any part of them. ment renders the appointment of industrial and commercial enter for the Atlantic flight; the Demo- sums considerably below their value. Girders have been bent and twisted, the commission a farce pure and prize is safe from its tentacles. cratic National Convention; Eve simple, and naturally the share-Rosy pictures are painted by pro Leone in "Cara Nome"; a trip on wood furniture sold quickly with the brickwork is quite all right.

The red lacquer wars and black but the main steelwork encased in holders refuse to agree to such a paganda to induce overseas Chinesen railway reproducing the engine the exception of a big snite of board being formed.

to return and invest money in China bell, and whistle; a banjo quartetto smoked wood furniture which was soon as possible, however, to ascer Exhaustive tests will be made as The Water Works Company, ss and help the development of native an old country fiddler; a speech of withdrawn as the bids did not reach tain whether it will be advis far as we all know, is a private industry. But with humble defer President Coolidge and Washing the reserve. The four old black able to replace the steel girders business undertaking with a "capital ance to the superior intelligence of ton's welcome to Lindberg. Some wood clothes chests, which were in the heart of the building, which of $2,750,000, bar apart from the officialdom we beg to point out of the lectures will be translated formerly the property of the late have been rendered practically use talk of setting up an arbitration displayed in connection with the terested in the films and the big were bought in Peking in 1900, were to the existing walls or knock down that grabbing tactics such as was into. Chinese. Canton is most in Empress Dowager of China, and less by the fire, and build an inside board nothing has been done to pay Water Works Company does not hall is expected to be crowded on all also withdrawn, the reserve price the whole of the building and re- the shareholders for their property, hold out much assurance for the occasions when they are shown, sud as far as can be seen the sanctity of private property, on the fortunate subscribers will whistle in contrary, such action will operate CANTON'S NEW WONDER.

of $40,000 not being reached.

construct it altogether. I'do not A couple of eight fold blackwood think the latter course will be found vain for their money.

screens with blue and white porce necessary, though to keep overseas Chinese, with These two points, (1) valuation of their capital and surplus fands, Canton's Municipal Museum has lain panels were sold to Messrs. "It is possible that we shall the assets by arbitration, and (2) away from China.

been enriched by the presentation omor & Konor: Several Kake-never know the exact number of indefinite delay in making any more "All that the shareholders ask for from a farmer of a freak call. The mono in Peking stitch fetched about people who perished in the fire-be- towards repaying the shareholders, is fair play and justice, and unless animal, which was born dead after $40 a piece after the first two which cause of the large number of tran form a direct reversal of a previous China's leaders sit up and take a fatal, caesarian operation in the were knocked down for about $25. nction of the Government, when in notice and see that justice is meted dam, has two tails and eight legs, jais they compelled the shareholders out with an impartial band, they one of the tails being attached to to find the sum of $750,000 to buy will fad China's liquid resources the legs. Its teeth protrude giving the interest of the Government in leaving the country in a steady "an ugly and ferocious appear- the Company. It is also necessary stream. Already many of Canton's ancé. Canton is delighted with its here to explain that the Water rich merchants are investing all new acquisition and large numbers" Works Company was started as a their money in the lawful colony of of people are visiting the Museum,

The inquest has been arranged for semi-government enterprise, some Hong Kong, and doubtless many quite indifferent to the treasures of According to the Wah Taz Tat to-morrow afternoon at the Central of the capital being furnished by more will be following suit unless Chinese art, but extremely anxious l'o, the Boycott Committee in Magistracy: Mr. E. W. Hamilton, the Government and the majority the Canton Government displays to see the calf!

Svatov has been again re-organis- Acting Senior Magistrate, will pre- by the public. In 1915 when the genuine fair-mindedness to gain the The Sincere Company have got ed. Resolutions were passed by the side sa Coroner. In order to sim- Government sold out its shares, confidence of the public.

something almost as good. Again a Committee that any shop smug plify the procedure of the inquest, compelling the public to buy same It behoves those who have the calf, and though this only differs gling Japanese goods is to be sealed the remains of the late Mr. Woods it also laid down the fat that the interest of Canton and her people from the normal in respect of an and the proprietor arrested, and have been selected as the subject. money was to be found within ten at heart, like Marshal Li Tsai Hain, extra leg, it has the advantage of that any fraudulent Committee This does not mean, however, that daya. Under the compulsion of General Chea Ming Shu, Ir. Sun being alive and willing to be strok-member will be handed over to the the jury will merely inquire into the force there is nothing for it but to Fo, Mr. Hu Hon Min, Mr. T. Ved as it placidly chews the ad. Government to be dealt with. circumstances attending the death of obey, and the money was stuinped Soong, Dr. Wang Chung Wei, etc.. The proprietors declare that a five Telegrams are to be sent through Mr. Woods alone. Cout

to take note of this injustice and legged cow is lucky, on the same out the country urging that more

sible, a complet "As far as possible, a complete Compare the two sets of cream institute steps to rectify it before principle resumably as a four leaf- drastic measures be taken with and exhaustive inquiry will be made stances, and then you may well the confidence of the people in their ed clover. Perhaps the cow is lucky Japan. The Ministry of Foreign and every attempt made to fathom iak, Is there such a thing as Government is completely destroy as it gets good food and has a safe Affairs will be requested to press the cause of the are and the im- Justice!

and cushy

for seltiement of the Trinan affair.mediate steps taken to subduen it.

BOYCOTT OF JAPAN. SWATOW COMMITTEE'S

RESOLUTIONS.

24

sitory guests who would probably be occupying rooms on the top floore | Nor do I think that mapy more ré- mainu will be found. The heat was so terrific that anybody entrapped in it would be cremated almost in- stantly."

Wm. POWELL, Ltd.

Telephone G. 4578.

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