1929-07-26 — Page 4

SUMMER UNDERWEAR

AS YOU LIKE IT Far: be it from us to tell you what Underwear you should wear. Perhaps you have a liking for India Gauze-open or pull-over style you may be a wool-all-the- year-round man, you may find life unbearable in anything but Aertex. It is because we realise.

this so well that we keep all these kinds-and many more. Among them you are sure to find under- wear as you like it..

GAUZE "

AERTEX

"B. V. D.

$3.00 Each.

$3.75

7J

$1.75

"

Cash Discount 10%.

Mackintosh's

532

Five Kings?

COLD

a George IV"

Old Scotch Whisky

Yes-

ING GEORGE

when the fifth is "KING GEORGE IV.”

SOLE AGENTS:

GANDE, PRICE & CO. LTD.

TEL 0. No. 185.

HONG KONG.

THE FINEST SIGHT

IN

}

HONG KONG

NEXT WEEK

WILL BE

WHITEAWAY'S

SALE

Commences on MONDAY.

GENEROUS REDUCTIONS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS.

LOOK OUT

FOR

THE RED STAR BARGAINS.

WHITEAWAY, LAIDLAW & CO., LTD.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1929.

NO PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO KOWLOON TONG AFFAIRS.

GOVERNMENT REPLIES TO MR. BRAGA.

"COMPANY NOT YET IN POSITION TO PAY," ··

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALLY "IN THE DARK."

ا - شعر

At yesterday's meeting of the Legislative Council the Hon. Mr. J. P.. Braga asked a series of very interesting questions relating to the promotion and financing of the Kowloon Tong and New Territories Development Co., Ltd.; the concessions made to them and the nature of the supervision exercised by the Government.

Below is the full text of Mr. Braga's questions and the official replies thereto;

Y

REPEATED DEMANDS BY TREASURY.

1. What are the respective dates and amounts of the premium paid for Crown land leased to the Kow. loon Tong and New Territorios Development Co., Limited, under Clauses sub-sections (a), (b) and (c) of the Agreement dated October 28, 1999, between the Government and the Company t Reply-Only the 1st.payment of one-fourth of the Premium, viz., $106,149.78 under clause 5, sub section (a) of the agreement has heen made. This payment was made on the 18th January, 1920.

Under clause (b) of Clause 3 it la provided that one-fourth of the total amount due on the Kowloon Tong property shall be paid on the date of the notification in writing from the Director "of Public Works to the Company. Notification was duly made by the Director of Public Works to the Company in a letter däted April 11, 1928, to the effect that the

entire area of the Kowicon Tong property had been formed to the approved levels in accordance | with Clause 4 of the Agreement and the Company was called upon to pay into the Colonial Treasury a sum of $108,149.79 being one. quarter of the premium due on the property.

The Treasurer repeated this de mand for payment on the 10th May and received a reply from the Company to the effect that this Company is not at present in

position to pay the premium

demanded"

The Treasurer sent reminders

Reply:-The Government has no information as to changes of man- agement of this Company. The Government looks to the Company for the fulfilment of the Agree .ment.

of the fact that for the carrying out Was the Government cognisant

of a scheme involving in the end a sum of nearly $3,000,000 (irrespec- tive of the Government share) there was registered a Company with a capital limited to a liability of only $20,000, of which not more than $2,000 was actually paid up 1 Reply:-Government was cognisant of the formation of this Company but has no information as to the amount of its paid-up capital.

"Capital Unimportant.”

8. Was it considered prudent to vest in a Company the right and power of absolute control of 1 cheme favolving a few million

dollars in its execution when its only visible capital was a sum of 82,000 with shares' paid up to the jextent only of 10 cents each f

Reply:-In financing this scheme the amount of paid-up capital was relatively unimportant. The important point was for the Com- pany to obtain the confidence and support of a requisite number of subscribers and thereby justify the very costly preparation of a large tract of land for building. 9. Was any and what Government

supervision exercised over the Com. pany in the carrying out of the

ing a List of Subscribers who have fully paid up all monies in respect of their property under the scheme and calling upon the Government to issue Crown Leasca for same in terms of Clause 7, sub-section (a) of

Reply:-From time to time since the Agreement?

1994 the Company has furnished to the Government certificates under Clause 7 of the Agreement to the effect that certain persons" were the respective purchasers of the lots and buildings mentioned in the certificate and were the proper persons to whom a Crown Lease should be granted in respect of each let and that they had one and all paid to the Company under their contracts with the Company all monies which were payable thereunder.

Not Known to Government. 16. In a letter to the subscriber Tong Estate, dated January 28, of House No. 111 of the Kowloon 1926, the General Manager stated:

ance.

ht

KAIPING COAL

HOME

FACTORY AND BONKERS

FOR ALL PURPOSES

• POWER HOUSE, TUGS & LOCOS

THE KAILAN MINING ADMINISTRATION,

Head Office:-TIENTSIN.

DOD WELL & CO., LTD., Agents, Hong Kong.

R.A.S.C. COURT MARTIAL.

SHORTAGES IN PUBLIC STORES.

PRIVATE FOUND "NOT GUILTY."

A VETERAN CHINESE MERCHANT.

THE LATE MR. WONG TIN TSEUNG.

The death occurred at 11 am, on the 18th instant at Field Cottage, Kow.son City., after an illness last- ing a few days, of Mr. Wong Ti Theung, a well-known Hong Kong Chinese resident, at the age of 56 Private G. R. Bowles, R.A.S.C

years. was brought before a District Court year 1855 that the late Mr. Wong Martial held yesterday in the went to school at St. Paul's College. It was as long ago as the Command Education Room, Victoria He was proprietor of the Wai Hang, Barracks. Accused was charged jeweller firm at Queen's Road with neglect to the prejudice of Central and the Tai Sang Hong, good order and military discipline general merchɛate in that between April 30 and May

Bedham this year, when as storeman and Strand West, neglectful in performing his duties retired from that position a few issner of public supplies, he was 30 of Messrs. Reuter Brockelman but He was at one time compradore as to cause a loss to the value of mouths before the Great War He £234.14.4

The deficiencies mentioned in the charge included 847 lbs. of tea, 6,244 whisky and some 19 pints of rum, tios of preserved meat, a bottle of

at

"I can now produce the docu- mentary evidence to the Crown. Land Agent (sic) and ask that your Crown Lease be made at

The fees therein will 830. If you desire the Company to secure this Lease for you, I will make sworn affidavit under the Agreement, and do to for O.C.E., M.C. (R.E.) presided and charge of the English section of the

you."

Will His Excellency the Governor kindly direct that the text of the "documentary evidence" referred

which

was one of the promoters of the for the free education of the poor Free Night School opened in 1911

those who have to earn their living in English and Chinese, particularly were stored in the main and were unable to attend school supply depot in Queen's Road and during the day. He deputed is the Garrison Sergeants' Mess,

Major H. F. W. Hutson, D.S.O.. on, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, to take schoo. Mr. Wong was also one of other members of the Court were the promoters in 1820 of an indus- Cap. B. J. Corballis (Somerset trial school for destitute children Light Infantry), and Lieut. A. and orphans at Hong Kong and i Sexton (Royal Artillery).

but payment has not yet been Company's obligations towards the to above be laid on the table of this The prosecuting officer was Capt. money for this worthy purpose.

made...

Government's Claim.

2. Is it a fact that there is still owing by the Company to the Government a sum of $318,450,14 as the balance of land premium? Reply-When the whole scheme has been completed the Government will under sub-clause (b) and (e) of Clause 5 of the Agreement be entitled to receive in all a sum of 8315,927.29.

Government in terms of the Agree ment with the Government ? Reply:-It is not clear to what obligations of the Company to wards Government the Hon. Mens ber refers. A reply will be given when this question is put in more definite form.

Payments by Purchasers. 10. Is it not a fact that up to December 31, 1924, the following Aggregate payments had been made by individual purchasers:-

(a) In respect of Land... 8556,023 (b) Buildings-1st Call... 838,000 2nd Call.. 127,500 3rd Call... 76,400

81,397,125

"

3. In view of the fact that about one-sixth of the estimated total cost of land and building is paid by each out of the 242 subscribers to the Scheme upon bis signing the Agreement with the Company, and. before an actual work is com- menced, what is the explanation for the large sum stated in Question 2 representing 16.62 per cent., 21.27 being still unpaid to the Govera-Per cent, 4.27 per cent., 2.85 per ment in respect of land premium?

cent, respectively, of the total bost of 32,990,258 up to date! Reply-This explanation can only

be given by the Company.

Reply: The Government is not concerned in this matter and has no information.

The Circular Lettor.

4. Has the Government knowledge of a circular letter, dated July 2, 1923, issued over the signature of the Managing Director in which

the sum of 82,980,258.49 is stated as

..

Council 1

Reply-This is not a matter within the cognisance of the Govern

ment.

1.

17. Will the Government appoint a Commission of Enquiry to in- vestigate into and report on the Kowloon Tong Scheme? Reply:-The Government considers that the disputes between the parties interested in the Kowloon Tong Estate are not fit matters for a Public Commission of En. quiry.

TROUBLE AMONG JUNK PEOPLE.

GIRL'S "ADVENTURE "

AN OLD SHIPMATE.

WITH

Twe Chinese and a woman, were before Mr. T. S. Whyte-Smith at Kowloon Magistracy yesterday on charges of harbouring a girl under

21.

is understood that be left some Laithwaite, B.A.3.C.. and Mr. Leo Mr. Wong was a supporter of many d'Almada, jun, appeared for the charitable institutions and sports defence..

clubs. He was a man of a retiring" temperament, and was always ready

On May 27, Private

Supply's Officer's Evidence. R.A.S.C., officer in charge of sup that his name should not be men- Capt. W. H. Williams, M.C., to give to a good cause, but asked. plies since August last year, gave tioned. evidence to the effect that on November 10, 1928, the accused took over the duties of storeman, hav- discovered. the routine with his predecessor. Eciency in the stocks of tea. There ing had one week's experience of Bower reported to witness a de.

The stores entrusted to the accus were several empty cases below the ed's care were R.A.S.C. supplies and top layer. Further deficiencies were Hospital comforts.

brought to light three days later.

Witneas agreed with counsel for by witness on April 30, 1999, the the defence that the drawer in which accused was present and agreed the accused kept the store keys was with the result, a certificate in ac- not locked. There was a lock, but cused's handwriting being entered 'no key to it. in the stock book. Witness describ- Further corroborative evidence ed the stocktaking as 100 per was given by Private Bower and cent,"

in that the goods, stacked Lieut. Marshall in bulk, were counted horizontally and vertically.

At the last stocktaking carried out

WAJ

!

! Court Overrule a Point. On the President of the Court

Method of Keeping Store Keys. asking the accused whether he Cross-examined by counsel for the wished to give evidence for himself, defence, Capt. Williams said that Mr. d'Almada interposed to say that 11. If the reply to Question 10

the accused's predecessor

the prosecutor had not produced a be in the affirmative, what reason is

Sergt. Finnis. While Finnis was lot of evidence to show that accused there for a sum of over three hun dred thousand dollars for land pre-hourd a junk in Yaumati Typhoon he was aware Fionis took the keys

The first defendant was charged storeman he kept the store rooms was negligent. Bis submission was with taking the girl, age 16, on keys on his person, and so far as that there was no case to answer. mium remaining unpaid to the Shelter without the permission of with him when he went out. It was the point, and on reassembling the The Court was closed to consider the sum "which represents the total Government, when the Government her parents, and harbouring her. not possible to get out any atores President announced that there was amount payable by the entire body 553,925 had been collected from The other two defendants a woman during his absence...

had already been informed that of subscribers under their respec tive agreements in respect of all the subscribers! the houses embraced within the Scheme, ... the Kowloon Tong Estate Scheme?" Reply-On June 18 last the Gov- ernment was informed by the Kowloon Tog and New Terri- tories Development Co., Ltd., that it proposed to issue a circular of which a copy was enclosed.

In this draft circular the sum mentioned is 83,210,216.49 and this eircular may possibly correspond with the circular mentioned by the Honourable Member.

This communcation by the Com- pany was taken by the Govern

ment for notification and merely acknowledged.

.

Reply:-The answer to this ques

of the Government.

Government's Precautions.

12. What steps is the Government taking to recover the debt from the Company?

and her son-were accused of har

Aaked as to where the accused

a case to answer.

In reply to the President, the ac-.

houring and receiving the girl. was in the habit of keeping the cused said he did not wish to call tion is not within the knowledge Secretary of the S.C.A., prosecuted kept in a drawer in the chief clerk's give evidence or make a statement.

Mr. H. R. Buttars, Assistant keys, witness said that they were any witnesses, nor did he desire to and the defendants pleaded not desk in the general office. That bad dress touched on the accused's re- The prosecuting officer in his ad- guilty.

been the system since accused be- Outlining the case, Mr. Butters came storeman. Accused used to go ticence to make a statement. He said that the girl was taken from pa duty sometimes, leaving the keys submitted that the accused was her father's cargo boat by the first in the drawer and anyone requiring negligent in that had he been more Reply:-The Agreement with Gov- spent the night on board a passen.

defendant on July 8. The girl stores could get them.

careful in his work he would have Witness in reply in answer to an- discovered that stores were missing ernment provides that any balgar junk in the Yaumati Typhoon other question, said that Scrat. from the centre of the stacks. ance of premium must be paid Shelter, of which the third defen- Finnis was authorised to keep the before Crown Leases are issued. dant is the mistress. It was alleged keys in his own possession.

·Mr. d'Almada's Defence. A Crown Lease let each lot will that the girl spent the night with

Mr. d'Almada, in reply, said that not be issued until the premium the second defendant, who is the

#100 Per Cent, Stocktaking. it was not fair for the prosecutor in respect of it has been paid.

Bon of the third defendant.

Mr. d'Almada: When the accused to refer to the absence of a state- the fact that, in respect of land admitted that the girl spent the is, conating the boxes, in balk and not fer the defence to refute it. took over, stock was taken in the ment from the accused. It was for The second and third defendants usual 100 per cent. manner, that the prosecution to prove negligence,. to pay for which the Company contracted night on their boat, but were under horizontally and vertically, and you If there had been any negligence, 8400,000, the Company is already on them by the first defendant who, when you took stock on April 30, system of stocktaking accepted by the Government about the impression that she was planted again employed the same method continued counsel it was in the and had been for several years in strangely enough, helped the police Yes. receipt from the subscribers of over. 8300,0001 and

13. Is the Government aware of

to arrest the second defendant.

The second defendant was former.

the R.A.8.0.

5. Is it a fact that the signatory of the letter referred to in question 4 besides being the Managing Direc- tor of the Kowloon Tong and New Territories Development Co., Ltd.,

Witness added that on May 21 he The keys of the store rooms were is also the paid architect of the said

went on the sick list and Lieut. left in an open drawer. The officer Company and a director of the in the Circular letter referred to in father, and the first defendant was

14. Is the Government aware that y on the junk owned by the girl's Marshall took over his duties.

in charge of supplies had admit- Hong Kong Excavation Pile Driv-Question 4 the Kowloon Tong Com one of the girl's shipmates The offeer, witness said that to take absent on duty the kers were acces Re-examined by the prosecuting ted that when the accused was ing and Construction Co. Ltd., pany has given notice to all sub was away only one night and was an accurate stock or to discover any sible to anyone in the office and with which the contract for the scribers calling for the payment of found the following morning. carrying out of the scheme has been

"further Call to the extent of entered into by the Kowloon Tong 9 per cent. of the amount cavenant had been examined by Dr. G. . package. It would take about six

deficiency it would be necessary to in fact stores had been removed. Mr. Butters said that the girlbreak balk" or open, out every during the accused's absence. The Company?

deficiencies were discovered five- subscriber in respect of each and ed to be paid by each and every Thomas who stated that there was days and 60 coolies to do this.

days after the accused was relieved, everything appeared to be in order when stocks were taken, and the

Reply: The Government has to official information on this sub ject.

ارد

nga - Changes of Management.-

6. Between the period when the last Managing Director left the Colony early in 1928 and the ap-. pointment of the present incumbent to the office on May 22, 1929, is it not true that no Managing Director: existed, and this being the case to whom did the Government look for the fulsiment of the agreement of 1922 during that period?

every House on the Estate." which raped or subjected to, violence. no sign of the girl having been

Replies: The Government has nó.

information on this subject

Demand for Payment.

Dedciencies. Discovered.

will make a total of 100 per cent. Mr. Buttere added that he did not B.Q.M.B. Allen, chief clerk, supply accused could therefore not be of what the subscribers covenanted know how far the girl herself was office, said that he took stock on charged with negligence. There was to pay?

the consenting party. The offence April 30 together with Capt. no evidence even to connect the re- was as much against the girl as her Williams and again on May 11. cused with the loss. Counsel pro- parents.

Accused was present on both occa- ceeded to quote civil authorities ons Evidence having been given by sions and agreed with the Egures. the definition of negligence in sup the girl and her parents, hig-Wor- On May 22, continued witness, the port of his submission that the pro- shin discharged the first defendant accused went on the sick list with secution had failed entirely in sub 15. Has the demand for payment and imposed sentence of one out any warning. The next day stantiating the charge. been made with the knowledge and month's hard Jahour on the second. Private Bower was brought in as After an adjournment, the Pre- consent of the Government Did The third defendant, the ampan relief Stock was again taken on sident annoinced that the Court: not the Company write in to the mistress, was discharged with a that day and no deficiencies were found the accused not guilty and he- Government subsequent to 1924 send- caution.

(Continued on next Column.);: would therefore be discharged.