1929-12-30 — Page 5

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A FIRE IN CANTON.

COMMERCIAL PRESS' HEAVY LOSS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]

CANTON, December 29. A disastrous fire broke out in the godowns of the Canton branch of the Commercial Pross yesterday morning at about 10 o'clock, raging lor nearly three hours before it could be got control. Five godowns, all stocked with valuable books, stationery and athletic goods were destroyed. The loss is estimated at over $300,000,"

OPIUM LAW.

IMPORT BY AIRCRAFT.

WIDER SCOPE OF AMENDED ORDINANCE.

An ordinance to amend further the Opium Ordinance 1993, will be shartly introduced it the Legis ative council. This hill is intend ed to fill up certain minor lacunae which have been noticed in the statutory provisions relating to the control of cpium.

H

The new

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1929.

Sections 2 and 3' of this Ordin.. nace introduce new definitions of the terus cxportation and importa- It is said that most of the stock tion and importation which are was consumed in the flame. No based on those in the Dangerous lives were lost, but the firemen had Drugs Ordinance, 1923. E very hard time in checking the points are the following:--Aircraft Bames. Their task was rendered all are specifically referred to, convey- the more dificult, as these godowns ance, by mail is expressly mention were located on very narrow alloyed, the word "despatch" is intro- The fireduced in order to meet the possi: away from the maloos. engines, which camo almost immed-ble though unlikely case of contra-

STEAMER'S HOLD "|

ON FIRE.

S.S. SZECHUEN BURNS IN DRYDOCK.

FOUR HOURS' BLAZE.

The 1. Szecbuen, which is in drydock at Taikoo Dockyard where it is undergoing its annual over- haul, was the scene. of a fire which lasted several hours yesterday after-

noon.

Exactly how the outbreak com- menced it at the moment, not known, but the first sign of any thing untoward was noticed shortly alter two p.m. when smoke was seen to issue from the forehold.

NEW TERRITORIES AGRICULTURAL

SHOW.

TO BE HELD NEXT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

AT SHEUNG SHUI.

THE ARRANGEMENTS. OUTLINED.

The New Territories Agricultural Show is to be held on January 4 and 5, at Shek Wu Hui, Sheung Shui. The very satia- factory interest taken in the Show last year, gives hope that it may prove even more successful on this occasion, both in interest- ing local people in what is being done to develop agriculture in the New Territories and in persuading Chinese farmers to adopt new methods.

TO ENCOURAGE CHINESE FARMERS.

1/

Police Arrangementa, For the protection of visitors and

arrangements have been made.. for ¦

their comfort generally recent policing the Show ground. Besides the regular police force there will

The idea of an Agricultural Ex- Attempts to put out the blaze without summoning the fire brigade hisition was first suggested by H.E. proved fruitless and just before 4 Sir Cecil Clementi and the Rev. H. p.nr. the ire brigade was notified. Wells in 1986, and among the and several appliances were rushed earliest supporters were Sir Robert

the Dockyard. Owing to the and Lady Ho Tuag, Mr. H. Green, Police Reservists, and Mr. Morris

to

be a special company of Chinese

iately after the emergency alarm band being thrown across the land position of the drydock, however, it Superintendant of the Botanical of King's College is sending one

was given, had to stop on Wing frontier. Hon Road.

LINGNAN UNIVERSITY.

A PLEASING CEREMONY.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

CANTON, December 20.. The Lingnan Alumni Association in Canton and part of the American staff of the University gave an elaborate banquet last (Saturday) night, in the Oriental Hotel, to Dr. Chung Wing Kwong: President of Lingnan University, in commemora. tion of his thirty years of service to. the University. Some 200 persoas were present, including a score or more foreigners.

was not possible to pump sufficient water into the steamer's forehold The

It has been. suggested that al- though dealing in raw opium" is illegal generally yet the prohibi-hydrants in the dock premises, tions of section 4 of the Opium Or, dinance, 1023, would not apply if it could be shown that there was no intention that the opium in question should ever be imported into the Colony. Section 4 of this Ordinance introduces words which are intended to meet that possible defence.

from hoses connected to the

Possession of Labels and Wrappers.

Section 1 of the Opium Ordin ance, 1023, makes illegal the pos session of any Government label or wrapper, which has been or has become detached from the opium receptacle to which it was attached when issued by the Superintendent. In a prosecution under this section it would usually be impossible to prove that the detached label or wrapper had ever been attached to a receptacle issued by the Superin Dr. Si Chung Ngok, Professor of Lendent, except by relying on political science at the Sun Yat Sen general statement that in practice no label or wrapper is issued ex- University and a Linguan graduate, paid a tribute to President Chungcept attached to a receptacle.

༔

During the Inst days of the Manchu Dynasty some twenty years ago, Dr. Chung, he said, had already dis tinguished himself in literary pur suits, having successfully passed a series of Chinese Government Ex aminations. He obtained the degree of C'ha den in 1804. Since then he has been a leading figure in the

world of education in South China.

During the years 1911-13 he was Comanissionce of Education for Kwangtung and was largely respon sible for the introduction of the modern ideas and methods now em ployed in public education. He was not only a noted educator, but niso a social reforuer, Dr. Si went on.

The fact that St. John's College in Shanghai recently conferred the degree of LL.D. on him showed the public recognition and appreciation

arrival of the firefloat shortly before 5 p.m. enabled sufficient water to be pumped from the sea on to the steamer and inside of half an hour the conlagration was subdued.

The steamer's forehold, at the time of the fire was empty, and a visit to the ship after the fire show- ed that all the wooden structure within the forehold had been burnt out.

and Forestry Department, the Hon. Mr, J. P. Braga and Mr. Fung Ki Cheuk. The first bow was held in December 1997, when in his opening speech His Excellency made refer ence to the great assistance given by Lady Ho Tung in whose grounds the show was being held, and who had for many years interested her self in agriculture in the New Territories.

In order to help and encourage. Chinese farmers in the district prizes are

being offered

and

divisional master and 8 men of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. The Ying Wah troops of Boy Scouts will also be in attendance.

The exhibition matsheds are only two or three minutes walk from Sheung Shui Railway Station. Visitors should turn to the right on leaving the station,

CORRESPONDENCE.

MUDDLING IN THE MONEY. MARKET.

DAILY -PRESS."]

owing to the deficient water supply [TO THE EDITOR OF THI The steamer was to have left dry- the Committee have been consider- dock to-day, but her departure willing the feasibility of introducing no doubt be delayed in view of the reconstruction that is now required. An economical pumping engine for She arrived from Canton on Friday, irrigation. By courtesy of the Fan- when she went into drydock. ling Hunt and Race Club a demon- The Szechuan is a B. & S. steamerstration of this machine will be of 1,501 tons and Captain J. R. Shearer is the master..

I

CHRISTMAS AGAIN!

given near the Show ground. The Imperial Chemical Industries have generously offered to distribute Sulphate of Ainmonia free to the farmers of the district and have

siles making handsome donations to the prize fund.

HONG KONG

SIR,Very nearly three months ago it was decided by those in in- ancial authority over the Colony to alter our currency system, the reason given being that the con- tinued premium on the local dollar and the correspondingly high tal rate were proving fatal to our trade.

Section 5, of this Ordinance re- peals section of the principal UNEMPLOYED MAN ROBBED undertaken to analyse the soil, be-penion of import business, the Crdinance and substitutes a section. Sub-section (1) of the

new

new section "meets the point above An unemployed Chinese report referred to by making illegal theed to the Police that on December possession of any label or wrapper 29, at about 243 a.m. he was going of a kind used by the Superinten- to Shum Shui Po from Yaunati in ricksha when he was attacked by dent unless such label or wrapper is attached soine receptacle six armed men who carried re- which was issued by the Superin-volvers and daggers. They chased the risksha coolie away and robbed him of money and jewellery to the value of $50.

tendent..

to

on-

Improper Use of Labels. Sub-section (2) of the new sec-

A later report by the same man tion 17 deals with another point, admitted that he was drunk at the It would be possible to remove the time and had just come from a label from a Government opium dinner at a restaurant. He was receptacle without damaging the stoppad by an old friend whom he label and to use it again on owed $100 The man demanded the other receptacle containing non-money back with threats and took Government opium. It is true his puree as part paymenti. that the possession of this non- Governnieat ppjum would be an of his thirty years of educational offence in itself, but the improper work and achievements,

Dr. Chung, in the course of his use of a Government label is a dis- tinct aggravation of that offence, reply, said that the development of Lingnan was largely due to the and should be punishable in itself. persistent efforts and foresight of certain Americans, including the Rev. B. C. Henry and the Rev. A. P. Happer. He took occasion to

thank the Americans heartily, for their continued financial aid and their educational assistance, which had been a great factor in making

the institution what it was.

In conclusion, President Chung reiterated the, primary purpose of the University, saying that it was a Chinese controlled private institu- tion run under Christian influence.

gather together, and work for the enlightenment of humanity. Educa- tion knows no nationality or race, and every intellectual, no matter where he is from; is welcome in Lingoan.

Accordingly. the sub-section in question makes illegal the posses. sion of any label of wrapper of a kind used by the Superintendent unless such label or wrappers either attached to a receptacie 15

ned by the Superintendent and containing the full quantity of Government opium ne issued, or else has been broken in such a way as to make it impracticable to use the label or wrapper again.

Presumption of Possession.

CHINESE WEDDING.

DR. AU KING, M.B., B.S., TO

MISS WONG,

The wedding was celebrated on Saturday, at the Hop Yat Church, Bonham Road, of Miss Wong Man Ying, of 38, Bonham Road, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wong Kwok Shuen to Dr. Au King, I.B., D.S., of 41, Kai Yan Road, Kowloon City.

The Rev. Cheung Chuk Ling oficiated.

4.

The bride who, was given away | by her father and was attended by her sister, Miss Wong Man Hing,

maidenhair fern.

She cor-

It was also a universal centre of i Section 25 of the Opium Ordia. higher education, a place where the ance, 1923, provides that every per- most talented minds of the world son who is proved to have had in as bridesmaid, looked very charm- his possession any thing containing in her bridal dress of the ing opium, or the documents of traditional white, satin. title any thing containing opinn ried a bouquet of white roses and shall, until the contrary, is proved, be presumed to have been in posses- sion of the opium. Sectional this Ordinance repeals that section and substitutes a new one which contains the following additional points which have been suggested by the corresponding section in the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance:

TO FIGHT FOR KWEILIN.

KWANGSI-IRONSIDE TROOPS

IN RETREAT,

The presumption is made to arise also upon proof of the posses- sion of the keys of any box or According to the vernacular drawer containing opium, Press, the Canton Nanking forces The term documents of title is following their re-capture of Wai-made to include a baggage receipt, chap attacked Hohaien which was

The presumption of knowledge is held by two regiments of Kwangsi made to extend to knowledge of the troops and one regiment of "Iron- kind of opium contained in the zides."

box or other receptacle

The bridesmaid wore violet satin trimmed with silver luce and car- ried a bouquet of pink roses, while Mrs. Woag, the bride's mother, was wearing the lovely Chinese wedding costume.

Dr. Lai Kwong Yuk, M.B., B.S.,

was best man..

After the ceremony a big recep. tion was held in the Hong Kong Hotel Roof Garden,, where the cus tomary toasts were given, and good wishes offered to the newly-married couple.

PROGRAMME.

Saturday, January 4. 11a.m.-Gates open..

11.15 a.m.-Judging of Exhibits. 12 Noon to 1 p.m.-Theatrical Performance by Chung Sing Bene- volent Association.

2.30 p.m.-Formal opening by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Cecil Clementi, K.C.M.C.

By kind permission of Lieut.-Col. H. B. Vernon, M.C., and officers, the band of the 3/15th Punjabis will render musical selections.

Sunday, January 5.

11 a.m.-Gates open. 11 . to 12 noon.-Chin Wo Athletic Association.

12. Noos to 1 p.m.-Theatrical performance by Miss Lo Pui Lan and other musical selections.

2.20 p.m.-Distribution of prizes by Mrs. J. A. Fraser,

3 pin. to 4 p.m.-Chinese Boxing Display.

·Special Arrangements. Special railway facilities; thanks to the courtesy and generosity of the Kowloon Railway Administra- tion, are being provided this year for transportation of exbibits and exhibitors as well as visitors to the Show, The Chung Mci Garage Company, Limited, are operating an augmented Bus Service between Mengkok and Un Long vid Tean Wan, Castle Peak and Ping Shan, Co., will maintain an additional while the Nam Hing Motor 'Bus bus service between Un Long and Shrungsbul. Ample parking space will be provided for cars.

In the opinion of the Committer,

annual

this occasion like

Bri

Agricultural Exhibition should be pleasurable as well as instructive and with this idea they are staging features, generously contributed by the Chin Wo Athletic Association, Chung Sing Benevolent Associa tion, Miss Lo Pui Lan and other Chinese musicians.

For the convenience of Chinese This is opium shall be conclusive evidence

of the facts stated therein. This and Europeans, the Committee have Western Restaurants, enabling, visi- occasion. The section is, however, tors to obtain all necessary refresh defective, because it makes no proments near the Exhibition Ground. vision for connecting any particu. Attention is invited to the efficient lar certificate with any particular catering of the Queen's Cafeteria, lot of opium.

who have kindly promised to con tribute a considerable percentage of the proceeds towards the Show. Drinks can be obtained with meals.

Hohsica fell on the 26th and the inserted because it is necessary in Kwangsi troops withdrew to Papu the charge to refer to some parti- was intended to obviate the neces-made provision for Chinese and, which was also taken by the Canton cular kind of opium, eg, preparsity of calling the analyst on every troops the following day. The lat- ed opium or raw opium. ter are pushing towards Pinglck. It is expressly provided in sub- Two Canton Divisions under section (3) that the presumptions Chiang Kwong Nai and Heung of the section will not be rebutted Hon Ping from Wuchow are at by more proni that the accused tacking Chaoping and will advance never had physical" possession of to Pinglok to make a joint attack the opium in question. upon the Kwangsi forces there.

Certificates of Character and Quantity:

A repart from Wuchow states

that the Ewangai insurgentą

at

Section 7 of this Ordinance re- peals the above section and sub- stitutes new section which, with the new form of certificate added to the principal Ordinance by sec, tion 8 of this Ordinance. will en

There will be various stalls in- cluded in the exhibition. The Kow- Sunchow and vicinity are ready to

loon-Canton Railway are exhibiting retreat to Liuchow and Kweilin to Section 37 of the principal Or-able the certificate to be connected model of a complete train. The make a faal stand there. The dinance, provides that a certificate with the opium to which it relates, Commercial Press, the B.A.T. the A PRESÓPA-AT renotted to have kained by the Superintendentas temes of the officer who receives Imperial Chemicala Industry, the arrived at Kwailin where further the character of quantity of any the opf You End Ayo Nestle Company alters fighting is expected:

A (Continued at foot of nest-column). I produces it in, court.

are also having stalls.

The alteration was made, and the immediate result was consider able dislocation all round, as part of which were the wholesale sus- great inconvenience in the matter of handling the silver coin, and incidentally an overnight deprecia- tion in both the earnings and sav ings of the community as a whole. As against this, a fortunate few were enabled to net fortunes, and at the same time to explain to the unfortunate many that the change was to the benefit of the Colony, and that naturally a little. tempor-. Ary loss and inconvenience must be suffered before the benefit was feit.

Since then, the chaos into which we were plunged has grown worse and worse; neither have matters been improved by the spasmodie

tinkering to which the exchange market has been subject, according to the fresh whims of interested parties.

And the result? At the close of business on Saturday last the local doilar was again standing at a con- siderable premium, and the tåel Way

dealable around 79,- in, steadily rising: once more. In other words, after months of lons and inconvenience nothing what ever seems to have been accomplish- ed, save further damage to our position as a trading community

and financial centre.

If, then, our bankers as a whole are unable to deal with the situa tion, then it surely behoves us to wait no longer but to import some recognised expert from abroad wha can put matters right for us. One can well imagine the mingled hor-

ror

and contempt with which this suggestion would be received by our home "experts," but it is a procedure that has been adopted with signal success elsewhere, and it is high time that general wel- fare took precedence of personal feelings and particular interests.

You is, etc.

I

THE TURNED WORM. Hong Kong, December 29.

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Tunes that Father Loves

GAIETY

ECHOES

MELODIOUS

Columbia News RECORDS

pro

MEMORIES

CHORUS HITS OF YESTERDAY INTRODUCING: FALL IN AND FOLLOW'ME-ANOTHze Little

Drink-Down at till old Bull AND BOSK

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SORE THROAT THE ENEMY

VĀNS PASTILLES are a sum

shield against all wimerella ch Sore Throats, Coughs and Colds. Their satiseptic vapori penetrate into the innermost cavities of the 2015, throat and chest, killing all germs and quickly soath- ing the indamed organs.

Made in England fe the formula of the Liverpool Throus Horpital and sold by Chemetta everywhere.

EVANS

KATJIESTE, THROAT

Pastilles

HONG KONG TRADE DURING 1929

REVIEW OF

YEAR'S

BUSINESS.

In Tuesday's issue of the "Daily Press" will be published

a Review of the Colony's Trade for last year, covering the

principal lines of Import and Export

Finance, &c.

Business, Shipping,