1930-05-29 — Page 7

DISTINGUISHING WINE BY ITS SMELL.

INTERESTING CROSS-EXAMINATION OF GOVERNMENT

EXPERT BY MR. M. K. LO.

DO WINE RETAILERS SELL CHEAPER SUBSTITUTE FOR SEUNG CHING?

An interesting point as to whether Chinese wine dealers can "tell the difference between Seung Ching and weakened spirits of wine, to which a small proportion of rice spirits and water has been added, was brought up at Central Magistracy yesterday," when the case against the licensee of the Po Fung shop was agnin before Mr. A. W, G. H. Grantham on a charge of extensive deal- ings in dutiable wines,

In addition to the licensee, an accountant of the Fo Fung shop, together, with an assistant, were charged with possession of :20 jars of dutiable wine, which were scized in the premises of the shop is Belchers Street on May 14. All these persons are de fended by Mr. M. K. Lo.

J

The licensee of the Tin Wo distillery of Castle Peak is charg-. ed with having assisted in extensive dealings in dutiable wine. He is being defended by Mr. F. X. d'Almada, Sur.

FULL DETAILS OF YESTERDAY'S

HEARING.

j

An Offer to a' Witness.

I

Mr. Lo (cross-examining): would like "to make you an offer. Do you suggest that the retail shop can tell that this wine is not neung ching 1 ་་་

Mr. Taylor: I think they can. A good many of them actually sell this kind of stuff.

When proceedings commenced From the fact that this is made esterday, Mr. Lo indicated to his from, spirits of wine, it is dutiable Worship that certain admissions on spirits are not the ordinary duty- his part might help to shorten the paid spirits bought in the Colony. Case. He said that he admitted that the figures, indicating the wine which Mr. Taylor quantity alleged his clients had sold between February and May, were correct.

Revenue Officer Trengoyo wBE then called into the box, when he cross-examined by Mr. Lo.. He stated that when he visited the Po Fung shop on February 10, he was accompanied by a Chinese Bevenue Officer. He found roughly 70 jars of wine and be said that he could not agree with Mr. Lo that his examination of the quantity of wine in the shop was quite perfuce

was

tory.

Mr. Taylor, at this stage, told the Court that if the defence was that the spirit was already on the pre- mises during Chinese New Year, obviously a good de of it would have been in jars, which would, therefore, bave been left over for two or three months. Consequently Mr. Taylor submitted that he should call evidence to show whether the jars and the labels were dirty.

Mr. Lo submitted that even though a few of the customers might say that the labels appeared to be fresh, it would not exclude the fact that some of the other labels might have been old.

mises.

"

I want to ask you if you suggest. that an honest retail shop must necessarily be able to distinguish and tell that this is spirit?-A really genuine dealer could tell at once.

#

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1930.

BOOK-KEEPER

PLEADS GUILTY.

ADMITS EMBEZZLEMENT OF LARGE AMOUNT.

SIX MONTHS FOR DISHONEST

SERVANT.

CORRESPONDENCE. UNGRATEFUL GUEST.

THE DWINDLING DOLLAR.

CHARGED WITH THEFT OF

· [TO THE IDITOR OF THE "HONG KONG DAILY PRESS."]

HOST'S JEWELLERY,

DEFENDANT PROMISES TO RESTORE PROPERTY.

SIR,-Referring to the various correspondence appearing in the

When Wong King Kung (16), a different local papers lately regard student from Canton, was charged ing the continuous drop in the with stealing 9457 worth of jewel- exchange, I consider it is simply alery from his friend, Chan Siu Yung. waste of time.

Detective Sergeant J. Murphy told Mr. A. W. G. Grantham at the Central Magistracy yesterday that

Pleading guilty to a charge of embezzlement of 34,332.80 from his employers, Messrs. A. Goeke and

The dollar must eithre be fixed Company, China Building, Lav Siu Ming, described as a book-keeper.or Hong Kong must have a gold was sentenced to six months' hard standard. labour when he appeared before Mr. A. W. G. Grantham at the Central Magistracy yesterday.

Mr. H. C. Macnamara appeared for the prosecution and stated that the defalcations were committed during the period July 18, 1920, to May 27, 1030. His false entries were discovered on Tuesday, when he was delivered to the Police...

THE LATE MR. WILLIAM KEEGAN.

ESTATE IN HONG KONG WORTH $6,300:

Should nothing come cut of this Commission of Enquiry, as it dil a few years ago, the only remedy will be to call a public meeting and send a petition to the Home Gor- erament by cable... A subscription could be started for the cost of the cable. I should poly be too glad to contribute my share. Yours, etc.

PETITION.

Hong Kong, May 29.

AN INTERESTING PRECEDENT.

hé is a young fellow who has got into bad company.'

According to the police officer, the larceny was committed on May and the defendant was arrested on May 28 on board the s.s. Taishan, which was then on the point of sailing to Canton.

When the defendant arrived in

the Colony from Canton on May 20, he was invited by Chan Siu Yung to stay at 66, Robinson Road. After living there for two days, the accused disappeared with two dia- mond rings, a gold watch chain, and a pair of jade cuff-links,

The gold watch chain and cuff- link were disposed of for the sum of $160, but the rings were still in the possession of the defendant

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONG KONG when he was apprehended.

DAILY PRESS." SIR,I see that one of the The late Mr. William Keegan, strongest reasons given by the formerly first-class overseer in the apponents of a change from a Public Works Department, Hougfluctuating to a fixed currency is Kong, who died intestate on May that, whilst China continues her 4, 1929, left estate in Hong Kong present currency based on the to the amount of 20,300 in cash market value of silver, we must do

the same.

and shares.

He was formerly of Ballyroo Church Town, Athy Kildare, Ire land, where he left estate worth

£1,543 38. 1d.

L

I remember the case of British Honduras. This is a small British Colony in Central America, which Letters of administration have does a transit trade, and has com- been applied for and granted locallymercial relations with the neigh en behalf of Mr. James Keegan, bouring Republica

of Mexico, brother. Deceased's mother re-

Guatemala and Honduras. nounced her rights.

The coinage in use in British Honduras consisted, at one time, of the silver dollars minted by

American Republics, and when ma agitation was started to abolish this unsatisfactory state of affairs and establish a currency on a gold same argument about trade with the basis, great use was made of this neighbouring countries, and how necessary it as to continue on the old silver basis if business was to

Would you accept my ofer and get, one of your own witnesseS-IND of the purchasers from the Po Fung whom you have outside this Court to come in and say what this wine is-Of course, they will say seung-him to be a licensee of the Tin ching because they have sold it as such

Do you suggest the presence of spirit of wine is very easily dis- coverable-Yes, by smell and by taste.

Our case is that up to now we have had all our purchases of winearly all the Central and South through the fourth defendant, Lam Wing. Lam Wing is not only our broker, but we know him to be a very pushing and energetic man. We know Woo distillery and we know him as an agent of another wine shop, also a broker of Kong Moon tes, also

a broker for a firm dealing in pick-be continued with them. led goods, and we also know bim as a broker for a wine mesh shop, and finally he is employed by a firm of soap-makers, as a broker.

British Honduras got its gold basis currency about thirty years ago, and I have never heard yet of any great desire there to return to a fluctuating silver currency in order to do. business with other countries-Youra, ete.

GOLD BASIS.

Hong Kong, May 23,

A WORD TO CORRESPON-

DENTS.

Replying to the Magistrate, the defendant intimated that he was willing to pay $100 to the complain- ant for his missing articles. He also expressed repentance for his foolish act.

His Worship accordingly remand- ed the defendant for 48 hours to afford him an opportunity of raising that sum.

ALLEGED THEFT FROM JAPANESE COAL YARD.

CASE DISMISSED.

Before Mr. Whyte-Smith rester. day, three members of the Chuk Loi coal dealers were charged with stealing coal from the M.B.K yard, and alternatively, receiving the coal knowing it to have beer stolen or unlawfully obtained.

Mr. G. S. Eugh-Jones, appeared for the first two defendants, who were described as partners of the firm.

Giving evidence, a Japanese tallyman said that he was on duty he saw a man carrying a sack. As at 3:20 am, on Sunday last when soon as the msa, saw him (the tally- man), he threw down the sock and

ran away.

C

Further evidence was given by na Indian watchman, after which the Magistrate held that there was not sufficient evidenes to convict, and accordingly dismissed the case.

A "KICK" FRÖM KOWLOON.

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

Do you suggest that an honest retail man can tell by the smell that there is spirit of wine in it No. I said by smell and by taste.

The Secret Book. Passed by Revenue Department. We say that the book-the secret I am glad you say so, because book-is correct, up to date, and a I am going to try to refresh your full book, and if your Worship will mind of one, or two instances in look back to Mr. Taylor's opening, your own department where you you will find Mr. Taylor was kind failed to tell the presence of spirit enough to concede that the secret The Chinese Bovenue Officer who of wine.. You remember some time book was all right except that it did not record names of five firms.

Sin, Oh, dear me why must accompanied B.O. Trengove stated ago a firma imported wine which

people always criticise the already that he did not think there were passed through the importation I went over it very fully, and on

We have received a letter signed over-worked Government officials! as many as eight or nine hundred shed, and daty was levied on it, coming in this Court was told

that Mr. Taylor had sent me a "Unselfish" which appears to be There is "Lux," for instance, jars of spirit of wine in the pre- and the wine was taken away from chit (which I did not receive) ad- written in reply to the letter in kicking because the City Fathers

In answer to Mr. Lo, het the shop, and later, on information fitting that that statement has to yesterday's issue from Exchange in their extreme generosity ex- admitted that he did not take any received of something, the wine was corrected, because two of the Expert, but unfortunately is even pend the small sum of 9410,500 (1 special note of the quantity of wine acized and examined again, was

less helpful and informative than wish I had 10 per cent of it) per on the premises, as be merely found to contain spirit of wine and shops, which he had in mind, have followed the Inspector around and

was sent back to Macno 1-Yes? been mentioned. That leaves three that cynical gentleman's contribuanaum on teaching 2858 youngsters

tion.

We shall be pleased to (bless their little souls) the in- obtained such informátion as was Therefore, an experienced inspechopa required.

tor did not find the difference -An My case is that this secret book publish any letters on the currency tricacies of Euclid, and so forth.

Is it not really wonderful, Sir, inspector not an experienced one-

was a book which was kept for the question which are calculated to Lam Wing Only a Salesmant did not find the difference that day, purpose of collecting payments, etc. assist in an understanding of the how the Powers-that he can always The licensee of the Cheung On but the wine was strong and he sent It was not defective in any parti problem or which offer suggestions find-with the assistance of our remedying its difficulties. Unofficials-money for any and wine and spirit shop gave details me a sample of it, although hocular. We say that it did not men.for

tion the three shops for the best of Advocates of a gold, silver, paper, every useless undertaking, whilst of purchases made by him from the passed it in the meantime.

all reasons. That these purchases or credit standard are welcome to such an urgent and real need as a Po Fung shop between February

not effective through Lam express their ideas in our columna Red Cross launch could not be and May this year. He said that paid duty because no duty could were

"Whoever designed the Kowloon their views are expressed in terms when the wines reached him, they have been paid in Hong Kong-Wing We say this book is a record freely on one condition only-that afforded

of transactions with Lam Wing which are courteous eren cowards Hospital overlooked the insigni bore red labels. Ho bought the Take that particular case. If who is our broker. There was some wines through a man named Lam Wing (the fourth defendant), and your inspector had not found the business done direct from the shop those for whose opinions they may ficant fact that Kowloon wives are have profound contempt. In other just as likely to become mothers as sample to be too strong, there would and you will find these dealings re- eventually he paid Lam Wing for have been.200 jars of that wine in corded in the books: Your Worship words, unparliamentary language their Peak sisters for no provision whatsoever had been made for a ma.ernity ward made for Cross-examined by Mr. d'Almada, the Colony on which duty bad been sees that they have not been pro- cannot be permitted.-ED.]

secuted because they choose to paid Tea

make certain omissions and addi- tions in their books, indi

his purchase5.

witness said that he always looked upon Lam Wing as the travelling salesman of the Po Fung firm.

You say this wine could not have

Yes.

And that shop who imported the wine would have dealt merrily in it --Yos

Therefore, on your own argument,

Competitive Prices.

The defendants will tell you

The licensee of the Wing On Cheung also stated that he had bought wine from the Po Fungo would be prepared to swear that the sole reason for putting in that that" wine was not duty paid. a few firms'." names "in one of the

firm which sometimes bore green merely because spirit of wine was challenged books is to try and

and sometimes red labels. He could

revenue,ad

PUBLIC BEACHES,

The result is that an expectant mother (in Kowloon) has the option of entering a hospital (in Hong (TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONG KONG expected arrival of the new one, Kong) a day or two before the

DALLY: PEE98.1

SI-May ock your assistance

or ran the risk of it arriving whilst she (the mother) is en route. to the hospital. (Even with every thing in her favour that is, with out having to wait for the ferry,

an expectant mother instead of an Further, by reason of my nation-invalid as an illustration is that ality cannot enjoy the excellent the Government can always say, in and cheap amenities available at reply to the latter, that he or she the various Chinese bathing-clubs should enter the Kowloon Hospital. at North Point Supposing the patient is too poor I am compelled by circumstances, to be able to afford medical atten

nat say it the labels were new. In 167-Since that day I take induce certain dealers to quote in a little matter that may have answer to Mr. d'Almada, witness special pains to show each man on competitive prices Against these escaped the powers-that-be I am said that he also bought the wine the wine examination shed what names, therefore, cheaper prices one of the thousands of poor etc. it will take her between 25 this spirit of wine is like, ONA have been entered. At any rate unfortunates who, by reason of the and 30 minutes to reach either the through the Po Fung's represents I know of your vigilance, but I they are entirely Ectitious and lean condition of my purses, cannot G.C.B. or the French Hospital). tive. Lam Wing,

Mr. H. A Taylor, giving evi do say that the man who might there is no reason why they should afford to go out to Repulse Bay The reason why I use the case of „dence, said, "On the morning of want to bug wine might have this not be fictitious unless your Wor whenever I want to swim***

stuff palmed off!!!

on him-He ship inds that we made them for May 14, I saw 20 jars of spirit at

might d

the purpose of defrauding the the Po Fung shop. I had three of them opened then and I havo Element of Mystery. since examined the other jars. An This closed the case for the pro- You will hear from the licensee s result of my examination, I can secution, and Mr. Lo then address and from the two defendants that state that the spirit which I have ed his Worship for the defence. He they did not trouble about the whenever I want to swim, to go to latice and want to enter, say, the examined is not rice seung-ching, said: "In the whole of this ense books very much. The real book the public beach at North Point. Matilda, Hospital (which, by the as it was described to me on the 'j an, elemont of mystery has been in is the secret book which we say Hera I find that there is no shower- way, is the only free bos 14, but is diluted spirit of wine troduced by reason of one or two records all transactions. We say with a little rice spirit in it. I off-hand phrases such as secret that there were 580 jars of wine at bath available, with the result that pital for foreigners in Hong say that because this, spirit is a book. That book was found in the shop at the end of the last all the effects of a refreshing swim Kong), what then? Is it fair to have a sick man exposed to the practically neutral spirit, it has the drawer of the shop presumably Chinese year. With all this, we are mullified. practically no acidity and has only belonging to the accountant or bought from three firms, and adding when I reach home, I have to wash stare of every Tom, Dick, Harry a small proportion of esters, where licensee. You would expect an im- 35 per cent. of water, as we are off the sticky salt water. I see that or Chan that might be coming the

terry at that time 1... 18 genuine rice spirits made byportant book dopeutuled to do, we get a totala provisions have been made for a

shower bath, Wait for some Yels of allel the road rather distilleries plaas.nl that kinder that the

We admit ws. sold 1,382

olumii promalý du ingaar woner og in the Colony, has a high propor properly locked up. The first thing, jars.. This figuro includes our calcu tion of acidity and eaters. Spirits therefore, I would ask your Wer- lation of having sold 68 jars retail shortage the pipes are not connect dents Association or the Unofficial of this type could not have paid ship to try and forget is that there in the shop and, of course, 20 jars ed to the mains. All private bath Members of the Legislative Council ing clubs at North Point, however, for Finance Cominitten) will seri- duty-through any local distillery is really & secret book. If it is is now in the custody of the Import have shower baths Why is that quay take up the matter with the That is from my own personal simply not lying about for anybody and Export Department, knowledge. I make occasional visits to pick up, then it is no more secret The licenses of the Fo Fang wine Can the Government do some Government. I wonder !!Yours, myself, and Revenue Officers are shan the cash ledger pr balance shop then gave evidence, after thing about it 7-Youre, eteen Flan

which the hearing was adjourned always looking out for spirits of sheet of any firm,

until Saturday morning. this type to stop its importation (Continued on next Column).

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KOWLOONITE

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