1930-12-23 — Page 9

AVINGS

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1930.,

ON GAOL RATIONS

SEARCHING QUESTIONS ON PRISON ADMINISTRATION."

OVERNMENT DENIES UNDUE ECONOMY IN CONVICTS' FOOD BUT ADMITS

COMPLAINTS.

Searching questions as to living conditions within Victoria Gact ware put to the Colonial Secretary by members of the Finance Committes at a meeting of that body held yesterday morn

ng.

The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shonton inquired, among other things, for information concerning he degree of supervision over prisoners' food, and whether there has hoen any complaint or dir pontont during the yaat year. On being told that there had boon continuous complaints during the latter part of the year, Mr. Sheaton Inquired whether any steps had been taken, and if so whether any further steps were considered necessary. He also asked the Colonial Secretary who- ther the Government seemed satisfied with the prosent administration of the Gaol, and whether It was the Government's intention to make any alteration in the Gaol's administration.

Questions regarding the provision of a new gaol and the installation of a printing shop in the present Victoria Gaol wire also raised by members of the Finance Committee. tions and answers will be found below,

RETRENCHMENT HINT BY MR. PATERSON.

first item under discussion

The Chairman: Not so far as I am aware. There is a wicancy for In No. 181, Prisons Depart. the Second Superintendent and it is in the process of being filled at Hoino by a trained man.

fuel $3,500,

jn. Mr. Shenton: I have a ber of questions to ask on this

Are you aware that there no less than five items in to votes which are to be found of the Subsistence of Prisonera y are 161, 162, 165, 184 and 183. fould like to ask what is meant

Subsistence of Prisoners!"

he Chairman: The exact details, far as subsistence of prisoners gops, I cannot answer without Superintendent. being here, but penis what it says.

A New Gaol.

Hon. Mr. Shenton: Are any steps being taken to provide a now gaol or gaols?

The Chairman: The matter is, at present, in the last stages of pre- paration for work which we hope will begin early in the New Year, kj BOOT 45 the site has been settled. Plans' have been made and

completed and it only remains now that, I think, is practically ready: Hon. Mr. Shenton Have any stops been taken to obtain adviet on the new gaol?!

to fix definitely on the site and

The ques

This is carrying out the approval that was then obtained from the Finance Committee for the re-build ing of the present printing estab. lishment in the gaol, The Retrench- ment Committee will, no doubt, go into it,"

Hon. Mr. Paterson: They will. Han. Mr. Owen-Hughes: Is this linotype machine still working?"

The Chairatan: Not just now,

Totally Unit

GHASTLY DISCOVERY

AT CANTON.

BOY'S HEAD RETURNED TO HIS MOTHER,

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

CANTON, Dec. 22.

While unloading cargo from Kiu; kiang yesterday afternoon in Can ton, the crew of a junk were start led to discover a gasolens tin, con- taining a human head. On top of the tin there was a Inbel stating that it was for a Mrs. Lui, of Si Poi Lou Road.

The matter was immediately re- ported to the police.

Enclosed in the tin was a leiter stating that the head was that of Lui Shib, Tak, a student of a cer- tain school en Bi Pai Lon. Tho. letter was signed by Chan Turt' Tong, a bandit organization operat ing in the outlying districta. It stated that the ghastly deed was de- liberately done to terrify the rest of those kidnapped and to hasten the payment of ransom.

LATE MR. A. J. J. BROCK.

BURIED AT PROTESTANT CEMETERY.

GREAT LOSS TO THE PHIL. HARMONIC SOCIETY,

There was a very large gathering of friends at the funeral of the late Mr. A. J. J. Brock (who passed away in the Royal Naval Hospital on Sunday night) at the Protestant Cemetery, Happy Valloy, yesterday, The Rev. F. Foley, R.N, con ducted the service at the graveside. The deceased was a man of sterl ing qualities and regarded with grent respect by those who knew him, and he will be much missed' by all, especially the Philharmonic Society, in many of whose produc tione he had figured prominently..

He was perhaps soon at his best as Squire Weaton in "Tom Jones" while he also was seen to advantage in the very difficult part of Harry Lytton in the Gilbert & Sullivan production. In "H.M.S. Pinafore" Mr. Brock appeared in the role of the First lord, white last year ha scored a big bit as the Japanese Marquis in "The Geisha," also took the leading part in " The Gondoliers," and in "Iolanthe" be was the Chancellor.

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10

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Be sure and visit

Just before his death, he took the Wm. POWELL, Ltd.

Upon investigation it was found that the deceased whose head us returned yesterday was a boy of 14 years of age. He was kidnapped last May while roaming about the outskirts of Canton with two other einssmates. Later, the mother of the docensed, a poor worker in a millinery factory in Saikwan, re-part of Shadbolt in "The Yeomen Hon. Mr. Owon-Hughes: ! would remind you, Sir, that the manding a heavy ransom for the cluded a successful run. It will

ceived a letter from the bandits de of the Guard," which has just con Committee which Mr. Shenton re ferred to just now visited the pri.elease of her son. As the sum, to remembered that owing to his son last January. The

$10,000, demanded was far brynad being taken suddenly ill, he was turned down at the 1920 Budges her menas, she reported the mutter unable to appear last Thursday meeting or at a subsequent meat to the police. The whereabouts of night. When his condition became ing. I was not hero then. When the boy were never discovered, in serious he was removed to hos we examined the old printing shop spite of a diligent search by tacpital, but despite all that medical we agreed, with one dissentient. think, that the printing shop was police. Lust July one of the lad's The Chairman: I am not suregards the 'health of prisoners and

totally unfit for work both as rears was cut off and sent to his whether a report of this nature Superintendents. What I cannot mother as a threat. can come before the Finance Com- understand is that it has taken mitice, but it could be laid before nearly a full year and practically the Legislative Council.l.

Hon. Mr. Shenton: I am think stand, the machine has been here that, may I ask whether thing of the report of the Committee for some time and additional

on. Mr. Shenton: Is it the

lat

The Chairman: Yes, food.

Ion. Mr. Shenton: Is it a fact the estimates for this year's bsistence for prisoners have been Huced?

The Chairman: For 1930 I think ht, but I can soon and out.

Hon. Mr. Shenton: Arising out

ader for last year was less than h_the previous years?

The Chairman: I think you ought lp give notice of these detailed ques

tiona.

The Chairman Oh yes." A Com- mittee have considered very closely the site and the pians.

Hon Mr. Bhenton':: Would it be

before this Chamber | possible for a report to be laid

ariado in June,

The Chairman: I think there is likely to be no objection to the report being brought before B proper body. I forgot to mention

Hon. Mr. Shenton: I only reconstruction now, and beginnings the female prison is in course of coived my copy of the voteson-

have been made at Laichikok, Haturday.

The vote was then approved.

■

The Chairman: The vote for sub- sistenco is exactly the same as in 1920, $100,000.

off hand..

Emaller Tender.

Hon, Mr. Shenton: But the ten- der was considerably loss in the pre- vious year That I cannot answer that. Can you give me atly ides Perhaps you will take a note of of the supervision of food at the gao!!

Printing Shop.

Item 105, Prisons Department, linotype machine, $6,000

vole was

nothing has been done, I under-

side at extra cost from time to printing has had to ho dove out- time, whereas my view is that the building of a printing shop should

be pressed forward “58 "quickly" da possible.

"The Chairman: That is the Government view but it has jakes

"good deal of time to obtain the approval of the Council and the Finance Committee.

Hon. Mr. Owen Hughes: I think it was approved in January last. Hon Mr. Braga: I fapt I must The Chairman, No, it was held formally vote against this item to over from Janurary pending further un perfectly consistent with the consideration and it was submitted attitude I look up when the quesnenin later and members of the new printing Finance Committee' again examin- department within the presnt gaoled the gnol in July.. tion of building

wig- raised.' I will make just a formal vote against the item.

· Hon. Mr. Paterson: As a Inem.

Hon. Mr. Owen-Hughes: I thought it was adopted' last year.

Hon. Mr. Kotowall: I think it was April.

The horrible discovery has created a big sensation in the city, especial. ly among those whose relatives are still in the hands of the bandits,

and the local authorities are de termined to bring the miscreants to justice.

OUTSIDE INFLUENCE.

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

ISSUED.

The following statement has beau sent to us for publication by the Colonial Secretary:—

"There is no doubt that outside influences have been at work in causing the present unrest in the gaol. It is an obvious mark for tho agitators who have rescatly

aid could do for him, he passed away oti Bunday night as stated above,..

The late Mr. Brock was 51 years of age, and had been a resident of Hong Kong for just over 21 Devonport. He held the most of years, having come out in 1000 from Chargeman of Fitters in the Naval

Tard, where he had been engaged throughout his stay in the Far East.

The Funeral.

Thore was a large concourse of friends waiting when the cortige passed the Monument, and directly following behind the motor hearse were Messrs, S. E. Alderman and F. C. Goodman na chief mourners." The pall-bearers were Messrs. 5. Clarke; H. Budden, A. H. Oswick, J. Hollidge, W. Annis and A. Stick- land." Others present included Messrs. D. M. Richards, R. R. Davics, A. W. Grimmitt; Dr. Valen tine, R. S. W. Paterson, F. A. Holdman, H. J. Best, G. W. R. Griggs, H. E. Hollands, R. Sour butts, S. Hamer, R. R. Wood, H. gord, Mrs. Hollidge, Inspector J. E. Strango, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bick-

Moss and Insp. Chester Woods, the Worshipful Master. Warden and

memory is certainly wrong.

Hon. Mr. Owen Hughes: My The Chairman The delay. I made their presence, felt in many Brethern of the United Services think, wae due to the time it took ture. to get approval for the expendi

The vote was approved,

The Chairman: There is a general ber of the Retrenchment Commit- scheme of supervision of the food tee, we have not really taken up until it gets to the cells -It is very the question of the gaol except accurato. It is all examined as 'it comes from the contractor. It is roughly, when we went round the weighed. The quality is examined the other day, but I do think

Lodge 1341, that 1 think by a doctor or by the minent structura in the middle Authorities. It is under special of a goal which is short warders, who have to attend to the supervision of the cooking and it is weighed again before it is despatch

ed to the prisoners.

Has there been any discontent in the Gaol during the past year!

The Chairman: "Yes, Indoed Han, Mr. Shenton? May I ask what are the alleged causes of it?

The Chairman: There have been echtinudua complaints especially in the attor part of the year in the matter of "dieta,

1y to

to

erect

very. per.

bo abolished is

wrong.

I do not know whether it could be. regarded as a temporary structure ns it is made of reinforced von- erote of an extremely solid type.

Director of Public Works: A temporary structure could not have

the purpose, as the ma chines to be put there are very heavy, and vibration wig what the old building was suffering from.

Hon. Mr. Puterson: That I Hon. Mr. Shonton: Have any realise, but I think the argument steps been taken to Investigate was that it would take from sevon to ten years to construct a "new these complaints?

יל.

49

Who Decides?

Item 185. Prisons' Department, materials for repair and renewals, 8000.

Hon. Mr. Shenton: Who decides Sir, when a pate is to be taken the Colonial Treasurer: Here we have cost of materials for repairs and renewals taken out of subsis once alowance. Who decides what

out of another voto 1 Is it the

it is to be taken out of that?

The Chairman: The head of the

parts of Chim and the Far East and communication with the pri soners is not a very difficult'mnt- ter if only through the medium of the short sentence men, The complaint upon which the agita tion has centred is the diet. - As 'n' prison diet it has stood the test of some 25 years but in view of complaints the Government recent ly appointed a Committee to re- consider the whale, question and a report has been received. The recommendations have been con

Floral Tributes.

There whe a profusion of wreaths at the graveside, among which was one from Commodore and Mrs. A.

H. Walker and one "In Affectionate Memory" from the Philharmonic Society: Others included tributca from Eng. Capt. H. B. Sears, Comdr. (E) Southby, officers and Staff Chief Engineers Depart ment, O.C.W. and Staff, Dockyard, European Outside Staff, Naval Store Department, His Fello Chargersen," Chief Constructor and. Members of the Royal Naval Yard Staff Expense Account Department,

too was set up to go into the mat: is that it will tako five, and that has a' balance, under another sub- but have been referred back to the Dockyard Recreation Club and The Chairman: Yes, a Commit. gaol, whereas the present estimats / department will represelit that 'he sidered by the Executive Council Police, United Services Lodge 1341,

tor

puts a rather different complexion Hon Mr. Shenton: Have any on it. While I am prepared to stops been taken to deal with it? admit that it is always necessŁTY to have prisonera noar the Police Committee's Recommendations,

Courts, there will always be pri- The Chairman Yes, the committed soners on remand and not able to made certain recommendations but do printing work, which means that

we are creating another gaol, the Government, inexamining them lind kome doubt, as to Whether they were in excess of the amount 'and quantity nodessary and proper

Impossible to Carry On.

Hon Mr. Shonton: In respect of

head that will meet the bill and

cornet.

Committeo ΟΠ certain the Treasurer has, to say if this in Meanwhile pending this further

points. Hon. Mr. Shenton: Then, hasarestigation Government has au this vote been done on the recom.thorised cortain increases and im mendation of the head of the gaol 1provements in the dicia. ~ seks for a new vote without point

The Chairman: No department ing out savings that can be taken to balance it,

Prisoners Not Unanimous, Information appears to have reached the prisoners' that" recom" Hon. Mr. Shenton: So this ro-mendations had been made which commendation is really a recom

had not been fully accepted, and mondation of the head of the gaolt this information bas been made "Tho Chairman: Yes, according the excuse for causing trouble. It Hon. Mr. Shenton: I take it ers are by no means unanimous in that aubsistence is the only head their opposition to the author likely to show n surplus at the end ties, AMON of this year?

many others."

for prison diet; in fact, the printing works, I wis a member that they were on too generous a of the committed which impected sonlo altogether. These particular the" works and it was quito, appar to 'that rule, 'rdim. ARRASATE DA should be stated that the prison by Mr. Fan Ki Mo, Commissioner recommendations require a good ent to us that it was then quite deal of further consideration, and impossible to carry on. It was the Government has made certain pointed out to us that the now improvementa pending further 8461 would not be completed form consideration of these wider te number of years, but our fooling. commendations."

was that it was quite impossible Hon. Mr. Shenton: Do you into carry on the printing work un send to take any further steps der the conditions then prevailing The Chairman: Yes, this food certainly not for a period of five question is being examined as uloso! yeare ly and quickly as possible. For the reet, no action has been taken bạ yond keeping a close watch on events in the gaol.

LIKIN IN KWANGTUNG..

ABOLITION ON JANUARY FIRST UNLIKELY.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

CANTON, Deo. 22 According to a statement fesund. of Finance, it is unlikely that Kwangtung will abolish the likin system on January 1 next in ac cordance with the edict of Nanking

The Commissioner stated that tho punitivo expödition against the Kwangsi insurgents is still going on, thus requiring large sums of paign against the Communista in

Hunan and ́· northern, Kiangsi, Kwangtung is being partly up- ity of the food gose, it struck me. It has been realised for some ported by Kwanglung. If likin is

18 inddequató say nothing about quantity.

extraordinarily good, but I can timo past that the existing Gaol abolished, the income of the Pro and unsuitable, vincial Government will be serious- The Chairman: Both quantity Plans for a new building out of ly affected. Further, the Central and quality are carefully fixed by the City are now completed and Government still owes Kwangtung it is honed to make a beginning substantial sums of money. Unless

Hon. Mr. Shenton: Is the Gov- erament satisfied with the present administration of the gaol

The Chairman: As far as I um

cult to

Hon Mr. Paterson: Do you think it is economic to act in the way you are doing?AN SO

The Chairman: That is one of the considerations that has to bo borne in mind when dealing with | this question. The Government has had in mind all the points you

The Chairment. Yes, but it does not follow at all that there is any undue "conomy on subsistence of prisoners.

Hon Mr.. Paterson: Prisoners.

The Government propose in ac cordance with the regulations to put some of the ringloaders beforo. British and Chinese Justices of the Poned who will advise the Superintendent of Prisons on the

org difficult to estimate for. It disciplinary action to be taken money. Moreover, the present cani may be that His Majesty has not The position is well in hand, so many goats on some occasions and no cause for apprehension as on others. Bo far as the qual- | exists:

Hon. Mr. Shenton: Is it the Gov-roommendations of the Committeeviously uwise to overfeed prisoners ernment's intention to make day and after examination decided, it alteration in the administration of was politic to continue with this work, and the money was voted. the gaol

The Chairman: That is a ques tion we are considering.

The vote was approved.

The new Female Prison, Top polskin, it seriousness of the year. for which funds were recently matter. is evident, and a wire has voted, has actually been commenced Lecii sent to Nanking oaking for. at Laichikak.

instructions.

10, Ice House Street. Our Store will remain open until 6 p.m.

< Lig

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