1931-06-27 — Page 7

HEAVY TAXES AT HANGCHOW'S SUMMER RESORT,

POLITICAL SITUATION CAUSES GENERAL UNEASINESS.

FAILURE OF AN IMPORTANT CROP.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

HANGCHOW, June 18.

In my letter of April 20. I said that there were prospects of the silkworm season being a good one, but the fine and warin weather then prevailing soon gave place to cool

1

The Rotary Club. The Rotary Club at a recent meet ing, admitted two new members Dr. Gerhardt Roso, head of the Municipal Laboratories, and the g At this Japanese Consul.

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1931,

SEVENTEEN TIRES IN CLOSING STAGE OF

THREE YEARS.

MURDER TRIAL

NEW BARRISTER ADMITTED.

FIRE SUPERINTENDENT ON PRISONER'S STATEMENT MEMBER OF WELL-KNOWN

CRACKER SHOPS.

STAUNTON STREET DISASTER INQUEST.

At the resumed inquest into the fre at Staunton Street, as a result of which sixteen people lost their lives, Mr. H. T. Brooks, Superinten deat of the Fire Brigado, giving evidoues yesterday, said that there were no less than seventeen fires in the Colony since 1827 in firecracker

Witness also said that there were

FOCAL FAMILY.

CHIEF JUSTICE COMMENTS ON MAGISTRATES' POWER.

MR. A. M. DE L. 'SOARES.

15

The action of a Police Magistrate Before the Chief Justice, Sir!

Mr. in advising an accused person not Joseph Kemp, yesterday, to make a statement in the Lower Somerset Fitzroy made an applica Court was strongly criticised by tion for the admission of Mr. Al the Chief Justice (Sir Joseph Komp) fred Maria de Lourdes Soares, to! at the continued hearing of the practise as a barrister. Yaumati murder trial yesterday Mr. Fitzroy, in making the ap- Accused modo a statement from plication, said that Mr. Soarca the witness-box admitting that, I was admitted to the Middle Tem-

and damp days, which have proved picious meeting a member of the UABICHT GO"; Funder pressure from his father, ple in 1896 and was called to the disestrous, and that it is now a Shanghai Rotary Club was invited

well-known fact that the cocoon to give no address. drop in Chekiang has been a failure Foreign Residents. this year. In some of the principal cocoon districts only one fifth of the cccoon drying plants are in opers tion

Owing to the rumours of Canton planning to overthrow the Nation alist Government there, considerable anxiety has been experienced in financial circles, which was brought

to a climax on May 31, when the bank notes of the South Beas Bank, and the Central Bank were con- sidered valueless, However, the adare, like to many similar ones, fizzled out in time and the notes of these banks are again bona fide cur.

rency.'

With the advent of summer sever- of the missionary community have already started or will shortly set off, for furlough. Mr. and Mrs. E. H Clayton and their family, and Dr. T. S. Goodwin belong to the former group, while Miss R.

Wilson and Miss M. Leathers are leaving in the near future.

murder.

no regulations regarding the open-absisted the latter in carrying out ing of fire-racker shops and added into the street pack containing that shops may be opened anywhere the body of Kau Suk, but he denied without application to the Fire Brigade or as far as he knew, to that he took any part in the any department

In giving evidence of the fire in It was the fourth day of the trial, Staunton Street, witness said:

The first call was received it and both the Crown and the de Central Fire Station at 8.30 pm. fence had closed their case when shortly afterwards from a public

June 3. The next call came the Court adjourned in the after tolophote, Two fire appliances were noon until Monday for the final immediately sent out with Station addresses by Counsel. Mr. F. C. immediately be in charge. Witness Jenkin, instructed by Mr. H. O. was in his quarters on the fifth floor Macnamara, of Messra. Deacons, is of the Fire Station and when he looked in the direction of Staunton defending the accused, while Mr. Street he any heavy smoke arising. Somerset Fitzroy is conducting the He then ordered two more opense for, the Crown, pliances, one from Wanchai "and" one from Kennedy Town. Witness also went himself by car.

The building involved was a three-storied one, and two of the floors were well alight on his arrival. Loud sounding fire-crack ers were detonating Two jets of water were already at work from the houses, on the opposite side of the road Another jet was being got into mosition. The firo appeared to be spreading into No. 33 from: 35 and he directed the water to be played on the former house in order to confine the fire to No. 35.

Пашев

!

The accused is Wong Sik Cheung,

against whom evidence has been given by two women occupying cubicles in the house, and also by his eleven-year-old brother, Wong Pak Cheung It is alleged that accused' father, Wong Kam, press ed the deceased against a bunk, while the accused was seen to throw a pisce of electric wire round the man's neck. The Crown care closed with the evidence of the small boy.

Accused's Statement."

Taxing a Summer Besort. A recent visit to Mokanshan, Che kinng's renowned mountain sum. mer resort has given one furiously Confiscated Foreign Property.

to think. First and foremost the During Dr. D. Main's mission taxes levied by the Administrative ary career in Hangehow he bought Bureau are increasing yearly in considerable property around the number and amount, and this in C.M.S. Hospital, with a view to spite of the fact that the Bureau this ultimately being used a re- has for its headquarters & palatial sidences for the Chinese medical house confiscated from the veteran and administrative staffs. However medical missionary, Dr. D. Main, in 1997 this with other property was four years ago, for which no rent confiscated. Negotiations for its has as yet been paid, though, the return have been carried on ever house has nominally been returned since, but during the last eight to its rightful owner. Bome of the months these have became much taxes recently levied include that of

In a statement from the witness- more vigorous and pressure has at se plus road tax of 8o on a motor

box, accused said that he was cu last been brought to bear upon the for every trip from Hangchow and

played: as a crane man at the Kew officials. The result is that the back. There is also a tax of 10.

Flames Through a Trap-door.;

loon Godowns, working from seven Provincial Government agreed to per chair coolio when engaging a

Witness entered No. 33 and pro-in the morning until 6 p.m., and return all Dr. Maia's property on chair These two items alone will ceaded on the roof with a view to sometimes overtime until 11 p.m. The understanding that it should be bring in a large revenue, but one sold to Chinese people before the fails to see in what manner the re-attacking, the fire from the roof. His wages amounted to about 827

He looked through a trap-door and month, while his wife earned about return was effected! The latest sort is benefiting by the paying of saw the fire raging fiercely and 811 month as a hair-dresser. order from Nanking has reversed these taxes.

flames shot through the trap-door. These carnings were handed over this, and the property is to be re-As the Chinese consider Mokan- A line of bosc however was brought to Wong Kam, his father, for the turned first, but must be sold after-shan to be a perfectly safe moun- warda without delay. This will not tain resort free from kidnappers trap-dor, which was more or less explained, was not his natural to play to send water through the family expenses, Wong Kam, he be disheult as many bidders have and bandits it is becoming in blocked up, but there was sufficient father. Witness was adopted as already come forward.

creasingly popular, and wealthy space to get a jet through..son, but the small boy, Wong Pak Armed Robbers.

Shanghai merchants, lawyers, etc. Witness said he went to No. 37 Cheung, was Wong Kam's natural Armed robbers have been busily are putting a lot of money into bat decided it was no uso getting on at work in a district 90 miles north-building imposing stone edifices; to work from that house. The fire onst of, this city, and three of their the far simpler and unpretentious had, by this time boon blackened, Victims were brought to the C. M.S. wonden bungalows of the foreign Firemen then gradually worked Hospital suffering from severo gun- ere, to whose initiative this resort

iato No. 33, both from the stairs shot wounds. One man succumbed was brought into being more than and from the verandah. The entry before medical aid could be given 20 years ago, being considered quite into the burning house was made 20 and the other two are in a critical inadequats for the needs of thore minutes after the Brigade's arrival. who have no yet hardly become ac

Station Officer Smith, who was in customed to the novelty of a sum-charge on the second floor, report Troop Movements.

mer residence...'\

One of the leading oficials in that that there were a number of Troops have lately been moving up the Chien-tang river towards last Provincial Government is hav the Fukien border, and rumours asing a regular young palace built to what this may mean are many with a high and extensive retaining and varied, but the one considered wall, the stone for which I am in-floor and one other on the staircase nearest the truth is that Chekiang, formed has been quarried, from a Means to be prepared in case, of nearby, estate without so much as communistic attacks from the south, !" by your leave."

condition.

ALLEGED JUNK PIRACY.

SEQUEL AT KOWLOON

·MAGISTRACY.

1

AN OLD TRICK,

FALSE PRETENCES ALLEGED.

A Chinese appeared before Mr. Hamilton 'yesterday charged” with The case in which 'two: Chinese obtaining 8150 by falsa protonces

are charged with piracy on Cargo

Boat No. 2917W at Sau Si-mun on May 1, when they stole from So Ying-ting rolls of cloth 12 dozen sing.ets, pairs of goloshes and two bottles of brandy, was con- unued before Mr. E. W. Hamilton at Kow.con Magistracy yesterday. The Arst defendant was additional ly charged with having conspired with others not in custody to de fraud one Chan Kus of a cargo of singlets and cloth, while the second defendant was further charged with receiving stolen pro portyball du

Chuitaun, in the witness-box, told the Court that he was a sea man on the cargo junk and on May they left Shamshuipo at

m for Autau They arrived The case was adjourned

dead bodies on the floor. Witness went into the premises with Chief Inspector Grant. Eventually they found twelve bodies on the second

on landing on the first floor.

It was after the bodice had been removed that witness learned that some girls had jumped from the first floor and had been removed to hospital. Two of the girls died as a result of their leap over the verandah.

The fire brigade dealt with the mouldering deur and did not re- turn until almost midnight.

Danse of the Fire.

bar in, January last renc

His Lordship in granting the op- plication expressed the hope that Mr. Scares career in Hong Kong would be a successful one.

Mr. Soares: Garoor.

Mr Alfred Soares, second sen of Mr. A. M. L. Soares, JP and a well-known merchant of the Colony, left Heng Keo 1900 for England, and entered St. George's College Vongs. In 1924 Wobara Park, he icined the Tutorial School of Mr. Philip Hope at Southwold and passed the "Little Go" ex- amination in 1928.

He was in statue pipilari at. Christ Collega. Cambridge, and was there from 1928 to 1928, Ho became, a student of the Middle Temple in October, 1026, and was called to the Bar in January, 1930. Be obtained his B.A. degree in December, 1928, and passed all his examinations, qualifying for the degros in aight terms, although the degree was not conferred until the completion of the usual ninet torms--three years.

After being called to the Bar, Mr. Sonres became a pupil of Mr. Rowland Thonins (Common Law), and subsequently read with Mr. Gerald Dodson, Junior Treasury Counse to the Crown,

Witness stated further that at the close of the proceedings in the Police Court it was his intention to enter the witness box and make told him that any statement, he statement, but the Magistrate then made could not be changed. The Magistrate advised him to reserve his defence until he appeared in the Supreme Court where he could have the assistance of Counselfi

Mr. Jenkin: The evidence you

Accused? Yes. And you took no part in this un- fortunate man's death!-- That is so. Magistrates' Powers.

At the time of the occurrence. bo lived at 0. Reclamation Street, Yaumati. He was the principal tenant of the floor, and his family consisted of himself, his wife, father, brother, and also an old woman, who was the mother of Wong Ham. Previous to that he had lived in Canton Road when his, In answer to a question from his father returned from: Singapore lust Lordship as to whether the accused year and stayed with them. Wit neis said that recently he had not been on good terms with his father because of quarrels on account of the old woman

"

was advised not to make a state- ment in the Police Court, Mr. Fitzroy said that it was quite true, and it was also true that the Magia trate then told the prisoner that he Speaking of Kau Buk, the deceas would have to adhere to any state. ed, witness said that this man came meat he might makov je to live in the "teng" on March

His Lordship said: It seems to: 20, which was three days before theme that it is no part of a Magis- occurrence. Kau Suk occupied the trate's dutice to advise an accused lower bunk where the old woman person as to whether he should used to sleep. At this time the make a statement or not. Under old womap was away for about ten the Statute it is clear that every days as it was her habit to abarnt accused person should be given an herself while visiting friends. Wit- alternative, and it should be left to ness nover spoke to Kau San beyond him to decide. It is no part of nodding to him at times when they his statutory duties to take it upon. were together at meals. He had himself to advise an accused per no grudzo against Kay Suk, who | son, and in fact he is exceeding his hebrived himself in a normal way as statutory powers because he might a visitor.as

be doing a great disservice.

Night of the Tragedy,

On the night of March 31, witness said that he worked as usual and also did overtime. On returning home, his wife opened the door, On walking to the "teng," he saw Wong Kam and the small boy sleep ing on the upper bunk, while Kau Suk was asleep in the lower bunk, Witness bad some ten and went to

Mr. Jenkin, expressing agreement. with his Lordship's views, added that it might do incalculable harm.

Continuing, his Lordship, said that the same remark had been made from that Beach before, and it had also been made in England. It was apparently necessary to make it again.

"Prisoner's Deniale, Accused was submitted to a

from a woman who resides at 148,

Witness said that he thought the Ki Lung Street. It is alleged that fire must have started on the first the defendant represented himself floor and witness added that it as a collecter for another woman. might have been caused by the Detective. Sergeant Goodwin stat flimsy electric wiring found on that that the defondant had received floor, which passed behind the sup a letter, which had been sont to boards where crackers were stored, the complainant asking her to buy There was a lot of loose crackers near one of the cubicles but wituen som kloth. The defendant sub- BLituted another in its stead re could not say definitely whether the cuesting the money and stating crackers had been on the floor all that a man wen'd call on her and the time. It was quite possible present a piece of paper which if that the fire hose had scattered similar to the one in the letter them. would indicate that he was the In answer to Mr. Armstrong, wit | bed, lige man to receive the moneyness said the alarm in Staunton Later in the night he was lengthy cross-examination on the Mr. Hamilton stated that the Street was close to the scene and aroused by cries of "Save life" statement he had made. He stated trick was an old one that had been that it was in a prominent place, from Kau Suk. The light was burn in answer to Crown Counsel, that in favour about a year ago. W It was impossible to enter the ing, and when witness got out of ho had had difficulties with, his The woman who, was supposed arst floor during the fire and no bed he saw Kau Suk's face covered father and was beaten by him. He to have sent the letter, stated that attempt was therefore made to en-with blood and he was being held by did not put the wire round Kau she had never sent it and further, ter for the purpose of rescuing Wong Kam Witness was ordered Suk's neck; it was imagination on that she did not know the defen anybody. No jumping sheets were by his father not to approach him. the part of the woman, to say be

The woman, Li Shu Ting, who was

did so, dant

brought into use.

Fire fighting appliances in the looking over the partition, shouted Mr. Fitzroy Who is the bigger farm of despatch boxes with threa"What are you people doing? man, Wong Kam or Kau Suk 1- lengths of hose were kept at "Can Wong Kam ordered her to keep Wong Kam was the bigger of the tral Police Station. There were no quiet and blew out the light two, or of the They have been jumping sheets

Wilnela continued that his wife Come, come, didn't you 'get into also jumped out of bed. While he this fight-No, I did not in fact, Answering the jury, witnicas said How Many Crackor Shopa?...

MAINS ON En etood there he saw Wong Kam I am afraid of such things. that the first alarm must have been Anaworing further questions, wit Teen Kau Suk against a dorner of answer to other questions, promptly given. The girls, mustness said he could not boy how the bunk Witness, was frightened withees said that his father called have jumped, before; the arrival of many are cracket shops there wers and ran into the passage where he outcome here. Witness want the Brigade in the Colony. The only regulation remained for some time Wong in from the passage and saw a sack by put it to the witness that hit victing on this second floor; ho aid rong, to fire-crackers, wat in for him to carry the sack into the then asked him to assist in carrying With regard to the bodies of rolating to fire-crackers, was in, ve Kam then called him and forecd with something Inside. His father story was a fake-that nothing of thesort happened. Continuing death; but rather were suffocated by of seventeen previous fires in firesumed that Kau Suk was inside it, not think that they were burned to dale. Witness said he had known Father Disappears did not feel the sack, but ho-pro Mr. Lately asked the witness why the fumesha linda ang

cracker shims during 1927 1926 the pirates boarded the junk

That morning. with the chioct of ransacking it. Licences Not Necessary

witness - went to Mr Fiteroy :/ Isn't it a difficult 1979 and up to October 1830,

work as usual. When he came back thing for, ong man to put a body. Lhey left the cargo of sugar and › When anyone wishes to open a Mr. Amstrong. Did this shop for the midday mcul he found that into a sack-He (Wong Kam) was

intactin fould be confid not offer

War was very similay 3p the Moore cleared out Wounding a frestasker hon do they have to differ, from any other shop1 you the two wamen occuping cubicles on strong-man, and 3 (consider that any explanation on that point but Brigade Noveon the shop in Upper Station Street Kam had also gone away, Witness snok by himself. I was quite ner- emphatically stated that what he Dp they have to make any ap-

continued to live there and attend vous and over helped. told the Court was thb truth.plication at all Now SHAR

In mile of that no regulations ed his duties as usual antil the third This closed the cross-examination The case was adjourned till next They can open a shop anywhere were drawn up 1-The question has | day when the police visited him and the case for the defence: The. week afar further evidence had they like 1-2 They raia not bien gone into and regulations are while he was at workarou Courts adjourned until 10.2.m. on been taken

Aicpaced.

(Continued on previous Column); ka (Continued on nezs Gobimn.) f*" | Monday-

at Sau Bi Mun ́at 5 o'clock when

prepared.

a boat came alongside, (on the starboard side) and three mon boarded their vessel. The men boing' pro [drafted:"" were all armod, and, according to Avitness; the defendants word "two Cf the three. They stayed on board for some time and then loft with the goods mentioned above,

In orass-examination, Mr. Lose

to

stract.

the sack into the street. Witness

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