1932-01-23 — Page 7

A

BONHAM STRAND

FIRE.

VALUABLE CHINESE MEDICINE DESTROYED.

GINSENG AND SEED PEARLS.

Sittings Coroner, Mr. W. Scho- field yesterday conducted an in- quiry into a fire whigh, broke out shortly after 3 a.m, on the morning of January 12 at Chinese medi- cine shop at No. 124, Bonhamn Strand.

Mr. R. A. Wadeson was present in Court on behalf of certain in- surance companies.

The first witness was Superin Lendent . T. Brooks, of the Fire Brigade. He stated that at about 40a.m. on January 12 the Central Fire Station was called by two street Aro alarms, one from Wing Lok Street and one from Bonham Strand West. In all four appli- anges were despatched to the scene, and witness said he himself was not the first on the scann, as he ar- rived there about four minutes after

"FIRE DEMON", "AT

WENCHOW.

BURNS BIG AREA AFTER SUNDRY FAILURES.

17

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Wenehow, January 13. Wenshow is comparable to mest Chinese cities of the same size in her rather dangorous, tendency to catch on fro, and, by reanOn of streets whose width scarcely separate the inflammable wooden houses on either side, in her throat on some future windy day to blaze the entire city to charred ruins. I am not about to report that just that has happened; but we cannot be sure that were everything lov ourable such an event would be im- possible. The one and only reliable extinguisher at present (and Ehave not forgotten that there is a locul re brigade either) is the old-time dudgs of pulling down a line of houses across the march of the flames.

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1932.

THE TALE OF A MAIL.

One Keltaway, deciding that Hong Kong would like song maila, By boat and train from London town despatched them to. Marwilles.

The Khive thou conveyed them on d portion of their way, Bat, just to add varisty, she dropped them at Bombay. The Bombay postai-wallahs, hardly knowing what to do,

To Dhanushkodi sont them with the minute "Passed to you,"

The Babu there received them, and he thought there'd be no harm

To send them on by train again so tried Negapataʼmi The sea was nice and handy, so that office had a try To ulitize boat-transit, and it pushed them out "B.T." Their brain-wave was rewarded, for the rails reached Singapore. And there they met the Khiva, which had carried them before! The Singapore officials then remarked: "It's very wrong. "Here's a lot of rotten mail-bags that are labelled for Hong. Kong." Did they put them cl the Khiva, where before they had been

stacked 7

+

For answer I refer you to " Pygmalion" (Second Act). The Khina was a British ship, at which they made lomu, so they found a German liner and they sent them up in her!

*

I forgive the seamen strikers; I forgive the Government;

I forgive the worthy hadlord who keeps putting up my ront;

I forgive the Hong Kong shuvver 'neath, whose frightfulness I

.quail ..

But not the mutton-headed mugs who muddle with my mail

[The above is taken from our 1921 files. We suspect the author naast have been the present Postmaster-General.]

THEFTS IN KOWLOON HOUSES.

THREE MEN SENT TO PRISON.

DELAYED MAIL.

SURPRISE ARRIVAL ON

HARUNA MARU.)

LETTERS TO BE DELIVERED THIS MORNING.

::

BUSINESS DISPUTE.

LITIGATION OVER PAYMENT FOR GOODS.

PUISNE JUDGE'S DECISION,

Judgment was given by the Puisne Jidge (Mr. Justice Lindselly yester. day, in a Summary Court action, in which the Yuon Yuen firm, 41, Tung Chan Street, Shanshuipo, sued the Hang Sang Loong Kee firm, and Chan Hok Kam and Chu Shak Choi, all of 128, Connaught Road West His Lordship found in Invour of plaintiffs for 8490.82 and costs,

Mr. F. C. B. Bendall was for plaint and Mr. H. L. Dennys for the defendants.

The Judgment.

Giving judgment, his Lordship said: Facts proved or admitted. (1) For some three years up to the end of last Chinese year in all business transactions between the plaintiff and Grat defendant firms the former was represented by one, Chu Po Sin, who was and whom the lat- ter knew to be a salesman only.

(2) the Kang Ng year at any rate all payments made by the do- fendant firm for goods sold to them by thy plaintiff firm were made to and acknowledged by Cho, who, whatever his actual authority was. in this respect, was clearly held out. by the plaintiff firm as authorised to receive and acknowledge ach payments.

(3) In the course of the eleventh and twelfth moons last year, goods to the value of 8809.20 (Canton cur-

the defendant firm, payment for renoy) were sold by the plaintiff to

which was apparently due at the end of the twelfth moon.

Why the first item of this elnim, 8385.0, was not paid off at the and of the eleventh moon is not clear.

Borrowing Notes.

Howover this ruse failed when the first appliance. On arrival he adopted here last week te arrest discovered a four storeyed building a fire which in the early hours of well alight, the three upper floors the morning stasted at the Hemp- particularly 0. As there was Market Gate, A powerful wind distinct risk of the fire apreading spread it with great rapidity, se Three men were charged at the to some adjoiring property, witness that people had little time to get Kowloon Magistracy yesterday in put through a district call which char. nat no time to save house-connection with twe larcenies com- meant that all appliances were to hold belongings. The hand-pumpmitted in Kowloon during the part go to the scene of the fire. In all re-engines as" usual proved, futile, fortnight. Two were charged with seven water jets were employed, and an attempt to conline the burn- the theft of two bedsheets from the

Floor Collapse;"

ing orca was made by demolishing residence of Sergeant George Make-beer felt in business circles by the Any anxiety which might have Witness stated that the first floor a long row of buildings. However, peace, 538 Nathan Road, and the Post Office announcement about the collapsed just after his arrival, just as the times had reached the theft of a folt hat from another delay in the arrival of the mail followed Ave micutes later by the gap and, apparently, halted, the house. All defendants were charg-I despatched from London via Nogu

patam on December 24 will be collapso of the second and third wind suddenly veered round, anded with loitering with intent allayed by another announcement doors, and the roof. The fre was sent destruction in another diree-commit a felony.

made yesterday..

This mail was despatched from extinguished at about 15

tion. After a few hours, what Ba The first two defendants pleaded London by the sa. Rampura, which Mr. Brooks stated that he looked boen a densely populated market guilty to all charges, while the third fast a propeller ut.Aden and was (4) On the 8th of the 12th moon over the débris the following morn-district had become a ruin of denied the charge of loitering. 'delayed. The Singapore papers (16.11.31) Chu Po Sin obtained ing with a view to discovering.

"smouldering tricks and charred ush, "Detective-Sergeant Flattery, who stated that the mails were shipped from Chu Po Chun, who appears on the Rajula to Penang and that to be managing director of defen- where the fire originated, bat on ac- Only four people, all members of prosecated, stated that the defen they would be sent on to Singapore dant firm, an advance of 8700, in count of the debris it was difficult the same family, lost their lives. dants were seen in Nathan Road by special train to catch the first acknowledgment of which he execut

ed the wo borrowing notes in the to do so. He visited the ruins on but well over 400 families have on Wednesday by a Chiness deter bow bound for Hong Kong. On

not record, exhibits "B" and "0," each Thursday and as a result of his in- been rendered temperarily homeless, tive who followed them around, this advice the mails oculd apertion ho was of the opinion that! Thero has been much speculation and saw one of them go up to a bay arrived here until towards the for $350, an agreed term of the joan being that it should be repaid house. Their actions were so aus, end of next week.

The earlier announcement by the by the setting-off against it of sume the fire originated at the rear of as to the cause of the outbreak. ricious, that he finally arrested Post Office was based on

the in due to plaintiff ffm for goods sup- either the ground floor or first The fact that several small fires them on suspicion.

formation given in the Singaporeplied. The third defendant said he met Boor.

have broken out" in recent months the other two in the street

and Papers, and it was also significant

an satisfied that Chu Po Chun" that the usual telegraphic advien made this advance not as a persona! Witness said that the fact that the given the superstitiously minded did not know they were thieves. building was so well lighted before strong grounds for respecting the otherwise in would not have had not been received from the loan to Po Sin for his own use and

Post Office in Singapore. dciated with them.

The the Fire Brigade arrived indicated local fire-demon as one of more than

first knowledge the local benefit but as a loan to the trasted The first defendant was sentenc that the fire must have been allowed ordinary resourcefulness and deter-ed to four months hard labour, the Post Office had that the mail had representative of the plaintiff firm

arrived yesterday was when the for the purposes of that firma. to burn for some little time before mination, for it is even said that he cond to three months and

Haruna Maru informed them that third to two months, the Brigade was called,

they had it on board.

Immediately this was known, we were informed by the Post Office that it was hoped to distribute the letter portion of the mail by the 9 o'clock delivery this morning,

It is now known that the mail Karuna was put on board the Maru at Singapore, and it on only be assumed that the Singapore papers ware mistaken in their se rond nolien advising further de

ay.

לן

has made previously five acparata:

A Chinese sub-oficer of the Fira attempts on one house, plone. Brigade, who was the first to arrive on the scene, said that the first ap- pliance left the Fire Brigade Sta tion twenty scooads after receiving the alarm and was at the address in two minutes.

Manager's Evidence. Tim Sui Wai, managing partner of the medicine shop which was burned, said that he had been about 30 years in the medicine business, the last sixteen years of which had been in Hong Kong. He moved into the present address about five

2 years ago. The firm kupt no bank nooount. It kept a set of about twenty books, some of which were

saved.

room and a store

It

is also rumoured that that anne house and no less than seven others were blazing concurrently at the start of the conflagration,

If this

is true, then one may be almost cer- tain that the so-called fire-demon may be a gang of mischevicus in- rendiarists, at least 8 number, and who, if they ever existed, have how discreetly disappeared.

The Opium Trade.

CHINESE DETECTIVE'S

WIFE ROBBED. !

DEFENDANT TRACED AND BOUND, OVER.

tho

"

This view is supported by the fact that the borrowing notes bear en- dureements made the following day. (February 16) to show the total. sum of H.K.8420.02 (ie. the equi valent of 8090.00 Canton currency) then due to the plaintiff frm for goods supplied as set-off against the amount of the advance.

(3) Chu Po Sin had no authority to obtain this advance and did not account for it to his' firm.

Question of Law.

JI

The question of law to be decided therefore is whether the defendants are entitled to set-off the amount of the advance made to Chu Po Sin against the amount due for goods sold them previously by the plaintiff

thereby induced the defendants to

A married woman was ordered by Mr. Schofield yesterday to sign & After all the misunderstandings, Sond to be of good behaviour of it will he seem that the mail made pleading guilty to the theft of 4 good time and kupt more or less suit of clothing from a fellow tan to the sabeduled date of arrival One is constantly hearing eviant ac 26, Tai Wo Street Wanchai. dence of the robust existence of the gium traffic in the locality. Such with her husband, occupied a bed

The defendant, who, together" mes vidence consists mainly in convic space, was stated to have brokes am satisfied that Chu Pe Sin had firm. ious under the anti-narcotics ` re-

into the cubicle of a Chinese detecno authority to obtain the advance gulations, and gives the impression tive's wife and to have stolen thor to bind his firm by agreeing that his case or estoppel, his. argument For the defence, Mr. Dennys bases The ground floor served as a shop, that there must be a lourishing suit of clothing. On the owner's re it should be repaid in a certain way. being that plaintiff firm, having with an accountant's offics, a sitting rule going on continuously. Also, carn she found the

The firm aleo

garments stered goods on the top door of the not inapplicable to this district is missing and informed her husband All I have to decide is whether the held out Chu Pe Sin'ny their sole the shameful braism of many an-who conducted his own enquirica by to the defendants as having such act business and receive payments plaintiff Brm held out Chu Po Sinnuthorised representative to trans premises. In answer an Mr. Scho- other area, that while members of making a march of the pawnshops, authority and thereby induced them held, witness said that in the top the coolie chass convicted under He found the suit had been pawn to make the adviner. floor there was a quantly of gin the opium acts are severely punished, the broker giving a description

trust him and make to him as such seng, musk, and other medicines.ed, yet not a few members of the of the person pawning it.

I do not think that Chu waa' de the advance in questión and can- The Arm purchased its goode mostly official and money ed ela sues

held out.

not, therefore, tow be allowed to The detective suspected the de from local firms, both Chinese and gularly smoke more money's worth fendant but on his return to the

He was undoubtedly, held out deny his authority to obtain the foreign, and acquired some of its of opium than all the coppers earn house he requested all the women fendants sums due to his firm and the manner in which it should be

as núthorised to collect from the de-

advance and to bind his firm sa to Blocks from travelling traders. The ed by all the coolies in the City tenants to accompany him to the he, on February 15, last, gone to repaid. goods on the top floor were valued gould to buy. The extent of the pawnbreker where an identification Chu Po Chun, with a request for at 825,000 and in the ground floor traffic is hinted at by the following parade was held, the pawnbroker payment. of the $420, then almost

Contre, Mr. Kendall urges that, about $70,000,-

incident, as also to startling fact identifying the defendant, who was due and for an advance of 8250 in authorised to reerive payments on

even if Chu was held out The Coronor. Had you any that such business can still be enér- then arrested. dragon bones on the premiess?

addition, and and thus received Witneen: No.

monsly profitable in the face of The defendant's husband having 8700, signing defendant firm's pay plaintiff's behalf, defendants were Hach wholesale confiscations. The relearned the pawned articles, Inements book for 8490 and giving a

not, on that account, entitled to incident

biofly, that on De-detective aquestal that the defen promissory note for the balance, the that he, a merc

aesung drid should not have assumed salesman, had ing before the Customs officials and was accordingly done.

ped from denying his authority to firm. He argues further that, in collect the $420,

||

What about pearl coverst-Yes, I had several tai of trala.

ie-

25

Any money in the plato-Yes, 7 cember 10, there was a public bura-1 dant merely be bound over, which plaintif firm would clearly be estop-authority to raise a loan for his

had about $1,200 in the safe. About the local Ogpu, of various kinds of

Answering, further questions wit less than 8,000 tools.

“ነ

$100 was in silver.

narootics, valued at a sum of no

ness said that the shop had several ||

place. He told the Coroner that

hundred tacks of sood pools in tho

DESTROYERS LEAVE FOR HOME.

the shop had been doing well and sented in the past and no profis FINE SECOND-OFF BY FLEET, was, generally speaking, prosper-had been seat to these partners..

gua.

Witnéas said that he was at home

Valuable Stocks.

Sam Regarded as a Loan. That course, however, he did not follow, and it is quite clear that

asmuch as Chu Po Chan could not have sued plaintiff Arm on the bor. rowing notes because that firm was not a party thereto (C. Lindley's Partnership, 9th. Edition, P. 247 and the cases there quoted;; there

at the time Chu Po Sin regarded for the cirfendants are not entitled

the whole mim as an advance or

All warships in port yesterday loan and not as including payment to act-off the amount advnured by at the time the fire broke out. He Witness, answering further ques were bedecked with dagy and their of the 8420 which did not, in fact, them on the security of thems netes. received a telephone massage and tions, stated that he had in the shop crew lined up on deck as four fall due for payment for another immediately proceeded to the scene. At the time of the fre-Beed destroyers, the Beraph. Serapis two days.",

medicine in the shop 7

He had no idea how the fire pearls valued at aboot 813,000; Sterling and Birdar of the It appears that Ch Po Sin had originated.

pearl dues valued at about $3,000; Eighth Flotilla, China Station never previously obtained auch an The Coroner: Do you ever dry. Rhinoceros horn valued at about steamed out of port for Home. The advance for his firm and it is not 812,000; Ginseng valued at about departing Bluejackets were cheered, arguable that in general aaneman Witness: Yes We do that, on $10,000; Dear horn valued at about by the crews of the other ships. I who collects acecounts has authorité 'the top storey. The last time that $2,000; Chamois horn' valued at The four destroyers have been also to borrow money on his firm's was done was about ten dayı before about $17,000.

on the China Station since 1997 behalf. the are.

You will agree and have been mainly employed I find, therefore, that the plaintiff In answer to Mr. Wadeson, wit with me that chamois hora, deer patrolling the China Seas, They Are did not hold out Chu Po Sin nesa said he had two other part- horn and rhinoceros hor will not are being replaced by micre

dern vessels, five of which have therefore, debarred from denying mo ng having much authority and is not, aero one travelling trader in burn -I don't know. Singapore and one in Australia.!

questions, the already arrived here. Four mors, the existence of, such authority. No balance shoots had been pro- Coroner adjourned to visit the scone the Witch, Wren, Wiltshed and Judgment for, plaintiff. firm for

Veteran, are on their way,

8420.02 and costs. (Continued at faut of next page.) of the fire

:

Mr. Wadeson :

After further

Crux of the Case.

This latter argument, "though it bas substance, is not in my opinion conclusive, sincs, even though Chu Po Chun could not have sued the Yuen Yuen on the notes, yet he could still have med for money lent, provided that he could show thar Chu Po Bin either had authority or

The estoppel point, therefore, re- was held out to him as having Authority to borrow. mains as the crux of this gase. I (Continued, on previous column.)

UNDERWEAR

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14

They are stocked in Vests-with long or short. sleeves. Drawers in knee, ankle or length also combinations.

We shall be pleased to show you our assortment.

SWEATERS, GLOVES, OVERCOATS

Wm. POWELL, Ltd.

Specialists in Gentlemen's Wear

10, Ice House Street

SALE

OF

GRAMOPHONE RECORDS

Columbia Dark Blue Label

77

Light Blue Label

50 cts. each

...$1.00

each

The Anderson Music Co., Ltd.

Ice House St.

Tel. 21823

"A thing of Beauty and

a Joy forever

That is what is so very satisfactory about buying jewellery either for yourself or as a gift. You have bought something which will give constant pleasure, which is lovely and desirable

in itself-and-if you are buying for yourself— you have the satisfaction of knowing that good jewellery

is a good investment.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

JEWELLERY DEPT.