1933-06-23 — Page 7

INCREASE IN NUMBER

PRISONERS

OF

COLONIAL SECRETARY REPLIES TO "DR. KOTEWALL'S QUESTIONS ON COLONY'S GAOL

OPIUM DIVAN KEEPERS RESPONSIBLE

That there has been an increase in the number of prisoners in the Colony's gaols and that quite a number of short term prisoners have been released before the expiration of their sentences was officially revealed at the Legislative Council yesterday when the Acting Colonial Secretary, Mr. D. W. Tratman, gave the Govern- ment's answers to questions put by the Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall,"

•V.M.G.

The Colonial Secretary added that the increase in the number of prisoners, in the past year, was due to more rigid precautions

of illicit opium, taken against the dissemination

THOSE PRESENT His Excellency the Governor (Sir William Peel, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.) presided and others present were:

Reasons for Increase;

A. The increase is attributed largely to the greater number of convictions for opium offences-40

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1933.

MURDER OF AN OLD WOMAN

YOUNG CHINESE AND HIS WIFE CHARGED

A young Chinese couple were charged before Mr. W. Schohold at Central Magistracy yesterday with the murder of an aged woman named Po Mui whose body was found on the first floor of 57, Kam Wah Street, Shaukiwan, on the night of May 31, last.

Mr. J. A. Fraser prosecuted on behalf of the Crown and in his opening remarks stated that the man, Fan Hing and his wife, Heung Shiu Kui, lived with the murdered woman, Po Mui at 17. Kam Wab Street, in the Shaukiwan district.

When the couple frst went to live with the old woman, they were in very poor circumstances and the man was only earning 48 cents per day, Against this, he had to pay $3.80 per month as rent for his cubicle and it was a known fact that the wife had very frequently borrowed small sume from acquain

tances.

FAILED TO STOP AFTER A MISHAP

འའའ་

Taxi Driver Who was Afraid of the Mob

POLICE SCEPTICISM

DISPUTE ABOUT

LOAN

OLAIM FOR $300 FROM BUSINESS ASSOCIATE

Harold Guard of S. Garden Road, and a former partner in the Inter- national Advertising Service, was plaintiff in a case heard by Mr. That an angry mob of people | Justice Lindsell yesterday, in which threatened him and that he was he claimed 8300 from Charles afraid to stop his taxi following North of David's Cafeteria, Han- the accident was the excuse given kow Road, alleged to have been by a taxi driver who was charged lent to defendant in July last year. hefare Mr. Schofield yesterday with There was a counter-claim for $150 negligent driving and with failing for wages. to stop after knocking down a child in Third Street.

Mr. Schofield refused to accept the story about the threatening

crowd.

Trafic-Inspector Alexander said that during the past year, they had had no report of drivers being

They had had threatened.

no

trouble, with the coolies.

Mr. C. D'Almada, for the de. fence, pleaded not guilty.

Defendant had a call to 92 Third Street and while looking for the house he knocked a girl down. he was extracted from under the by her mother, and her ear was bleeding. The mother took her into a house. She was in hospital this a few days previous to the for five days but her injuries were

not serious. alleged murder,"

Mr. Fraser said that the woman was in the habit of keeping large sums of money about her person

His Excellency the General Officer persons were sent to prison for such and the couple came to know, of Commanding the Troops (Major General, O. C. Borrett, C.B., OMG.. C.B.E., D.S.O.).

The Hon. the Acting Colonial Secretary (Mr. D. W. Tratman).

The Hon the Attorney General (Mr. C. G. Alabaster, E.C., -O.B.E.).

The Hon, the Secretary for Chi- nese Affairs (Mr. A. E. Wood).

The Hon. the Acting Colonial Treasurer (Mr. M. J. Breen).

The Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, C.M.G. (Inspector General L'olice).

of

The Hon. Comdr. Joseph Bernard Newill, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired), (Acting Harbour Master).

The Hon. Dr. A. R. Wellington (Director of Medical and Sanitary Services).

The Hon. Mr. A. W. Tickle (Act ing Director of Public Works),

The Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, Kt,

K.C.

The Hon. Mr. C. G. S. Mackie. The Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall,

C.M.G., LID. ·

The Hon. Mr. J. F. Braga.

offences in May, 1932 and 228 in May, 1933. On 20th June there were in prison 488 persons convict- ed for opium offences.

"

The history of this abnormal in. ercase in opium convictions is us. follows.

"The next fact of importance happened on the night of the mur der when the woman's little grand daughter went out to the theatre leaving her and the couple together with another tenant alone in the In accordance with the recom- mendations of the Bangkok Opium flat. The latter left the fat some little time after,, and it is alleged Conference this Government has re-

that the couple enticed the woman placed most of its licensed retailers

to the empty house where they of opium by Government.shops. It murdered her and took her money. has also as a precaution against Medical evidence was given by the dissemination of illicit opium Dr. Begbie of the Victoria Mortu. under forged or re-used Governmentary and after further evidence wai labels introduced the tube-system, taken, hearing was adjourned. the Government's supply being ob- tained from the tube packing plant of the Straits Settlements mono- poly. Neither the shops nor the tubes have been popular with smokers here and a very heavy decrease in Wales of Government

HITLER'S NAVAL REVIEW

Berlin, May 22

Herr Hitler arrived at Kisl by

air this morning, to be present at

В

naval review: Practically the entire German fleet, including the new pocket battleship Deutschland, is concentrated at Kiel,

opina has occurred, which in the light of past experience the Im-

could only regard as indicating a porta and Exports Department corresponding growth in the con- sumption of illicit opium, and of the divans in which it is smoked. A special campaign against divans, has therefore been instituted and ment. the results of which have hilly

The Hon. Mr. S. W: Tro, O.B.E.,justified the Superintendent's fears.

LL.D.

The Hon. Mr. J. J. Paterson. The Hon Mr. Chau Tsun Nia. The Hon. Mr. Paul Louder. Mr. A. W. G. H. Grantham (Clerk of Councils).

GAOL POPULATION

The Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall ask- ed the following questions:-

Herr "Hitler's visit to the Fleet is being celebrated and described rather as if bo were chief o State than head of the Govern-

The effects on the Gaol population rooms are now being put. aro unfortunate, but we are pledged to keep opium 'smoking in bounds with a view to its ultimate con- finement to smokers of Government opium, who can first be registered, then rationed and finally eliminat

cd.

NEW OPIUM BILL

The Attorney-General moved the First Reading of a Bill to amend the law relating to opium.

Is it a fact that on account of overcrowding in the Prisons, the Government has sanctioned or con

He said: This Bill has two ob- templates sanctioning the release of

jouts. The first to implement the certain prisoners before the expira Geneva Opium Agreement by mak tion of their terms of imprisoning it clear that, except in the case of sales to the Monopoly, there The Colonial Secretary: Yes, shall be no sales of opium dress number have been released and it may be necessary to release more. Those selected are under orders of deportation from the Colony.

ment..

They second is to strengthen the hands of the authorities in the sup- pression of opium divans. Section 15 of the principal Ordinance for Q-Will the Government furnish bids the opening or keeping of this Council with comparative opium divans; but it is often diffi- figures for the month of May, 1832 cult to prove that any particular and 1933, showing:-

person found on the premises is the (1) The number of prisoners actual keeper.

serving terms in Victoria Gaol and the Laichikok Pri- son respectively.

(2) The number of prisoners

serving terms för

(a) hawking offences, and

(b) other minor offences,

(3) The number of juvenile

soners, if any.

.:

.

The Colonial Secretary seconded and the bill was read a first time.

Fasted Final Stages.

The following Bills

passed through their final stages:-.

A Bill to amend further the

The Chairman:. I understand that most, if not all, of the accommoda- tion thus vacated has been turned over to the Medical Department to make room for various expending services which are being construct ed in connection with the reorgani sation of the medical and health services of the Colony. The Trea sury need a certain amount of accommodation for the Assessor's Office,

The Hou, Mr. Kotewall:

Mr. P. H. Sin appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. O. E. C. Marton, of Messrs. Deacons, for the defen-

dant.

According to Mr. Guard delen- dant was employed by the Interna tional Advertising Service to work during his spare time on a 30 per rent, commission basis, payment to be made on all advertisements pro- cured by him, when advertisers settled their accounts. On July 4 defendant wrote to witness' apd said he was financially embarrass ed and asking for an advance. Witness consulted his partner who refused to make such an advance From the firm so witness personally- Defendant loaned plaintiff $300, was not engaged at a salary of $300 a mouth, with a further 20, per cent. commission on all adver Giving evidence the defendant; tisements obtained by him and 25 said that after the accident the per cent. on all profits shown by crowd shouted loudly. Tah kei" the International Advertising Ser (atrike him). When he heard the Defendant left the firm at the end vice, as was alleged by the defence, threats he did not get out of the of July and plaintiff did not see taxi but backed into Western him again until November when he Street. He reported the accident approached him concerning the to the No. T Police station loan. straightaway.

Mr. D'Almada said that defen- dant's explanation for not stopping seemed to him to be reasonable, Firstly, because the mother took he child Away, and secondly, ba- cause the crowd threatened to strike him,

The Magistrate agreed that. It was possible the defendant might nt have noticed the child, in look ing for the house number. At the same time, he should have paid more attention to the road..

Defendant's record card showed he had accidents before but, not recently.

Fines totalling 830 were imposed,

WORLD'S RECORD

FALL

JUMP FROM AEROPLANE

~AT 20,000 FEET

!!

A Home paper gives the follow ing details of the amazing achieve ont of Mr. John Tranum, who for a delay parachute drop at established a new world's record Netheravon, when, he jumped from an aeroplane flying at 20,000 feet and allowed himself to fall 17,9 feet before opening his parachute

Defendant then stated that

he was not very well off at the time but was expecting something from a firm overseas. "The money. was never repaid.

Cross-examined by Mr. Marton, witness agreed admitted that no receipt was given for the money as he trusted defendant implicitly at the time. The only reason he could give for defendant leaving the firm was that he was pressed by cre- ditors who kept calling at the offices. He denied that the sum of $300 was due to defendant from the firm for commission and that the loan was really from the firm but said it had been taken from

nlaintiff's nersonal account as the firm's banking account was only just over $270 at the time,

ARTIFICIAL FIBRE FOR JAPAN

MANCHURIAN PRODUCT TO REPLACE INDIAN COTTON;"

Japanese spinners who have de cided to use low grade of Ameri can cotton, as well as Chiness and Indian, are inefined to seek a per- Mexican cotton, as substitute for manent solution in plantation in Manchuria, and the establishment of an artificial fibre industry.

As regards raw cotton in Man- churín, as already noted, a plan is being framed by the Depart

of Overseas Affairs. The

He rolled over and over as he was falling for a distance of about

ment: It 5,000 feet, but he then managed to

steady himself by using his feat. establishment of an association call- and for the latter part of the failed the Manchurian Cotton Grow- he was fate downwards at a fairly ing Association is suggested an sa

at anglo.

means then that if the District Officer did not move out, other rented permises would have to be taken for the Medical Department.

The Colonial Treasurer: I pre- surae so,

The Chairman: Yes, they are all expanding departments fund are getting övercrowded.

I

The Hon. Sir Henry Pollock: would like to ask as regards the Medical Department whether they have got all the accommodation that have asked for.

The Colonial Secretary: Dr. Wellington is here and perhaps will answer that question.

The Hon. Dr. Wellington: The answer is in the negative. (Laugh-

to materialise the scheme at the earliest opportunity,

He landed about five miles from the aerodrome. The fall was ob

Much hope is pinned on the ar served by a Royal Air Force par tificial fibre industry. It is ex- achute expert, Mr. Leslie Irvin, pected by many people that with- and others, and the time of the in a few yours. Japan will not feel free drop was taken by stop watch, any difficulty, even if she does not Mr. Sayer, who piloted the aero import Indian cotton. The cost of plane, attempted to take a cinema production to-day is about 50 per tograph film of the jump, but the cent. higher than cotton yarn, but camera was forced against his face its quality is much higher than and his cheek the latter. It is believed that the by the "slipstream, was slightly cut. Observers on the production cost can be substantial: ground were unable to see the sero-ly reduced in future. plane at the moment of the Jump There are already many schemes The being pushed by spinners. owing to the hare..

Nisahin Spinning Company is to produce artificial fibre at its sub- sidiary, the Nisshin Rayon Com- The time at the moment of lamp-pany, while the Chuo Spinning the time of the opening of the The Fukushima Spinning Com parachute by ground observers, pany and the Kinkwa Spinning The time between the opening and Company also have arrangemente the landing was also taken, and with their sister concerns for maou- this, together with the known facture. The Tayo Muslin Com height of the seroplane, gives the pany is pushing on a similar plan. A total distance fallen before the rip cord was pulled ag

By Stop Watch,

pri-Supreme Court Ordinance, 1873.". ter.) We are very cramped foring was taken by the pilot, and Company is to start manufacturs.

"A Bill for the further amend-office accommodation.

· A.—(1). The daily average number ment of the Code of Civil Proce-

of prisoners in

Victoria y Gaol in

May 1932 was ....... 820

May 1933.

Ia Laichikok

May 1932

May 1933

027

"

......... 355 457 (9) (a).-The total number of persons received into prison for hawking offences were-

May 1932

May 1933.

"' BA 160

(b.) For other minor offences, te, terms of imprisonment of one montb or less for offences other than bawking-

May 1932

May 1933.

203 257

The later figures includes a number

dure."

"A Bill to mend further the Probates Ordinance, 1897.”

"A Bill to make provision for the redemption of the hond's issued under the authority of the Public Works Loan Ordinance, 1927.*

The Council was adjourned aine die.

FINAŃCE COMMITTEE

GOVERNMENT OFFICE ACCOMMODATION.

The Hon. Dr, Kotowail:. In spite of the rooms that have been given you ?··

The Hon. Dr. Wellington: We don't know what we shall get down there. We have not beep told yệt:

The New Police Launch.

With regard to an item for 3653 required for the final payment for the construction of a new Police launch, Sir Henry Follock asked I soo this launch is costing more

than was estimated for 1.

The Chairman: On the contrary, I understand there has been a saving.

The new industry is also attract ing wool and rayon manufacturera, The Shinko Wool Company and Mr. Tranum judged his distance the Nippon Keori Kisha are to by stop watch.

commence manufacture in the near Mr. Bayer lost sight of Mr. future. The Kurashiki Konshoku, Tranum after he had jumped, but backed by the Sumitomo interesta, for below he saw the parachute has established the Nippon Chemi open..

cal Fibre Company for the manu Records for delay parachute facture of rayon and artificial fibre. drops are not recognised by the It is expected that most of the Federation Aeronautique Interna above concerns will start operations tionale, but an American aviation by next year. body confirm such records when,

as in this instance, sufficient evi dence from the height fallen is forthcoming.NE

One of the best known parachutists

D.E.I. BUDGET

of persons convicted for opium proved at a meeting of the Finance spending $10,000 plus $6,000 plus in the United States, Mr. Spud SHOWS - DEFICIT OF 84,000,000

offences and it should be stated that these are only treated as "minor" in a relative sense, i.o., they are short sentence opium 'con- victions; N

(3), One- juvenile was sent to prison in May, 1992, and one in May,

1933

-If the comparison reveals an increase in the present number of prisoners, to what cause or causes does the Government attribute such an increase 1

Votes totalling $30,013 were ap Committee which followed, over which the Colonial Secretary presid

ed.

Sir Henry Pollock: Even after Boss 1

Manning, has frequently fallen 9,000 feet, and drops up to 15,000

QUILDERS.

BATAVIA, Juno 16,

The Chairman: $16,000 was pro-foet have been made. But Mr. vided in the estimates for last year Tranum's drop, however, has is It is estimated that a deficit of of which we only spent $13,308. In large margin over the next best 84,000,000 guilders has to be cover- the current estimates 80,000 has performance. It may be noted ed in, the Dutch East Indian bud been provided for and it will be that he also holds the low para gat for 1933-4 The Governor seen that in spite of the present chute record for he jumped from General announcing this at the Na- Pasadens Bridge, California, which tions Counoll to-day said that vote there is 4 saving.

has a height of only 150ft 5,000,000 guilders of the sum is NAS

He used an Irvin parachute earmarked for debt clearance. An similar, to these, employed in the increase in taxation and a cut în RAF

wages will be proposed, he said,

An item for $5,000 required for the removal of District Office South provoked the following question:

The Hon. Mr. Katewall: I under stand that the District Office South Formerly occupied the rooms in the Post Office Buildings and Sir Henry Pollock I see there may I inquire to what use these was a saving from last year, there

(Continued on next Cpluma): fore we have saved.

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