1933-07-22 — Page 7

.1

YOUR VIEWS AND MINË I

A Weekly Column of Local Gossip

A POPULAR FIGURE

in 1825.

The Scout"

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1933

CANTON

NOTES

Revival of Con- fucianism?

COARSE RICE FOR FOOD ADVOCATED

CHARGE AGAINST ORIGIN OF CADET

A CONSTABLE

SYSTEM

PLANTING OPIUM AND DIFFICULTY OF GETTING

TAKING A BRIBE

At Central Magistracy yestetiiry

a Chinese constable, An Cheung Kit, why charged with misconduct ing himself as a police offices op

INTERPRETERS

CONTRIBUTED);

(İrðin Our Own Dorrespondent) July 13, in Queen's Road West, the system of Cadet Officers in Hong

when he is alleged to have ortorted sum of $15 from Chinese

י!

interesting to observe that. Kong largely arose out of the dif ficulty of scouring competent inter- preters Ever since the foundation! Mr. Cathorpe, AS.P. appeared of the Colony this question had for the police while Mr. P. T. E been to the local Government a mat Kemble defended,

ter of perplexity and embarrass Yeung Ho, married woman, of ment Courts not infrequently 820, Hollywood Road, said that on could not sit for want of interpre- July 13, she was out marketing inters, and frequently had to adjourn Queen's Road West and near the on account of incorrect interpreta- Ro Shing Theatre, she met a Chi tion. I was told that during the nase constable, the defendant; who first year or two after the British said, "you have something on you. Government took over this island, on interpreters in the Police Court had Tell me how much you have

an extremely limited command of you."

Witness continued that she the English language. On one oe. denied having anything on her and casion a Chinese was hailed into the the defendant said he was going Palice Court for assault by throw to take her to the police station, ing a stone and wounding one of Try and on her way the defendant pro his compatriots on the head. duced a parcel and said that it was as the magistrate might to get a her property. Witness said that the truth all efforts prove unavail the denied the parcel was hera and ing. The magistrate being at his the defendant said that, if you wits end had to adjourn the court deny, let us go to the station." to an open space to see the assault "reconstructed." The interpreter When they get to No, 7 station,

inflicted a similar injury on the stable, made a report that she (witness) was the owner of the magistrate's pate accompanied by parcel whigh contained opium. She the only emphatic pidgeon English denied this and they were sent to phrase" at his command

fashion.'

CANTON, July 20. With the return to favour of the among the pigs and poultries. I ran across, the other day, Mr.

Owners of farmsteads in New Ter study of the old Classics, hore it T. B. Wilson theTaipan" of the ritories are at their wits end as is now considéred that probably Dollar Steamship Line who is per-

to how to check these diseases of interest will be rerived in Con- haps better known as the Chairman animals. From one of the villagers, fucianism in that part of the of the local Rotary Club. "T.B.", I learned of the seemingly indif-country. Already those connected I hear is very popolar both withi ference of Government Officials. with the Confucian associations in Rothrians and non. Rotarians. He here is" room indeed for several Canton and Fatshan, whose seems to have done a lot of travel-

Chinese voterinary officers to tivities in recent years have, been ling in the "Far East and has been grapple with farming problems of greatly restricted, are reported to with the Dollar Line in Manila, this nature If there were such be making preparations to launch Singapore and Japan, coming here Chinese Vets, well-trained in stock a movement to restore the rational breeding and with also some know-religion, or cult, to its original "Do you like Hong Kong I asked him: "I like it ledge of agriculture, they could get place of honour. It has been fur- immensely, he shid, better than much closer to the needs of the ther reported that the contemplated anywhere else in the Far East, and farmer than it is possible ter a movement will be adequately launch from what I know of Mr. Wilson. European. For one thing, the Chied with the appropriate celebration I can say he was" not talking with

nese veterinary Officer could afford of the next birthday anniversary of his tongue in his check. Mr.

to accept lower fees than European the great sage, which is due in Wilson has now taken the helm of and his services would therefore be born on the 27th day of the 8th Officers of the same attainments August. For though Confucius was one prominent local club, and that' i will steer it through difficulties more often sought. Perhaps, the MODIL nécording to the lunar to a number of achievements during Lingnan University in Canton van ment has a few years ago fixed his Agricultural Department of the calendar. The National Govern his year of office, seems a foregone he of some assistance in providing birthday anniversary for the 27th witness said she heard the con- taking hold of a brick very nearly

trained men for this purpose of August, in conformity with Perhaps the wealthy Chinese resid- the Government's usage of the ing in Kowloon and the New Ter-Gregorian calendar. A recent article, by the Daily ritories might set aside a fund suf- Press special Kowloon correspone ficient to maintain a few students, dent on the shims at Yaumati has chosen from the Hong Kong Uni- prompted these few lines of thesersity, to be trained in the Royal slums of, Hong Kong Kowloon's Veterinary College for service in worse area would hardly hold com the Colony, Spasmodic efforts are parison to some of the crowded constantly being made to increase plners in Hong Kong. Anyone in terested in local slums can learn a

the food supply of the Colony, but I have yet to see a committee that can really come. to grips with things.

conclusion.

QUR SLUM AREAS

good deal by taking a walk at night in the Western areas of the city. A stroll from Queen's College along Hollywood Road to the Government Civil Hospital, would carry one past the worst alum dis trict, unless Bridges Street, where the Chinese Y.M.C.A. is situated can claim the doubtful honour. The poor in our midst live under terrible conditions and only those who have given thought and study to the question realise the struggle for existence which they face. THE DEATH SENTENCE

THOSE SWIMMING SHEDS

- Coarse Rice As Dist.

the authorities an application in

A local citizen has submitted to.

which he strongly appeals for mea- sures to be adopted to encourage the consumption by the public of

corso rice. A number of roseans this seemingly novel proposal, the are advanced by the advocate 'of

principal one being reasons of public health. It is stated that

swimming sheds at North Pointgredients which are to be found in Much has been written about the Polished rice, as now eaten, loses practically all the nourishing in- since the Daily Press first gave the chaff.. publications to the fact that the

The consumption of, Chinese are likely to lose their rice will also help to cul- present site and have pettioned ties of thrift, and endurance of tivate among the public the quali H.E. the Governor in connection hardship which are very essential that not only has the very ably ment. While it is evident that the with this subject, I understand to the nation at the present mo drawn up petition been forwarded people will not be forced to ent through the representatives of the what is prescribed them, the spouser I was among the large attend-lative Councils, but that copies Government will greatly help to Chinese on the Executive and Legia of the scheme proposes that the in the Supreme Court on have been sent to all unofficial Thursday when his Lordship the members of these two bodies and, popularise the movement by giving Chief Justice passed sentence of what is more interesting, that these are rice to soldiers and requir- death on the young Chinese who Honourable gentlemen are svm.ing it to be consumed, by students,

ance

was convicted of murdering an old pathetically inclined towards the women for her money. I heard the Chinese. It therefore looks" as if jury's recommendation to mercy and North Point is to remain a bath the death sentence following seemeding beach after all. particularly solemn and awe-inspir- ing. One of the Court offieinls told | FREEDOM CENTENARY me afterwards that he had heard sentence passed on many occasions but he was never so touched as on Thursday, although he thought the verdict a right and proper

· one, The prisoner is a very young men but the crime was cold-blooded

and brutul.

THE CITY'S REFUSE

DINNER

*

Road to Whampoa. The construction of a motor road linking up Whampoa with Hopain, which has long been talked about, may shortly be taken up, ng the completion of the Pearl River Preparations are well under way, Bridge, which has turned Honam I hear for the celebration in Hong into an integral part of Canton Kong of the centenary of the legal City, has rendered the early com abolition of slavery within thepletion of the proposed rond more British Empire. The Cominittee desirable. The Public Works De-. responsible for arranging the pro.partment of the city has now. sent gramme on the even ng of 31st July its aurveying corps to go over the at the Roof Garden of the Sincere route for the road, after which the Co. have informed me that at least work of construction may be con- 20 people will be expected at the sidered. As it is, there is already party. From all indications both road from the city to a point on Christians and non-Christians have the opposite bank of the river at evinced enthusiasm in celebrating Whampoa, and just now, the autho the Freedom Centenary" and to rities are experimenting with the do honour to the memory of Wil inauguration of an omnibus service Building, just by the Queen's berforce and Clarkson, who worked over the road, which runa roughly Theatre. Immediately the refuse so nobly, for the cause of emancipa parallel to the Canton-Kowloon from hundreds of houses and shoption of slavery. I am asked to an-

Railway. was rushed to the lorry and passed nounce that tickets to the dinner up to coolies standing in the refuse are obtainable at the Office of the already on the lorry. You will ask: Sincere Co. until the 25th instant. What's wrong with that?" Neth. The local Anti-Mai Tsai Society ing, except this, that the choice of are, at this dinner, celebrating tiffin hour for scavenging work of their eleventh anniversary. this kind in the heart of the city is utterly out of place. I apare my renders full details but the clearing

Standing at the corner of China Building at diffin time one day dur ing the week, I was an unwilling witness of as nauseating a sight as I have seen for some time. A Sanitary Board refuse cart came along and drew up near China'

off of refuse should not be done at an hour when the dust is free to blow into open windows and settle an.food.

THOSE SQUATTERS

TRAFFIC CASES

IN COURT

During traffic time in Mr. Scho- field's Court, yesterday, Mr. J. Ring, of the F.W.D., was summon ed for failing to obey a signal given by a police officer in uniform in Des Voeux Road Central, at 9 am. on July 8,

More Aeroplanes. Canton decided at as recent meet- The anti-Japanese Association at ing to appropriate all funds from the proceeds of sales of confiscated goods and fines to the Air Defence Committee for the city, for the pur chase of aeroplanes. It is also re commended that similar action be taken by the other anti-Japanese Boycott asóciations in the rural districts throughout the province.

was also fined $15 for driving his car, from Wyndham Street, which was closed to traffic;

ant, said that there were no notices Mre, Sandes, representing defend there, and after parking the tar in Wellington Street, it was the easiest then pettor Alexander replied that way of coming down.

Inspector remember about the incident was and top of Wyndham Street. that he was proceeding in his car along Des Voeux Road towards me

** Danked a Lot of Trouble. Garden Road. He saw a tram Nelson Lee, the driver of a private coming in the apposite direction, car, was summoned for having failed and also several cars which were to report an accident in Hennessy stationary. It never occurred to Road in which he knocked down an him that he was not through He old man. did not remember seeing the signil:

Central Police Station. On the Way to Central, witness said they met a woman whom she knew by sight and she asked this woman to call a relative of hers to come. In due course, the relative arrived and the defendant told the relative that she (witness) had been caught with a parcel of opium in her possession and they were on the way to the station. He would, however, let her go for 30 but after some talle he agreed to take $15. This money was handed over to the constable by her relative and then they went away.

"Felt Done.”

Cross-examining witness, Mr. Kemble asked:

So

was

Early Difficulties. In consequence of language diff culty, in the early days of Hong Kong," as the records have shown, various schemes were propounded from time to time, such as offering inducements to schoolboys to take up the study of Chinese and to prepare themselves for interpreter- ships in the Government Service. All suggestions ended in failure. At length the then Governnor Sir Hercules Robinson devised a cadet- ship system, with a view to supply- ing the Colony with staff of proper interpreters and brought it be- "The next day witness said, for the Legislative Council on "I thought the matter over and the 23rd. March 1861. In introduc- felt that I had been done! I went ing the scheme, Sir Hercules Robin- port and that afternoon they sent of the state of affairs at the time to the police station to make a re- |- son cited an anecdote in illustration

me down to No. 2 Police Station and added :-" it is quite impos to identify the man, Witness said sible to conduct the government of an identification paradewas held 120,000 people without proper in- and she picked the defendant ou terpreters who know their language. as the man who got the $13 off The existing interpreters were her.

failure, not so much from their ignorance of Chinese, as from their ignorance of English." Sir- Her- Have you

cules Robinson's anecdote any occupation drawn from a conversation that he Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Have you ever been in prison1-translator of Chinese classics, whose had with Dr. Legge (the noted Yes, I have.

books are still much sought after even today by Chinese themselves). Dr. Legge mentioned to the Govern- on that his daughter had her watch stolen. The culprit was apprehend- ed and the only witness was a work-

In the Court it was made to appear man employed outside the house. that this witness was asleep on wall while the theIt was committed. The interpretation was manifestly intervened in time to straighten th absurd and fortunately Dr. Legge tangled evidence. In the first. place declared Robinson," a

Sir Hercules witness who was asleep rendered himself open »to Sergeant Woodeoft said that he being discredited, and in the second was in charge-room duty on July place the fact of being asleep on 13 at No. 7 Police Station when

the top of a wall, was not at all the defendant brought a Chineseprobable. Thanks, however, to the woman in and accused her of being presence in Court of a good line. said that as the woman had been to the magistrate, that witness had in possession of opium. Witness guist, the truth was made known Tested in the Central District, hely stated that he had been white- ed the defendant to take her to washing the wall when he saw the the Central Police Station.

theft take place."

..

How many times 7-Once. --- What for?-For possession of 9 tacls of opium." "Are you quite sure you've only been in prison once 7-Yes.

You have never been arrested except on the occasion when you were imprisoned -No,

"

The defendant is a complete stranger to you 1-Yes,

What did you take him to mean by asking, you have something on you. Tell me how much you have meant in you?"-I did not know what be

Mr. Kemble: Are you quite sure that you clearly ordered the de- fendant to go to the 'Central Police Station Yes..

Did the complainsht deny the rad the opinthe aid that the defendant pickell the opit up if throwing it away. from the footpath End, Accused her After further evidente had been Wednesday, July 16, St. taken, the case was adjourned until

EXCELSIOR CAFE AUCTIONED

-FETCHES, #1,075 FOR CREDITORS.

A Memory 81 Hr, Dyer Ball.

Up to comparatively recem, date, really competent interpreters in the eminent linguist like Mr. Dyer Colony were scarce." "And, even” an Bill, author of "Things Chinete, Supreme Court, was said to have whom I used to see daily in the had a bit of trouble with his inter- pretations. I was told that a Chi- nese woman once appearing in Conft as a witiless understood Dyer Ball to say " the wears long trousers" when he meant "If she has a husband." Yau Chesing Fu and Yau Cheong Fu: Thise who know Cantonese can appreciate how eusy it is for 's foreigner to stum bel; all depends on the mastery of the Cantabese accent. On another occasion-I do not youch for the ac curacy, of this Dyer Ball was Traffic Sergeant McInnis said

The goodwill, stock-in trade, fur- overheard to say in his interpreta that the old man was hit by defen

niture had fixtures of the Excelsior | tion of “Ying Sze Che' the one Cafe were put up for auction by the who deserved to die. What he Mr. Schofield: Is there any dif- the Texas filling station in Hen and the bidding, which commenced Che, the docensed.". Other easy dant's car at 6 p.m. on July 7 near Official Receivers order yesterday should have said was just “ Sze ficulty in seeing the light 1

Inspector Alexander: It is right fendant took him in the car, and the purchaser being a Chinese,

nessy Roul. The man said that de- at $1,000 finally closed at $1,075, mistakes to make are "Supper at the junction of Jackson Road asked him not to go to hospital or

and cabbage"-Ye" Te'oi and Ye and Des Voeux Road, was driving East, and he had the Canal Road the defendant put the

Troi the tone in which they are. Mr. Ring report the matten to the police. At

expressed makes a huge difference. red signal against him. Another man down, and let him and his own general information in The Govern. In all probability, such discrepancy way home. The man went to thement Gatetie on the 12th October, from the pure Cantonese accent, pose out af some slight variation

terpreters to arrive in the Colony very good scholar and I do not 1961. The three first student in Mr. Dyer Ball was however, under the scheme were Mears. M. mean to derbet any of the credit 8. Tommochy WM. Deane, and C. due to him as a motor of the Chi

Smith. They received their ap nese language pointments on the 3rd April 1862

Once or twice a year the Sanitary, FOUR EUROPEANS FINED Inspectors are seen busily driving. away squatters round the hills, be- hind Causeway Bay and Bemolish ing-their huts. But no sooner is the Sanitary Officer's back turned, that the squatters continue to grovel in much the same squalor as the pigs they keep. Residents in

Kin, Sin on Terrace, Fly Dengan dependant said that all he could pair over this nuisance and wonder ing when the Sanitary Board will ve a little thought to the subject The problem calls for two solutions so far as I can see. First, having allowed owners of land and pro- perty in that neighbourhood to deprivo the orig.nad villagers of their little farms, it is up to the Government to make some provisions for them. The other alternative is for the Bani- tary Department to exercise better supervision over these hills and see to it that the nuisance is abated If nothing is done, I am afraid the cesspools and squalor will be the cause of an epidemic of malaria and plague one of these days. It is high time to be up and doing and not to allow things to drift until they are beyond human con- trol

EPIDEMIC IN THE N.T.

1 understand that v

villagers at Tung Ying Hok Po, hear Sir Robert Ho Tung's experimental farm, are complaining bitterly of an epidemic

car was waiting to go towards Jackson King had not noticed the light, and Road. Apparently Mr went straight ahead.

Defendant was fined $10, Mr. L. R. Dixon, of Wallace Harper & Co., was fined $15 for driving in May Road, which was closed to motor trafic on July 9

Mr. C. L Sandes, Layton & Co., (Continued on ngat column).

pital, where he was given treatment police station and was sent to hos for a week. He had a bad wound on the face. Defendant did not re- port the accident at the station and caused the police a great deal of bother in tracing him and arrived in the Colony on the Mr. Schofield ordered defendant 3rd September of the same year. to pay the old man 25 and fined These three gentlemen were located him $25.

in the "Central School House,"‹・

To return to our main topic of

into existence as published for cussion. The Eadetship came

(Continued on previous column).

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