1940-03-29 — Page 5

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

TELEPHONE AMENDMENT BILL

READ FIRST TIME

Big Saving For Govt. To Follow Change - Over

Tribute To Ability And Tact

Of Mr. J. H. Taggart

The first reading of the Telephone Amendment Bill, 1940 the main features of which are that an additional royalty of half of the surplus profits of the Hongkong Telephone Co., Ltd. over and above the amount required to pay a 12 per cent. dividend shall be payable to the Government, and that Government shall be provided free of charge with a service up to 500 lines, took place at yesterday's meeting of the Legislative Council, at which His Excellency the Governor, Sir Geoffry Northcote, presided.

Rising to move the first, cent.. half thereof was to be dis- reading of the Bill, the Finen-tributed in further dividends and cial Secretary, the Hon. Mr. the remaining half employed in H. R. Butters," said:—

the reduction of the subscription rates; the dividend payable to UNSATISFACTORY FRANCHISE

shareholders "being limited to a

Any addional surplus Was

The Taxation Committee which maximum rate of 15 per cent. you, Sir. appointed in 1938 to consider and report what methods -of taxation could best be adopted in the Colony, should it be neces- sary to raise additional

revenue.

any

tara-

to be used solely for the re- duction of subscription rates.

A "HIGH" DOLLAR Effect was given, to these pro-

the

at

BEAUTIFUL

OPERETTA AT FRENCH CONVENT

BETTY MANSELL EXCELS

A captivated audience saw. "Snow White and the. Seven Dwarfs," z beautiful juvenile operetta in four acts, staged in the aid of charity at the French Convent Hail, Cause- way Bay, by the girl students of the school, yesterday after- noon.≫

GENERAL

St. George's Day Show On - April 19

GALA PERFORMANCE AT THE KING'S

St. George's Day will be observed with a gala performance of Warner Brothers' tim Elizabeth and Essex", starring Bette Davis and Errol Flynn, to be given at the King's Theatre on Friday, April 18, at 9.30 p.m. "when there will also be a Military band in attendance. The function is being organised in conjuntion with the En tertainment Committee of the British War Organisation Fund,

ANNUAL MEETING

This decision was announced at the annual meeting of the Society of St. George, Hongkong, held in the Board Houm of the Hongkong Jockey Club yesterday afternoon, with Mr. H. Wilkinson, D. & O., Vice-President, in the Chair in the absence of Mr. J. K. Bousfield, Pra- President of the Society of St. George aideat. Mr. Wilkinson was a foruter

Shanghai.

Two youngsters stole the show the performance yesterday. "Sneezy convulsed the audience with laughter, while eight-year-in old Betty Mansell won warm ap- plause when she sang an amusing song, "Umbrella Man." accom- panied by Mrs. Mansell at the plano.

Proposing the adoption of the rs- port and statesment of accounts for the year ended Dec. 31, 1939, Mr. Wilkinson said, in part:

The general funds show a reduction of $33,95 when compared with the "Snow White and the Seven

previous year; this, however, "repm-| Dwarfs was an undoubted suc-sents a considerable improvement cess, coupled with melodious sing ing throughout.

"HEI HO,"

over 1938, where expenditure exceed. ed income by $675,83

Income has remained practically unaltered but expenditure under the having regard to the Colony's

One of the endearing scenes was

head of Grants and Donations shows general economic position and the Rosals by the Telephone Ordin- when the seven dwarfs came in a considerable saving compared with importance of distributing

ance, 1925. According to

1938. I should like to express my singing "Hei Ho!", and discover-appreciation of the assistance and co- schedule of that Ordinance theed Snow White stretched in sleep operation which we have received additional burden in the most equitable manner in relation to scribers per exchange line within in a row with

annual rate to be paid by sub- over seven, neat, little white beds, from the Hongkong Benevolent the incidence of existing

their respective Society, the British Legion and the tion" among its minor recommen-Victoria, Kowloon and the Peak owners' names all marked.

Police in connection with our chari- dations under the heading Utility district was $108, subject to revi

Contributing to the success of

table work. Members will no doubt be Companies stated, in connection on upwards if the rate was found the programme between intervals with the Telephone Company, We insufficient to make provi- was a recitation of The Little ision for an efficient service and Lord Jesus" by Morris Ward, and are informed that the present franchise of this Company is un-for the payment of the minimum Rena Keown's singing of "Mary sausfactory in various ways both dividend of 8 per cent. per annum. of Argyle." to the Company and to Govern- In this connection it will be re- ment and we recommend that the membered that the dollar in 1923 possibility of revision in such a was the equivalent of 9/44. manner as to secure higher royal- ties for Government, while remov. ing the features which are at present objectionable to the Com-

subscribers La

Miss Cecilla Passos

rendered, at the piano, two pleas ing pieces. "Emile Waldesutsel's “Espana," and "La" Gitana" (Carl Heins),

In 1830 the annual rate was in- creased," with the approval of this

"Snow White and the Seven Counell to $117 per exchange line, Dwarfs" is to be repeated today at which figure it has remained. at 5.30 pm, at the Convent, the pany, should be investigated in With the flat rate basis, by which cast of which is as follows: ..collaboration with the Company."

Hongkong may Princess Snow White, Margaret Before the Telephone Ordinance have unlimited calls for the stab- Choa: Freda Stephens; Queen, No, 9 of 1925, which it is now pro-dard rate of subscription, it is Lina Luongo Paula Hollands: posed further to simend, was in-difficult to make accurate com- Arbutus. Vilma Coelho; Daffodil, troduced into this Council, a Re-parison, yet it may safely be said Mary Swaine; Violet, Olga Noron- solution moved by the then

that the Eongkong telephone sub-ha; Prince, Jacqueline Anderson: Colonial Secretary, Sir Claud scription rate compares favour Carl the Huntsman, Jamalee Cur-

Severn, was passed.'

That Resolution

described

the negotiations which led up to the determinatiön under the Ordinance of the franchise to operate telephone which had been granted in 1905 by the Government to the China and Japan Telephone and Electric Company, Limited and the creation of its successor, "the present Hongkong Telephone Company.

ably with the lowest to be found reem; Seven Dwarfs. Class 7A: elsewhere, and that the modern Kindergarten Boys: Grumpy, Hi- service provided is of a high standa. Stevens. Happy, Doreen Chiu: dard notwithstanding the exacting Forest Children, Class 8; Full. climatic conditions. The interests Chorus, Junfor Classes. of the subscriber have. therefore, been well served.

GOOD GUIDANCE

interested to hear that three of the employment in the Colony, and, in one persons assisted have since obtained

case, the assistance was refunded.

NO APPEAL

for donations to sexist in our charitable No appeal has been made this year work, but I hope that members will continge to contribute, as they have Idone in the past, by sending along

amount of the annual subscription. at least $b instead of 83, which is the

The 1939 Ball resulted in a profit of $224, no Ball has been held since the outbreak of war.

Our membership, although showing year, does not grow as I should like to alight increase over the pr vious see it. I realise that members receive nothing in return for their subscrip tions except the satisfaction of know- ing that they may have helped some Englishman to make the grade, as that is how the major portion of our income G.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1940. -PAGE 5

AUSTRALIAN MEATS.....

Jus trived!

BEEF

ROLLED RIBS

55C. PER LB.

• SIRLOIN ROAST "65c. per lb TOPSIDE ROAST 65c. PER ‘LB,

N

• RUMP STEAK 75C. PER LB. STEWING STEAK 35c. PER LB. LEG OF BEEF 25C. PER LB,

JAMB

SHOULDERS 80C. PER LB. LEGS SADDLES LOINS CHOPS

SOC.

70c. PER LE

PER LB. 90C. PER LB.

$1.00 PER LB."

SCRAG

26c," PER ÜB.

BREAST

256. PER LB.-

PROVISION DEPARTMENT.

LANE • CRAWFORD • LTD.

LEGS OF

MUTTON

50€ PER LB.

The House of Quality & Service

■

Miskin,

C. C. Roberts, is spent each year. I hope that mem-G. G. N. Tinson, M. C., Very, Bev. J. present year's record for now members. bers will do all they can to make the L. Wilson and Mr. G. G. Wood.

Mesara. Linstead & Davis were zo- The adoption was seconded by Lt. elected Secretaries and Treasurers at Col E. J. Mitchell and carried una fee of 2:0 per annum, on the pro- animously.

posal of Mr. E. Cork, seconded by Mr. W. A. Cornell.

..

FORMER BROKER Hancock, seconded by Mr. H. A. THOSE PRESENT

ON TRIAL AT SESSIONS

NEW PRESIDENT On the proposal of Mr. E R R I would remark in passing that

Present at the meeting were:-Mr. the Telephone Committee," 1922,

Camidge, Mr. B. V. Wilkinson was E. V. Wilkinson, D.8.0., in the Chair; appointed to report on the tele-

elected President.

Mr. H. R. B. Hancock, Mir. T. E. Pearce, phone service in Hongkong recom-

Mr. L. CF. Bellamy, M. C, was Mr. E. D. Cock, M.B.E., and Lt. Col. mended an annual rate

elected Vice-President on the proposiH. B. L. Dowbiggin, O.B.E. (Past Pre- of $120 for the year 1926 under the Old

tion of Mr. Wilkinson, seconded by rident); Messrs. L C. F. Bellamy, M.C., DOLLAR BASIS DESIRED

Lt. Col. H. B. L. Dowbiggin

R. A. Camidge, F. B. Cassidy, W. A. manual system and expected that

The trial of Kwok Shin-chan, The main objects of Govern-

The following were elected to the Cornell, J. D. Danby. G. Miskin (Com- the coat of a modernised system

broker, formerly of the China Im-Committee, on the proposal of Mr.mittee) and Lt. Col. E. J. H. Mitchell, ment in 1825 were to secure that would necessitate a further sub-port and Export Co., on four R. P. Phillips, seconded by Mr. T. C.O.B.E., Messra. R. P. Phillipa, T. C. the Company should in future be stantial increase in that figure. Corts of receiving 158 reels of Camidge, P. S. Cassidy, W. A. Cornell, Sommerfelt (representing Messrs. Fairburn: Messrs, C. B. Brown, R. A. Fairburn, J. H. A. Hance and A. domiciled in Hongkong and work That the charges had been kept newsprint knowing that the paper J. D. Danby, F. C. Hall, V. C. Labrum, Linstead & Davis). on a dollar basis and to provide down to the present rate has been was stolen, opened at the Criminal an improved telephone service in due to a combination of two fac- Sessions yesterday before the the Colony. The first object was tors: the good fortume and the realised by requirements, in res-good guidance of the pect of the registration and ar- Telephone Company. cles of the Company and the

KEEN FORESIGHT

Lumber.

been

Hongkong

at

shares

Chief Justice, Sir Atholl Mac- Gregor, and, after a whole day's hearing, was adjourned till 10 am. today.

COLONY'S PRISONS

ARE

TAXED TO LIMIT: ROOM

FOR OVER 1,000 NEEDED

Employment of first offenders, serving short terms of sentences. on construction of Hongkong defence works is one of the phases of the reorganization of conditions in local prisons which are men- tioned in the annual report of the Prisons Department for the year 1939, tabled in Legislative Council yesterday.

PRISON DIVIDED

number and residence of its direc- The Company was fortunate int The defendant, giving evidence, tors. They must all be bona fide that its equipment was purchased said that when he was employed resident in Hongkong. The ..sent Bill merely increases their tion

pre during a period of keen competin. the Ta Kung Po he used, to

among manufacturers

order about 2.000 lbs of paper for about one-third of what it would them every month through Hsu 'OBJECT ACHIEVED

cost to-day. and it has shown its Kuo-chen who was empowered to There can be no doubt. I think, foresight in providing a large sign for the Paper. Est was held that the second object also has margin of plant for future growth in high regard by his employers.

achieved and that the at the favourable prices which. RECEIVED COMMISSION achievement is due to the e-then prevailed. The Company has -cléncy of this Hongkong Company been run

Kwok denied any part in the economically and the sale of the paper to the Wing yuen working within the scheme of an premium at which its shares were company. He received commis-

The reorganisation, envisaged to doubt that the segregation which has fast Year's -ordinance which places the Issued was

report, proceeded been introduced is having a marked utilised to.. write off sion on sales. mate control of its activities in old plant, while no bonus

steadily and smoothly up to the effect on the prisoners. outbreak of war, says the report.

"When old lags" and first offen- The Hon. Mr. Leo d'Almada, JI., the hands of the Governor-i-have been issued at any time.

ders lived and worked together, the] Couhef and of this Council.

instructed By Mr. Peter L. Sir, Sp- As the Taxation Committee re-peared for the prosecution, while

former were feared, obeyed and per- In framing an Ordinance goy-marked, however, there are cer- acccused was represented by Mr. offenders from previous offenders was fact ruled the roost. This state of The segregation of Chinese first hape admired by the latter, ani in eming a public utility company tain features in the Ordinance. C. Macnamara, instructed by completed in July by the divisirin affairs has entirely changed. First the interests of three parties have under which the Company func- Mr. M. A, da Silva.

of the prison into two sections. Ex offenders, safe from contact with to be considered, though in a tions which are not satisfactory

cept íu the hospital no contect is their former bullies, new regard them final analys these may be re-to the Company: Tor instance, it K. Pavri (foreman). B. J. Tavares. The jury comprised Messa, P.

now possible between sections. with open disfavour duced in two: the public general- is argued that the absolute limit. T. Low, Leung Tan-kwong, Yee classifed into long term and short segregation came into force the first

Within each section prisoners are

"It is a curious fact that since Ly, and that part of the public of 15 per cent. dividend is in Ting-sheung Chan Chau-ke and term prisoners, and each class wears offenders have come to regard them- which subscribes for the services equitable because the high rate of M. A. Xavier

distinctive clothing. rendered by the Company, and the profits is due largely to the effi-

selves: Bata superior class of be All work outside the prison is done ingal The is all to the good.” ahareholders of the

Mr: d'Almada said that the Ta Company.ciency of the Company and to Kung-pao, owners of the paper, occasion they have been sent several

by short term Brat offenders, and on STANLEY OVERCROWDED The 1925 Ordinance. therefore, in the Canton line which" was not purchased large quantities of paper miles in lorries for labour on defence the Report, has been the overcrowd. The worst feature of the year, says addition to making provision for in existence when the original which was stored in the godownis works. a Toyalty, controlled both divi- arrangement was made. An abat "Holt's Wharf. Delivery orders

ing of the Hongkong Frison at ** NEW INDUSTRY dends and subscription rates. solute maximum gives the Com- were made out when paper was

Stanley. This was slightly relieved Long term frat offenders are by the transfer of remands, destitutes, pany no incentive to earn further required. The Arm employed a employed in the kitchena, Laundry, debtors and deporteen to Victoris Profits by greater efficiency and man, Hsu who attended to Eng-tailor shop and in the rattan, shoe Remand Prison, but the relief amount- economy after that point has been sh correspondence and to the Issue of delivery orders, and whó" had now absconded.

PAYMENT TO GOVERNMENT

The net profits of the Company were dealt with in the resolution

as follows:--

"

They were to be used: "Firstly, in payment to Govern- ment, as the representative of the public, of a royalty of $4 in res pect of each direct exchange line telephone;

Secondly,

the in payment to shareholders of the Company of a nitinimum dividend, of 8. per cent. "per annum rising to 12 per cent,

per annum;

reached.

Moreover, the present system. of contributing to a reserve fund for the redemption of the Company's capital is not entirely satisfactory. A fixed sum of $170,482 is put aside yearly, which is sufficient to amortise the whole capital by

tries,

making and leather working indused to a daily average of about 100

persons oply. Previous offenders are employed in To bring the prison population the printing shop and in the carpen-down to its planned figure, & further tering, tinsmithing and coir industries. 1,100 prisoners must be got rid of A new industry is being started in somehow. this section early in 1940: concrete

When the Ta Kung Pao entered into the contract with the China Export and Import Co., the "mar- ket price for newsprint was some-block making. Two machines for this thing like seven or eight cents per pound. „Shortly before the outbreak. of war, the price Increased to 11 But Interest on investments of cents per pound.

cents and in December It was 14 that fund goes into general pro-

In the Folice Court Kwok made Thirdly, in the event of the nes fit and loss account, while there a statement to the effect that it profits exceeding 12 per cent, peris no provision for

dealing with was Hsu who actually bought the annum then as to the differenze depreciation of these Investments, newsprint and not the Ta Kung between 12 per cent. and 18 per Continued on: Back Page

1975.

Pao.

· “AMNESTY” IN JANUARY

purpose have been ordered and are January this year the muster at the The Report reveals that in mid- now on their way from England.

Each section carries out its own prison had exceeded the 3,000 mark, domestic duties with the exception of and arrangements were being made. the cooking and preparation of meals for the premature release of selected which is done for the whole prison by prisoners. Neither the staff nor the accommodation nor the equipment long term first offenders, t

could stand the strain above the EXPERIMENT SUCCESSFUL

3,000 limit, Says. Major J. L. Willcocks,. Com- The Report also gives vurious other missioner of Prisons From my own data concerning conditions at the observations and from reports from grisons, prisoners' health and related senior subordinate officers there is no (duestions. The cost is 30 cents a copy.

Band

Tel. 28151.

Concert

at the

PENINSULA HOTEL

SUNDAY, 31st MARCH

BY THE COMBINED ORCHESTRAS OF

THE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI HOTELS, LTD.

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF

Geo Pio Ulski & Art Carneiro

9 P.M. TILL 11 P.M.

IN THE LOUNGE

Charge

No Admission

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