PAGE 2-HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
GENERAL
METHOD OF THE PAYMENT OF MEN DESCRIBED
production of the silp and it was Marsman's insofar as timber was Cont'd From Page 1
therefore, impossible for the acconcerned, although Kin Lee had work- had oiter dealings with Mars- countant to beneft by a 1 make that profi In order your wife's company must charge man's absence more than the individual truck DWEPEK World charge her? } be! - heer she again anb let the
to the lorry whers
Do you know the Tai Lee Tim ber Co.? Yes.
man's.
work
How many slips have you Day-day--A large number,
How
thousand? many * |large 2UMET }
can't say
OT
A
how
The head office is given in this first bill us Lock Ing Building. floor, telephone No 211987-Yes.
Live
certain
CHARGES LITTLE HIGHER
15 this gul the position
Charge Jury owners price for removing the earth and yan wife charges a Bule higher
Yra
Seam Tret in saying that 1 you had dealt direct with the kerry owners, it would be cheaper
It would have been impossible to many individual get bold ! larry owners
80
And .
seriously You
Say that Government check your vouchers with those ships?- Yes
We have another item daud Jau 30 1941, for supply of datiy per $1,814.80" That's paid the
kaok
Another Item
supply of dully labour, Chinese New Year burdu. $127 807
Yrk There are three signatures on
work for the A.R.P. Department in proceed with the work as soon us possible up to a footage of about Kowloon?
200 feet?-Correet.
Witness, Yes.
Will you tell us shortly how you! He tells you that the site of he came to get that contract?--At the tunnel mentioned will be pointed very beginning. Mr. Bishop. of the out on the ground by Mr. Camp-
В fok) bell? Correct. P.W.D., had a chat with of mine, Kwong Wing. inquiring And you were instructed to sub whether or 1101 we had machinery in: to Mr. Bishop at the office the That was in cost sheets so that the cost of the for opening tunnels. BOUGHT HARDWOOD
work may be worked out on the You purchased $1,388 worth of September, 1940. hardwood from them? - Yce
Do you know Pang. Chick and Ram clvti engineertig contrac tore?---No.
Did your fok! tell you anything basis for further extension of the about this conversation?--He did scheme?—Yes. and asked me if we had the chinery.
ия-
sub-
we did. make
3
Now, the next letter is one dated Nov. 13 from Kin Lee and Cum
In this letter you informed "With Mr. Bishop, as follows: reference to our Mr. Kwong
I told him we had, and later we pany to Mr. Bishop?--Yes, Sir. F But you have here a bill from
were asked by Mr. Bishop to for $3,434. dated Dec. 17 them
mit an estimate, which which you 1840,
have paid? 1
We were then asked to don't remember
Pressed further, witness said he trial for 200 feet of tunnel.
Let's hear something more about! this bill Whose are they- Mr. ad not know whether 11 was the ther karty owners" I hired the Huchanan, Mr Campbell and Mr Sane company as Tad Lee Timber this estimate. What was it? Wit- ness produced a copy of the esti-
But you have dred lorries from
The Bam Hing Transporta Bran The Co
What was the charge per load" $3
Has your wife got anything
Tratth 1 with
Sam Hing portalton Co I belleve nat
Having got the Sam Hing to do other work, why can't you get them to remove the earth"
-They charged more. What Was their chatke" 95 erada per ruble yard.
Have you got that in writing"
I haven't got it here
Please
Yes
produrr st
tomorrow
Where Is Sam Hing? In Kow
Tooth
Have they got hele nw mucks?
Yes Mr Kwonk.
this [ askid VEILL noming to let us have a list t the disbursements you made your wife's company monthly te Joy hire Have you brought it? I did not have time to End out how much Kir. Ler paid every as during the adjournment 27 1241 I had to lok ter the list of dis bursements and vouchers
NO COPY FOR FIRM Questioned on the list of die bursements and vouchers Kan Lev sent to Goverhunent. witness saia! that the froi did not have a copy As stated in the morning. went on wities, all they did was to make ut a list and hand It, with all vouchers, to the European who called. No copy was made out for the firm, but all transactions were receded in the books,
Chairman -So everything YOU supplied to Government is still in the hands of Government? Yes.
And you have a copy? We have only a record.
Do you send the receipts with the list? No.
Then how is Government to check up
your disburse- ments? Every week the by vouchers are taken away Mr. Buchanan. After they have been checked they returned.
are
COWANK
Mr Chauf? don't
H};u
Know
Is he Deorge Cheng? Nu Do you know Mr George Cheng" Yes
He is the Government foreman
¡Co In reply to another question,
Mr Kwong said that he do not mate know whether the cheque for The Chairman read out the docu- $3,434 was made out in the name ment which stated: "In accordance of Tai Lee Timber Co. or to Pang. with your request (Mr. Bishop's) we Chick and Kain.
beg to submit the following prices for tunnelling 8 x 7 feet arch shape either in Hongkong or Kow
Chairman, -On Dec. 17. 1940,
In charge of the tunnels in Kow. Pang. Chick and Kam were, ac Jo he not? Yes
Do you know motortar? No
that De has
a
Find out the next time you see him Yes
cording to thefr blli-hend, civil | engineering contractors? Perhaps
they were.
loon"
The Chairman to witness: Did Mr. Bishop ask you to submit ап estimate for the Hongkong side
Their head office address was given as Wing On Bank Building | too?--No. third floor. telephone No 211897- YES
WHAT SALARY"
What salary does he receive? laon't kno
1
And
the letter bead, the Wing On Bank Building address Ask him the next time he goes was crossed out and, chopped with there You'll be surprised that a rubber stamp.
was the address man earning his salary could own 01 Lock Hing Building, first floor
What is his
Yes.
And
Yes Car
the telephone number was What does he do? Work? He supervises the work the same as Ta! Lee Timber Co?
And see that is properly done? Yes YES
He is wat n the job the whole; tine? Yes
No. And Mi Campbell le not? Cheng would then report, to Mr Campbell on the work? Yes.
So Cheng Is very important man to Km Lea? Not very
21
But it all depends on him to say whether the work is well done or not? We do not mind that. If it is well done and he says it is not we will challenge him.
Have
any comments to make?----1 know
nothing
about these frns.
KNOW NOTHING
you
all
Well, I will tell you wonte-
time, ibing. At that sleepers in the Colony helong- ed to the Chinese Government and were
to both available Marsman's and Bin Ler al 32 cach.—Xe
Wings re ent conversation with your goodself on the above sub- jeet, namely, A.R.P, tunnels in Kowloon we confirm the ar- rangements made whereby we agree to carry out any work in connexion therewith, at the rate of 10 per cent, over and above actual cost of materials and labour, all piece work, ten- ders of cost and materials to be approved by your engineer, Mr. Campbell, before carried out. We will, of course, endes- your to keep the cost down to the best of our ability."
storesmen. the hire to equipment and
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1941.
The
RIGHT Label is
46
White Label"
A
WINE DEPT.
R
13 Marois
Presi
30 Ge
"White Label" FINEST SCOTCH WHISKY
OF CRE
ACE
John Dewar & Sons L
PERTH
. DISTILLERS.
DEWAR'S FAMOUS SCOTCH
SOLE AGENTS:
IT NEVER VARIES
WATSON & CO., LIMITED.
CHATER RD.
Are you supervising the tunnel- Ung work in Kowloon?--Yes
Can you tell us how your firm
The Chairman further read out Then why did you mention Hong- kong? Because at first 1 didn't from the letter certain wages to
to foremen, know whether we were
make be pald to
and draughtsmen, tunnels on both or one side only.
of What did Mr. Bishop say when Government he approached you? He didn't machinery. which were confirmed came to get this contract to the speak to me He spoke to my fok). But your foki told you what was said, didn't he? He did but. I can. not remember very clearly now.
From your letter, the position is
by witness
TERMS ACCEPTED
Tel. 20614
SUBSTITUTE DONCASTER
"ANNADIN" SCORES CLOSE WIN
LONDON Sept 11 ¡Router:
The Newmarket neadquarters of
has alady stayed for incetings
Epsom. Goodwood, assumed
Doncaster meeting
tunnelling work in Kowloon At first. Mr. Bishop of the Waterworks Department phoned up the Kin Lee The Chairman: In reply to that Company. I attended to the letter you got one dated the same phone. I was asked to go up to Can you remember whether your day from Mr. Bishop? Yes, Sir sce Mr. Bishop. foki did tell you that Mr. Bishop The fter was read out, as fol- What month was " September
"I have to acknowledge had asked for an estimate for the lows:
Did you go up? Yes. Hongkong side?--I don't think he your letter af Nov 13 and I agree Tell us what Mr Bishop told turf. whlet told me that
to the terms stated therein.“ you? He asked me at first if we joubstitute
The Chairman We have this had any machinery for excavating Ascott and this: You were prepared to make position. Originally you tendered 'tummels. I said yes. He asked how another mantle when it stager a
I substitute tunnels on the Hongkong side ac for this work on a definite basis, inany such machines we had. cording to the prices you quoted, so much per cubic yard, they said five. I did not then know that minus the St. Leger,
The Town Boor Handicap over Is that right? Yes, nertainly, įsupply all materials and pay all the idea was to make A.R.P. tun-
furlongs Included many nels. 1 was then asked how much sever Had your workmen any previous labour?--Yes, Sir,
cunnels? — experience in making
And you did 200 feet on that I would charge for making a tun- Cambridgeshire candidates but the Miss Dorothy Paget's I said that I, winner. Yes, in the interior of China where basis?--Yes, when we were told to nel in Kowloon,
has not entered the tony had made tunnels for railways.carry on and start with the work, could not quote a figure offhand, Anadin,
He then told me to make Inquiries Cambridgeshire. But not tunnels for ARP -No the price was not then fixed,
But an estimate had been made? about the cost and to let him Cambridgeshire candidates were QUOTATIONS
and third, namely Mr We were not paid according to know also how much I would second According to your estimate you that estimate.
charge for hiring the machinery Garner's Apricleson, which was 'The warning was ignored. and
Joint favourite at 4/1. there was. for a long time, no rock from 0 to 50 feet deep, frum say you were prepared to excavate
Why not?Eventually we reach-to Government. cd an agreement that we were to In a bote on Sept. 11 you quoted Hetherton's Lion Tamer, at 100/9. purchase of timber. Yes.
work face per cubic yard. What be paid 10 per cent on top of the the prices for the tunnels 8 feet
It was a thrilling finish. Anna- Then Mr. K. C. Leong bought up does that mean?-That quotation cost of the work the b?. The one in red is mine the sleepers and approached the way for excavations of rock for an
by 7 teet 'n either Hongkong or Did Mr. Bishop confirm those Kowloon?--Yes. and the other A Tang.
various timber merchants about
area from the entrance of the tun- prices mentioned in the letter of Who is Ah Tang? Our man in their stocks.--Yes.
nel 50 feet in length only and after Sept. 18 and tell you to get on charge of sub-contractors.
And that was how Pang. Chick that the price would be higher.
I received a So you, and Ah Tang O.K.'ed the and Kam
with the job?Yes. and Tai Lee, among
Your price is to make a tunnel 50 reply telling me to start building bill? Yes.
others, started business as timber feet in length at $25 per cable a tunnel 200 feet long at those
yard in rock and $5 per cubic yard prices. in soft?--Correct.
You know Ah Tim?-Yes. He is one of your sub-contrac- ors? Yes
There's an item here $3,586.84 for drilling, excavating and tim oering? Yes.
Whose signatures are those on
Was it initialled by a Govern- ment official? It should be, but
NOT INITIALLED
I am not asking you what it should be. I am asking you whe ther 1 was initialled by anyone in
Did you ever had to make out the P.W.D.?-No.
a list of vouchers?--Yes
English or in Chinese? Eng
Msh.
No.
And you did not make a copy?--
And Government paid the bill? Yes.
Marsman's warned Mr. Pearce and Mr Campbell that the price would go up.--Yes,
Was the warning passed on To you? No.
merchants.-Yes.
The ARP. and H.W.D. were then offered sleepers at a considerabiv enhanced price.--Yes,
Have you any commenta to
make? No I was only acting un der the instructions of Mr. Camp bell
NEW
JACK HAMNIERS
Did you do the job?-We started And for the timbering of the tun- | work. nel you quoted $10 per cubic yard?;
Then what happened?-We car- --Yea
ried on.
At those prices? No, Bir.
And then you went on with a sliding scale upwards. 50-100 feet. 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300 at varying prices which rise slightly On Jan. 22, 1941, you bought a Witness was then asked whether according to the length of the supply of hardwood sleepers: 280 he did not tell Mr. Bishop, before tunnel?—Yes. pieces at $3.35, purchased from the the contract was given to Kin Lee, i
Your maximum quotation was $50 per cubic yard for a two- nel 300 feet long?—Yes.
Do you employ a firm of audi-Tal Lee Timber Co., and you also that they had all the machineries! tors? No
No
Did Mr. Buchanan know that?
Did Mr Bishop know?-No.
THERE TO CHECK
purchased સર pieces hardwood necessary for the tunnelling work crossings at $5 per piece, $400?-On his replying in the affirmative, Yes.
he was asked the reason for the Who initialled the bill?-Mr. frm purchasing
two new Jack Campbell, Mr. Buchanan and Mr. hammers for $575, to which Mr. Chang.
Kwong replied that it was due to the expansion of the work.
How would Government know
On Mar. 28. 1941, you bought whether your accounts were cor from K C. Leong, 10,000 pieces rect? Everything we bought, Mrhardwood sleepers for $52,000 for Buchanan would be there to check which you hold the original re- the goods when they are delivered.
ceipt? Yes. But he could not check your
On the duplicate receipt, at the prices?—I have heard that when back of it, is a note written in Mr Buchanan took away the
pencil, which might have vouchers, he would check the prices with the dealers.
So
Mr.
Chairman. So you were in the same position as Mars- Government supplied man's: you with all the machineries and materials and paid al wages in connexion with the work plus 10 per cent.?~That was in the contract.
Chairman
That was in rock and in soft ground the quotation was $10? →→→Yes.
And for the close timbering of that tunnel you charged $50 per cubic yard?—Yes. You also confirmed that all these prices would cover the supply of all implements and labour for day and night divided into three shifts of eight hours each-Yes.
In the alternative you said that Deer
you would be prepared to hire your written yesterday dr today, "only
implements to Government?--Yes. 5,000 pieces delivered, $28,000," and
And you gave them a list of the Buchanan would, at underneath that 18. "5,000 pieces The great inconvenience to himself, go delivered to Marsman's. Whose back to the purchase of extra ma implements and the amount you out and check the prices with the initial is that on the bt?-Mr. Chinery, and took as a hypotheti. Would charge per month? Yes. stores?--Not always.
There were some times when he could not check?-I forgot.
This may help you to remem-)
ber: under Nov. 30, 1920, is the
item
for A.R.F. tunnels, Kowloon,
Buchanan.
the bill?--No.
AUTHORISED VERBALLY
Was Mr. Buchanan there when verbally.
then
referred
that.
And
â
Me
din. which started at 100/7, won by a head with a neck between second and third,
MENTION OF HONGKONG
The Duchess of Norfolk who You were prepared to do work supervises the Michel Grove in Hongkong?—Yes.
stables, continues to be in grand Why did you mention Hongkong form and won the Great York- when no mention was made of Itshire Handicap with the Duke of asked for these Norfolk's Clear Sweep which start- when you were prices? It was my own idea. ed at 20/1.
Clean Sweep, a son of the great That offer was accepted by Mr. Bishop on Sept, 187-Yes. I was stayer. Trimdon, led throughout instructed to proceed with work the severe mile and three quar-
Before I re-
At what prices did you carry on on a tunnel of 200 feet. But may ters. then?--We were paid according to I say a word here. expenditure on labour, materials, ceived the letter instructing me to procecd I was told that this first etc.
tunnel was in the nature of a
Plus 10 per cent.7-Yes.
Refugees In The Colony
camps.
In spite of the estimates submit- trial to see how well I could do ted and confirmed you, therefore, the work and how much the cost were building the tunnel at cost would be.
Then you proceeded on the basis plus 19 per cent, and not on the
A decrease of 75 in the number basis of the prices submitted?< $30 per cubic yard of rock ex- That is so.
cavation, $5 per cubic yard of soft of refugees and destitutes accom- Now can you tell us if you re- and $15 per cubic yard for close modated in Government
etc., in the urban and rural areas colved anything in writing from timbering, and so on? -Yes,
Did Mr. Campbell point out the is recorded in the returns for the the Public Works Department varying the terms of the contract? site where you were to proceed week ending on Sept. 6.
No, we didn't.
with building a tunnel?-Yes. He Can you tell us then how these came with Mr. Bishop. terms came to be varied?—I don't know, because everything was done through my colleague, Mr. Kwong Yes. Wing.
RESULT OF CONVERSATION
DAILY COST SHEETS And did you start the work?-
You were told in this letter to submit accurate dally costs sheets.
URBAN AREAS:
King's Park 1,390 against 1,300 on Aug. 30.
Ma Tau Chung-2,101 against 2.145 on Aug. 30,
North Point 1,576 against 1,670 on Aug. 30,
Morrison Hill-566 againat 670 on Aug. 30.. URBAN AREAS (SQUATTERS"
CAMPSY:
Tai Hang-2,547 against 2,546 on Aug. 30.
Ngau Tau Kok-892 against 884 on Aug. 30, RURAL AREAS
Can you tell us then that it was Did you?-Yes,
When did you start doing so?-; as a result of a conversation be-
cal case a man going to a ship-
That is on the assumption that tween Mr. Bishop and Mr. Kwong From the first day when we start- Did you receive any money in: Is Mr. Campbell's signature on builders and offering to supply all Government would do the work it-Wing that the terms were suddened work,
the materials and machineries self and you hire the instruments? ly varied?—Yea.
Did you complete that work, 200 necessary for building a ship, plus Yes, sir, I was prepared to do And that was round about Nov. advance from Governinent-No.
132-Correct. wages and ten per cent. Did wit- And you' said that Mr. Campbellness, asked the Chakmen, expect What was the next thing that Up to now, how many of the feet? We did I think it was some Do you know how much it came labour supplied dally, $1,884.90 authorised the transaction? Yes, the shipbuilders to ask the man to happened when you sent in the tunnels have been completear time in November last year.
estimate? That estimate was not About 13,000 feet of them. bulld a dock for them as well?
How many actual tunnels does to altogether?-I cannot remem. this amount was paid-No, but On March 29, Maraman's put Witness reply, was heard to be, adopted.
What happened?-About a mouth that represent?-I don't know how
Have you got any books which there were four or five persona down in their books: purchased "If they so desire." present,
5,000 pieces hardwood sleepers Witness was. then questioned or two after submission of that many. But were they present when you from you at $5.20 each?—Yes, respecting Kin Lee's dealing with estimate I was requested to submit How many sites are you working will show as the figure that that!
To particular job came to? I have Aug. 30 So in three days, you not only Marsman's and was asked to ob- another estimate. last the Interest on your money tain full particulars of such deal-
Who were you requested by? you honestly. I know little no books but I have a list of the about these tunnels. I am a little costs and expenditure which I
submitted to Mr. Campbell. Namu them?--Chan Kung-wel but also $2.600?—I can't help it. ings by 19.30 a.m. today when the Mr. Blahop.
Have you got the further too old to supervise the work my-
Have you got a copy of the list? timate there?-The second estimate self. Mr. Kwong Wing knows NO. was about workmen.
everything about the tunnels.
Do you mean to tell me that
puld your employees?-Not all, but somie.
was one.
(During his evidence in
Kin
the Commission will hold its eighti Who is he? The accountant of morning, Mr. Kwong stated that day's session, Kin Lee.
not allowed to Lee were And he was there twice a charge Government 10 per cent. month, the first and afteenth-on the 5,000 pieces sleepers they CONTRACTORS GIVE
Y08.
PAYING DESCRIBED
sold to Marsman's, Pressed on this point, witness stated that although Mr. Kwong then went on to Maraman's subsequently charged describo the method employed Government 10 per cent. for this when paying the men. A cheque lot of sleepots, his firm
for
was,
EVIDENCE
KIN LEE & CO.
-
on? I don't know how many.
ber.
Kam Tin-2,352 against 2,389 on Aug. 30,
Fanling Children's Camp-390 against 395 on Aug. 30, Totals 11,823 against 11,890 on
UNCLAIMED
TELEGRAMS
Office of the Creat but I think the Government has Northern Telegraph. -Company
Kin Lee keeps no copy of the (Limited).
They have no copy of this list lying at the
At the stage, Mr. Black ausgest-Have you vialted the tunnels?-Kin Lee and Company have no The following is a list of un- led that all correspondence relative I have paid about three visits to record of this job they undertook? claimed telegrame from Shanghai
to the estimate be produced, which them altogether.
Then it is Mr. Kwang wing who was adopted.
The Chairman: Apparently on vixits the tunnels: Yes, he has Bept, 18, seven days after you sent visited many tunnels.
NEXT WITNESS in this estimate, you got a lettor
called was The next withless. Kwong Wing, head supervisor on the tunnelling work being done by the Kin Lee Company.
The Chairman: What are you in The Chairman: I understand you And he says he has been authe Company? I am head super Witness went on to say that that das. No wages are paid without was the first time they dealt with are at presort doing tunnelling thorised to instruct this firm to visor,
two
Mr. Wan Hin, managing-partner from Mr. Blahop in which he con the full nevertheless, not permitted by Mr. of Kin Lee and Co., sale that, bermed the prices for tunnelling would be lasted amount and, after the money had Campbell to charge any commle-
work contained in your letter of been obtained from the bank, the son on this transaction despite sides himself, his firm had accountant would pay ouch man the fact that they bought the partners, Tam Yu-por, living in the 11th? You.
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE on production of his pay-slip: The sleepers for cash and sold them to Ship Street, and Kwong Nat-kwing,
rosiding in. Hennessy Road,. accountant, went on witness, keep Maraman's on credit), pages
a record of those absent on pay
1st which they sent to Govern- Simpson, Phillips House; Tev ment? They do not keep copies Yuen, 348 Des Voeux Road West; Mies Tsang Yuet Ngor: 20 Village of matters that are unimportant/
I am not talking about Impor-Road, Gr. F.; Chan Mon Hung. I 410 Great Eastern Hotel; Tung tant or unimportant matters, am talking about one matter and Ken Co., 36 Care Direct;· Kám that is the construction of the 200 en Chan, 16 Sun Street: Leung foot tunnel which you completed ar Yau / Swatow Co., Queen's
Continued Page S, Col. 2.
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