1889-09-16 — Page 3

as full justification according to the pleadings, which says that the allegation contained in the letter is true in substance and in fact. Probably the A worney General will reply náˆhe likes.

Mr. Fraser-Smith :—In the answer to my peution the plainuff sa s the said words were true in substance and in fact." I swear, upon my oath, that the statement that I confederated with any Chiness of dubious repute is false. 1 was invited to become the adviser to a number of Chinese in regard to certain matters in refer ence to the proposed establishment of a Salt Farm in the Colony, 1 held the same position in relation to it as Mr. Dennys did to the head of the syndir te.

The hief Justice-Is it necessary to go into all this? Are you going to cross-eximine on it, Mr. Attorney?

The Acting Attorney-General--Some of it. The Chief justice-You bad better leave it till then.

Mr. Fraser-Smith acquiesced. He continued: - deny that i was, in any sense, a confederate of a Chinese syndicate that was formed, or rather that was found not to be legally formed to establish a Salt Farm in this Colony in 1887,||

The Chief Justice—Is it within your knowledge that the Chinese were of dublous character ? -

Mr. Fraser-Smith-They were not-a number of them were bankers, and others were reputable merchants in Hongkang, "Dubious repute," it says here. The leading man was a banker-the others were merchants of high repute la, the

1 colony.

The Chief Justice-You say that with regard to all of them?

Mr. Fraser-Smith—Yes, with regard to all of them. They were Chinese gentlemen as we understand the term Chinese gentlemen in this colony.

The Chief Justice-There was a dispute, was not there ?-YCL

And that led to an action, and you gave

evidence ?

Mr. Fraser-Smith-Yes, I was subpoenaed to give evidence by one of the defendants..

By the Attorney-General-I see this copy of the Telegraph of the 11th September, 1888, containing a report of my evidence. The report says Mr. Fraser-Smith being a sort of general manager, and to get a commission of 20 per cent. on the net profits. That is perfectly true, It was certainly not arranged between myself and three or four people I met by invitation, I was at a dinner-party and was asked to act as adviser. I certainly advised them to buy up as much of the salt in the colony as they could. In my position as adviser I had to see that they kept within the law.

The Attorney-General-And you were to have a share in the profits?

Mr. Fraser-Smith --Certainly-you would not bave'me'work for nothing.

The Attorney That is not the way, lawyers are usually paid. You were acting as legal adviser.

Mr. Fraser-Smith-Not quite that. I certainly expected to be paid, or I should not bave done anything As the profits were a doubtful quantity,the syndicate were not sure of their profits, they asked me if, instead of a fixed salary, I would take a share of the profits: It was auggested to me that I should square the Customs prople here; the Chinese had an idea' that the officer commanding the revenue station here could be induced by being bribed, to send out gunboats to prevent so-called smugglers from bringing salt. I told them they were foolish for having that idea, and refused to have anything to do with anything of the sort.

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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1889.

doubticas suggested bribing, the Commissione of Customs because he thought it was perfecth legitimate, as it is in China. I did dub Lai, Kit an aurant rogue and consummate foof

The Attorney-Gergral-Well, don't you thù k. that a very just inference to draw, when you yourself stand in with those persons and speat of them—one ax wasting in bribe the Commi sioner of Customs, and one as a consummate fo

would not one be justified in drawing the conclusion that they were characters that went dubious?

Mr. Fraser-Smith-Certainly not. They wer acting entirely in accordance with Chinese custom, as anyone knows who know the Chinese, Their idea of morality is not exactly the same as ours.

The Chief Justi e-Are you attempting to shew that every Chinaman is of dubious repute ?

Mr. Fraser-Smith-No. I am not. The Attorney-General-You write in a rather free strain on various things?

י.

Mr. Frie-Smith-What do you mean? I mean what I say--but I will put it another way. You have no hesitation in calling a spade a spade ?-Most decidedly not.

And you sometimes go a little beyond that? You think so?

You have on several occasions used very strong expressions towards the defendant in this case in your paper?--If you prove, it I will tell you. Bring something before me to shew,

Do you recollect calling the China Mail à Fried fish Wrappert (laughter)-Certainly.

What did you mean by that? That it is very much more used to wrap fish in than as a news- paper to read.

Į

Chaisma ami Cours of airorters, Fis remake as a state bulges wen, aut résting to the people cpareined in the fara of the Company, but When Mr. Pasco-Smah says he was there is the character of a shareholder I thi ik feathe report, which is admit to hate

Amin, most

went beyound his cut ca as a shareholder, hece he says" It is so no spirit Erppast on to anyone that I ask these picstions "-- that is, a question, having a reference to the shaies-nd be gres on to say I am a very small shareholder-as Cap airs in Hongkong, but as the representas live of public interests I should like to know if these reports are true." So that as far as it may be material in this case. I think be, dah at that taceting, pose as the representative nuble inte sts.s well as a shareholder. And as the represent tive public interests it was perhaps, only that those words, in their assumed character, should be commented upon. I must say that plaintiff, in my view of the case, is a subject for all fit comment which may be passed upon a person p sing as a publici 16, and, as has been pointed out by Mr Fraser-Smith, and very properly pointed out, the right to comment upon the acts and words of a public man is not confined to newspapera, but may be exercised by any private individul. It would reem, therefore, that, the defendant would have a right to make fait comments and criticisms in his newspaper. or whatever was said, or done by the plaintiff at the meeting as a representative of public interests. It does not matter whether the criticism, took the form of a letter from an anonymous correspondent or a leader by the editor. It has also been said. and said very clearly that that right is limited to fair and candid criticism, although latitude of language is allowed in the course of comments upon the acts of public men, but that latitude of language must not extend to a personal attack upon the character of the person posing as a public man. When it comes to be a personal attack altogether different considerations step in, and there is no privilege known at all. The only justification such attack can have is that it is true. There fore in considering the latter which has been complained of in this case I must consider first of all whether it is limited to a criti- cism on the position which the plaintiff in this case has chose to representative of public interests. IfI think it goes beyond that and assumes the form of a The Attorney-General-I will ask Just one public attack I must see if it is strictly justified. more question. Have you at any time puttingIt is a clear matter of law that where a personal aside this present alleged libel-been attacked character is attacked justification is holden suffi in the China Mail

cient. Now if I were leaving the case to a jury, I should ask them to read through the letter, take it in connection with the position Mr. Fraser- Smith assumed at the public meeting, and say whether they considered it libellous or not, or whether, taking at the whole circumstances, they considered it justified. With that view I have read the letter ihrough myself and I propusc in inentien those parts which appear to me to den with the case.

That it is absolutely worthless?--I do not say that-I say it is very much more used for wrapping up fish than for instructing the public. Did not you in one issue say, that it had only one reader? Not at all-I only quoted from an editorial, in which the writer referred to "our reader."

The Chief Justice-It must be a personal attack to justify it. There may have been any amount of abuse on the other side-I de not say there has-but you cannot take any. notice of it.

The Attorney-General-I think I am entitled to show the sort of man who comes into Court and claims $10.000 damages.

The Chief Justice-Ves, on the question of damages.

Mr. Fraser Smith-Yes, a great many times. Will you give me one specific eccasion-1 will in due courac.

I want it now.—] cannot give it just now. Will you give one instanci? Yo, I will read you one. On the roth S ptember in the leading aniçle. Here is the piper.

The Attracy General froked at die paper harded to him, and after preasing the leader returned it, saying-I really don't see it--some- thing very hidden, I suppose.

Mr. Fraser-Smith-Oh, I beg your pardon-it is the wrong paper. And again on the 12th July. I am attacked, the waiter hinting at people who "should be the last to throw stones." It is in an article Potts v. Rustomjee, and it finishes up with "And while we cannot sympathise with a good deal of the indignation at their conduct manufactured by people who should be the last to throw stones" It is a direct reference to the Hongkong Telegraph and myself.

You think so I am sure of it, and the public are sure of it.

Very well, let is have another occasion on which you any you were attacked.-I think you

So there were no other occasions on which you say they libelled you ?-Oh! plenty.

The Attorney General-In your CIGSS- examination there is this passage:"What I did at Canton was, to purchase two old disused gunboats for $10,000; one was to be fixed up as

Balt cruiser, with flag, officers, and crew, pro-have got emough. vided by the Chinese authorities, but paid for by I was promised ap per cent. on the amount of purchase money and a percentage on the profits."

Mild remarks of that description -Yes, 1 will give the China Mail credit for one thing they seldom wrote very scathingly.

The Chief Justice-I cannot decide this case on the balance of epithets used. Nothing un- connected with this libel can be used by either of the parties.

The Attorney-General-I wish to show that. Mr. Fraser-Smith has persistently attacked Mr. Murray-Bain, and now he comes here and asks damages in the sum of $10,000.

The Chief Justice-It does not matter what. he claims.

The Attorney-General-Of course not.

The Chief Justice-Supposing you had never sald a ything at all against him, that does not justify you in libelling him.

The Attorney-General-Mr. Fraser-Smith, you have been in this Court on several occasions before ?-Yes.

As defendant?—Yes.

And you have been once convicted? -Yes, on a criminal libel, and four times acquitted.

The Chief Justice-For criminal libel, I think you said.

Assume ns the

His bordship then went into the case at con- siderate length. We shall give his remarks

Mr. Keswick. In accordance with the Articles Di Association all these gentlemen retire, bui being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

AUDITORS.

Messrs. J. H. Cox and R. Lyall, who retire, but The present accoun s have been audited by

offer themselves for re-election.

DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & Co.

General Managers.

Sixth Year 168-1889. BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1839. Assels.

To value of Co.'s Steamers :--

Haitan, Haiphong, Hailong, Namoa,

Thales. Fermosa,

aud Fokien...$1,083,100.00

Vale of Wooden "Wharf.....

11

Value of Buoys and Moorings at Swatow, Amey, Tamsul and Hong. kang, and of the Steam Launch......

20,000.00

13.391.34

1,116,491-34

13,421,91

The Hongkong and Shangliat Banking Corporation

The H. & S. Banking Corporation Deposit.....................

Cash Account....... Balance of Claim on. Oriental BankCorporation in Liquidation

Freights due 30th Junc

Sundry Accts. Receivable....... Value of Coals in Godowns..... 11 Value of 1 Capslan and 1 Shaft

in hand....

Liabilities,

By Proposed Capital -

10,000 Shares at

"

$50.00 $1,000,000.00 1,144 Shares un-

alloted...... $7,200.00

T8,856 Shares

Underwriting Ac- count of the Co...

Reserve Fund 30th June, 1887... Amount written off Profit and Loss Account on 30th June, 1888

.. Less withdrawn to met Permanent Repairs to the Fabien under No. 2 Lloyds Survey....

* Sundry Accounts

Payable.... "Suspense Account, Oriental Bank Cor- poration

H

at length in our nxt issue. In the end he said: o not think there has been sufficient justification 'shewn. Now in coming to the ques- [tion of damages, there has been, no damage proved or suggested. I enn hardly believe that any actual damage exists. This is one of those cases in which it has generally been the custom-supposing the pinintiff's case is proved, to find damages for a small amount, and juries generally only give such an amount as is fairly necessitated.. 1 one man is unjustly accused of conduct which is not, to say the least, of a favorable character, he is entitled, to come into court and shew that he has not been guilty of the conduct imputed to him, or call upon the other side, and insist upon their shewing that he has. If they fail, the necessary result is that he is found guiltless, and the verdict it-To self carries satisferlon, without any large pecuniary addition. Therefore in this case I shall consider the plaintiff's necessities are amply satisfied by a verdict for the very small amount of $25.

Mr. Fraser-Smith-And costs? The Chief Justice-Yes, with costs.

THE DOUGLAS STEAM-SHIP COMPANY, LIMITED.

I

The folowing is the report for presentation to Meeling to be held at the offices of the Company, the shareholders at the Sixth Ordinary General

at noon on Saturday, the 21st day of September, 1889,

The General Managers have now to submit to the stamholders their report on the sixth year's working of the Company, ended 30 h June 1849. After paying alt running expenses, Premia of Insurance, Remuneration to Consulting Com mittee and Auditor's fees, there remains a Net Profit of $149 618 9%, and in accordance with the Articles of Association, it is proposed with this amount as follows:- the consent of the shareholders to appropriate

*****

Profit and Loss Account. Balance. 30th June, 1888 brought forward... Balance 30th June, 1889

148.431.39

62,628.80

211,050.19

2.479.46

3,110.37 145,508.61

:་

seming

The

reign companies to carry ons of laryng aparati, as in the Malay puriosul. companies arrived at this restait quickly, some slowly, some by the use, more or less, of Chinese

withetit, so far as can be learnt, any prospect of methods, but with the same result.

A few of these companies still survive, but Locking success. The Pentosuli, from Province Wesley to Singape, is one vast jungle with only small cleans here and there where mining and aweltavel operations are carried an. counny it however rapully becoming more accessible by means of reads, and rails, and the supred navigation of rivas, New des, coveries are being constantly maske, and many explores and prospectors are at work, under the enlightened and liberal protection of the Straits Guvenment and the Residents of the Protected States. Petak and Selangor having for so many years past exported such enormous quantities of in, its presence there is a proved fact, but European prospectors are how striving to dis- cover the lates, or sources from which all these alluvial deposits have come, with a view to working these by foreign companies, learing the alluvial deposits to the Chinese.

The Chinese in the Straits are far ahead of their nationals in China in mining matters, by reason of their having adopted the use of steam pumps, of which there are now a very large number, owned and worked by Chinese, in Perak and Selangor. They use no other kinds of 100,000,00 machinery, but without these pumps they could not have worked even the alluvial deposits. It 912.49

scems very probable that in course of time 3.796.73 the same sort of experience may be gone through in regard to gold, the presence of which metal 85.853.98

in an alluvial form throughout a great part of 25.354-35

the peninsula, has long been known. Efforts 14,019.25

are being made at present to discover gold: bearing quartz reefs, in the neighbourhood 1,290.44

of the places, where alluvial gold can always be found. $1,369,326.49

is extremely probable that such reels will be found, and if foreign companies work them, and leave the alluvial deposits alone, there is no reason why they should not be as successful there as in Australia, and other parts of the world. It is stated that already gold-bearing quartz reefs have been found, and an Australian company has been started to work one of these with a capital of million sterling 943,800.00 The famous Mount Bischoff, tin mine in Tas- mania which, for so, many years, has paid dividends of about four hundred per cent. per annur upon its paid up capital, is a lode mine, worked upon the most scientific system by foreign engineers, with foreign machinery, and has achieved this wonderful success although it is situated at an immense distance from the English market, has to pay very high rates. of wages, and is said, by mining engineers who have visited it, to work upon pro- duce which does not contain a very high percentage of tin. No such success, (if in fact, any success) has been achieved by the attempts to work the alluvial deposits of tin found in certain parts of Australia, The sume moral may perhaps be not inaptly applied to China. Thar 208,580.73 cant and mineral deposits of great refent and richness exist.in China is universally believed, 37.930.94 The Chinese have worked some of these in various parts of the Empire probably for ages past, and are doing so now, but all their working 11,222.43 is mere surface scratching, and not mining at all. They have no appliances for pumping, and therefore can not get more than a few feet below the surface, and they have no appliances for crushing mineral-bearing rocks, and therefore cannot deal with iodes, and reef. The con- quence is that although a large amount of metal has been slowly and expensively obtained from aliovil, or surface working in various parts of China, the real mineral wealth of the country is stil untouched, and must con- machinery are emploved to develop it. There time to be, until trained engineers and suitable

is now only one scientifically made and success, ful mine in China-the Kaiping coal mine in the north of China-made by Mr. Tang Kinsing with 500.00 the assistance of foreign mining engineers, and

by means of foreign machinery.

149.618.98 $1.369.326 49

2,000,00

PROFIT, AND LOSS ACCOUNT, 30TH JUNE, 1889. Charges Accuat................$ 3.553-31 Remuneration to Consulting Com- mittee for 12 months to date...... Auditor Fees.epreneurse Remuneration to General Man- agers for Office Expenses, &c., for 11 months Balance

By Balance of Profit and Loss 30th

June, 1883. Komens Profit on running the Co.'s Stea- mers to date

..................... Profit on Coals supplied to Stea-

mers.**.****

"Profit on Wharfage

10,001.00

Now that railways have been sanctioned, it is reasonable to expect that the Government will 149.618.08. sonn take steps to realise some of the enormous wealth that lies ready to their hands, by develop- $165,672.29ing the coal and mineral resources of the country in the only way in which such resources can be developed, is the formation and working of real mines by means of skilled engineers, and suitable machinery?

Profit on Hongkong Moorings,

3.110.37

149,136.30

5,109,80 3.985.13

Profit on Tamsui Moorings .......

"

Profit on Exchange Account ....

1,91203 1,025.00 6.02

"}]

Bonus on Contributions from Canton Insurance Office and Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, Limited..

7

J

Interest Account

CHI-NAN FU.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

26th August, 1889,

The time for the harvesting of the kao-liang

has conic, and so the time for the return of the smissionaries.

The students for the gracious examination 28,98 have likewise appeared upon the scene, though 1,358.59 several thousand less than last year. This is owing to the floods and the famine, and not to $165,672.23 the grace of the Emperor.

We have compared the above Statement with the Books and Vouchers of the Company, and have found the same in accordance therewith.

JAMES H. COX R. LYALL Į Hongkong, 13th September, 1889.

Auditors.

MINING IN THE MALAY PENINSULA.

The Governor, having been overpowered by the startling news of the Yellow River bursting its embankments and flowing at its own free will over the country, returned some days since to the capital to look after the preliminaries of the examination, On account of the Yellow River, we believe that the Governor is not to enter the examination hail, but the Literary Chancellor will do so instead,

SOOCHOW

(EROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

ing establishment just opposite the Twin Pagoda

September 7th, 1889. A double suicide has occurred in a large weav Chapel. A bit of land, 1 by 18 feet, some time ago was sold for $5; and a claimant several times had come to levy on the party who dispored 400 ursh. On being refused he went out, bought of it. Last Saturday he appeared and asked for opium, took d'large dose, lay down at his friend's door and died. The other man was so frightened" at the prospect of lawsuits and expenses that he also went and bought oplain and samisku, res turned home, and an hour afterwards was a corpie. He had about $200 an home, and seems to have said to himself 1 will die and leave the men, between forty and fifty years of age, who money to my children." Here then were two suddenly snapped the thread, of life; one of them leaving a family of five young children. It waS fearful results of suicide, but seems to make very brought before the neighbours very vividly the little impression.

Anglo-Saxon and the Mongolian stand so dis- It is perhaps on so single point that the tinctly at antipedes as on their views of suicide... The one looks at it with horror, the other with complacency. Chinese books extol the taking of one's life-from patriotism, as. when the Governor of Kiangsu perished by his own hand from sentiment,as when on the death of an at the capture of the city by the Taipings, and

unseen, lover a damsel follows behind on the long pilgrimage. The most frequent motive is revenge: Taoism teaches practically that spirit opium shop the remedy is near at hand, when a may fight with spirit. As overy square has its wife is chastised by her liege for instance. Monte Carlo is not a circumstance to Soochow There are no statistics; bat from general observ ation it may safely be put down that, compared with England and America, whose papers we read, the proportion of suicides is one hundred to one, or perhaps much greater than this. With their many good traits of character this feature of Chinese society is frightful and all foreign residents might use their influence to produce a healthier sentiment.-N. C. Daily News.

To-day's Advertisements.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

No. 385.

INTIMATION has been received from the

Acine Consul for France that the importa tion of OPIUM into Angam will be prohibited from and after the zoth instant.

By Command,

ARATHOON SETH, for the Colonial Secretary.

[1155

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, 12th September, 1889...

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

TNFORMATION has been received from

the MILITARY AUTHORITIES that ARTIL- LERY PRACTICE will take place from Lower Belcher's Battery. hetween the hours of P.M. and 6 P.M., FRIDAY NEXT, the 20th instant.

The line of fire will be in a North Westerly. direction from the Battery.

All Ships, Junks, and other Vessels are cau- tioned to keep clear of the range.

By Command,

ARATHOON SETH,

for the Colonial Secretary,

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, 16th September, 1889.

GOVERNMENT, NOTIFICATION,

No. 392.

Tollowing Particulars of Sale of Crown

MONDAY,

Land by Public Auction, to be held on the spot, on

the 30th day of September, 1880, at 4:30 PM., are published for general information. By Command,

ARATHOON SETH,

for the Colonial Secretary.

[1156

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, 14th September, 1889.

Particulars of the letting by Public Auction Sale, to be held on MONDAY, the 30th day of September, 1889, at 4.30 PM., by Order of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Officials out of office are looking brighter since Government, of One Lot of CROWN LAND, the Yellow River scourged the people. Business in the Colony of Hongkong, for a term of 999

Mr. Fraser-Smith-Quile correct, The Attorney-General ;----Now will you look at the issue of the 12th September 1888. You say. In a paragraph:-"For unparalleled credulity, or impulent audacity-it does not matter very much which is the real quality-the so-called intelligent Chinese beats creation. No better example of this could be cited than a statement made in the Supretne Gourt to-day by a Chinese gentleman named Lai Kit, the defendant in the Corner "case Mr. Lat Kit is a Chinese banker, and no doubt, from his position, a leading and influential member of the Chinese community. He has been in Hon. kong for twenty years, and the whole of that time engaged in the banking business. And yet, notwithstanding what must have been an extensive experience of foreigners in this colony, Mr. Lai Kit naively stated in the witners box that he had been informed by his friends (and implied that he had believed) that one of his associates in the projected Salt Farm -Mr. Fraser-Smith, editor of the Hongkong Tele graph, was a person invested with such high authority and of such great influence that be Mr. Fraser-Smith-Yes, 1 was once con- could calmly go up, to Peking and hob-pob victed of a libel on a man named Bandmann with the Emperor without ceremony, had a free but I had the satisfaction of since learning and special entre to the yamts of His Ex- that Sir George Philippo afterwards admitted. cellency the Viceroy of, Canton as if it were that it was a grona miscarriage of justice.

To place the amount of $73.434-50,to Reserve a public hotel, was paid $1,000 per 'anhum The Chief Justice -Do you wish to say any-values of the Steamers, Wairf, Moorings &c. on Fund, bring the equivalent of 8 per cent, on the by the Governor of Hongkong for letting that thing more? official down easily in his paper, could Induce Mr. Fra er-Smith-No, that is my case, my 8 per cent on the paid up Capital of the Com- the 30th Jane Jast, and to pay a Dividen i of the British Consul at Canton to do anything he lord. liked for a consideration, had been offered but The Attorney-General then rose to

pany, absorbing a further $75,424 00, and leaving open had refused the Registrar Generalship of this the case for the defence. He said --From a balance of $1,760.48 to be carried forward. colony and that the present incumbent of that what your Lordship bas gathered from the Dividend than is given above, the General Although the result does not admit of a larger position acted under his orders, was a full-fledged pleadings you will see that this is a trivial case. Managers are pleased to be able to say that the barrister who did not practise law because he fo the first place, I submit that the words earnings for the year under review compare could "squeeze" far more money out of his complained of are not by themselves libellous, favourably, whith previous experiences. It will a lot more hair-raising atrocities that the inuendoes are not justifiable, and that be observed that the sum to be written to Reserve newspaper, and which our reporter has not set out at length. Mr. Fraser-Smith has not rightly or falsly draws Account is some $10,000.00 greater than last Mr. Lai Kit, banker in Honkong for over twenty from the words used the inuendoen on which he year's appropriation for that purpose, blog to years, must either be an arrant rogue or a con- bases his action. The secard line of defence is the increased value of our Assets. Moreover the summate fool. We have no hesitation in saying that the libel is true in substance and in fact Company has in common with all steam shipping that, in our opinion, he is both. (Laughter." that is a ples of lastification. And the third interests, suffered from the scarcity and high That is an article which you pubilshed?" defence is what is known as qualified privilege price of Coal; this fact will be more folly

Mr. Fraser-Smith-Which I wrote.

that it is a fair and bend far comment upon appreciated when it is said that the average The Attorney General Then in your opinion this man, when he, whether in his capacity as a price has been $1 per ton more than was paid Mr. Fraser-Smith-Yes, I do not know who says, as a champion of morality.

journalist or not, comes forward, as he himself during the year ended seth June 1888, being on ausgested that the Commissioner of Custom should be squared; it came through the

to nearly 2 per cent. of Dividend. interpreter. It was a reasonable Idea for Chluaman to bave. I see that the report of the case on the fath September was headed "The Salt Corner," I see that in delivery judgment Chief Justice Rumell said that I was The Chief Justice, at the close of the plaintiff's In the same position as the other members of reply, said- must my it is a matter of same the firm but I do not quite see the application surprise to me In this case that in a dispute of it. I do not doubt the correctness of the report between the editor of two newspapers circulating it was published in my paper, and I am respons in this Colony neither party should have Bibla for it Inever at any time, agreed to be a wished to entrust his interests to the decision i and Consulting Committee decided that it wasichness of the alluvial deposits which they saw desest, and the Governor failed to come to his. partner in the syndicate.

of a jury, and I am rather afraid that is not advisable to make any allotment." Since The Chief Justice "A partner in the profis the way I shall and it my duty to deal then, however, an offer of $73) for these shares but not in the expenses

with this case reference to such subjects as

has been accepted and the premium thus Mr. Fraser-Smith-I agreed to take a portion Jack the Ripper and the Venetian Stiletto obtained some $26,000, will be passed to Credit the Attorney-General) I wrote this paragraph are not often left to the decision of a Judge, induced to lower the rate of Premia charged on of the profits for certain services rendered.(By are rather thrown away. Cases of this kind of Reserve Fund.

The local Insurance Companies bare been published on the 15th September Until the and the decision, under these circumstances Chief Justice has given judgment in the late must necessarily be stripped of the romantic the blocks of the Company's steamers by per Salt "corner" case, journalistic etiquette forbids character which sometimes attaches to the cent, this is a matter for congratulation and will our commenting in any way on the evidence verdict of a jury. I propose to deal, as soberly beneficially affect the Company's working to the that might tend to prejudice any of the points as I can, with the issues that have been raised,extent of about $10,000 per annum. nt issue. But in justice to Her Majesty's and in some respects, in assuming the fuse amounts appearing as Freights and dus do In usual course it may be stated that the Contul at Canton, whose name was imported into tions of a jury a well-as the case by one of the witnesses, we feel bourdt will perhaps be as well, to very umorily outils receivabil on 30th June have all been to state that the whole of the references made consider the circumstances under which the collected since that date, and to that official by Lai Kit were absolutely and alleged libel was published, before we con- CONSULTING COMMITTEE utterly

devoid of the slighest foundation. Jo alder the intentious. due course the true story of this cleverly arranged of meeting of the shareholders of the Irving has resigned lils seat, and Honourable J. The matter arose out Since the last General Meeting Mr. J Bell but luckiest "ring" will appear in our columns Hongkong Rope Manufacturing Company L Keswick has been invited to fill the vacancy, The judgment was deliverd on the art The plaintiff, M. Fraser-Smith, appeared at that. The Committee now consists of Hon Mr. Byrie November, The Interpreter at the dinner & mosting, quily, 47 # sherpholder, addressed the Hon, Mr. Layton, Mr. J, F. Holliday and Hos.

he is both?

last year for its one gap, the officials will have is soon to increase, and already several hundred Years, thousands of facis have come. If the Governor manages to get 19,000,000 taels, as Honan did

funds will not be needed. quite a time for saving the nation and blessing

Alas, for the people 1 Terrible the prospect the people. In such a case probably foreign

for them in the midst of the waters. Wait a few months, and what kind of a chance will they have to find food for their homes?"

[The rest of the proceedings are unavoidably a consumption of about 17,000 Tons, or, equal mining. I. pay Chfogie, but will not pay of Chi-ho was made at the instigation of the

left anpublished this evening, in order that the gist of the judgment may be given. The inter- vening portion will appear in full to-morrow).

JUDGMENT.

the usual state of efficiency: the Fokies as The Company's fizet has been maintained in passed her Lloyds No. 2 Survey, and the Thale will eader No. 3 Survey during this

come autumn. allotted shares in the Company were offered for Shareholders are aware that the 1,144 u Public Tender early in August, but the Tendere received were so low that the General Manager

that

It is rumoured that the last gap in the district Governor, to relieve the terrible pressure on certain secidions and the unusual distress of the people in the already flooded regions, Anyway, north and south of the river the counties are flooded,

subject to out Shanghai morning contemporary

Mr. W. V. Drummond writes on the above

is apparently only known to a very few of the The collapse of the Rawang Mine in Selangor investors in the mining ventures in the Malay affords an opportunity of mentioning a fact which Peninsula, who reside in China. It is this that the experience gained has shown that what is true in other parts of the world is equally true in regard to the Malay peninsula, viz. that alluvial

either sin lodes, or gold-bearing quaris reefs at Europeans, and that the only kinds of mining will pay Europeans there, as elsewhere, are least so far as these two metals are concerned.

When mining engineers first went to the all aware of this fact as an understood axiom of than usual in his scamperings. His channel Straits to prospect, a few years ago, they were The river seems to have been more reckless mining, but they one and all those from was wide enough for him, but not deep enough. elsewhere, were so astonished at the apparent les in with too many Australia, 48 well as those from Cornwall and The rest of a whole year filled the bed he usually friends from the Mongolian being worked by the Chinese in Perak and seacup and clear them out Selangor, that they thought these were entirely. We verily believe that the Chi-nanfu correa. exceptional and would pay European Companies pondent is a prophet, though not the son of

deposits were so rich that it was not worth examination. So They knew that wherever there are large alluvial in the first part of May he prophesied that it was not far off, but they considered that the alluvial would not suffer another delay, fill, after the. deposits of mineral, that there must be a matele doubtful if the cases of the Americans and English while to take any trouble to hunt for the source, with the Americans. Another prophecy was: has come to pass, at least. Le, the matrix, or lode, All the engineers "Somewhere, whether in Henan or Shantung, 110 employed by the foreign companies In wp may expect further floods." And this is true, these two States on alluvial deposits only One hereafter with due respect on this new prophet: Chien, Australia, and England, went to work in--foo. So let all foes, critics, and growlers, look company only: The Perak Tin Mining and of the season. And another prophecy remains Swelling Co. formed long at Shanghal, secured to be funded or otherwise, Selama, then believed to contain a lode, but the the last few weeks in this part of the province. as part of its concession a block of land a There have been some very heavy rains during

the blocks containing the alluvial depositayo had increased somewhat.

AN engineer who selected it, like all the rest, thought. The weather rich that he went to work at there only) 4" The Governor is soon to leave again for his I now much cooler, and sickness

Experience has so far shows that this misinke important duties on the Yellow River C is the cause of all the failures on the part of Daily Niwi.

012

No. 1,219

Tratoway 162126

Sale

Na

Registry

Locality.

N

PARTICULARS OF THE LOT.

Contents in Annual Upac

E

W.

Square

Rent Price:

fect.

feet feet.

fect

Inland Lot

diate West of the

Road and imme

.355

150 21,600

#1.

Boundary Measurements.