1948-11-16 — Page 12

WING ON GODOWN FIRE INQUIRY.

Film Scrap Moved From One Storage To Another

Evidence regarding the storage of 144 drums of (about 70,000 lbs) film scrap in the Wing On Godown was given by Mr Arthur Ng Sze-sheung, secretary of the Oriental Development Cornoration before the Commission of Inquiry at the Supreme Court this morning.

The witness said that the head office of the Oriental Development Corporation was in Shanghai and it was they, who ordered the film scrap from the United States in September last year. Witness did not see the cargo but he knew that film was highly inflammable. He did not know there were regulations concerning the storage of films in the Colony.

he 50

the

Insurance

After

On Instructions from the manager, think or did you know the reason? witness said he looked for storage-1 don't know the reason why. space but there was none at

Did you make any enquiries?- Kowloon Godowns or the China No. I do not look after Provident

instructed the matters. These are looked China Travel Service to and space. by the accountant, Lau. He contacted Mr Benjamin Lee,

ALTERED FIGURE- assistunt manager, who subsequently

With regard

the godown *** | warrant where the figuro Ave has been altered is it kely that that was done in your office?--I believe it would not be possible for us to do so.

fold

fold bizn that the goods were stored godown and a warrant was given to witness's accountant.

in The Winu On

Replying to the Chairman, witness said that his firm did not regularly Import" film scrap.

The Chairman: Perimps you can tell us why the film was stored in Hongkong.

Witness: Because at the

difficult to

permit get u Shanghai, therefore, the goods were sent to Hongkong temporarily.

FILM INSURED

was

Replying further, withness mid that the film was insured with the China

Insurance Company on the in the same day as it was stored godown. policy was taken out 1947, and expiret

The

on

September,

ها

the Wing On Company were changing these goods from No. 1 to No. 5 godown is it likely that they could have that warrant to make the alterations?--I don't know anything about this because I did not keep the warrant. The godown Is in charge of thut.

Where expetly did you store the previous cargo of film scrap?-In Union Corporation the Chinese

The goods are no longer godown.

the ored there as they have left Colony. I have the Insurance policy here.

Is that a dangerous goods godown?

on September 22, 1948, the day ofI asked them for dangerous goods the fire. The 144 drums were first space. They said the goods could stered in No. 1 Godowa, Connaught be stored there. Read West, and the insurance was $105,000 at the rate of $8 per mille

was

-Have

you stored foods come in the category

which

of the Dan-

'he goods were later removed to Nogerous Goods regulations in No 5

Gedown in Des Voeux Road West fotown before?-No, never. and the rate was increased to $10

and the per mille.

Mr Woo here interposed. to say that there

on the an entry

wero policy. to say that the goods removed from No 1 to No 5 godown Ол December 2, 1947.

Answering Sze-sheung said he did not how the removal had arisen.

CHAIRMAN'S QUESTIONS The Chairman: Was the transfer of the policy and the transfer of the of the goods done at the instance godown company or was it done al your instance-At the instance of the godown.

The Chairman: Have any legal proceedings been taken against you for storage of the 144 drums?-No.

Mr Wright pointed opt that al- | though a person was liable for storage of goods under the Dan terous Goods Ordinance he was not under the Cinematographic Film Chairman, NE Ordinance.

know

Do you remember being informed about this?I cannot remember whether I

I was

informed at the time. This godown warrant was issued on September 22, 1947-Yes sir.

It states that the goods were to be stored in No. 5 godown. Has that figure

been altered in the Kodown warrant? We did not alter the character "Ave."

It appears to have been altered. -1 see that this character is a little blackish.

Do you remember when you -re-- ceived this godown warrant?-1 cannot remember because it was, not I who received it.

These characters "kou kau

plu

sul" were they put on the drums?--

I don't know,

Did you give instructions for any

No.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1948.

Lusty SOS Brings Help Cominform

Firemen and police in Minneapolis found 18-month-old Patrick, son of Mr and Mrs J. D. Daun, Minneapolis, sound- ing this hearty cry for help when one foot got trapped behind a kitchen pipe and his parents, couldn't free "it. After a bit of careful manipulating, firemen ended the tearful torrent. AP Picture.

:

MORE EVIDENCE IN BRIBERY INQUIRY

Alien's

Telephone

Calls To Officials

London, Nov. 16.-Alfred Bieber, a London solicitor, giving evidence today at the Government inquiry into alleged corruption, told of a telephone conversation from his office between Sidney Stanley, otherwise known as Solomon Wulkan, and people alleged to be Board of Trade officials.

Stanley, witness declared, used a code number to get. the call through, asked for "John Wood," and then spoke to someone he addressed as "Cross" with whom he seem- ed to be on very friendly terms. Cross-examined by counsel for Mr J. B. Cross, Secretary to, Mr. John Delcher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, Mr Bieber said. he was afraid the whole telephone conversation was a fake,

The Chairman: Is Lau. your e- countant, still in your employ-- Yes.

If necessary. can ho give evi- dence?--I don't know, sir.

Mr Justice Reynolds is Chairman with the Hon. NO.C. Marsh, Messre A. E. Lissuman, Kwok Chan and Co Min-nung as members and Mr T. D.

Stanley, an allen said to use five Sorby as Secretary.

as the oci Watching briefs are held by Mr names, is spotlighted D. L. Wright, instructed by Mr Y.cupant of a £1,000 a year luxury On Com-fat where business men and Govern- K. Kan, for the Wing pany,

Mr D. D. Evans for the Fire ment Ministers were brought to- Insurance Association of Hongkong:gether. and Mr P. C. Woo for Mr Ng Sze- sheung.

The proceedings are continuing,

ROYAL BIRTH

MESSAGE TO

HONGKONG

"On the occasion of the

Mr Bieber said the man at the other end of the phone confirmed that Stanley could bring the whole of his £180,000 unused import allocation over "either in amusement licences or anything else."

Priority Ranks

For Palestine

Policemen

London, Nov. .16, Mr Leonard Gammans, Conserva- tive, asked in the House of Commons today on what basis nollee officers who were formerly in the Palestine police and had now been transferred to Malaya were being given priority over those offlcers who had spent all their service in the Malayan police....

Has Banks In France

Revelations To Tho National Assembly

Paris, Nov. 16,-Funds from Russia to the Communists in | Franco and Belgium were trang- ferred through a ̈ bank in France, legally French. but actually owned by the two lending Soviet banks, M. Julek Moch, the Minister of the in- terior, told the French National Assembly tonight.

The deputien were debating the recent French strikes and M. Moch's declaration that they were finpaced by the Cominform. M. Mock w the

bame of the Bank was the La Branule Commerciale Pour L'Europo Du Nord and of its 100,000 shares. 90,700 belonged to the Soviet State Bunk and the

Soviet Bank' to Foreign Trade, 1. Quite recently

Cominform gold for more than one milliard.francs was brought into France, Inquiries revealed that in July last, the Swiss police arrested a Rumanian citizen whose offeint job was to help people from Rumania but who, in fact, was an agent for the distribution of Cominform funds in Fennec and Belgium.

M. Moch ntkled that at the end of Jule, the French police expelled 10 of this man's agonis in France and insisted on Ute recali at one Bu- manian diplomat. On this occasion. the Communist press raised na pro- test,

NEW PLAN

At the beginning of September. covered another organisation for the distribution of funds. M. Moch said. The Government was in possession of a plan drawn up in Rumania under which only diplomats people of French nationality were now being employed for the transfér of funds.

discovered

It had recently been that a former Commercial Altache 01 the Rumanian Embassy in Paris, ence expelled, had returned to the Embassy with sums amounting to 60 million trance for flmunelor agitation in the North of France and in Belgium.

He had again been expelled. M. Moch added.

M. Moch said: "I suppose that the Rumanian Government is not aware of all the activities of some

It will in of its agents and that future pay them not to interfere in our commercial stairs, in which case they will continue to be wel- come here,"

He announced that two Russians, two Pales and two Czecha were expelled this afternoon from France for their activities in the distribu- ilon of Cominform funds.

WOTC

DEBATE ON STRIKES Though a police official said that only the "usual precautions" were

police forces being taken, posted near the Parliament building today as the National Assembly be gan its debate on the recent strikes led by Communists and an allega- tion by the Minister of the Interior that the strikes wera financed by the Cominform.

The newly-elected Counch of the Repubile (or Upper House) also met today for a short formal opening session and adjourned after 25 minutes until Friday.

he

the

"very

NEVER GOT CAR The voice also said "the car for Beiber" was leaving Detroit. Ques tioned about the car, Mr Bieber sald Stanley was letting him have It ai cost price. He never got it

M. Moch today concluded in the Mr Bieber said Stanley used to ring up various people from his Mr David Rees Williams, Under Assembly his review of what omice, Including politicians who Secretary for the Colonies, renlled called "the reign of terror in were not confined to one party. that the seniority of officers trans-coaldelds" with the words "Law and from Palestine vis-a-vis order will carry the day in France." such characters to be put on the Sir Alexander Grantham has re- Earlier. Mr Francis Cecil Price, forred

M. Moch, in his opening speech. drums? As far as I remember Iceived .a telegram from the managing director of a London de officers previously serving in the did not give any such instructions Governor of Macuo (Commander partment store, cross-examined by rank to which they were transfer- said that at one stage during the to anyone. The characters mean Albano Rodrigues de Oliveira) on counsel for Stanley, objected that red was assessed in accordance with strike when troops had reoccupied organised banda com- "old film scraps."

the occasion of the royal birth. he was being subjected to a "mud-the standing regulations governing plthrads Would you take it to incan "gum"? The telegram reads:

slinging campaign so that the news. the seniority of officers on transfer manded and led by former Com- munist Maquis employedi genuine papers ena have a Roman. holl-within the Colonial Service. Would it mean "rubber derap"?-

linppy day."

One officer was, however, ap-trilla faciles.

They launched counter attacks, No, sir. It cannot, menn rubber for celebration of the royal birth I offer

pointed to the rank of Deputy Com- Price, who went to

were the police missioner and four officers to the which

sometimes it would be Your Excellency in my name, and if it means rubber "gar it" fraw rubber).

on behalf of the people of Macno, with the allegation that he had been rank of Superintendent.. who held violent and savage."

Ho read reports from local

Invited Mr George was the need for outside reinforce to the Communist benches, M. Moch roads had been mined. Turning ngreed he had

Bank of England, to become Pollca Force from officers with family and the British nation."

Acknowledging the message,

company which recent experience of emergency con-action. This is a revolutionary ne health and holidays exhibition (ditions, he said. Excellency the Governor replied:

He understood that some police The Communist deputies, who had "On behalf of the people of Hong-in London last winter.

The exhibition, said Mr Price, officers in Malaya were submitting apparently been instructed to avoid was a "disastrous flop, and there a memorial on this question to the the slightest Incident, made were creditors for over £100,000. Colonial Secretary, who would give interruption.

Mr Price denied that he had it the most careful consideration. broken promise to give Stanley Reuter.d shares in a holiday camp business that rose from five shillings: to 25 shillings or that he had persunded Storley to buy shares in another company at 10 shillings And six a chare which were now standing at five shilings and six pence.

ONE PREVIOUS SHIPMENT

Mr Wright: Is this the first time that your firm has dealt with

great event, and our cordial expres.

sion of good wishes for

the

hap-

our warmest congratulations for this asked to pay £10,000 for a lecco lower ranks in Palestine.

to buy fun fair equipment, today The reason for these appointments officers describing how hridges and

commodity of this nature?-Second Í Þiness and prosperity of the royal son, a director of the nationalised ments at all levels in the Malayan exclaimed: "This is not trade union: time. The previous shipment was about July, 1947.

D

Did you have to get a licence to import it, into the Colony?—Yes.

I chairman

kong I thank Your Excellency most Ilow do you arrive at the name warmly for your cordial message of kau pin"?-We use the Chinese congratulations and good wishes an name for film scrap or the English the occasion of the royal birth." -word "Am" for these goods.

Replying further, witness sald that both the import licence and

the manifest were handed over to

the China Travel Service,

Mr Wright: Was there any jsem

turn made to the Importa and Ex- parts Department of the arrival of

thal

that

goods? No, I don't know about

Court Refuses

An Annulment

Manila, Nov. 17-The Court of

her

pence

of

·

LOAN DENIED

Sylvester Freed

He piso denied that Stanley hail

had possible.

birthday."

+

tho

tion."

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Search For Air

Crash Bodies

Genoa, Italy, Nov, 16A first ald squad set out on Tuesday to recover the bodies of two men killed in the crash on Monday, of a Royal Acro Club of London biplane on a 3,270 foot high mountain in the vicinity of Romaceto, near Genoa.

WARNER BROS. WONDER TRIUMPH! Victor FRANCEH

OCCUPATION STATUTE

90% Agreement is Reached

ACTS OF SABOTAGE M. Moch said there had been 47 One of the bodies has been Jden-

Frankfurt, Nov. 16. General 'major acts of sabotage against tied as that of Ronald Knott of Lucius D. Clay, the United States properly and 367 attacks on persons | Liverpool, belleved to be tlie pilot of | Militˇry Governor, sald tonight_that or their houses, "It is obvious that

the plane. this criminal epidemic of sabotagė and Intimidation is due to orders from above,”

assured. N

12

the three Western Military Gay- ernors of Germany today reached The second man whose name was "po perrent agreement" on the form Jerusalem, Nov. 16. Frederick William Sylvester, British employee

not yet known was said to be an of an Occupation Statute. of the Jeruzalem Electric Corpora-

Itailan police guard who accom- The situation was now better,, tion, left gnol on Tuesday after being but sabotage and intimidation con-

panlod Knott on a flight that was to He said the Statute would now freed of spying charges and said he

tinued. In come localities where local

have takon them from Itome to Pina, reforme back to the British, After the arrival of the goods is it the First Instance, has denied a

would fly to, England as soon as

leaders of the Communist-led

Associated Press.

French and American Governments not the proper procedure to inform loent girl's polition for annulment loaned him £300, and had

General Confederation of Labour seizure of power by the Communist that General Sir Brian Robertson He added For further instructions. the I. and E. Department that they of her wartime marriage to a Ja diflentty in recovering it, or that orastom Police Headquarters that acted as if they were "lets."

Sylvester told reporters have actually arrived?--It has never panese, rulbig that marriage is o He had ever bought property from he hopes to join, his wife, Beatrice, regions unlit perzonal security and made this statement is in this Ag- half hours

Party by direct action it necessary." Troops would remain in All

and General Pierre Koenig had been done by my firm before. As solemn institution and should not be Stanley.

The Minister said: "The man who conferred with him for five and far as I am concerned I cannot re-lightly treated"

21, her freedom to work were again. Zu member if there was ever auch n Dismissing a petillon

Mr Price alleged he was told in London by November filed by Mr Bieber's office that he could get

sembly and was at one time on procedure.

Emilia

the run because he feared arrest." Manalaysay ngainst

Earlier on Tuesday

Israel!

M. Moch sal

Moch sald the total number of

During thele: meeting, they hart. an import licence for fun fale equip-Supreme Court sequitted Sylvester NO INSPECTION

M: Moch quoted instructions given eliminated many causes of disagree-- absent husband, Shiyohuki Iwamoto.ment If he paid £10,000 to Stanley, on all charmos of broadcasting in-nt strike, and up to. November the late General Zhdanov in Jufement on the Statute but he refused s

pollee "upents wounded during the by the Secretary of the Cominform While these goods were in the who was repatriated when the

Americana

who would act as

between" returned to the Philip

"EO Wing On Godown did you ever in pines, Judge Rafael Amparo waved with Government departments,

formation

'to disclose their,pature. useful to the enemies of coal Israel. The Court ordered his im- was 470. In the course of the conl spoet them?-Nevar.

strike

1948. Ho until November 12, 1041 ing him from a

old, the document reach-I she was

that Mr Bieber (*** Mr. Price stated

a very sure

General Clay" "sald÷?" "the" "Statúté Or anyone from your

firm?1 asido, Emilia's claim, that don't know If any of our fokis went intimidated into marriage and ruled told him that the man who would mediate release after upholding his

appeal following 5 seven-year not persons had been arrested, including that intimidation was not ground net as "go between" closely

Was to the godown to Inspect the goods.

sentence Imposed by a Jerusalem 117 foreigners-Poles, Italians and the Communist » jurtles in would give Western Germany, tho the following in first legal definition by 62 ¿ste status connected with officials in Govern District Court on October B-Asso-

Gremanx. I did not give them instructions to for annulment

Three hundred and sevenicenatructions: "Whatever may be the since the occupation, do so, and morcover it is not part of Iwamoto's address

The marriage took place in 1044,nent departments to whom he had

clated. Pros8.

persons had been sentenced and 23tions now going on in Moscow, the Governors will hold their next om- outcome of the diplomatie, negotia unknown to pay out large sums of money, WILS

Ho..." said the three - Military uty to give such instructions. and the case was tried in his, The Inquiry was adjourned until

foreigners ́expelled.

fight against the Marshall Pinn Was it necessary to tell the the absence. The Judge added that the tomorrow, Reuter,

Dockers Barricade surance company:

must be continued by all possible cial meeting for November 30 to whore the

· marriage · should be set aside only "upan sufficient grounds recognised

Themselves

The Minis er cited reports which means la Western Europe even if discuss the problems anew after in- there is a relaxation of diplomatie Auctions have been received from Paris, Nov 18-Dockers

+

he said had come from secret agents tension. at

Their Governments for AID DISTRIBUTION

Dunkirk who went on strike today | Inside' Communist cells all over the closed the dock gates, barricaded country. He said all three reports The Communists In Western "We reduced thất's margin of dis Washingtop. Novi 16-Distribution them and declined :07. let anyone In showed that instructions: Rivon

this to Europa. must not on

account agreement to a very small (murgiri of Marshall Plan Aid '-funds. hás or out unless he could·

werd, to carry relax their efforts ngainst the Mar-"Indeed," General Clay" aŭdod... His (passed the $8,000,000,000 marką! docker's union entu or prove he on the strike

showra Communist oil the Government shall Plan. A diplomatic, truco, Will | said that he had a brief meeting also" from clght to ton Cairo, Nov... 10—Catro was The alludus announced Today had business in the port. Was over all in Communist speaker against Western capitalism, which commenders of the Western Union..

only be an episode in tho war herd, today... with the "three Servico Persent because the goods were blackend out for 50 minutes on totalled $47,027,240 bringing tho They decided, to "mount: - pickets | ··I ono

dilni Thom die lodown by another?. Tuesday night, following nu air zali total cald, for sil.countries to date, day and night until the strike, is said the object of the strike was į must be brought, to its knees.” - Military maiters "weto not discussed.

MEDIA &ṛlaĶNE – Disodį: No alarmsociated Press.

ito 83,008,440039--Router.

Tover-Router

"the fall of the Government and the Reuter."

—Reuter.":

TÁV

Roods

were sored, before they quoted you

al rate?—Aflet, the insurance com

pany informed of ordinary goods

יי'

of dangerous goods they then premium for goods,

ruch

the

Have you any explanation why

the maurificë,

changed the many suddenly

by the law for its onnulment." United. Press. -

CARGO BLACKED OUT

SECRET AGENTS

κανο

source