1948-11-19 — Page 5

WING ON GODOWN FIRE INQUIRY

Witness Questioned About Labels On Inflammable Goods

The Commission of Inquiry investigating the disastrous Wing On Company Godown fire on September 22, this morning at the Supreme Court heard evidence regarding a shipment of drums of cellulose lacquer from the United States and stored in the godown.

The witness, Mr C. T. Woo, chemist of Tonley and Co. Ltd, declared that the goods arrived from America in May last year and part of them were stored at the Kowloon Godowns and the remain- der in the Wing On Godown at West Point.

The Chairman (Mr Justice. Rey- the godown I did receive the war- nolds): Are they classifed an dan-rant and I took it to the office. Kerous goods?--Yes.

Did you make any arratgements for having them labelled as tan- gerous goods?-According to Inter- nutional Law when a commodity of this nature is put on board a ship It is labelled in red with the words "Red Labe)."

Do you know that in this Colony you have to have, a label like this end one furmured)--I don't know that in Hongkong this label should be put on. I have never seen one for inflammable goods

Do you know whether these ting bore the international mark?--Yes I know for a fact that the shipment In 1947 was marked "Red Label" on every eDEC. If the mark was not on the goods the shippers not carry them.

would

Replying further, witness said the labels were painted on in block let- ters and the "Red Label" meant in- flammable.

I

SIGN FOR SHIPPERS The Chairman: This is by inter- national usage? That is so.

The words Inflammable or dan- gerous are not actually used on that Inbel-The Red Label alone means inflammable and is a sign for the shippers to put the goods asido in a different place.

*

When the goods were sent to the Wing On Godown for storage were they stil in the wooden cares? Yes str.

Do you know which godown these cases of cellulose lacquer were stored?I don't know.

Have you the godown warrant? I have not got the godown warrant with me. It was sent to the In-

|

Do you remember who cave it to you? I am not sure who gave me this warrant because there are two for who are responsible

They are issuing these warrants. Wong and Kwok.

persons

There goods were lodged in No. 1 godown. Is that correct?—Yes.

You

will see that this godown warrant (produced) has now goi the figure five. Do you know how that came about?-At the time we only checked the number of commodities and we knew that these goods were in No. 1 godown.

When you received that warrant was the figure one an it or Ave na it is now?-At the time I did not pay attention to the chit.

Did you know it was the inten- flon Inter to move the goods from No. 1 godown to No. 5 godown?--- No, I did not know.

FOR ORDINARY GOODS

em-

Lau Jor-Ung, book-keeper ployed by the. Wing On Company, gave evidence that he kept the stock books of No. 1 godown. The other book-keeper, Wong Tak-king, sng

dend.

The Chairman: Is No. 1 godown kept for the storage of extra- hazardous or hazardous goods. Can 1 go- you tell us? No sir. No. down is for ordinary goods.

Do you remember. In September 1047 receiving a consignment of 144 drums?—I do not remember because I started work there in December 1947.

Do you see the entries In this placement book (produced)-Yes. surance company but I have got "At the time they might have been receipt for it.

entered by the keeper No 1 Can you tell me who made the godown. Yeung Yung-sau. I know arrangements for the storage in this writing. Wine On Gotlown. Did you do it?--

Do you remember 144 drums be- I did not make the arrangements. We have a person to look after the ing moved from No godown to No 5 godown?-1 would only know by receipt of goods. His name is Lat

looking at the stock book. Hon-ming.

And the stock books were destroyed?--Yes, sir,

And it would be him who would deliver the goods, to the godown? That is so.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1948.

Life Insurance Battle Fleet

10 Years For Man Who Committed 7 Burglaries

JUDGE REJECTS LENIENCY PLEA

"You should have thought of your family before committing these offences. As regards your plea for leniency yours is one of the worst cases 1 have had be fore me for many years," declared the Chief Justice, Sir Sessions this morning, Leslie Gibson, at the Criminal when he sentenced Lui Dip, a young Chinese, to a total of 10 years' hard labour on seven counts of burglary, housebreaking and larceny.

Lui pleaded guilty to breaking tion of the Colony as tricycle drivers, into and stealing property from the but they later parted company and and premises he did not see them again until a following residences in Kowloon between September, 1947, | few months before his arrest. They and August this year:

No. 11 Humphreys Avenue, real dence of Mr Albert J. Ho, who lost jewellery valued at $2,340; No. 24 Camuvon Road, first noor, residence of Messra M. R. Snell and W. A. Nicholas,, who lost a photo enlarger. and clothing; Nn.

No. 12 Kimberley Road, residence of Miss M. F. Cale, who lost a quantity of jewellery; No.

Mr

radio and two

and

were charged together with him because he had been forced by the Poller to produce his accomplices, so he had falsely laid information that the accused were the men con- cerned.

The trial is proceeding.

Here's part of the 406

the US. Navy's - ships in Pacific Reserve fleet as they look today, several years after they were put in mothballs by "pickling" and "cocooning." This is a line of destroyer escorts. Two thousand men of the San Diego Naval station are busy repairing, maintaining and in some cases pre- paring to "de cocoon" various vessels as a test of the preservation methods.

AP Picture.

Anglo-Eire Alliance Forecast

London, Nov. 18.-Respon- sible Commonwealth leaders forecast on Thursday that. Bri- tain and Eire will begin next year to negotiate a treaty of, close military and economic

About Funeral alliance.

27C Nathan Road, the residence of Banishee Lied Me W. D. Patey. who lost clothing and money to the value of $470; No. 13 Observatory

floor, Road, first JUSAL residence of Mr I. Hawley.

lost

The talks are likely to begin soon who

Prime Minister John A. fountain pens;

Sentence of four years hard after No. 45 Hillwood Road, first floor, residence of Mr labour was passed by Mr Justice Costello's bill to repeul Elre's ex- Liu, who lost a radio and sewing Gould at the Criminal Sessions, this termal relations act which will luke Common- his country out of the machine head; and Messes Gilman morning on Leung Kwok-man, 37, Can you remember

Nathan any drums Motors Ltd., 132

Road, for returning to the Colony after wealth, becomes law.

Mr Costello has gone on record NO CHINESE CHARACTERS •being removed?-I cannot remem- where two typewriters

four having been banished for life. He

favouring

association" "close the Fulice in 45 tol 11. was arrested by Can you tell us if any Chinese ber, sir, because the godown keeper motor-car tyres, valued at a

October.

between his country, and the states characters were put on the cases by always gave me Instructions to alter of $2.407, were stolen.

the books when

Mr goods are moved

W. A. Blair-Kerr, Assistant your firm to indicate that they were

Leung claimed he had returned of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth Crown

informants In order Solicitor. who prosecuted, in

to attend his mother's dangerous goods?-No such word-from one godown to another.

Sub-Inspector ing was put on the cases by

assisted by

W. H. funeral, and gave the Court the ad- who declined to be identified wald Canadian and Summers, revealed that Lul had a dress at which he declared she had British. Australion. company."

New Zealand

have representatives previous

conviction for burglary lived and dled, Do you remember getting instruc-in 1946. when he was sentenced to

their for this story for

part assured Eirean He was remanded tions from Wong Tong to make an nine months' hard labour.

ta be checked, and this morning. Ministers informully that they would entry that these goods have been

Asked if he had anything to say Mr Heenan,

Crown Counsel, said like to continue close economic and moved?--I cannot remember about before sentence wns passed, Lu that enquiries had been made by political associations as in the past. these goods.

claimed he had a wife. who was

but Det. Sub-Inspector Paul Hu,

"SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS" -children-and-neither Leung nor his mother were pregnant.- several

ged mother to support. He asker krown at the address given.

That assurance was said to have the Court for lentenev.

Leung admitted five previous been given in the course of talks convictions. including a previous Letween Ministers of the Avo coun- tries when they met In Paris on breach of the deportation order.

Tuesday.

Our

Feriving to Mr Evans. witness Fald that the size of the labels was halt-on-inch for each fetter cccify- ing more than half the length of the case which was about two feet lon by 14 inches wide.

-The-next-witness--Lei -Fan-ming: tallemen of Tonley and Company, testined to the removal of 111 enses of cellulose taconer from the Kin Kwok Lacquer Factory, Causeway Bay, to the Wing On Company's No. 5 crown. He did not know whether the goods were manufac- tured locally or were imported..

CANNOT REMEMBER

Do you remember drums of kau pin being in No 1 godown?-I can- not remember.

Do you remember making a state- ment to Inspector Shaw yesterday?— I remember.

Do you remember that you stated that you remembered signing for and bales of kau that the goods came from Amerien pin? I mentioned that after I went nnd part of the consignment was to the godown I took up casual work sent to the Kin Kwok Factory but it and I saw the goods,

C. T. Woo recalled.. explained bales of rubber

mit in obtained from the Imports and Exports Department.

That is a different side of the question altogether. That is a per- mit to rewave dutiable goods-The usual practice is, that a licence from the Fire Brigade is only necessary for explosive goods.

extra-hazardous.

ALLEGED ASSISTANTS After Lui had been sentenced, the Irtal proceeded of Fung Hing and Lo Gar-fon, both of whom were charge with aiding and abetting Lul in the breaking into and theft from Gilmen Motors Lid. They pleaded not guilty, and a jury comprising men and two women was CIIL- panelled.

live

EDUCATION OF ROYAL CHILD

(Conilnued from Page 4)

will

everything

u cricket bat.

The

Com-

It is thought likely too that the

antion Brussels Union and sub- future sequently into the projected North Atlantic defence systeın will be raised in practical sense carly next dr Castello some months ogs said that Eire's price for entering the Brussels alliance would be the ending of Irish partition for so long a source of Anglo-Elrean conflict. Associated Press.

year.

London Bribery

Probe

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Paulette GODDARD * Burgess MEREDITH

IN

"DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID"

RELEASED THRU UNITED ARTISTS

Belgian Cabinet May Resign

Detalls of the talks remain M closely guarded official secret.

A communique issued after the dis- talks mentioned vaguely that

how the cussions centred around close ties of the past between Eire and the Commonwealth

can be con- was more than they odered. As Kin Tell us when you remember see Kwok did not pay up on the agreed | Ing these drums of kau pint Mr Blalr-Kerr said that the bur- Apart from school work proper, tinued and "possibly strengthened."

Apart from the reported treaty terms the drums were taken out of, Roughly it was January or February glary occurred on October 22 Inst the Princess and her husband have the factory and stored in Wing On this year in No. 5 gedown.

year. The premises were used as strong views on the importance of with Britain it is possible that Eire Do you remember them being

garage, show-room and office and physical training and sports. Swim- will enter into special relationships, nature of which were not QUESTIONS ABOUT LICENCE moved from No. 1 godown to No. 5

tning riding and physical culture the were

except for nat occupied The Chairman: Can you tell me godown about the beginning of the whichman who slept there. Gilman's will form part of the early pro-periled with certain other If you ever had a licence from the year?--I cannot remember these closed us usunt a Hittle after 5 p.m. grume of their son, and the Duke monwealth countries, it was stated. Chief Offeer of the Fire Brigade to being moved.

himself start him on October 21, leaving the watchmun certainly havo possession of these goods?~~Ac- Did you say yesterday that you in charge, and he found cording to the usunt practice a per- I did remember?--1.told the Inspector in order up to 2.30 nm. He with early lessons on how to hold 1 question of Elre's entry into the five

I did not mean that I knew they decided to go to sleep and awaking The

of п education were moved from No. 1 to No.

of necessity. must, godown. What I meant was that at 0 a.m. made a check of the ptes sovereign

from that of his or her mises. On going around, he noticed different locked up the book

that a small window of the office future subjects, since his or her must be so different from adjacent to Kimberley Road had a future SAME CHARACTERS

window-pane removed, and this was theirs. But as far as possible, the his superiors when Princess and the Duke intend that You say that you knew these were appeared us the office at 6:48 their child shall be brought up on Were you aware that these were drums of kau pin?--Yes.

and allowed to de- A thorough check was then normal lines. don't How did you know? Becausom. goods?-I

It was discovered that velop, as made, and

they themselves both know, I don't know that that is there was always a label hanging on two typewriters and four motor-car were, his own personality, unspoilt possible because its substances are the stack of drums.

by Royal ranks. very stable.

Replying further, witness said the tyres were missing,

The Police were Informed and in That may be so but that does not characters on the label were the

the course

nurse of their investigations In the placement book.

Crisis Temporarily mean-to say that they are not very same airman: Did you see Wong they came across some fingerprints Inflammable.

The

Eased Quite so, sir. Even if the vapour Tong on the morning before the fire? on a Kelly Tyres advertisement.

FINGERPRINT CHECK

(Continued from Page 1) comes out the material will still not I did not see him because I was

happened Nothing further

unti

(Continuad from Page 1) asleep. cause a fire.

With regard to the label were the September this year, when Lul Dip

untrue" The substance will catch fire and

of 8,000

He denied as totally

for and har v

very low flash point less than characters in English words or just was arrested. His fingerprints

on obtained £8,000 to pay Mr Belcher 3 degrees. Do you know that? Chinese? remember there was no checked and found to say it were munists was reported to have sur- that Stanley had asked According to

ding to the composition of this English wording

marks discovered on the Kelly Tyres rendered to the Government

Immediately afterwards, the Pre-The Minister sold the measure of against the Sherman's lacquer ov

over 50

per cent of the sub- Can you tell us who is responsible advertisement. He assisted the Fo- Thursday with arms and ammunt-and Sir Frank Soskice to stop pro-

tions. The correspondent said this ceedings

mier, M. Paul Henri Spaak, told the grace accorded to the two men did stances have no low flash point, where an English name is given to and would

for giving the Chinese equivalent lice in their further Investigations

the He also denied that Stanley hart House that he would consult his not constitute any change in munists who rendered within the

Cabinet, who will most probably Government's policy towards con- other accused.

last two daya.

Bald Sir Frank Soskico sary for any person having posses-

hand In their resignations” According to

victed collaborators. Lul

said the Prose- President Chiang Kai-shek de course expensive" and that Mr sion or custody of such goods coming down?-Generally the Chinese name

is given by the customer himself. cutor. he met the two nccused out-corated Gen. Chiu Ching-chuan Belcher was a "heavy spender" and

An emergency Cabinet meeting The two groups, forming the The Inquiry is proceeding; side Gilman's about 8 pm, on Octo-with the high military Blue Sky and each had to have another £2,500, will be held tomorrow. · Observers | Coalition Goveniment-the Socialists her 21, after having suggested to White Sun Medel, plus a $200,000 Questioned about the proposed belloved tonight that M. Spank will and the Social Christians—then leit them that they break into the garage, Gold Yuan award for his "dia- £1,000,000 flotation of his concern go from the Cabinet meeting to the the House to consider the position and about 3 a.m. on October 22, ho tinguished service" in the battle off as a public company, Sherman said Royal Palace to hand in the realgia separately. cut of a window-oane and the wire Hauchow.

Stanley arranged meetings for him tion of his Cablact to Prince Charles, Chiang also ordered with Mr George Gibson, director of the Regent. Fresident mesh behind, undid the window of the office and entered the garage that $1,000,000 Gold Yuan in cush the Bank of England, and Mr

a motion. "regrotting the · Govern- The two Delglans, China Travel Service, was recalled. E

and tyres. These he handed over to United Press.

sions he was loft In no uncertain

A hurried priove

conference was reprieve caused today's criels were called between the leaders of the The Chairman: When you gave || A⠀⠀ 25-year-old Chinese, Jumped

terms of the hopelessness of tho

condemned to death by a military Parlimentary groups. Four to- cyldence nt the last hearing I think into the harbour from the the two necused and the trio then

was called to

altuation. that you fold us that you did not Fefty steamer Solar Star soon after aff.

Then

Lui Dip was

to the

There had been no discussion of court at Mons which had tried then parate motions, including that of receive the godown warrant when 9 o'clock this morning.

witness-box he admitted, he knew

any consideration for Mr Gibson or

Belgian civilians. you stored the goods at the godown.

Was Cheung Wai-ming, anFung and Lo, but declared they were

Mr Hell 2.10 Witness Yes Id not receive employee of the Shanghal Barber's not the men who had assisted him Tandon, Nov. 18-Even cats are

The Chairman of the Tribunal ad-During today's debate in the Lower the godown warrant.

supported the shon in Nathan Road.

In when he broke intă Gilman Motors, going

for cross-Channel urned the sitting 15 minutes earlier House, M. Struys, the Social Chris- The Liberals. The Chairman: "I bellave" when He was picked up by Police Two other

not. in custody, swimming these days.

han scheduled because he thought tlan (Catlielle) Minister of Juntien: ¡Socialists and also proposed a vota men,

A holiday cruising boat plcked Sherman, who had, hesitated in his was asked to answer a motion calling for expsure,:- and the ". Communials yu said that you were confused Laurich No. A about 300 yards from were concerned

his attention inswore towards lie end, was tired Lul explained how he came to one up. two miles out. and that you now wish to amend the Kowloon Terry wharf, and taken

to "répercussions na prynnaodaid, simple vote(of consúra, Evidence will be resumed 15-Belgian public onion" enutéd by None of the resolutions was put to that statement? Yes sir. At the to Kowloon Hospital, suffering front know Fung and Lo. Ife said they A bit bedraggled. Pussy purred

morrow-Bruter,

the reprieve.

tha. vote-fleuter. time when the goods were taken into the effects of Immersion,

worked together after the re-occupa-her thanks-Associated Press.

be

'Another' group

Cam-

Do you one know that It is neces-goods which are stored in the go- witness against led as a Crown Was the second, large group of Com- Pools.

in that category, of the Dangerous Goods to have a licenes.

The from

the

Chief Omeer of the Fire-Brigadóf-,, Iļknow for sure it is not recessary

and I know that the Fire Brigade JUMPS FERRY

never, Interferes with there goods.

DID RECEIVE" WARRANT. Loung, Hon-chi, tallyman," of the

INTO HARBOUR

|

+

"was of

Brussels, Nov. 18.-The Belgian Minister of Justice, M. Paul Henri Struys, resighed tonight after a long Parliamentary debate in the Lower House on the reprieve of two Belgians found guilty of war crimes.

The Socialista declded ip Introduce

where he picked up the typewriters be awarded to all Hsuchow troops Glenvli Hall, but after the discusloveroulle and· Arthur, Surin, whore /ment's action In ordering the r

Cat: Picked Up In English" Channel.

(on charges of war erlines again these were then put, before

•

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