September 24, 1896.]
the local paper is silent. In any case, how ever, the introduction of foreign machinery and foreign methods affords a ray of hope brighter than any that merchants interested in the China tea trade have enjoyed for many years.
RETURN OF THÉ KUCHENG CRIMINALS.
never
Some recent remarks in this column in con- nection with the fresh outbreak of anti- foreign feeling in the Kucheng district, in- famous by reason of the massacre there last year of a number of helpless women and children, have received further illustration and point by a fact mentioned in our Foo- chow contemporary. The Echo says that by the decision of the Commission which sat there after the massacre two of the culprits concerned were banished beyond the frontier, one for ten years and the other for life. The sentence originally passed was death, but this was subsequently com- muted to exile. That was about a year ago, and our contemporary avers that both these criminals are now at their homes in the neighbourhood of Kucheng carrying on their former occupation, either in calm defiance of or with the full knowledge of the officials. The latter is the most probable conjecture.. The punishment was meant to be more than nominal, and as soon as the first outburst of indignation had sub- sided these ruffians, whose action was no doubt secretly applauded by the Viceroy and his gang, were brought back and re- instated in their homes, possibly with com- pensation for the small loss or brief punish- ment they had undergoue. The coolies whose heads were struck off may or may not have been some of the actual perpetra- tors of the tragedy, but the instigators of the crime no doubt escaped altogether. The action of the Fukien officials throughout showed that their sympathies were with the murderers, and everything possible was done to screen the men who were responsi ble for the act. The graves of the victims are now green, and the first terrible grief of the bereaved somewhat dulled, but the memory of this atrocious and cowardly deed should never be allowed to fade. The statement of the Foochow journal ought to be investigated by the British Consul, and, if found correct, the Minister should insist upon the offenders being made to undergo their full sentence. To pardon them at this stage is not only a burlesque on justice but a gross insult to the British Government.
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SUPREME COURT.
16th September.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
of the occupants were thrown into the water, but were rescued by the launch. The cargo boat was bought twelve months ago for $400 and plaintiff had clothing and jewellery on board of the value of $90, all of which was lost.
The wreck was got ashore on the following day and was sold for $39.50.
In arswer to Hon. Ho Kai plaintiff said that when he was engaged by defendants there were other boats alongside, but they went away
to escape the gale.. The red drum was up at the time, but the sea was not very rough then. He heard people say a typhoon was coming and for that reason refused at first to go. hoisted just as all the coal was put on board The black ball was and when he got to the wharf he heard the gun fired.
The defence was that the plaintiff was not promised an indemnity and witnesses were called in support of this view. The coal was worth $140.
asked himself why, if the plaintiff thought the His Lordship, in giving judgment, said he weather was too rough, he was there at all waiting to be hired. Why did he not leave for a place of safety? Again, was it likely that an indemnity was promised? The coal on board was worth $140 and in order to secure the safe delivery of that cargo it was contended that an
His Lord indemnity of $500 was promised. ship did not think the indemnity was promised and he gave judgment for the defendants with costs.
17th September.
In Original JurisdictioN.
BEFORE HIS HONOUR DR. CARRINGTON
(CHIEF JUSTICE.)
RECEIVING ORDER AGAINST A CONTRACTOR A petition for a receiving order against Shun Lung, contractor, 38, Hollywood Road, was presented.
Mr. Ho Wyson represented the debtor and Mr. Grist represented the petitioning creditor. Mr. A. Seth (Official Receiver) also watched the proceedings.
His Lordship said the only point was whether there was evidence to show that there were substantial assets available for division amongst the creditors.
Mr. Ho Wyson said he would call a witness to prove there were substantial assets.
Chun Kum, managing partner in the Shun Lung firm, said, in reply to Mr. Ho Wys00, that the m was unable to pay its debts. He was sure that he could collect upwards of $7,000 for work done by the firm. He could not say without reference to the books what the liabi- lities were.
In answer to his Lordship witness said the stock-in-trade consisted of work which was not yet completed. The sum of $7,000 had not been paid, because the time for payment had not yet arrived.
His Lordship-$7,000 sounds a good deal, but book debts are often not worth very much.
Mr. Ho Wyson-They are due from Europeans.
Witness said the Government owed him $2,100, and Messrs. D. Sassoon and Sons owed him over $3,000. He became a bank BEFORE ME. T. SERCOMBE SMITH (ACTING rupt because he was sued and had not
PUISNE JUDGE.)
LO KWONG LAM V. HING LI HOP KEE FIRM. Plaintiff sought to recover $330.50 from the defendants for the loss of a cargo boat. Mr. Grist appeared for the plaintiff and Hon. Ho Kai represented the defendants.
The plaintiff said that on the 9th August the defendants engaged his cargo boat to deliver 23 tons of coal at the Canton steamer wharf. He said it was too rough to go and the defend- ant thereupon promised to indemnify him to the extent of $500 should anything unforseen happen. On this understanding he consented to deliver the coal from his boat. After landing five tons of coal the weather became so boisterous that the work of unloading could not be proceeded with and the defend. ante launch towed the cargo boat away. Some. where near Blue Buildings the cargo bost was runk in consequence of the heavy sea and three
sufficient money
to pay.
He was at the present time in prison under a civil process.
His Lordship granted the receiving order and appointed Mr. A. Seth official receiver.
Mr. Ho Wyson asked his Lordship to release the debtor from prison.
Mr. Grist, on behalf of the execution creditor, offered no objection and his Lordship made an order for the release of the debtor.
18th September.
CRIMINAL Sessions.
BEFORE HIS HONOUR DR. Carrington (CHIEF JUSTICE.)
A MAIDEN SESSIONS.
On the opening of the Court, the Registrar, addressing his Lordship, said My Lord, it is my pleasant duty to inform your Lordship that no
2.9
cases have been committed for trial at this session. How often this has happened before I cannot say. Be that as it may, an occurrence of this sort is one on which we may congratulate
ourselves. Surrounded as we are by hordes of people, the most of whom belong to untold millions to whom law and justice are unknown, quantities, I think we Britishers in this British colony may pride ourselves on the fact as a fact which the Government and your Lordship, as the worthy holder of the sceptre of justice in this colony, may well be proud. According to traditional custom in the home country, at a maiden sessions the Clerk of the Crown
the Court. It is also my pleasant duty on generally presents a pair of white gloves to this occasion to present your Lordship with the gloves. On the equity side of the Court he who seeks equity must generally do equity, that is to say, must come into Court with clean hands. I cannot exactly trace the custom in regard to the gloves; all I can say is that trust that the community now rears before in handing the gloves to your Lordship. I you with pure and clean hands, a
og may it so continue. I beg your lordship tercept the gloves.
His Lordship, in accepting the gloves, said- Mr. Registrar, I am very much obliged to you. I think the occurrence of a maiden sessions is always a matter for congratulation to all con- cerned in the administration of justice, and, I may say, to the people of the place in which the occurrence. happens. At the same time I suppose, remembering the old say. ing that one swallow does not make a summer, we must not found too high expectations on the occurrence of a maiden sessions. I think we may expect, and at any rate hope, that with the spread of education on the one hand and the action of the efficient police on the other, crime will tend more and more to diminish. Gentlemen of the jury, I have to congratulate you both on public and private grounds that there are no cases for trial and to thank you for your attendance.
His Lordship asked the Acting Attorney- General if he had any other matter to bring for- ward and he replied in the negative. The Court then rose.
THE REBELLION IN THE
PHILIPPINES.
HEAVY FIGHTING.
SHOCKING ATROCITIES.
19th September.
We are at length able to give additional in- formation respecting the rebellion in the Philippines. On August 29th the outbreak had assumed very serious proportions. Hard fight- ing between the Spanish troops and the natives had taken place about three miles from Manila and it is reported that many were killed on both sides. Up to that day the Spanish authorities were apparently in ignorance of the extent of the impending trouble. At any rate it had been arranged to despatch a few hundred troops in a Spanish merchant steamer, the Venus, to Mindanao to suppress the revolt there, but on the 29th the Governor ordered the troops to remain in Manila, so that it is evident he was not aware of the danger until that day. The troops disembarked from the Venus, which thereupon went and brought up reinforcements from Iloilo.
street
Some shocking stories are told of fearful atrocities committed both by the Spanish and On the 29th August & Spanish the rebels. lieutenant was murdered before his wife's eyes, and then a number of the murderers attacked his wife and afterwards ravished her and her twelve year old dunghter. Other stories of a like repulsive nature were told in Manila. The Spanish troops were also diabolical in their treatment of the natives. They met a party of thirty rebels in the and proceeded to fire on them. Only one or two were killed, the others being purposely wounded only on the legs in order that they should suffer intense torture. Two natives who were killed were immediately disembowelled and the mutilated cdies hoisted on the gate of a sli bridge. It is beved that this fiendish contr duot incensed the natives so much that they fir
murder of the lieutenant decided upon the murder One who witnessed the shooting of the natives
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