284
@TAE-OVERCROWDING OF THE tional box or TARTAY”
Jalee? How TT CAME ABOUT.⠀⠀⠀
12th September. With respect to the overcrowding of the Tartar which arrived on the 6th September from Manila with troops for San Francisco, and which is expected to resume her home ward, voyage to-day, arrangements have been made whereby the troops will be more comfort. able than hitherto, in addition to which the number on board has been reduced somewhat by some of the time expired regulars leaving by the City of Peking the other day and others. taking berths in the Gaelic. As soon as he heard of the overcrowding, Consul-General Wildman went on board the Tartar with the Consular Surgeon, Dr. Perry, and met the Chief Surgeon of the ship, the result of the visit being, so we have before stated, the mak- ing of armingements calculated to add to the mena comferteaastan
It seems that in the first instance, it was only intented to take home the Kansas Volunteers in the Tartar; but some 400 time expired regulars induced the authorities at Manila to give them tinkate, with the result that all the arrangements were upset. When told that they would have to wait until there was another transport at liberty the regulars one and all replied that they would rather go home on a plank than stay a day longer in Manila, and in this way per- suaded: the authorities to pack them off at once. At the same time we understand that every man was provided with a proper sleeping place, and certain little conveniences which the men.complained were missing were, through the energy of Consul-General Wildman, unearthed, they having been stowed away on board ship all the time the men were bemoaning their absence.i Sies we
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WIRE HARBOUR DEPARTMENT DECLINE
TO CLEAR.
or
22
13th September. The transport Tartar with the American troops board *should have resumed her homeward voyage yesterday, but her departure has been delayed by the Harbour Department notifying Cobtul General Wildman that they decline to clear her on account of overcrowding: The Coral General protested and submitted the matter to His Excellency the Governor, who is considering it. The point is whether the Tartar comes under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance or whether she is to be regarded as a troopship. If it is decided that she is to be ruled by the Ordinance she cannot leave with more than 750 passengers, in which case some 450 soldiers will be left in Hongkong. If she is recognised as some 1,300 souls.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
SERIOUS ASSAULT ON MR. J. J. SPOONER.
A SODA WATER BOTTLE THROWN AT HIS HEAD.
At the Magistracy on Thursday, before Mr. Gompertz, George Williams, aged 38, of Wynd. ham Street, was charged with aulawfully and maliciously assaulting Joseph John Spooner,
chief excise officer.
Complainant, who appeared with his head bandaged, said-About 1.30 p.m. on the 13th inst. I was sitting at a table in the Hongkong Hotel with Captain Sherman, a friend of mine. I felt someone from behind rubbing the top of my head very hard with his hand. I looked up and saw defendant. I told him not to do it again. He rubbed my head again and I again said "Stop that." He began rubbing a third time and I jumped up and he made a blow at me which missed. I caught hold of him by the shoulder and he caught hold of me by the jacket and shirt. An American soldier came up and told defendant to let me go and he did so. I then sat down and said to the soldier, "Don't strike that man; I know him." The soldier went away. Defendant then began calling me a fraud and a beast and va- ions other insulting names. I said, "For goodness sake, shut up." I turned to speak to my friend, when I received a tremendons blow on struck it. I was stunned for a little and when I the head from one side. I could not see who
came to I saw defendant on the floor and some American soldiers kicking him, whilst others said, "Don't touch him, get a policeman." I went into the lavatory and got my head washed. When I came cut I saw a number of people and an Indian sergeant of police outside Mr. Lang's shop. I said I wanted defendant arrested.
On being cross-examined complainant said- The first time defendant rubbed my hair I told him not to do it again. I think he was under the influence of drink. The second time de- fendant touched me I said "I'll smooth it down for you." I did not call defendant a fraud. He called me a fraud and a beast. I do not under stand yet why I was struck.
H. C. Sherman, master mariner, said-I was sitting in company with Mr. Spooner and an- other gentleman at about 1.30 p.m. yesterday in the Hongkong Hotel. Defendant came in and ruffled Mr. Spooner's hair. Mr. Spooner told him to desist. He got arguing and they started wrangling. Mr. Spooner then sat down and defendant sat at the same table for a little while and some more words passed. I did not listen to what they said. I then saw defendant jump up and raise his hand with a soda-water bottle in it. I jumped up and tried to ward off the blow with my right arm. The blow struck Mr.
[September 16, 1899:
a frand. Two soldiers were there and they came : to the station with me yesterday. They are not here now. I last my temper and struck pro-- secutor with a bottle. I had no malice, and didə not mean to do any bodily harm, I do not know why I did it.
A fine of $50, or two months" hard labour, was imposed.
HONGKONG COTTON SPINNING, WEAVING AND DYEING CO., LTD.
The second ordinary meeting of the Hong- kong Cotton Spinning, Weaving, and Dyeing Co., Ltd., was held on Saturday at noon at the offices of the General Mangers, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. Hon. J. J. Keswick pre- sided. I he other gentlemen present were:- Hon. C. P. Chater, Messrs. R. M. Gray aud A. Haupt (directors). G. Murray Bain, J. Orange, A. Shaw (manager) J. C. Peter, J. Y.- V. Vernon, J. R. Michael, B. Byramjee, J. McKie, Brooke-Smith, Ho Tung, Wong Wing, Tong, Ng Yat Heung, Lo Sai Ki, Chan Ku, Leung Tit Shan, Ho U Shang, Hon Kwan Hin and Chan Chan Nam.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, with your con- sent we will follow the custom which prevails at meetings of public companies in this colony and
are sup-
not trespass on your time by reading the printed holder some ten days ago. There is very little report which was forwarded to every share-
to be added to what is mentioned in the report in your hands, because, of an enterprise of this nature while at its initiatory stages it is im- possible to speak of the result of its working with any degree of certainty, and it would be very imprudent to venture on any forecast. At the same time I may remar that we plied with cheaply-bought cotton sufficient to keep the mill running up to the end of this year, so that we can afford to look on and watch whether events will justify the very substantial advance that has taken place during the last few weeks in the price of Indian cotton being mantained. It affords as pleasure in taking this opportunity of testifying to the energetic services rendered by Mr. Shaw, the mill manager, in eu- pervising the installation of the mill machinery, also of its working during the primary stages, and we have every confidence in his tact and manage- ment (applause). The balance sheet, as sub- mitted, is merely an abstract statement of the company's financial position as on 31st July. and the ouly item in it to which I desire to make reference is accounts payable, which in cludes $5,592-representing the charges for office expenses and commission as provided for under Articles of Association, due to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., which we have decided to write back and place to the credit of next
troopship she can carry Spooner at the top of the head and cut it open. year's account. There is nothing else of inter-
HIB EXCELLENCY DECLINES TO INTERFERE,
14th September. His Excelledoy the Governor declines to in- terfere with the action of the Harbour Master in refusing to clear the Tartar except for the number of passengers on the passenger certifi cate, and has informed the Commander of the Tarfur that if he. leaves with any in excess of this füber he will be liable to a heavy penalty per bad. Under these circumstances there is nosiving How long the Tartar will have to remain 'bërë." The four or five hundred men in excess could Hardly be accommodated here, so she will inʼall probability not resume her home- ward voyage until a vessel to carry the excess is:
DIFFICULTY, ADJUSTED.
16th September. The Tartar left for home yesterday, the mat- ter having been amicably settled. We are informed that the whole difficulty arose from a misunderstanding. The Harbour
declin- ed to clear because the old license of Tartar made out in Hongkong stated that she only carried lift saving appliances for 741 persons. Since she has been overhauled by the American Government she carries life-saving appliances for 1,300 persons, and the officials having satis finds themselves of " by a survey the vessel was o bared, "Abant?) soldiers who were ashore
were left behind.
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Some American soldiers in the first instance interfered and told defendant not to fight with an old man and that they would fight with de- fendant, bat Mr. Spooner told them to let him be.
George Hoff said-I am a commission agent living at Breezy Point, Hongkong. Yesterday forenoon I was sitting at another table opposite Mr. Spooner in the Hongkong Hotel. I saw defendant, and prosecutor, who seemed to be arguing together. They then had a slight struggle. I did not see Mr. Spooner strike de- fendant. Defendant seemed to try and strike Mr. Spooner. Shortly afterwards I saw Mr. Spooner sit down. Defendant sat at the same table. Defendant then rose slightly and threw a sodawater bottle which struck Mr. Spooner on the head. The bottle broke. Some Americans then came in and turned defendant out. I do not know if prosecutor was speaking to defendant at the time he was struck. Prosecutor after being struck bent his head, which was cut and bleeding.
P. S. 624 said-Yesterday at 1.30 p.m. I was near to the Hongkong Hotel. Prosecutor charged defendant and told me to take him to the Police Station. I arested defendant. I saw prosecutor's head bleeding. I did not examine the wound.
Defendant said-When I played with Mr. Spooner's hair I did so as a joke, in play. He seemed to get annoyed, and that began the Trouble, I sat down at his table and we had some words together. He remarked that I was
est that occurs to me to refer to, but before proposing the adoption and passing the report and accounts, as now submitted, I shall be glad to answer any questions that shu eholders may
submit.
No questions being asked, the CHAIRMAN proposed the adoption and passing of the state. meat of report and accounts as submitted.
M. MURRAY BAIN seconded, and the motion was carried.
On the motion of Mr. ORANG seconded by Mr. BYRAMJEE the consulting committee were re- appointed.
On the motion of Mr. PETER, seconded by Mr, BROOKE-SMITH Mr. W. Hutton Potts was re-elected auditor.
The Chairman-I have now to propose the special resolution, of which due notice has been given, and which reads as follows that in paragraph, 2 Clanse XVI in Articles of As- ssociation, the figures $1,000,000 -- be sub- stituted for $500,000. This resolution gen- tlemen, will at once suggest to your minds two queries, viz., 1. Why was the Capital of the company not fully allotted ? and 2. Why was the company originally floated with a capital so much under its known require- ments? Before replying to this situation as now submitted, I should mention that at the time the company was started the mills in Shanghai were all working on an assumed dividend-paying basis and the shares of all the companies in the north were quoted at a substantial premium. and under these circumstances it, was anticipat-
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