March 14, 1903.]
CHINA OVĚŘĽAND TRÁDÉ REPOKŤ.
the Universal Insurance Company. Many station he was discovered to be in posession I will doubtless recollect the successful per of five false $5 notes on the H. & formance of the piece by the Brough Company Bank and three of the Imperial Bank on their last visit, and the comedy is so well-counterfeits A formal charge was laid known to playgoers that there is no need to against bim at the Japanese Consular Court describe it here at any length. It suffices to to-day and he was remanded in custody of the say that the performance was fully up to the Japanese authorities. It is confidently expected high standard of excellence we have learnt to that the arrest of this man will lead to the expect in any play staged by the Brough discovery and breaking up of the gang of Company and the audience, it was very evident, forgers who have been flooding the East with most throughly enjoyed the piece.
these spurious imitations of banknotes and causing so much trouble here an: at other ports in China and Japan.
"
“ALACRITY CORK CLUB.
The first dinner got up by the Alacrity Cork Club was held on the 11th inst. in 'I homag's Hotel and proved a great success, Dr. MackeoWD, R.N,, presided.” The menu was as follows:-
SOUP. Or Tail.
FISH. Boiled.
ENTREES,
Stewed Chicken and Cauliflower.
Lamb Chop Cutlets.
Baked Fillet Beef and Green Peas..
JOINTS.
Lobster Salad.
Roast Beef. Baked Goose and Apple Sauce. Cold York Ham. Galantine of Capar.
VEGETABLES.
Boiled Potatoes. Cabbage,
Baked Potatoes. PASTRY.
Green Peas.
Blackcap Pudding. Almond Sand Cakes. Vanilla Ice Cream. Finger Cakes, Tea and Coffee. Cheese and Crackers.
After dinner, the customary loyal and
DESSERT.
•
patriotic toasts were given from the chair and enthusiastically honoured. A smoking concert followed. For this a splended programme had been drawn up, and thanks to the energetic exertions of Mr. B. Brodziak, hon. secretary of the Club and a popular riomber of the Alacrity ship's company, the artistes comprised some of the best talent available in the Colony A. musical (aot by the Brothers Francis was: among the best efforts of the evening. The toast of "The Alacrity Cork Club' was proposed by the Chairman in felicitons terms, aud Mr. E. Harwin, the President, was no less happy in his reply. Mr. Brodziak gave the toast of “The Visitors," to which Mr. G. Vercos replied. A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close with "God Save the King. The following was the concert programme :-- Pianoforte Solo
•
Mr G. Пlyde Mr. E. Harwin
Song "Never been there before Recitation...... "Eermon on the Mount".
Banjo Dnet
Song "Let 'em all go Song..... Life Boat's Crew
1.
Musical Act,
Song
4
The Old Farmhouse"
14
Mr. G. Burnett (Mr. S. G. Purvey
Mr. II. Batt .... Mr. G. Burgess Mr. J. Driscoll
Mr. Doa Francis
Mr. Frank Francis Mr. G. Falmer Mr. G. Burgess Mr. G. Burnett ...Mr. G. Palmer
Song
"The Plumber Song
"Mary of Argyll” Song..." All thro' the Gee Gre"
"God Save the King."
FORGED BANKNOTES AT SHANGHAI,
-
The following is from Saturday's Shanghai Mercury :--As anticipated would be the case, the discovery that some forged Hongkong and Shang; hai Bank notes were in circulation, has caused some little futter in native circles. The rush! on the part of the Chinese to get their money #onverted into silver, which set in yesterday, continued to-day, though in a somewhat milder form. The excitement, such as is was, began early in the forenoon, when many Chinese began to appear at the Bank premises demanding pay: ment of the notes they held. Needless to say all the genuine notes were immediately cashed, whilst the forged notes, of which, ΠΟ understand, under $40 worth have been presented, were stamped “forgery" and handed back. The imitation of the genuine note is a very clumsy one and nobody but the reriest ignoramus could be deceived by it. The police were on duty at the Bank during the day, but their services were not required.
Yesterday evening a Japanese, who described himself as baving come from Hongkong, was arrested by a shopkeeper in North Baechuen Road and taken to Hongkew Police Station on the charge of having attempted to pass a spurions 35 note. On being searched at the
SUPREME COURT.
Friday, 6th March,
IN CRIMINAL JURIDICTION.
BEFORE HIS HONOUR A. G. WISE
(PUISNE JUDAE).
DISPUTE ABUT A JUNK,
The case was again called in which the Ho Tnog Hop had issued an inter-pleader summons claiming as theirs a junk which Lad been seized by an execution creditor. Mr. John Hays, of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes & Master, solicitors, appeared for the claimant and Mr. F. X. d'Almada o Castro, solicitor, for the execution
croditor.
On the last hearing, Ilo Shok Tai on behalf by his mother with money lelonging to his of the claimant stated that the junk was bought father's estate but no lase of administration to circumstance his Lordship granted an adjourn his father's estate had been taken out; in which ment to allow Mr. Pays to reconsider his client's position.
he had decided not to proceed with the suit.
Mr. Hays now s'ated that on consideration
the execution creditor with costs.
Bis Lordship accordingly gave judgment for
Monday, 9th March,
IN ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.
BEFORE HIS HONOUR SIR WILLIAM M
GOODMAN (CHILF JUSTICE).
LAND COURT APPEAL ÇAS ‘.
|
¦
Mr. M. W. Slade, barrister-at-law (instructed by Mr. Wei On of Messrs. Johnson, Stokes and Master, solicitors), appeared in support of an application by Li Ki Tong, merchant, 5, Genealy Road, for leave to appeal to the Fult, Court against a decision of the Land Court, ia respect of certain land in the New Territories, namely EY, serial number 1,467, Surrey District No. 4. The applicant made a claim for the land and the Land Court gave judgment against him on 23rd February. The land was tituated at Kak Tong Hom otherwise known as Laug Ko Shui, l'ong Hang Chai and Sha Li Yuen. Appellant's claim came on for hearing ou various days prior to 23rd February and the Land Court certified the value of the land to be over $5,000,
|
Mr. Slade stated that the ground of appeal was that the appellant had no opportunity of being present while material witnesses in opposi tion to his claim were examined before the Land Court.
I'is Lordship remarked that there was no ground stated in the application paper.
Mr. Slade replied that that was because the thing had to be done in a tremendous hurry.
His Lordship thought that the appellant must have known that the property was worth $5,000 and therefore open to an appeal to the higher Court.
Mr. Slade said that Mr. Danby who was asked to value the land was not able to give his report until the 3rd of March. He was pro- ceeding to read the affidavits when
His Lordship (interposing) said that possibly the appellant was one of those land speculators in the New Territory buying up a number of lots, who took all they could get and appealed when the decision of the Land Court was against them. The Land Court was far more able to deal with these cases than the Supreme Court and even then it was questionable whether the decision of the Supreme Court would be absolutely satisfactory and final ; for sometimes
|
|
|
101
there were four or five claimants for the same piece of land and if, for instance, No. 5 made his ōlaim good as against No. 1
3 and 2 were still able to contest the The Land Court was not bound by technicalities claim.
and legal ngage, like the Supreme Court.
ance the Land Court was found by the same Mr. Slade pointed out that under the Ordin- rules that applied to the Supreme Courte ge
His Lordship said they soukl admit evidence in the Land Court that was inadmissible in the Supreme Court.
Mr. Blade contended that under Section 6 of the Ordinance the Land Court had no more powers than the Supreme Court.
SER FRO
His Lordship responded that the Land Court had some of the special powers of the Supreme ́ Court conferred upon it but nothing was said as to what evidence it might receive.:
Mr. Slade -The Land Court is as much a court of justice as this Court.
His Lordship admitted the truth of that, but remarked that if the samo technicalities had to be followed in the Land Court as wore followed in the Supreme Court they would take perhaps twenty years to decide the whole of the claims. Of course the remarks he had made were general, but he had the very strongest opinion that the best tribunal for trying these claims in the of the claims, was a court such as the New Territory, considering the special nature Land Court, consisting of persons acquainted with the subject, who could look into the whole matter and come to a conclusion at the they were to have a continual succession of ap. end which they believed to be just and fair. If peals from th› Land Court it would be almost batter to have the cases tried in the first place the Supreme Court would have nothing else to before the Supreme Court; and if that was done do for five or six years bat attend to those cases. claimants would have more justice in the sup- He had very grave doubts whether or no the
erior Court than they got in the Court below.
Mr. Sinde agreed with his Lordship's argu- went, but pointed out that in this case they were compelled to come to the Supreme Court because they did not know what the caso made again t them down below was. What they really wanfed was to force out of the lower Court a copy of the notes of the evidence taken in order that they might consider them and see whether it was worth while to proceed with the appeal.
His Lordship asked whether it would be fair to the Court if everyone did the same thing? The appellant might be a land speculator and probably had a great number of claims, of which many had already been granted. IIo took thankfully all he could ge: and if one case was decided against him be appealed.
Mr. Slade retorted that the appeal was made here because the appellant was not present when the evidence was taken and he had no opportuni y of cross-examining the witnesses.
His Lordship remarked that there were over 50,000 claims. It could not by expected that every claimant would be present daring the hearing of the evidence and he noticed that, în Mr. Wei on's affidavit, it was stated that the evidenco taken was read over to the appellant and that he was informed that he could cross- examine the varions witnesses in that evidence on the following day,
Mr. Blade said that this case was différent. The appellant inherited the property from his father, who bought the land many years ago nader the idea that there was the project of a railway between Hongkong and Canton therefore he speculated in land. He purchased land in the New Territory outside the British boundary in the hope that the va'no of that land would be enhanced by the projected railway. As a matter of fact the railway had not boon created and the land had been annexed to the Colony of Hongkong, and when it came about that the titles had to be settled the son of
the purchaser pat in a claim for the land his father bought. When the os e came before the Land Court he was not gi en an opportunity of attending the proceedings and cross-examining the varions witnesses called in support of the respective claims. The claims were investigated he stated, some months before he he got the notice to attend the Court 'No copy evidence had been supplied to him and applied for a copy be was told that a od not available. On 23rd Februar, he for a certificate of value. On the e fac 'Slade went on to say, they applied for leave to
(
i
!
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.