186
gave me instructions to inform the crew that the ship would proceed to Sasebo. On being informed that Sasebo was in Japan, a fireman named White informed me that he would not go. As I left the men a fireman followed me, and I ask him how many were not going He rep ied that none of the firemen would go. I then went over to the other side and gave the silors the same infomation, but they ra sed no objection. The men all turned to this morning, and at 8 a.m. I sent word along that those who did not intend to go to Japan were to accompany the captain ashore. In respect to the sailors, when being shippe at Cardiff. I informed them that there was every possibility of the vessel going to Japan, to which they replied that they did not
care.
S. White, fireman, said: I certainly informel the First Officer that I would not go.
E. Ball, A.B. aid-I gathered fron the papers that it was not compulsory to proceed to Japan, and I desired t learn from the authorities how the matter stood.
•
W. Huish fireman: I do not consider my going to Japan is gal.
war.
His Worship: I have already endeavoured to reason with you in respect to the fals- cou- clusion to which you have come in refusing to proceed to Japan. You have deliberately signed articles to proceed to countries, in which Japan is included, at a time when that country is at Had there been any risks involved in your proceeding to Sasebo, outside the ordinary risks of a seafaring life, I would be the first to recognise them. As it is, I can only regard your action as foolish in the extreme. My warning to you given in my office this morning, has apparently had no good result. but I will give you a final chance to return, even at this eleventh hour, to your duty, if any of you will be sensible enough to do so.
All except two, defendants expressed their willingness to return on board. and as the Captain was willing to withdraw the charge preferred against them they were allowed to do
80.
One of the two remaining defendauts said—“ I am a Britisher, and never change my mind."
His Worship informed him that he was laying himself open to a charge of cont-mpt of Court. The two defendants were sentenced to ten weeks imprisonment, and were ordered to be re-shipped on board their steamer should she return to this port before the expiration of the
sentence
The defendants thanked His Worship and were marched off to gaol,
A SIMILAR CASE. Henry Nicholson, Master of the British steamer Aldgate, placed fire of the st amer's crew before His Worship on a similar charge, and gare similar evidence to the Captaiu of the Boscombe. His sailors at first refused. but afterwards agreed to go to Sasebo. The firemen, however,irefused to proceed.
His Worship: I give you men a final chance to act as sensible men. and return to your ship.
The defendants elected to do so, an the master withdrew the charge.
own life.
About the suicide of Mr. Henri Vinay at Shanghai (which was recorded by a special telegram in the Daily Press on the 15th inst.) the N.C. Daily News says:-The deceased was found unconscious in his room at 43. Rne du Consulat, at a quarter past twelve on the fth inst., with a bullet wound in the head, and the position of the body and the revolver indicate that he took his own life. He died early in the afternoon.
The deceased was not in any monetary difficulties, and по reason can be assigned for his taking his Mr. Vinay came out some thirty years ago to the Comptoir d Escompte of which he was at one time acting manager here, and afterwards established himself as a bill and bullion broker. He was a very energetic man, and most courteous, and an accomplished pianist. always ready to play when asked privately or publicly, and his good nature and brightness of disposition made him popular among all classes of the community and all nationalities. His health has been very indifferent recently, and he had fits of despondency sometimes, but he was always genial and gay among his com panions. He will be mourned and long remembered by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was unmarried.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
COMPANIES.
THE HONGKONG AND KOWLOON WH ARF AND GODOWN CO., LD.
ANNUAL MEETING.
The annual meeting of this Company was held in the City Hall on the 10th March. There were present: Hon. Mr. Gresson (Chair- man), Sir C. P. Chater and Messrs. N. A. Siebs, E. Go-ta, A. G. Wood, H. Schubart, C. H. Thompson. E. S. Whealler. E. Shellim, A. J. Raymond, and A. Haupt, (directors) E Osborne (Secretary), Messrs. A. Forbes, L. S. Lewis, J. Orange, T. Arnoid and F. Salinger.
ANNUAL REPORT.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the annual report and statement of accounts said :
Gentlemon-The Report and Accounts have been in your hands for some days, and if it be your pleasure, we will accept them as read. Early in the year two disastrous fires occurred, One if not both originated from a highly volatile spirit, which had recently become a new importation into the Colony, and steps have ben taken at considerable expenditure, to further safeguard the Company's premises,
|
[March 20, 1905.
GEO. FENWICK AND CO. LD.
ANNUAL MEETING.
The sixteenth ordinary general meeting of Shareholders in this Company was held in the Hongkong Hotel on the 11th March, when there were present:-Messrs. W. Parlane (Chairman) and A. Rodger (Directors), W. G. Winterburn (Acting Scretary and General Manager), J. Rodger, W. King, W. H. Purcell, J. L. Andrew, J. R. McCorquodale, F. R. Forbes, J. D. Kinnaird and Sing On.
ANNUAL REPORT.
1
In moving the adoption of the annual report and Statement of accounts the CHA'RMAN said Gentlemen: With your permission we will as usual consider th Report as read.
The accounts which were pos ́ed to each Shareholder some ten days ago do not leave me much to explain. You are all aware from the circular letter posted to each shareholder on the 30th Juue last, that we have acquired over 200,J 0 square feet of land, or rather sea-bed, at North Point, and the first items in the Assets which claim attention are one of $119,495. 26 and another of $4,930, 79; the first represents the price paid to Government for the site, and the cost to December 31st last of reclaiming, and fulfilling the other requirements of the Government; the latter, the amount expended
from this, and other known sources of danger. On the Steel Wharf, and for sunk iron: The working profits you will observe Lace and concrete piers to rest the Sheer Legs decreased by $24,645, mainly attributable to the on. The Liabilities on the other side show fires referred to and not to the sanguinary a loan from the Hongkong and Shanghai- conflict now being waged betweeu Russia Banking Corporation against mortgages on the and Japan. for although the war has Company's properties. This $120,707.50 has been adversely affected onr business at West wholly expanded on this property to date. We Point, this has been more than counter- will have more to say this scheme at the balanced by increased profits at Kowioon. meeting which will shortly be called to sanction A recent valuation of the Company's the increase of Capital to finance this extension buildings discloses the fact that the estimat of our business, meanwhile I will only say that ed cost of replacing them is consider the site acquired is a valuable and most suitable ably higher than the value at which they one, and one which must shortly increase in appear in the accounts. and seeing that rent:ls, value much over what it will cost us; and that wharves and outdzor property are not insured, from various causes, such as pressure by the your Directors recommend setting aside $10,0 0 local Government; the Tramway seriously inter- to form the nucleus of an Insurance Fund. As fering with our free communication with the this fund appreciates it is proposed to under- Harbour; and owing to the extension and deve write a small part of our own business; mean-lopment of various European and Chinese time the buildings will be insured for their full engineering concerns: we found but one of two value, and the sum standing at this account courses open to us, viz: either to shortly be will represent insurance on rentals, and the crowded out, or more to more extensive and property not at present covered. The exchange commo lious premise; and having confidence in of land referred t in the eport whilst giving our ability to successfully compete in our line the Public a fine approach to the new Ferry of business, backed by the increasing vatue of our present property, we considered that the circumstances warranted the venture, Turning to Profit and Loss account, wo regret the year's work does not show the same standard of profit that some former years
have done; but everyone at all acquainted with the conditions of the Engineering trade during the past year knows that the work offering was exceedingly small in amount, and what there
pier, will at the same time remove what has hitherto been a considerable obstacle in our work. viz, the public traffic on the Praya, and although the Prays itself does not pass ab- solutely into the Company's possession, we retain the right of purchase at anytime, mean- while having the use of it for outdoor storage Uuder an Agreement made two years ago with the principal importers Bombay yarn, which became operative from the 1st January last, practically the whole of that important
of
trade has be-n transferred to Kowloon, and the natir yaru dealers who for 18 years have boycotted the Kowloon gollowus now clear from tem freely, and find them more convenient than the old Wanchai godowns, which have since been based to the Naval Authorities. It is generally unwise to indulge in prophecy, but I think I may go so far as to say that there are indications of a more favorable year ahead, and with a ce-sation of war, the prospects of the future are distiuc ly hopeful. If any shareholder has any questions to ask before the report is adopted. I shall be pleased to answer same,
Mr. ARNOLD: Is the $30 premium on the new shares to be treated as e-pital?
The CHAIRMAN: The premium on the new
capital is to go to the reserve.
Mr. FORBES had much pleasure in seconding the chairman's motion, which was carried.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS,
Mr. LEWIS proposed the re-election of Messrs. A. G. Wool and E. Shellim as Directors. Mr. ORANGE seconded the proposition, which was carried.
ed by Mr. FORBES that the retiring auditors, It was proposed by Mr. ARNOLD and second Messrs W. H. Potts and A. O'D. Gourdin, be re--lected. arried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN: That concludes the business, gentleman. Dividend warrants will be ready on application.
was,
Was
xtremely keenly competed fo, thus reducing profi's. The amount of $2,171.13 written off as
a bad debt, was an account carried forward
1903. from
which your Directors wera sanguine of recovering. Indeed we still think there is a prosp ct of its recovery, but we thought it best to face the loss and have written it off. The prospects for the present year are favourable, there being many enquiries. for several of which we have tendered, and we expect that some of them will come our way. In our 1 ss busy times we have employed our- selves in making new machinery for our new establishment: we have also sold some our old machines at a book profit, replacing them by new and modern machines. We are glad to be able to pay the usual 15 per cent. dividend and trust the accounts as presented will meet with your approval.
Mr. KING seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
It was proposed by Mr. ARNOLD and seconded by Mr. SING ON that Mr A. Rodger be re-elected a Director. Carried.
Mr. McCORQUODALE proposed the re-election of Mr. Thom s Arnold as auditor.
Mr. KINNEAR secouded the motion, which was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN: That concludes the busi. ness, gentlemen. Dividend wa rants will be posted as far as addresses are known, either to-day or on Monday.
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