April 16, 1906.]
pleased Providence to place them. There, have been also, it cannot be denied, Ameri- can officials who were "too slever" for the offices they have held out here; and in such cases, shrewdness was no more pleasing to their constituents than stupidity would have been. On the whole, the Act is a step in the right direction, a step which will be regarded with interest and approval, but not, we venture to suggest, the last word on the matter.
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
9th April.
Seldom indeed do we find so many successive changes in the personnel of the egislative Council as have transpired during the last few months. The absence of the familiar figure of Sir Paul Chater was noted at the first meeting of the Council this year, and when the next meeting takes place other two pro- minent members will be missed. Fortunately, their disappearance from the counsels of the Colony will only be temporary. The Hon. Mr. Gershom Stewart, who left for home on Saturday, is succeeded by the Hon. Mr. Osborne, a gentleman whose qualifications are based on recognised business capacity and a knowledge of the duties of the office, but the successor to the Hon. Mr. Shewan, who, we believe, goes on holiday this week, has not yet been appointed. Nor are steps likely to be taken to fill the vacancy until after his departure. Then the Chamber of Commerce will meet to make the appointment. Although it is unwise to pro- phesy, I understand the only nominee is likely 10 be Mr. E. A. Hewett, whose position as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce shows that he has the confidence of that body.
Speaking of departures naturally leads the thoughts to the usual spring exodus, which this year seems to be as great as ever. Already th Daily Press has referred to the many old resi-e dents who have severed their connection with the Colony and gone to enjoy their retirement in the homeland, but not a few are still making their preparations and the passenger lists of home-going steamers during April is likely to be very large indeed. Of course the bulk of those are the fortunate individuals who are setting out on a holiday trip which will only end when they return here a few months hence, and though we envy them we wish them "bon voyage" none the less heartily.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE RÉPOËT.
brown paper parcel from the floor. Loosening the string and unwrapping the paper he dis closed to view a tumblerful of dirty water. medical gentleman played with the "life" on Members smiled. Some sniffed at it. A
the surface, and passed it on. Finally it rested objected to the proximity of “a nuisance," and on the table in front of a Chinese member, who the tumbler was relegated to a corner of the floor. Still it had served its purpose. The members had been impressed, and Mr. Hewett had the satisfaction of hearing "The matter
will be attended to."
Now that the season of winter sporís is over it may be opportune to offer our gratulations to Kowloon Cricket Club on having gained the League Championship. After a struggling existence, beset with many difficulties, the Club its claim to the official recognition it received has now secured a good ground and has justified by beating more likely aspirants for the coveted honour and reaching the top with a considerable margin to spare. All lovers of clean, healthy sport will, I am sure, join in wishing the Club
a successful career.
SUPREME COURT.
Friday April 6th.
IN BankrupTOY.
Before Sir Francis Piggott (CHILF JUSTICE).
ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP CASÉ, Wong Ka-cheung was, at the presentation of The trial of the issue to determine whether a petition in bankruptcy, a partner in the Lai Hing firm was continued.
K. Hall Bratton (of Messrs. Brutton, Hett and Mr. E. H. Sharp, K.C., instructed by Mr. G. Goldring), appeared for the Official Receiver, and Mr. M. W. Sla te, instructed by Mr. E. A. Harding, represented Wong Ka-cheung, jury-Messrs. H. M. Kendall, G. Koenig, The case was heard before the following
J. C. Gow and O. H. Schneider. A. E. Slaney, G. H. Schoenemann, D. H. Silas,
give evidence regarding an affidatit filed in Mr. F. X. d'Almada e Castro was called to
action No. 135 of 1904.
Mr. Slade Do I understand Mr. Almada was the solicitor in that action ?.
Mr. Sharp-Yes.
proper for a party to an action to call Mr. Slade Then I submit it is grossly ́ím. A solicitor of the other party to give ovidence of what that party and his solicitor.
took place between
Mr. Sharp-It has been done in this court innumerable times.
Sanitary Board last week is interesting for its A statement made by Mr. Humphreys at the suggestion that the firing of crackers possesses greater value than is generally supposed. Up till now it has been regarded by Occidentals as something of a nuis ace, and regulations for its restriction base been framed, but now we ought to reconsider our basty decision. The firing of crackers may be good "joss pidgin" from the native point of view but to the utilitarian mind
His Lordship (to Mr. Sharp)-I understood it has greater possibilities. It may be effective as a preventative against plague, the sul-affidavit; are you going beyond that ?
you were going to put in as a fact a certain phurous fumes of the crackers killing the germs Mr. Slade I would represent to your of disease, and perhaps may in course of Lordship that it is a very improper sot time come to be recognised by the Sanitary to call Board. At any rate Mr. Humphreys' opinion words that passed between him and his a solicitor to speak to private that the letting off of crackers is of greater client, and I object to value than lime-washing is decidedly original, answering a single word of what passed between solicitor and while the Sanitary Board may hesitate to them; Wong Ka-cheung has a lot to conosal. accept it, the Chinese will doubtless be glad to learn that even the Western mind is susceptible solicitor repeating private conversation that therefore he raises the objection to prevent the to the efficacy of the firing of crackers.
passed between them while. Mr. Almada was his solicitor.
A JE G
the
His Lordat p (to Mr. Sharp)—I don't know what question you are going to put. I was taken by surprise at your putting. Mr. Almada in the box.
The question of water supply comes home to most of us at present, and while we suffer inconvenience from the shortage, owing largely to the wilful waste on the part of many in the Colony, it is pleasant to anticipate the time, not
Mr. Sharp-I will take your Lordship's far distant, when the new reservoirs will be intimation. The questions are obvious. completed and all fears as to the probability of
His Lordship--If you are going to ask any water famine will be set at rest. It is interest-questions to how that affidavit came to be It is a trite remark that "new brooms sweeping to note that the members of the Sanitary drawn in the form it was I would intimate clean."
Certain it is that the recent introduc- Institute visited the new tion of several new members has enlivened the Kowloon on Saturday. This undertaking is
water works for adversely, proceedings of the Sanitary Board. Previously the one of great magnitude; in fact few people meetings were on the whole dull and colourless, have any conception of its vastness. Although but now we look to them to provide some sort the contractors have been at work on it for four of mild sensation every fortnight. I would not years and the rate of progress has been well for a moment suggest that certain gentlemen maintained it will be some considerable time are vieing with each other in their oratorical yet before the supply is turned on. The huge displays, but no one can read the reports of the dam in course of construction at Beacon Hill proceedings without coming to the conclusion will have a 350 million capacity, but as it is that more speeches are delivered at these able to store aore than the collecting area is meetings than formerly. Compared with their capable of furnishing the adjacent hills are predecessors, who transacted the business in being tapped for their supplies, and so a water
much less time, the new members are more loquádions; or perhaps it is that pressmen are more kindly disposed and report the utterances of Sanitary Board members at greater length than before. Whatever the explanation be, it is evident that the reports of these meetings now claim greater space in the columns of the press and a fresh interest has been developed in the doings of a body which is the subject of more criticism than compliments.
service adequate for the growing requirements of the inhabitants of the peninsula is assured.
BANYAN,
On the 5th instant a fishing junk was attacked by pirates near Fataushiu Island, some twelve miles from Hongkong. Seven men boarded the junk and quickly overpowered the crew of three who were looked in the cabin. The pirates ransacked the junk, obtained clothing and cash to the value of 845 and departed. As soon as the crew could liberate themselves they reported the occurrence to the police.
Not every speaker is able to support his argn. ments with such convincing proof as was Mr. E. A. Hewett at the Sanitary Board last Tuesday. On that occasion he drew attention to a muisance existing at the site of the new Post Office in the shape of a collection of foul water which had been allowed to gather there, but his most effective remark was when he charged the Authorities, who issued notices urging steps for the prevention of mosquito breeding, with inconsistency, inasmuch as they themselves were responsible for a most extensive breeding ares, Then having dwelt on the offensive nature of the water, he surprised everyone by picking up | guard 253 native prisoners.
A fortnight ago there was a revolt in the civil prison at Hanoi The prisoners over. powered their guards but were themselves surrounded by re-inforcements before they could effect their escape. Four prisoners were killed and a ¡number injured. It is suggested that the police guard is insufficient, there being only seven European and thirteen natives to
Mr. Sharp-It is a statement made to an independent person. The statement is also made in the most open way possible, as the man says upon the hour stops he is so and so.
His Lordship-You want to lead up to what the solicitor's instructions were ?
Mr. Sharp I submit it would be grossly improper if the other side said Wong Ka- obeung did not make that affidavit.
His Lordsbip-That is another matter. Mr. Sharp Should I be precluded from proving P
His Lordship-I cannot see the privilege can be removed except by the man himself.
Mr. Sharp-I take your Lordship'sintimation. Evidence in support of the plaintiff's case defendant's case. having concluded, Mr. Slade outlined the He said his Honour the Chief Justice made it a condition to the issue being tried that the two parties should state their cases in writing, put them in sealed envelopes and leave them in the custody of the Court to be ready before the trial. The object of that condition was to prevent a case being manufactured on either side. The defendant loyally obeyed that order and in the statement of his case he set up in detail the facts which would be laid before the jury. When the two statements of fact were read to this body they would remark on the extraor- dinary meagreness of the plaintiff's statement of fact. Both statements were opened only on the afternoon of the day before the trial. The defendant having obeyed loyally the order of the judge, the plaintiffs were in possession of their case before they came into court; and the plaintiffs having sealed up a sketchy outline the
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