430
His Lordship-That's hardly an answer to the question.
Mr. Harston-This debt was apparently contracted by you within six months preceding your bankruptcy ?-I don't know when I contracted it.
How do you account for the fact of your owing $11,000, contracted within six months of the date of your bankruptcy, when your assets were only $900 ?--I lost money in business from time to time.
His Lordship-You bought these goods to pay your other creditors, is that it?--I bought the goods, sold them again, and with the money I realise paid other creditors.
Mr. Harston-Do you call that honest ?-- That is my usual practice in currying on busi пева. When I get money, if I am pressed by other firms, I have to settle with cash.
You are candid about it, anyway.
You en- deavoured to excuse yourself at last hearing on the ground that Shewan Tomes knew you were insolvent. Do you wish to seriously allege that now?-I don't know whether they knew about it or not, but prices were going down on the market, and everybody knew about it.
Don't you think it was a disgraceful thing for you to do? The result is that you have let Messrs. Shewap, Tomes and Co. in for a loss of about $11,000.It is a disgraceful thing no doubt, but what could I do? 'I here help for it. I lost all my money in the business. I never heard such candour. If I were able to raise the money I certainly should do so, and pay off all my debts.
was no
His Lordship-You couldn't buy more goods from somebody else and pay M.sars. Shewan, Tomes and Co. ?-Seeing the state of my finances, I wouldn't take upon myself to get goods from other firms.
Mr. Harston-Will you kindly account for the proceeds of those goods?The proceeds were applied towards payment of losses I sustained last year.
You're told us that already, but show us from your books without making up those pretty fairy tales.-It is all there in the book and you can look at it.
I don't want to look at it. I want you to account to the Court.-Well, you take it down and I will tell you.
After entries in debtor's books had been referred to, Mr. Harston said: I suggest to you that you have concealed a lot of money some. where. I have no money; if I had money I should pay off all my creditors.
The examination was closed and debtor was returned to jail where his Lordship has decreed he must remain until he furnishes $5,000 security.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE MR. A. G. WISE (PUISNE JUDGE).
▲ YOUTHFUL PARTNER.
Lam Cheung brought an action against Li Man asking for an account to be taken of the partnership in the Chan Sing firm.
Mr. H. K. Holmes represented the plaintiff, and Mr. Otto Kong Sing appeared for defendant. Mr. Kong Sing stated that plaintiff was suing for profits in connection with the Chan Sing firm, and asked his Lordship to make an order that an account should be taken.
• His Lordship-I cannot make an order until I hear what defendant has to say. (To defendant)---- Are you Li Man? - Yes.
Are you a partner in the Chan Sing ?—Yes. A remarkably youthful partner then. You are a boy there I should think, aren't you?-No. When did your father die ?—The year before last,
Did any one take out letters of administra
tion ?-No.
Well, you'd better watch that in the next case, I think. Have you got a mother ?—Yes.
What is she, the kit-fat-Yes.
Didn't she take out papers ?—No. You've no right to the business at all from what I can Bee. Are you the only child ?- Yes.
His Lordship adjourned the case for a week pending a consultation between the parties, rémarking in conclusion that it was absurd to suppose the defendant was running the business
himself.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
A THREAtening TENANT.
Wong Han-shi sued Fan Cheung to recover $78.30 due for rent,
Mr. Atkinson (of Messrs. Deacon, Looker and Deacon) appeared for plaintiff, defendant being unrepesented.
His Lordship asked if it was a question of notice, and whether defendant was still on the premises.
Mr. Atkinson-He is still there and won't pay his rent. He has paid about 83 since 1901.
His Lordship-He has been living cheaply. Defendant produced what he said was a receipt, and which plaintiff had handed him He had never received a receipt
this year. before.
His Lordship-When did you pay last ?- Not since 19.13. Plaintiff told me he did not want any rent.
Mr. Atkinson-My client's books show that three payments of rent were made, two in 1901 and one in 1906,
His Lordship-You had better consider this question. He has got a receipt for $11 and you say you have only received $3.60.
Mr. Atkinson-That is not a receipt. It is only a bill.
His Lordship-Why do you send a bill for $11 when you are claiming $78?
Mr. Atkinson-That bill is asking for $4.58. His Lordship-How do you arrive at $78 then? There is a discrepancy somewhere.
Mr. Atkinson-It is a bill rendered iu error by my client's foki.
His Lordship (to defendant)-That is not a receipt. You never paid t at money at all.
Defendant-I have got no receipt.
His Lordship (to Mr. Atkinson) - Why don't you get rid of him?
Mr. Atkinson-He won't go, my Lord. He has threatened to kill anybody who goes there to turn him out,
His Lordship-I fancy a po iceman might go there and risk it. I don't think he would have much trouble in turning him out. The defendant is a stupid old man, and I should get
rid of him.
Judgment was entered for the amount claimed on the original bill, $44.70, together with $1.30 per Chinese moon since the date thereon, and cc8ts.
A PROFITABLE DOORWAY.
Sai Ip-tong saed Hing Mui-bin to recover $28, arrears of rent for the use of the side entrance to house No. 303 Queen's Road West.
The ground before the entrance, it appears, is Crown land, which plaintiff had no right to let The defendant, who had a still there, was twice fined $10 at the Police Court for obstruction, and after the second fine refused to pay further
rent.
His Lordship-828 a month for a doorway it's the most profitable one I ever came across. Plaintiff I didn't ask him for that much. His Lordship-Well, he says he wont pay you.
Plaintiff-But I got permission to occupy this piece of ground.
His Lordship-No, you dida't. You got permission to put an awning over it. Is the defendant's stall there now?
Plaintiff-No.
His Lordship-I give judgment for defend- ant and costs. You can sue the Crown if you like.
FATALITIES IN GAMBLING RAIDS.
[December 24, 1906.
INDIANS AGAIN ÎN EVIDENCE.
ANOTHER ROBBERY AT KOWLOON.
The New Territory is rapidly acquiriog a reputation equal to that of the neighbouring turbulent province of Chins. The offenders against law and order, however, are not all
natives Of late, the Indian element has been much in evidence, and from their misdeeds it would appear that quite a number of them have "turned out." Only a few days ago it was reported in these columns how a band of five Indians held up two ricsha coolies near Kow. non City and relieved them of their belongings. Now it would appear that three of these men have been the perpetrators of a second highway robbery, and again unfortunately they have escaped, although after their last experience it is possible that they will not be so bold in the future.
Their last attack was on 8 matsbed builder named Leong Sze who resides on the Saikong Road, Kowloon. In his state- ment to the Police Leung said he left Old Kowloon in a ricsha at about 7.30 p.m. on Friday. His journey to Taishek-ku was un- eventful, but shortly after passing this place three Indians suddenly sprang out of the bashes by the roadside and held up his ricsha. The robbers, who were all dressed in white, carried large sticks as weapons of offence and defence. They first attempted to frighten the richa puller, a task apparently requiring very little effort, for ou the first opportunity the coolis dived into the scrub and was seen no more.
Then attention was directed to the fare. 018 of the robbers secured Leung Sze's queue, while another, seizing him by the arms dragged him from the ricsha and the third man pro- conded to search him Finding money in his girdle he promptly relieved him of it. Evidently the Chinaman did not submit quietly to being thus impudently robbed, and it must have been the noise he made which attracted the attention of a European constable in the vicinity. The policeman ran to the scene of the robbery; bat, when some distance off, was observed by the Indians, who thereupon dashed into the scrub. The con- stable, however, pulling out his revolver, mide after one of them, and just as the Indian was disappearing among the bushes, fired at him, without any apparent result. The shot brought two Iadian constables on the scene, and although they accompanied the European in pursuit of the robbers the latter were not seen again. As the hour of this attack was also after sunset, neither the ricsha coolie nor the man who was robbed can identify the highwaymen, but both are certain that they were Indians.
When the news of this outrage was reported at Yaumati Police Station Inspector Mac- Donald promptly despatched men in search of the robbers, and as a result of that search an Indian has been arrested on suspicion and conveyed to the Central Police Station where he will be detained for the purpose of identifics. tion. The robbers relieved their victim of $25, a receipt for $70 and other valuables, a much more profitable haul than that which was secured from the two unfortunates riosha coolies last week.'
ANOTHER ATTEMPTED SUICIDE,
The suicidal microbe appears to be still at Comment has been made more than once on work in the Chinese community, for a third the number of fatalities associated with the attempt to commit suicide last week has gambling raids carried out by the local police. been reported to the police. To escape a sea of 'he point occurred to Mr. F. A Hazeland on troubles a married Chinese woman residing at Dec. 18th, when he was conducting an enquiry Wanchai on Thursday attempted to end her into the circumstances of the death of a lift life by jumping into the harbour. She was boy, who in the panic created by the appearance deterred by a lakong who took her to No. 2 of the police when the servants were gambling, Police Station, andon Dec. 14 Inspector Gourlay leaped from a three story window to the ground charged her before Mr. T. Sercombe Smith. and expired almost immediately. His Wor-She told the Bench that her husband had been ship asked Chief Detective Inspector Hanson for sometime and was unable to work, conse if any special precautions were taken to prevent quently debis accumulated and creditors were To escape sach fatalities on such occasions, and Mr. Hanson clamouring for payment. replied that on that particular night he worries she intended to drown herself. The personally warned the men against rushing the husband verified his wife's story, and his Chinese and creating a panic, adding that they Worship recommended him to return to his should rather let some escape than that they native village, Shantak. The defendant was should be frightened into taking those fatal bound over in the sum of 850 to come up for leaps,
judgment when called upon. ·
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