January 18, 1909.]
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE ME. H. H. J GOмMPERTZ (ACTING PUISne Judge).
INTIMIDATING A WITNESS.
Mr. D'Almada e Castro, who appeared for the plaintiff, in a promissory note case stated that he had sub-poenaed a witness, who that morning came to him and said he had been warned that if he gave evidence he would be The witness, on being called, confirmed this statement, saying that somebody told him not
assaulted.
to: come.
His Honour-Who was that ?-Li Chun told
me not to be a witness.
Is he in court?—Yes. Li Chun was called, and his Honour told him he could only suppose that if he said what was alleged to the witness it was only through ignorance. Any endeavour to tamper with a witness was a very serious offence indeed. As he had apparently done it in ignorance he would not be dealt with, but he warned him not to interfere with the witness between then and Friday-the day for the hearing of the case.
Wednesday, January 13th.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
'BEFORE MR. H. H. J. GOMPERTZ (ACTING PUISNE JUDGE,)
ACTION FOR TRESPASS.
Hall Brutton.
Evidence having been given by the plaintiff. Mr. Brutton took the objection that a sale by order of the court was absolute. Objection should have been taken to the sale within the time allowed-ten days after the sale.
Mr. Dixon said he was not seeking to set aside the sale. He was claiming damages for
respass.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
ST. STEPHEN'S GIRLS' SCHOOL.
ANNUAL PRIZE DISTRIBUTION.
[obliged to leave for England before the opening
of this building. They will be much mise will however be a special satisfaction to know that the places vacated on the school committee by Archdeacon and Mrs. Banister His Excellency the Governor, who was accom- are to be filled by no less distinguished persons panied by Captain Mitchell-Taylor, A.D.C., than the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of presided at the annual prize distribution of Victoria and Mrs. Lander. This evidence of the St. Stephen's Girls' College and Preparatory their interest in the welfare of the Chinese School on Jan. 12. The small hall in which the young ladies of Hongkong will gertainly not event took place was prettily decorated, but was pass unappreciated. not large enough to accommodate all who came, His LORDSHIP the BISHOP, before calling consequently there was some crowding at the upon the Governor to present the prizes, remark- doors. Among those present were His Lordshiped that by his presence there that day he was Bishop Lander, the Revs. E. J. Barnett, J. H. helping them to inaugurate that building. The France, A. J. Bunbury, Mrs. S. W. Tee and the Church Missionary Society realised now that The proceedings opened with a lengthy work not only among the boys, but among the there was a great opportunity for educational Prograinme of songs and recitations by the girls of the East. The time had come when scholars. The Rev. Mr. BARNETT then read Chine aeladies desired the best possible education, the School sent their first candidate for the indication of the talent these young ladies pos Miss Carden's report in which it was stated that and that afternoon's entertainment was an Oxford Local Examination this year. candidate was Wan Suk Ching, daughter of Dr. based upon Christian morality and would con- The sessed. The education at St. Stephen's would be Wan Tuen Mo, and she succeeded in passing the cern good manners and propriety. All were junior test in every subject presented. Miss delighted to see his Excelleney present, but their Wan was to be congratulated upon being, so far great regret was that Lady Lugard, through as could be ascertained, the first Chinese girl to indisposition, was not able to attend and give have her name placed on the Oxford junior list. away the prizes. His Lordship was glad to Mr. BARNETT then gave the following brief hear from his Excellency, however, that she history of the school:-It is almost four years was better yesterday, and he hoped she would since St. Stephen's Preparatoy School was open-soon be about again.
Hon. Dr. Ho Kai.
on lease, and the
ed in one room at Breezy Point, with five small HIS EXCELLENCY, who was greeted with boys and girls, under the case of Miss arden. applause as he arose, said-My Lord Bishop A year later premises were rented at 33, aine Ladies and gentlemen: As your Lordship re- Road, the name being changed to St. Stephen's minded me just this moment, it is only a day Wong Shi, a single woman, sued Leung In Preparatory and Girls' School. Soon, however, or two age since I had the pleasure and pri She, for $1,000 damages for trespass and for the girls predominated, and, to be in keeping with its vilege of laying the foundation stone at St. unlawful conversion by the defendant of the present character, the name was once again Stephen's College for the extension of the new plaintiff's share in the Wo Fung firm in Hung varied and now reads:-St. Stephen's Girls' building, and of distributing the prizes. And hom. From the writ it appeared that prior to College and Preparatory School. Steadily the I had then the pleasure of congratulating the November 2nd last year she was the owner
school increased in numbers and proficiency supporters of the school, in the first place on the of a $500 share in the Wo Fung grocery store until recently there has risen a demand for success of the school which made extension neces- at Hanghom, standing to her credit in the accommodation for boarders. The former house sary, and in the second place on the facility with name of Hop Shing Tong Wong Shi. On
'was not convenient for this purpose. Conse-which they were able to raise the funds for the Oct. 11th, the defendant, without her knowledge, quently, in consultation with the Hon. Dr. extension. To-day my task is an equally plea- and by misrepresentation, caused a prohibitory Ho Kai and Mr. S. W. Tso, the Com-sant and very similar one, for to-day marks a order to be issued against the said share in a
mittee was glad to consider a plan for new era in the life of St. Stephen's Preparatory Summary Court action in which defendant was
extension. Seeing that the Church Mis- School. To-day you come into larger premises, plaintiff and afterwards issued execution and sionary Society does not provide funds for and you have a new name. As before at St. sold her share. Plaintiff was represented by carrying on this school, neither do the parents Stephen's College so now I am able to con Mr. 8. Dixon from the office of Mr. Harding of pupils desire the Society to do so, the pro-gratulate you on an extension of the school and defendant was represented by Mr. G. Kposal for expansion brought the Committee face which has necessitated the acquisition of new to face with serious financial responsibilities. At premises; and also on the generosity of the this juncture Chinese gentlemen came forward supporters of the school who have come for- with the suggestion that the financial risk ward to give increased rent and to provide attending removal into these larger premises a fund for furnishing the building. I con- College Council and by certain parents of the school, especially on the signal success achieved should be guaranteed in equal parts by the gratulate the principal, the staff and the pupils. This proposal having been accepted by one of your schoolars, Miss Wan on both sides, the building was secured (applause), in passing the preliminary Oxford further question of examination. As Mr. Barnett has told us, furnishing was solved by a proposal from this is probably the first occasion upon our liberal friends that they should provide which a Chinese girl has passed the Oxford about $1000 for this purpose, It is characteris examination in this Colony. That is an event tic of these hinese parents that when a list of of which this school, and indeed, the hinese furniture was supplied amounting to $1500, women in this Colony, may be proud, and I hope they did not only not object to their free-will that in future years you will have more girls, offering being increased fifty per cent, but they names on the list of those who have successfully even went beyond this larger sum, with the re-passed the Oxford examination. To mark my sult that to-day we are not obliged to meet in appreciation and pleasure at hearing this news I shall be glad, if permitted, to gives special prize Thehurch Missionary Society provides to Miss Wan-(applause). I always take special the Principal of the Girls' College whom interest in these schools which are self-support- parents and pupils have learnt to value so ing, and do not entirely speak as an harassed highly. The Society is also sending out official who has to make both ends of the Miss Hunt to assist. The School itself provides budget meet when there is not sufficient three other lady teachers, who have already monoy. I speak from a wider point of view, been mentioned in the report. That this because it seems to me that the wealthy Chinese endeavour to meet the present needs of the gentlemen of the olony are glad to avail them Girls' ollege is appreciated by those for selves of the educational facilities offered, and whom the school is intended, needs no further to come forward and pay the expenses of their proof than is afforded by the list of gifts sons and daughters in schools, neither dependent appended
on the Mission funds nor on the taxpayer. Such Every one of these gifts represents so much is St. Stephen's and this girls' college. I listened interest in the school: every one of them is the other day, when at St. Stephen's, to a warm gladly acknowledged and valued. And the eulogy pronounced by the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai and Committee warmly thanks every lady and Mr. Tse upon the warden of that college and gentleman who has 80 generously come the staff. I think that the principal of this forward and shared in the burden of the weightier Girls' College, and her assistants, merit no less responsibilities which the school has undertaken. praise than was bestowed the other day There is but one regret to record to-day on the warden and staff of St. Stephen's that is the absence of the Venerable Arch (applause). And indeed, their works speak deacon of Hongkong. Archdeacon Banister has for them. throughout taken the keenest interest in the increased confidence and appreciation
The larger premises show
the welfare of the school, and has ministered in no parents and supporters of the school, who small degree to its progress. Much to their have come forward with these subscriptions, disappointment, he and Mrs. Banister were and the signal distinction which has been gained
Mr. Brutton said she should have taken steps to have protected her property.
Mr. Dixon replied that she was not aware of what was being done.
The defence was a denial of misrepresentation and an assertion that the sale was regular.
His Lordship said he was with Mr. Brutton as to the point of law but he would like to hear further argument on the facts and adjourned
the case.
THE YUVARAJAH OF MYSORE. The N.Y.K. steamer Awa Maru with His Highness the Yuvarajah of Mysore and his suite on board arrived early on the 11th instant. When the vessel dropped anchor in the harbour, (aptain Mitchell-Taylor, A.D.C., boarded her to welcome His Highness on behalf of H. E. the Governor. His Highness paid an official visit to His Excellency the Governor, who invited him to tiffin or dinner. The Yuvarajah, how ever, declined the honour, caste preventing his acceptance of the invitation. His Excellency much regretted that he could not accommodate the visitor at Government House, owing to the serious illness of Lady Lugard.
•
In the afternoon, however, the Yuvarajah was pleased to pay a visit to Sir Paul Chater's residence to inspect that gentleman's valuable collection of Chinese porcelain. He was accompanied on this visit by Miss Henniker and Captain Mitchell Taylor, and later the same guides took him for a tram ride as far as Shankiwan, the object of the trip being to show the guest some of the sights of the city.
an unfurnished house.
C
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