September 13, 1909.]
were found to maintain that such things need form no part of a scheme of import duty that I ever agreed to the idea of imposing one. In subscribing to the unofficial members' re- commendation to impose one, I was actuated by the belief that such petty smuggling as might be improbably attempted from ocean steamers by European passengers need not seriously engage the attention of the Government, whose business of collecting the duty could be con- ducted through the Harbour Office on broad | and simple lines calculated to create the least possible amount of friction. Only on such lines did I advocate an import duty, and only iu so far as such lines are adhered to by the terms of the Bill does it command my support. I am opposed to the idea of granting im- 'mediately powers which provide for the
institution of a Customs service-powers con- ferred by sections 30 to 35. The latter clause, providing for domiciliary visits, is particularly repugnant to
me. Your Excellency has just said that you will undertake that these powers will not be invoked vexatiously, I am sure that such will always be your Excellency's desire. But, nevertheless. I deprecate putting such a power into the hands of subordinate officers until the absolute necessity for it has been proved to exist. I suggest that régulations conferring such powers might be made hereafter by resolutions of this Council, to be passed when, in the public interest, it is seen to be necessary. I suggest that the Government should so modify this Bill. I quite appreciate the necessity of enacting it quickly, if at all. HIS EXCELLENCY-Before I put the motion I would like to correct a statement made by the hon. member who represents the Chamber of Commerce. I said that the duties are identical with those in the Straits Settlements. They appear perhaps larger in the Bill, but I think if the hon. member works them out on the basis of the fixed exchange in the Straits he will find they are exactly identical.
MAĢISTRATES AND CRIMINAL LAW
AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, '
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Magistrates and Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1909. In doing so he said-The object of the Bill is to repeal section 8 of the Magistrates' Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance of this year, which conferred power upon the Governor-in-Council to make certain limitations with regard to spitting in streets and other public places. The Chinese community, in the persons of those qualified to speak on their behalf, have undertaken to do all that this clause would give the Governor-in- Council power to do. In the circumstances the Government considered it better that such a matter should be regulated by the Chinese themselves.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council then resolved itself into a committee
of the whole Council to consider the Bill clause by clause.
On resuming, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL re- ported that the Bill had passed through com- mittee and moved that it be read a third time.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. MALICIOUS DAMAGE AMENDMENT ORDIN NCE. Council went into committee on the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Malicious Damage Ordinance, 1865..
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-In the first place, the Committee will remember that we left for further consideration clauses 5 and 6 of the Bill,
which deal with the penalties to be imposed for in- juries to trees in the New Territories, and the mode of collecting the impositions. After discussing them with an unofficial, member I propose to amend section 5 so as to make penalties
fall only on those who reside within the area.
HIS EXCELLENCY-I have taken the opinion
of the district officer in the New Territories on this subject, and he thinks the amendment now proposed will be quite satisfactory.
On Council resuming, the ATTORNEY- GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through committee with slight amendment.
GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL RELIEF ORDINANCE.
Council went into committee to consider the Bill to relieve the Governor-in-Council of certain ministerial duties.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated that the Bill was left in committee to enable members to make themselves familiar with the provisions of the Ordinances which the Bill dealt with in the schedule.
*
On Council resuming, the ATTORNEY- GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through committee.
ORDERS POSTPONED.
The following orders of the day were post- poned .-
Second reading of the Bill entitled an Or dinance to authorize the Construction and Maintenance of a Harbour of Refuge upon and over certain portions of the Sea Bed and Fore- shore situated upon the Harbour frontage at Taikoktsui, Mongkoktsui and Yaumati, Kowloon, in this Colony.
Second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Tramway Ordinance, 1902.
Second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Liquor Licences Ordinance, 1898, and the Liquor Licences Extension Ordinance, 1908. and to repeal the Liquor Licences Amendment Ordinance, 1902.
Committee on the Bill entitled An Ordinance to set apart certain Crown Land to be used as a burial ground for persons professing the Christian Religion, other than members of the Roman Catholic Church.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Council will adjourn un- til Thursday next.
ALLEGED ABSCONDING OF A BRITISH RAILWAY ACCOUNTANT.
1
HEAVY DEFALCATIONS ALLEGED.
225
and informed by the Magistrate that a warrant had been issued by the Consul-General at Canton for his arrest on a charge of fraudulent- ly embezzling $13,000 on December 30, 1918, at Canton. His Worship added that the procedure would probably be that the Consul-General at Canton would send his warrant to Shanghai, and all his Worship could do at this stage was to take evidence of arrest and remand the accused until the warrant arrived from Canton.
The Accused-In the meantime may I live at the Astor House under surveillance? I can satisfy the Court by going to the bank that I have means.
His Worship-No. I cannot do anything of that sort. I shall have to remand you in the custody of the British gaol, and if you wish to communicate with the bank or a'lawyer you can do so..
The Accused-Before you actually commit or two matters of me, may I attend to one business with one of the constables?
His Worship-No, I do not think I can. What sort of business is it?
The Accused I should like to send a sable or two and make some arrangements with my bank for some funds.
His Worship-If you can get the prison authorities to agree to that, all right; but it will be then out of my hands. I cannot make any order in this Court. You have acknowledged
that you are William Butler Wright.
The Accused-Yes, but I was wrongfully arrested.
His Worship-Why?
The Accused-On the warrant.
His Worship-You mean that the charge is wrong?
has been no embezzlement.
His Worship-Well, the warrant has been issued at Canton, and I know nothing beyond that. I can speak to the Consular authorities, who are in charge of the gaol, and they may be able to see their way to allow you to have this communication, but it is in their hands.
On Sept. 5th a great sensation was created in The Accused-Yes, it is a false charge. There the Colony when it became known that Mr. W. Butler Wright, the accountant on the Chinese section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, had disappeared under conditions which suggested that he had absconded under suspicion of heavy defalcations. Mr. Wright, who we understand, has had a long and honourable career in con- nection with railway undertakings, came from India to take up the duties of accountant on the Chinese section of the railway when it was com menced about a year ago, and enjoyed the confidence of the authorities. Consequently the news of his alleged absconding seems almost incredible. However there is every reason for believing that he has taken the step which marks the downfall of a man who was held in high esteem by a large number of friends and acquaintances.
The information to hand is that an auditor had been engaged on the books recently, and possibly fearing that explanations would be asked for, Mr. Wright took advantage of the earliest opportunity to leave Canton His dis appearance was not noted until Friday, but by that time he had got a good start. Apparently he came down from Canton to Hongkong on Thursday, and though the local police were not apprised of his disappearance until Friday night they succeeded in tracing his movements in town. They learned that he left by the Japanese steamer Tenyo Maru, bound for San Francisco via Keelung, Shanghai and Japan ports. Should he land at Shanghai he is almost sure to be captured by the police, but it is thought most probable that he will try to get to Japan from Formosa, transhipping at Keelung. If he succeeds in reaching Japan it is believed that he will be immune from extradition, as there is no treaty between Britain and Japan.
and it
is
The defalcations, it is alleged, amount to something like $50,000. It is thought they cover fairly long
a
period, further reported that he got away with a sum of money drawn at the end of the month from the Bank in payment of the wages of the
staff.
kong, where he was well known, and in Canton Mr. Wright was a frequent visitor to Hong-
he enjoyed a reputation for liberality, enter- taining lavishly.]
News reached the Colony no Monday night that Mr. Butler Wright had been arrested at
Woosung.
The proceedings at the Police Court in Shanghai are reported as follows:
William Butler Wright, accountant, a man of middle age, was brought up before the Court
Det.-Sgt. Gibson, sworn, stated that in com- pany with Det. Ray he proceeded to Woosung that morning at about eight o'clock. He went on board the Tenyo Maru, and arrested the accused there. Witness gave the usual caution and the accused did not make any statement.
His Worship announced that, accused would be remanded for seven days in the custody of the British gaol authorities, but that he might be brought up sooner on the arrival of the warrant from Canton. The accused would be allowed to see Mr. Barton with regard to his application, and his Worship would also com- municate with him.
F
Wright then left the Court with a British Consular constable.
HONGKONG UNIVERSITY:
IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT PROMISE SCHOLARSHIPS.
has received a telegram from the Secretary of We are informed that the Executive Council State for the Colonies communicating the information that the Imperial Government approves of the establishment of a University at Hongkong, and that £300 annually will be voted for scholarships.|
MILITARY FUNERAL AT MACAO.
The remains of Captain Isaac, Pinto of the Portuguese Artillery Company at Macao, who was shot at his desk on Monday by a sentry, were interred on Tuesday with full military honours. The Governor, accompanied by his two A.D. C's., walked at the head of the cortege, and there was a large attendance of military, and civil officials and the general public.
What led to the tragedy is not yet known. Captain Pinto had not been long in Macao, 'but had become well known and greatly esteemed. He was unmarried. The sympathy of the community is extended to his aged father in Portugal.
We regret to learn of the death on Friday at Yokohama of Mr A. Chaix, the agent in that port of the Messageries Maritimes.
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