Mr. J. G, Tumuxet appeared to answer a summons for having failed to register at the Consulate, as roquered by Section 114 of the order in Council of 1865 he being a British subject.
There were were a number of other gentlemen served with summonses, but they had since complied with the Order in Council and the summonses were withdrawn.
Mr. Covurman appeared on behalf of the Consul-General.
Mr. Turrkett defended himself.
His Worsuir-—This is a summons, I understand, for neglecting to register. Have you anything to say DereNpaNt—Your Worship, T registered some years ago, but I have not registered for 1887.
His Worsurr—That is the point. You know the Section of the Order in Council T presume, and you did not register yourself.
Derexvast—My reason for not having registered this year is owing to the great wails in regards to the collection of the tax, unfairness—the great ingguality—thnt pre-and the want of uniformity of its enfurcement. Some British subjects pay the tax one year and they are excused, or do not pay it the next.
(is Worsnip—How do you know that?
DrrenpaxtT—I understand that Mr. How was last year compelled to pay the tax, and I was not.
SoDErENOANT-—I notice also that in 1885 our not paying it this year.
His oun tee is no reason for
there were only 82 British subjects registered.
His Worsmp—t cannot take any notice of that. Even presuming that very Few persons are registered that is really no excuse for you. You are reminded of what you should do, and you have not done it. That is all I have to deal with.
Drrexpaxt—Might I ask your worship who issued the summons.
His Worsite—The Court issued it at the instance of the Consul General.
Shen Pao, tortured for the space of one: Derenpayt—I understand that the Order in Council gives a discretionary power to excuse people registering and——His Worsir—That is the Consul-General's business and not mine.
DereNpat—Might I ask of the Consul General on what grounds a person could be excused.
His Worst1r—No, you cannot.
Derexpast—I think it is very unfair thatono British subject should be compelled, and another not compelled, to pay it.
His Wonsie—Every British subject ought to register unless he is excused. If you are summoned here all Tai bound to dais to tell you to pay, and unless it is shown that you are excused, I have no option.
Derespast—This summons is issued by the Consul-General His Worstir—It is applied for by the Consul-General.
Dere: Task how many British subjects are registered this year His Worsttr—There is no use in your going on that tack. You have not done so, That is the point.
Drrrxpaxt—And I alone will be com-pay it His Worst—I amto prosumethat every British subject will be compelled to pay it, Derexvaxt—Last year scores of British subjects were not conipelled to pay it, His Worsurr—There is no use in talkie that way. Have you anything more to say!
Derexpaxt—Could Mr. Mortimore give me any idea of what excuse would be considered satisfactory gFENDAST—Could your Worship or Mr, Coulthard or the Consul-General His Worsn He is net bound to say on what grounds he would excuse you, There should be an application made to him, You have not been excused and you have not registered. If you can show me that as a matter of fact you have been excused, do s0. hat information does not appear in the public newspapers, PHtis, Woxsure—Tt does in the Order in Council which is public property. You can Duy a copy of it here.
His Woxstr—Then you DerexpaNt—If a person is registerd, is ho entitled to protection of the Court according to the Order in Council His Woxstr—According to the Orde i il person not. payin; he protection of the Court. tish subjects doing their duty are entitled to its protection, Derespaxt—Then your Worship, if I show you some inequality in—His Worsure—That has nothing to do with the ease.
Derexpast—Then I think British subjects, the officials of this Court, and the general public, should have a knowledge of the sort, of protection given in this Court. I can show that it is almost ruinous to British subject to live in this place.
His Worsure—I don't know what you mean.
Derespast—I will tell you; there this Court an action for libel pending against. me I would like to know what protection I will get from the Consul General—His Worst interrupting—That has no bearing whatever on the case. what he meant, when his Worship refused The defendant wes proceeding to explain to hear anything further on that particular subject, and defendant said he would bow to his Worship's decision and had nothing further to say than, that he thought his Worship said last year in the How case that the tax would be enforced in an equitable manner.
His Worsmrp assented, and said that the defendant had been notified to register.
Derexpast—I was away from Shanghai at the time.
His Worsuir, said I have only: now to give my decision:—It is entirely a matter for the Consul General as to who should be compelled to register, and who should not, and I believe he will do his duty in this respect. It was your business to Know that you were to register and even after you had been notified you till neglected to do se, The excuses which you have brought up are totally irrelevant to the point. Ihave therefore only to impose on you a fine of $10 and costs, Derexpaxt—Dves that fine compel me to register now?
His Worsmr—I have no further opinion to give on that subject. You have now been fined for the offence; whether they will tine you again or not, I do not know and do not. care.
Derexpayt—May I ask, your Worship, is there) y alternative if Tdo not pay the me.
His Worsurp—I do not think that question ought to have been proposed and I ain not bound to answer it, but in civility T will tell you thut if the fine is not paid thre will be distraint, and failing distraint there might be imprisonment, Shanghui, Ist Nov., 1887. asso ox r, Buck & Ramsay, This was a claim for $99 arrears of rent: due to the plaintiff, A. D. Sassoon & Ca., by the defendants, Messrs. Buck & Ramsay, li respect of their late promises in the Nanking Road.
Mr. Warsewnranr appeared for the plaintiff, Mr. Rawsay admitted the debt, but pleaded that the reason they did not pay was because his firm had a counter claim of Tis, 294.95 for damages done to their goods by rain getting in through the roof. They were instituting proceedings for the Tecovary of the amount, and he asked the Court to withhold judgment for the present, His Woxsiir pointed out that an unlie qui dated debt could not be put as a set off ty another admitted. He would have to jud sinent at once, but he would delay for seven days, Three dollars ost Mr. Warsewntcn applied that his client do allowed costs, as he had attended because of a letter written by Mr. Drummond as to the counter claim, and he fully expected to j see him in Court.
His Woxsuir allowed $10 costs and on he application-of defendant stayed execu-ion for a fortnight in order that a counterclaim might be entered by defendants.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.