On Monday at the Mixed Court before the British Assessor, Mr. Grant Jones, and Magistrate Li, Shao Sian-e, an inspector in the employ of the Asiatic Petroleum Ca., Ld., appeared on a charge that he did on January 18 at Tungchow by threats compel Siao Yung-sion, and on January 21 at Peising-chen and on January 22 at Tsungming by threats compel Wong chuen to pay sums of $300, $450, and $250 respectively.
Mr. G. H. Wright appeared for the complainants, the Asiatic Pet roleum Ca., Ld., and Mr. R. 8. Haskell for the defendant.
Evidence for the prosecution had been taken at a previous hearing and, briefly, amounted to allegations that the accused had demanded the sums of money mentioned from the Chinese complainants under threats of giving bad reports upon them to the company in case of noncompliance. fined to the hearing of accused's Monday's proceedings were con-
statement.
Mr. Haskell said: At the last hearing the Court suggested that we bring another witness to prove the truth of accused's story, but the only witness that we can call is Mr. Lewis, who is employed by the Asiatic Petroleum Ca. and he is not in court. After the hearing I will ask the Court for an adjournment if necessary to call Mr. Lewis.
The accused, in the course of a very long statement, made an absolute denial of the whole charge and suggested that it was because the agents had received bad reports from him that they vere angry with him and had broagit in the complaint.
The Assessor remarked that Mr. Lewis's evidence would either help or damage the case for the accused, but as he was entitled to every facility the case would be adjourned for two weeks.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.