The reply then goes on to claim that" the Council is authorized by Land Regulation 1X, the Proclamation of Tao Tak Lan'of February 24, 1655, and the resolutions of meetings of foreign ratepayers to collect land tax from all Chinese owning or occuping land in the Settlement ir-Fempective of title. The Council then floges that no person ts entitled to demand or enjoy the benefits of municipal or public services under franchise of the Council, unless he is a law-abiding resident' who has paid or agrees to pay, all rates and taxes.
un the alternative the Council altoges that there is an implied contract between plainti™ and) them that plaintiffs are not entitled to pay all rales and taxes for which they are liable. The Council then claims that. plaintifis are indebted fo them in the total sum of $12,068-
40 for Jand tox.
The case which is nearing conclusion will resume this afternoon when Me. Paul ¥, Ru, Assistant Municipal Advocate. who was the first witness called by the Council at the fifth session of the ease on Tuesday last, will be cross-examined at length by 'Mr, S. Francis Liu, counsel for plain. tiff. "Evidence in' the case is being heard before Mr. E. A. Long, Secretary of the Consular Body and com. missioner appointed fo take evidence the court.
"The action is in the nature of a test ease and will determine the Fights or otherwise of the Council collect Iand (ax on fan-tan' land in the Settlement amounting {o more than $1,000,000 "annually.
Shanghai, Feb. 23, During the past week or s0, no less than seven foreign.managed Shanghai steamers have left for Chekiang and other ships originally pieced on regular runs between Shanghai, Chekiang and Fukien but stopped owing tothe Japanese Diockade, are planning for the resumption of their services, reports the "Chinese American Daily News." Most of the ships went to Ooukieng which leads indirectly to Wenchow in east in Chekiang.
Quoting shipping circles, the report staies that there is some hope for the Tesumption of shipping between Shanghai and Chekiang ports because the Japenese have relaxed the Dlockade regulations. Japanese war vessels are said to be busy moving to. and fro. outside Woosung and long the Chekiang coast. Besides, it eaid, they have begun to realize that it will no longer serve their purpose to stop foreign shipping for Sometimes steamers may still con-inno navigation.
tis explained, however, that all vessels must still obtain permission from Japanese authorities here before leaving. Some ships have not been Inquiries _mede with a leading foreign managed shipping frm revealed that they were not planning to resume the shipping at least for the time being. It would appear that the ships referred to in the above report ere those belonging to small firms or Tun by local agents of firms not In Shanghai.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.