352
THE HONGKong goverNMENT GAZETTE, 7TH AUGUST, 1869.
Extract of a Letter from Mr. Gray to the Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, dated Board of Trade, 28th November, 1868.
I am to state to you, for the information of His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, that the use of the "Commercial Code of Signals" has now become a matter of international importance. No other Code is now supplied by the Admiralty to Her Majesty's Ships, and no other Code is recognized by the Governments of France and of several other "Con- tinental States for communicating with each other at the signal stations and with merchant vessels generally.
Extract of a Letter from Mr. Gray to the Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, dated Board of Trade, 27th March, 1869.
The Board of Trade have already, in their letter above referred to, pointed out the increasing importance of the Com- mercial Code of Signals, and they have received from the Admiralty a distinct intimation to the effect that Marryatt's Codes are no longer supplied to Her Majesty's Ships.
They would therefore, further submit, for the consideration of Earl Granville, whether the Officers administering the Governments of Her Majesty's several possessions abroad might not properly be requested to give notice that, after a certain date, no signals will be made or answered from Government stations on shore or ships at sea except by means of the Com- mercial Code of Signals.
I am to add that, to ensure the answering of signals and the reporting of vessels on their signalling their names to any signal station, it is essential that each station should, in addition to the Commercial Code Signal Book, be kept repeatedly supplied with the latest Code List of Ships.
Unless this is done, and Shipmasters can feel certain that their distinguished signals will be recognized when exhibited, the general use of the Commercial Code must necessarily be retarded, and the exertions that have been made, by the Govern- ment of this country and the principal Maritime States, will be frustrated.
No. 91.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Report from the Superintendent of the Hongkong Fire Brigade, is published for general information.
No. 7.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 7th August, 1869.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 31st July, 1869. SIR, I have the honor to present my usual monthly Report of the Fire Brigade for the information of His Excellency The Governor.
An Inspection and Parade was held on the 17th July instant. The Brigade Engines, Supply Carts, Fire Ladders, &c., together with three Chinese owned Engines were assembled at the Cross Roads, at 5 P.M., and thence proceeded to the vici- nity of the Harbor Master's Office, where the Engines were got into play some from the sea, others from the "Mains." One of the Brigade Engines was found out of order, and was taken to pieces on the spot, the defect ascertained, and made good, after which the Engine was worked satisfactorily. All the other Engines were in good order.
A second Inspection was held on the 27th July, and in addition to the Engines, &c. present at the first inspection, the hand Engine of the "Royal" Insurance Company, and a newly arrived hand Engine of the "Imperial" Insurance Company, the Agents for which are Messrs. Gibb, Livingston & Co., were brought under examination.
The latter worked well from the "main" with two "branches" of delivery hose, and is a valuable addition to the means at command for extinguishing fire.
The "Royal,"
Chinese Volunteers," and "Brigade" Engines were also brought into play, and were found in good order. The Equipment of the Firemen, Engines, Hose, Implements, Ladders, &c., were examined and found clean and in order.
I have the honor to be,
The Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
No. 92.
Colonial Secretary.
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
C. MAY, Superintendent Fire Brigade.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Circular Despatch from the Right Honorable The Secretary of State for the Colonies, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 7th August, 1869.
Circular.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
Downing STREET, 18th May, 1869. SIR. I transmit to you herewith, a Copy of a Letter from the Board of Trade, enclosing a Notice to Colonial Shipmasters and others, relative to Sections 109, 136, 280 and 284 of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854.”—I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,
GRANVILLE.
The Officer Administering the Government of
HONGKONG.