THE
Hongkong
Government
GAZETTE.
NEW SERIES.
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 11TH APRIL, 1857.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
VOL. II No. 93,
The Contract for publishing this Gazette, entered into on the 24th September, 1853, was terminated on the 30th ultimo; and notice is hereby given, that a NEW SERIES of this Gazette will be published hereafter, to commence from the 7th instant, under a New Contract, and that
“THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE"
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
will, as before, be the only Official Organ for Proclamations, NOTIFICATIONS, and PUBLIC PAPERS, of this Government.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 2d July, 1855.
By Order,
No. 11.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
Diplomatic Department.
His Excellency The Chief Superintendent of Trade is pleased to direct the publication of the annexed copy of a Letter from Commodore the Honourable Chas. G. J. B. Elliot, which has been communicated to him by His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, reporting the total destruction of a Fleet of War Junks which has been for some time interrupting communication with the Colony of Hongkong.
By Order,
Superintendency, of Trade, Victoria, Hongkong, 9th April, 1857.
(Copy) W. D. JEANS, Secretary.
W. WOODGATE.
H. M. STEAM Tander Hongkong, Deep Bay, 7th April, 1857,
SIR, I have the honor to inform you that, in pursuance of your orders of the 4th instant, having arrived with the Sampson, Hornet, and the two Steam Tenders at daylight yesterday off Deep Bay, I proceeded with the boats of the Sampson and Hornet, and five from the Sybille and Nankin, under Captain Hand and Commander Forsyth, up a River (or Creek) at the head of the Bay, and captured eleven War Junks, and two well armed Lorchas, which were observed there. The water was too shoal for the Steam Tenders to approach within 5 miles of where they were lying.
On the approach of our Boats, the Junks and Lorcbas opened fire, as did Troops on shore from gingalls, but the accurate fire which was immediately returned by the Boats as they pulled in, quickly silenced the Junks and Lorchas, and dispersed the Troops.
The Boats afterwards pulled bigher up the River to examine some Junks, which proved to be cargo vessels.
The War Junks were burned, and I regret that after attempts to get the Lorchas across the shoals, it was found necessary to destroy them also. :
I beg to report the good conduct of all engaged.
The men had a heavy day's work, having been employed in their Boats from daylight till late at night.
One marine belonging to the Sybille was severely wounded by an accident with his own musket, but I am happy to have no other casualty to report.
The Lorchas proved to be two Portuguese vessels belonging to Macao, (Nos. 39 and 40,) which were stated to be captured by the Chinese some weeks ago. A Seaman of one of them effected bis escape to our Boats, and goes to Hongkong in the Sampson.—I have, &o,
(Signed,) CHARLES G. J. B. ELLIOT,
Commodore.
His Excellency Rear-Admiral SIR M. SEYMOUR, K.C.B.,
No. 55.
Commander-in-Chief.
True Copy,
W. WOODGATE.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The amount to be collected for the Lighting Rate will not admit of the present use of more than 250 lamps, but as a far larger number of posts and lamps have been provided, His Excellency The Governor has been pleased to direct the Superintendent of Police to sanction the use, by private individuals at their own expense, of extra lamps, should their convenience demand it. The cost of keeping a lamp alight per month is 1.85, and any person desirous of having additional lamps lighted near their premises, will be pleased to notify the same to the Superintendent of Police, who will see their wishes carried into effect on payment of the above mentioned sum per lamp.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 6th April, 1857.
W. T. BRIDGES, Acting Colonial Secretary.
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