10
11. 155
a
I should probably have advised delay until the working of the Proclamation had been tested.
This Nice Roy now proceeded with his Tank Registration scheme, draft of the Regulations of which, including a prohibition against the carrying of Stink pots, I transmitted to the Governor of Hong Kong on the 17th of October following, and in reply received a despatch from his Excellency dated the 21st, in which he intimated his intention to legislate on the subject of Tank armament on the grounds of the failure of the Proclamation, and on which he animadverted somewhat severely.
I communicated the determination of the Governor to the Tree Roy who expressed his regret that, short of total disarmament, which of course would be the most effectual means for the suppression of Piracy, but which circumstance rendered impossible, the Governor should refuse to entertain the next best measure that could be devised, namely a strict Tank Registration and the forbidding of carrying Stink pots. His Excellency however stated his intention to proceed with his scheme and in pursuance of the orders promulgated in connection therewith Proclamation was issued on the 16th of April