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particulars. Mr Paul Schiers is the resident head of the business, signs himself as Attorney for Mr Abella. There can, I submit, no reasonable doubt that the "Fat Chey" is fitted out in a manner that she is unfit, and under a contract not for one way ages.
The actual fittings or barricades were made by Chinese Artisans. I have called upon the Harbor Master to state what took place in this juncture when the "Fat Chey" was fitting out, and I enclose a copy of that Officer's report. It is quite clear that her fittings were made in Wongting, and there is good reason for concluding that at any rate part of the fittings were actually fixed before the vessel left those waters.
Nevertheless, it is equally clear that the Officers of the Harbor Department were on the alert with a view to preventing, as far as their limited powers permitted, the fixing of objectionable gratings. The statement of Mr. Thomsett is, in this subject, supported by the Agents of the steamer in a letter to the "China Mail", 10 April 1875.
A copy of which
Endorsed No.3
9 April, 1873.