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The letter, which is very lengthy and is dated 22nd May, 1870, describes the existing lines of cable under the control of the Company, and states that the new duplicate section will be laid between Penang and Rangoon. It encloses a memorandum laid before the Secretary of State for India showing the facilities needed from his Government.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Hongkong, 17th August, 1876.
Sir,-I have the honour to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your despatch No. 650 of the 2nd instant enclosing a letter from the Chairman of the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company relative to the laying of a duplicate telegraphic cable between Rangoon and Penang.
This Chamber notes with satisfaction the proposed increase of telegraphic facilities, and trusts that their successful inauguration will render communication between this Colony and Europe less subject to interruption than has hitherto been the case.
I am, Sir,
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here, by Messrs. MALCOLM WILLCOX & Co., against the owners of the ship Cathaya. The decision in said case having created some little surprise amongst the mercantile community, the Committee of this Chamber have deemed it desirable to publish the documents connected therewith.
These documents speak for themselves, and I need only point out, that the ground for a nonsuit was that the Plaintiffs, the endorsees of a bill of lading without value actually paid by them, were not in a position to sue, although they were Agents for sale of the goods in question.
The Committee of this Chamber will feel obliged by your bringing the pamphlet (forwarded per bearer) before the notice of the members of the Chamber of Commerce at your port, with a view of eliciting information on the subject of the position of Consigners and Consignees, and more particularly of ascertaining whether a decision has been given in any similar case in other courts which coincides with the ruling of the Judge of Her Britannic Majesty's Court here.
I am, Dear Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed,) G. K. DINSDALE,
Secretary.
Your most obedient Servant,
P. RYRIE, (Signed,)
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Chairman
Colonial Secretary.
The Secretary of the
Appendix C.
YOKOHAMA GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, 10th April, 1876.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
Hongkong.
DEAR SIR,-I am directed to forward, for the information of the members of the Chamber of Commerce at your port, copy of a pamphlet giving the particulars of an action at law brought in Her Britannic Majesty's Court
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
HONGKONG, 17th August, 1876.
SIR,I am instructed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 10th April, which has been duly laid before the Committee of this Chamber, together with the pamphlet it enclosed. So far as this Chamber is aware, no case has ever arisen in the Hongkong Courts in which the right of an endorsee of a Bill of Lading to sue for damages incurred by cargo has been challenged; and the issue by your Chamber of the pamphlet in question will undoubtedly draw attention to a ruling which seems entirely opposed to the custom which has as yet prevailed in such matters.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed,)
N. B. DENNYS, Secretary,
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