Any further communication should be addressed to-
THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY,
(MARINE DEPARTMENT,)
BOARD OF TRADE,
LONDON, S.W.
And the following letter and number should be quoted :--
M.7993
5703
Under Secretary,
Sir,
BOARD OF TRADE,
(MARINE DEPARTMENT,)
5th May.
Steam Ships.
566
LONDON, S.W.,
1886.
C.O.
7486
5 MAY 86
I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th Ultimo relative to the question of the necessity for annually docking certain wooden steamers by the Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company; and, in reply, to state, for the information of the Secretary of State, that, in the opinion of this Department, any vessels which have to be certified as regards their efficiency for carrying passengers should be examined in dry dock by the authorised Surveyor at least once in every twelve months.
of State, Colonial Office,
Downing St.