These seamen are sent home under the authority of the provision 6: of the Merchant Shipping Act 1854 sections 211 and 6.
Enclosure to Encl. 1.
E. L. Woodin to Harbour Master.
633
Copy
The contention of the P.&O. Company appears to be that one of their vessels having Hongkong as a calling port and then proceeding to Bombay is not a vessel bound to a port in the United Kingdom, although she may from Bombay continue her voyage to such port.
On the other hand; it is submitted that such a vessel is not exempt from the provisions of the sections above referred to. A vessel of say the Blue Funnel Line, leaving here and calling at Singapore or other ports, is considered to be bound for the United Kingdom.
I have referred this matter to Mr. R. M. Rumsey.
R. M. Rumsey,
Harbour Master.
Hongkong, 28th August, 1890.
As the distressed British seamen are conveyed to the United Kingdom by this Company's Steamers proceeding to Bombay at a great deal of convenience and expense, I have the honour to inform you that from this date I cannot accept any further distressed seamen by our vessels except when they are despatched direct to a port in the United Kingdom.
To the Harbour Master.
I have referred this to E. L. Woodin.
E. L. Woodin,
Superintendent, P. & O. S. Nav. Co.