Il ne peut donc être considéré comme hors de doute les inscriptions faites sur les rôles d'équipage des navires français.
Le caractère officiel des certificats émanant des Consuls de France, pourvus de la forme due, n'a jamais été contesté par les mêmes autorités dans le Royaume Uni, dès lors qu'ils sont munis d'un exequatur.
Par ces motifs, j'ai l'honneur de renouveler respectueusement ma demande, par lettre du 17 de ce mois, de vouloir bien donner des instructions pour que les autorités Maritimes Anglaises de Hong Kong reconnaissent l'authenticité des documents délivrés par moi-même, soit par mon Chancelier.
Veuillez agréer, Monsieur le Secrétaire Colonial, les assurances de ma haute considération.
Léon Le Roux
Consul.
Page 298
Enclosure 4.
10927
Report to the Harbour Master.
On the 5th June, Messrs. Marty & Co., the Agents of the French Steamer "Hanoi", 730 tons, applied for a survey of the ship for the purpose of obtaining a Passenger Certificate under the provisions of Ordinance 3 of 1891.
Previous to the issue of this certificate, it is provided in the Ordinance that the Government Marine Surveyor shall, if satisfied that he can properly do so, grant certain declarations (sec. 5 (a) and (b)) containing, amongst other things, a statement that the certificates of the Master, Mates, and Engineers are in such form or condition as is required by law.
In compliance with this law and in accordance with the practice which obtains at Hong Kong in every case, whether of a British or Foreign Ship, the Marine Surveyor in question asked to see the certificates of the Master, Mates, and Engineers of the "Hanoi".
Instead of the originals, copies of these certificates were offered for the inspection of the Government Marine Surveyor, whereupon that officer wrote to the Agents saying that copies could not be accepted, and that the originals should be produced. To this the French Consul seems to take exception.
2nd July, 1896.
B.K. Russell,
Harbour Master.