20
572
length of voyages by calculating speed at 5 knots per hour;
the average speed of J. M. & Co. and B. & S. Steamers is
well over 10 knots.
The average duration of Coast voyages does not exceed
two days, many of the runs being under one day, and scarcely
any over four days.
We believe that all the Consuls in China are against
the proposed Regulations. Their knowledge of the Coast
Trade has been acquired by daily experience as Officers in
Charge of H. M. shipping Departments of their respective
Consulates; whereas the Hong Kong Officials are entirely
ignorant of North China, where the principal Passenger
business exists.