C.O.
419
ENCLOSURE
20001 Pac! Red 1C OUT 19
&
Immediate.
HON HARBOUR MASTER.
The Consul General for the United States has handed me the attached letter.
Please let me know exactly the position which you consider you are legally bound to take in this matter.
Is it possible for you to treat the "Tartar" as a trooper?
Kindly mention the sections of the Ordinance under which you have to act.
12.9.99.
(sa.) J.H.STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
Hon. Colonial Secretary.
The "Tartar" is under the British flag and although on time charter to the American Government is amenable to our law.
She has a passenger certificate issued at Hong-Kong to the effect that she is measured for 1374 passengers (under our Merchant Shipping Ordinance 26 of 1891) and owing to a lack of sufficient life-saving appliances this number is reduced to 741. This reduction I may mention is not unusual.
Section 6 of Ordinance 26 of 1891 bears on the case and authorises the Harbour Master to refuse clearance to a