Enclosure 2.
Copy Secretary Chamber of Commerce to Colonial Secretary.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
31
Sir,
Hongkong, 21st September, 1899.
I am directed by my Committee to again invite the attention of His Excellency the Governor to the condition of the districts watered by the West River and the piracies committed on that waterway and its tributaries, to the serious obstruction of trade.
The despatch of the gunboat "Tweed" and of a torpedo boat hence to the West River has no doubt had a good effect in some portions of the territory in question, but the length of the river and the numerous creeks preclude such a small force from having more than a very partial effect. If the Chinese Authorities could be relied upon to do their duty and second the efforts made to rid the country of the lawless characters who batten upon the labours of the industrious portion of the population, probably the force sent thither might suffice for the purpose. Unfortunately, however, the reverse is the case; nothing is attempted in real earnest by the Chinese Officials; and if the evil is to be rooted out,