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are booked in January to dock on certain dates throughout the year, and in the event of the dock being requisitioned for one of His Majesty's Ships on or about the dates fixed, then the Mail Ship cannot be docked but must make another trip without cleaning the bottom, or in the event of repairs being necessary, seek docking facilities in some other port, and should the vast business of docking and repairing ships be diverted from Hongkong through want of a little encouragement, it may be a very difficult matter to bring it back.
The Ships of His Majesty's Navy have been docked and repaired by the Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company for a period of 36 years without an accident of any kind, and for the many services rendered willingly and loyally, the Directors trust that their application for a site to build another new dock will meet with your favourable consideration.
In conclusion, I respectfully beg to call your particular attention to the very great delay which has attended the negotiations for the purchase of the land for our proposed new dock.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Chief Manager.