CO
ENCLOSURES
(subendozu 20)
Sir,
600
0.0
Centurion" at Weihaiwei.
20th. May, 1901.
20130
3
8837
In reply to your letter D.W.(885) of 27th March 1901, forwarding a copy of a letter from Mr. Keswick M.P., relative to Dock Accommodation at Hongkong, I have the honour to report that, I am of opinion that the conditions of transfer of land for the new dock proposed to be constructed by the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company might be modified by waiving the Admiralty claim to preferential rights of docking at any time under ordinary circumstances, these rights only being exercised
(a) In time of War
(b) When War is considered to be threatening
(c) When the Senior Naval Officer at Hongkong considers that the safety of one of H.M. Ships would be endangered, if she were not docked without delay.
I have &c.,
The Secretary of the Admiralty, Whitehall, London.
(sd). E.F. Seymour, Vice-Admiral.