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a very grave responsibility in consequence of his action in connection with "Coromandel". That vessel, leaving at about 4 p.m. on the 14th April, by the purest piece of good fortune encountered no fog and succeeded in arriving at Shanghai at noon on the 17th, thus saving her time by a bare two hours; had she arrived after 2 p.m. she would have been liable to a fine of £500. It would then have been recorded in the Mail Journal and ship's Log that the late arrival had been caused by quarantine detention in Hongkong, and this reason would have been put forward by the Company as their plea for praying for a remission of the penalty, so that, I think the Committee will agree with me that Dr. Swan escaped from finding himself in a most unenviable position by a very narrow margin indeed.
I think a perusal of Dr. Swan's letter, and my reply thereto, conclusively shows how very essential a revision of the present system of Medical inspection of Shipping is, and I trust, in their reply to the Colonial Secretary, the Committee will again take the opportunity to impress on the Government the importance of placing this appointment in the hands of a qualified official who must be thoroughly conversant with the Regulations of the Port and who will give his undivided attention to his Harbour duties, as soon as it can conveniently be arranged.
I enclose a letter from Capt. Vibert, of the "Coromandel" stating that he carefully perused my letter of the 17th May and that the details given therein in connection with the detention of the "Coromandel" "are strictly in accordance with the facts".
I am,
Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
(sd.) H. A. RITCHIE.