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B. B. M's. Consulate,
Wuchow, March 24th., 1903.
Sir,
I have the honour to bring to your
notice, for the consideration of the Hongkong Government, the
question of the status of the steamers engaged in the West
River Trade.
11
As you are doubtless aware, the Eritish
Flag has not been represented on the River that is to say, on
the direct route to Hongkong since the Combined Companies with
drew the 'Wuchow' and 'Samshui' two years ago. Yet the value of
the direct trade even last year, a bad one - was over Six
Million taels; and there are now six small steamers, of tonnage
ranging from 100 to 300 tons, plying regularly between this and
the Colony.
namely:-
Of the above, five are British owned,
'Hoping' 178 reg.tons 'Mokuai' 190 do. 'Kongmoon' 160 ão.
'Changon' 207 do.
'Changwai' 264 do.
Messrs.banker & Co.
do.
Heungkong Steamboat Company, Limited. Noshun Steamboat Compa-. ny, Limited.
do.
The 'Wokuai' is under the American flag,
but the others fly the Chinese, as the Hongkong Government will
not recognise ther as Eritish vessels unless they take out a
Colonial Register and carry three European Officers. This,
having regard to the small size of the steamers suited to the
trade and the low rates of freight prevailing, they are unable
Honourable E. H. May, C.M.G.,
to
Colonial Secretary.