Enclosure 2.
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.
630 Hongkong, 27th April 1904.
Report on Ordinance No. 3 of 1904.
I have examined the accompanying Ordinance, entitled "An Ordinance to provide for and regulate the Employment of Pilots," and I am of opinion that the Ordinance is one which is not contrary to the Governor's Instructions.
This Ordinance has been designed with the object of exercising certain control over the pilots of the Colony by establishing a properly constituted pilot service.
While no natural difficulty presents itself in the navigation of these waters it is well known that pilots are largely employed by vessels using the Port. Such being the case it has been deemed expedient that only persons duly qualified should be employed as pilots.
The Ordinance does not make it compulsory to employ a pilot.
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Almit. Bukeley
Attorney General