No.
231
Hongkong.
Sir,
0.0. 23083
30 JUN 04!
Government House,
Hongkong, 27th May, 1904.
802
I have the honour to address you on the subject of the Junks Collision Ordinance No. 39 of 1902, which formed the subject of the correspondence noted in the margin.
Governor's Despatch No. 548 10th February, 1900.
Secretary of State's Despatch No. 118 of 12th April, 1901.
Governor's Despatch No. 161 15th January, 1902.
Secretary of State's Despatch No. 266 of 27th August, 1902.
2. This Ordinance has now been in force for a year and a half. Its object was to induce junks on the China Coast to carry the lights prescribed in the International Collision Regulations, by enacting that if in an action brought in the Courts of this Colony in respect of a collision outside the territorial waters, between a junk and a ship, either vessel is proved to have failed to comply with the rules concerning lights contained in those regulations, such vessel shall be deemed to be at fault.
3. The passing of this Ordinance produced the anomalous and unsatisfactory condition that whereas a junk was compelled by the local Merchant Shipping Ordinance to carry, when under way within the waters of the Colony between sunset and sunrise, a single white light at a height of not less than 20 feet above the hull, she was subjected to a most
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
&c.
&c.
800-*