No. 308
Jongkong.
PRINTED
Sir,
FOR USE
EASTERN
No.
94
COLONIAL
C.0
31532
Mace
REGE & SEP 04
Government House,
Hongkong, 3rd August, 1904.
316
I have the honour to confirm the following telegram sent to you by Mr. May on the 28th ultimo in reply to yours of the 27th concerning the case of the Steamship "Inkum".
"Referring to your telegram of 27th July, Marine Magistrate declined convict crew refusal of duty because the agreements of crew did not mention carrying contraband cargoes Japan. Vessel carrying cargo of coal crew unaware destination until arrival here."
The "Inkum" arrived here with a cargo of coal which has been declared contraband by Russia. The crew seem to have discovered here for the first time that their destination was Japan and some of them then refused to proceed in the vessel. On the case being brought before the Marine Magistrate's Court, he declined to convict on a charge of refusal of duty because no mention was made in the agreements of the men of the particular service required of them, which service might expose them to a certain risk. Mr. May endorsed the action of the Marine Magistrate after having obtained an opinion.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
&c. &c. &c.
135
11/026676 +11226676