Sub. Enclosure I to Enclosure to secret despatch
tong thong
C O
338
31897
Sa,
No 7/5/73.
Rece
RED
Government house.
Commander - - Chief's office Chuic Station 6th July in
4/404.
I am pleased to lay before Their Lordships the following remarks on the Establishment of A low Signal Station and wireless Telegraphy at Hongkong.
A very great want has been felt at Hongkong of proper Communication between HM. Ships filled with Wireless Telegraphy in the offing and the Island or harbour. The question was raised in my predecessor's time, and suggestions to establish wireless Telegraphy on the Peak was submitted by Rear Admiral Robinson but came to nothing, I understand, in consequence of the difficulty of finding a proper site; then a proposal was made to fit it on board "Iris" or "Amethyst" or "Janus", but this had the objection of being of very limited use on account of the high land shutting in the ships. These questions were brought to my notice at Hong Kong on assuming command, and at the same time the General Officer Commanding consulted me as to the Establishment of war Signal Stations on the Island: he had practically completed all his arrangements for the defence of
Anu Island, Except that he was only anxious that the look out in war time should at any rate be manned by Naval men, so as to Ensure that the quality of a fleet approaching should not be mistaken. Having fully considered these points I drew up a proposed scheme and sent it to the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong and Major General Hamilton so as to ascertain their views. I attach the General's reply, and have had a letter from Mr May, at present administering the government, in which he says: "I see no difficulty on the part of the Colony agreeing to the proposals made by you and if I can be of any assistance in furthering the scheme, I shall be most happy to do so". Mr May will shortly be relieved by Sir Matthew Nathan so I presume he will not send in any more official answer. I attach the scheme, and cannot too strongly urge its adoption. I should like permission to proceed with the installation of the wireless Telegraphy Station as soon as I can arrange to obtain the consent from the Colonial Government.
The Secretary of the Admiralty
✓
No. (540)
9.4 No. Vice-Admiral