CCF Y.
Sir,
Enclosure 2.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
380
C.O.
33130
Rec'd
Br. 23 SEP 04'
Hongkong, 11th August, 1904.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential communication dated 29th June last (No.5015/1904/C.S.O.) relative to the question of instituting Zone time in this Colony.
The Committee have given this matter serious attention and they are unable to see any reasonable grounds for disputing the proposition as put forward by Mr. W. F. Tyler, Coast Inspector, of the Imperial Maritime Customs, in his memorandum on the subject which forms the enclosure to your letter. From the minute of the Hon. the Harbour Master it would appear that no advantage to Hongkong would be gained by the change at present, and, at first sight, the Committee were rather inclined to hold similar views, but further consideration convinced them that the inauguration here of 8 hour Zone time would not only cause no inconvenience but would prove rather an advantage than otherwise. On the other hand, great inconvenience will result, not only to China but to the Colony, if the change is not made before Hongkong is linked with the various railway systems now extending over China.
Local time being in force here, the only change necessary would be to put clocks on 22 minutes or thereabouts on the appointed day. A slight advantage would be gained by...
[To:]
J. F. H. May, C.N.G.,
Colonial Secretary.