CONFIDENTIAL,
Hongkong.
C. O.
1526
Pay 16 JAN 05
Goverment House,
Hongkong, 16th December, 1904.
496
W
Six.
42099
Ey
Referring to your telegram of the 14th instant informing me of the request made to you by the Owners of the S.S. "Inkula" that the crew of that vessel should be discharged here, in accordance with their agreement coupled with the Owners' guarantee of the cost of their repatriation should they become distressed seamen, and to my reply of the 15th idem that such an arrangement would meet the case, I have the honour to transmit for your information a minute by the Harbour Master on the subject.
2.
The great and growing difficulties experienced in the disposal of destitute Europeans makes it necessary to take every precaution against the discharge in this port of sailors that are likely to become a charge on the Colony and I would recall to your recollection the circumstances reported in the 6th paragraph of my Confidential Despatch of the 9th September last which justify the Harbour Master in viewing the action in this matter of the Owners of the "Inkula" and
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, M.P.,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.