C.O. 1526
Minute by the Harbour Master.
16 JAN 05
498
Hon. Colonial Secretary,
The Master of the Vessel interviewed me on the 18th instant respecting his crew. He wished to discharge them here and take on a Chinese crew. The balance of wages due to each man was insufficient to justify my so doing. Mr. Sonnar representing the Ship's Agents here quite realised that I could take no other view, and agreed in my presence with the Master that it would be better to send the men home as passengers at a cheap rate.
This is only hearsay. I have since learned that an arrangement has been come to with a German Firm to land the men at Genoa for a sum at $17 per head (the men are mostly Italians).
With regard to the telegram, if such a guarantee is given that is all that is required, such an arrangement was not mentioned to me.
The owners of the "Inkula" are the same that own the "Inkur" so that I shall require if a guarantee is given that it is genuine.
15th December, 1904.
(Sd.) L. Barnes-Lawrence,
Harbour Master.