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convenience of the Owners and to save expense; and the certificate issued by the local Surveyor to this Society after examination of the vessel in dry dock has always been accepted by the Authorities at Bombay and at other ports in the East.
It now appears, however, that the Harbour Master at Hong Kong has declined to accept this certificate and has stated that he requires one from the Harbour Authorities at Trieste.
The Committee cannot but think that this action has been taken by the Harbour Master under a misapprehension of the requirements of the survey prescribed and of the position of Surveyors to this Society; and in the circumstances the Committee will feel much obliged if the Board of Trade will do them the favour to move the Colonial Office to instruct the Harbour Master at Hong Kong to accept Docking Certificates issued by this Society's Surveyor at Trieste.
I may add that the present Surveyor at that port is Mr. R. Dussich, who is an experienced Surveyor and exclusively an Officer of Lloyd's Register.
The Assistant Secretary,
Marine Department,
Board of Trade,
Whitehall, S.W.
I am &c.,
(Sd.) A. Scott.
pro Secretary