"C"
The Ocean Steam Ship Company Limited
and
China Mutual Steam Navigation Company Limited
S.S. "Cyclops"
430
Hong Kong February 15th, 1907.
Mr. Guterres
Dear Sir:-
I felt very sorry indeed when I heard upon arrival here yesterday of the very unfortunate position you had been placed in owing to what seems to me gross misrepresentations.
I understand that one of the charges against you is, that, when discharging the crew of the S/S "Alcinous" under my command, on or about the 31st May 1902, you unlawfully deducted from the firemen the sum of $1260.- said to be owing by them to the No.1 fireman and that you received a commission for so doing.
I may say that the "Alcinous" was not in Hong Kong on that date, whether or not, I am absolutely sure such a thing never took place, and never could take place, at that, or any other time in any ship under my command.
I personally attend when discharging my crew, and see each man paid all that is due to him.
On such occasions I have never been absent one moment. The money is brought on board by my Compradore and each man is paid in full what is owing to him, at my table, and then leaves the room with his money. In all my experience of paying off crews in Hong Kong I have never seen the slightest trouble or dissatisfaction among the firemen.