054
TOO!
...
Hong Kong 6th January 1907.
To all to whom this may concern.
This is to say that I have been trading constantly from Europe to the Port of Hong Kong for the past ten years, engaging and discharging as many as two or three crews in the course of a year at the latter: (at times the business being transacted at the Mercantile Marine Office, at others on board the vessel) and I can safely state with regard to the accusations of irregularities said to have been committed by Mr. Guterres in his capacity as Shipping Master, that on no occasion in my case has such things taken place; on the contrary, I have always noticed Mr. Guterres to be precise, but just on all sides in what he did;
further, my experience in these matters tells me it would be an impossibility for anyone of the things mentioned to have happened without my knowledge, in my position as Master, and the whole affair appears to me the outcome of some petty spite.
In conclusion, I would like to say that Mr. Guterres is generally looked upon by all who have come in contact with him as a right man in the right place when despatch combined with accuracy is required for a Port like Hong Kong.
I do not think Mr. Guterres could easily be replaced and trust he may add many years to his already long record as Shipping Master, and feel sure that I am echoing what hundreds of others similar to myself and the whole shipping community of Hong Kong would gladly and willingly endorse.
(Signed) H. M. Pyans
Master
s/s. "Mamnon" Hong Kong 6th January 1907.