2
of business in the Treaty ports of China is well exemplified in the present case, and I trust that it may be possible to issue to me special instructions authorizing the registration of these ships or, if necessary, to meet the requirements of the constantly-increasing numbers of British ship-owners in these ports by some special legislation.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Consul-General Hopkins to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.
Registrar.
Tien-tsin, May 8, 1909.
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith copies of two letters which I have received from the Taku Tug and Lighter Company of this port, applying for the registration of the tugs "Kaitai," "Leetah," "Leechuan," and "Leeshin," and the lighters "Swallow," "Yungtung," "Tungting," "Yunghong," and "Daisy."
The question of registration of these vessels, for which the Company hold no bills of sale or other regular documents of title, has already been the subject of considerable correspondence.
It has recently been raised again at the instance of the Board of Trade Surveyor, and as it appeared to me that such a state of affairs was extremely irregular, and should, if possible, be put a stop to, I advised the Company in their own interests to apply for the registration of these vessels.
As you will see from the letters I inclose, all these vessels were built for or purchased by the Company many years ago, and the documents referring to them have since been lost or destroyed during the trouble in 1900.
In support of this application, I inclose copy of a deed of trust executed in 1898, the fourth schedule of which contains the names of all the vessels in question.
I am convinced that there can be no possible doubt that these vessels are all the property of the Company, who are not, in my opinion, to blame for the present state of affairs.
Under these circumstances, therefore, should you feel unable to grant the necessary certificates of registry, I have the honour to request that you will forward the application of the Company for the consideration of the proper authorities at home.
I have, &c.
(Signed) L. C. HOPKINS.
Sir,
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Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Taku Tug and Lighter Company to Consul-General Hopkins.
Tien-tsin, May 6, 1908.
WITH reference to the inclosed documents appertaining to the lighter "Daisy," I beg to inform you that this vessel was built at Taku by the Chinese Imperial Naval Yard on behalf of this Company in the year 1887, but regret to state that we have neither a builder's certificate nor bill of sale.
This vessel has been duly measured by the Board of Trade surveyor, and I shall be obliged by your forwarding the papers to the Registrar of Shipping at Shanghae, so that a register can be issued in course.
Sir,
Yours, &c.
(Signed) WILLIAM T. L. WAY,
Secretary.
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Consul-General Hopkins to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.
Tien-tsin, May 8, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith copy of a letter which I have received from the Taku Tug and Lighter Company of this port applying for the registration of their tug "Hsinho."
This vessel was purchased by the Company in 1902 from the British military authorities stationed at Tien-tsin after the Boxer troubles, who refused to execute a bill of sale in the ordinary way or to give any title except the agreement which I inclose.
The absence therefore of the proofs of ownership required by law cannot be ascribed to any fault on the part of the Company, and I shall be glad if you can see your way to granting this vessel a certificate of registry.
I have, &c.
(Signed) L. C. HOPKINS.
Inclosure 6 in No. 1.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Taku Tug and Lighter Company to Consul-General Hopkins,
Sir,
Tien-tsin, May 6, 1908.
WITH reference to the registration of the tugs "Kaitai," "Leetah," "Leechuan," and "Leeshin," and the lighters "Swallow," "Yungtung," "Tungting," and "Yunghong," these vessels were purchased in the year 1884 from the now defunct firm of Russell and Co., who I understand were agents for the Chinese Government at that time, and, like a few other of the Company's fleet, neither bills of sale nor builders' measurements are in our possession.
It is now very many years ago since these vessels came into our possession, and any documents that were in our hands were destroyed during the Boxer rebellion in 1900.
I beg to inclose a copy of a deed of trust executed in 1898, which specifically mentions all of our property, and although the debentures have since been paid off, yet it will be seen that the vessels not having any registers were then the property of this Company.
Yours, &c.
(Signed) WILLIAM T. L. WAY,
Secretary.
Sir,
Taku Tug and Lighter Company to Consul-General Hopkins.
Tien-tsin, May 6, 1908.
REGISTRATION of tug "Hsinho." This vessel was purchased from the British Government as per agreement dated the 15th October, 1902, which I inclose for your or the Registrar's perusal, and shall be obliged by your returning same when finished with.
I also inclose all the documents relating to this tug's measurement, &c., prepared by the Board of Trade Surveyor.
Sir,
Yours, &c.
(Signed) WILLIAM T. L. WAY,
Secretary.
Inclosure 7 in No. 1.
Consul-General Hopkins to Consul-General Sir P. Warren.
Tien-tsin, May 8, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith copy of a letter which I have received from the Taku Tug and Lighter Company of this port, applying for the registration of their lighter "Linsi," together with the necessary documents referring to this vessel.
I shall be glad if you will grant her a certificate of registry.
I have, &c.
(Signed) L. C. HOPKINS.
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