:
Any further comannication should be
addressed to:--
¡E ASSISTANT SECRETARY,
MARINE DEPARTMENT),
And the following letter and number should be quoted :----
M
772
Telegraphic Address.
BOARD TRADE, MARINE. LONDON.
(Coby)
C.O 28500
RECP 309
Rrce 25 AUG 09,
MARINE DEPARTMENT,
7, WHITEHALL GARDENS,
LONDON, S.W.
sir,
19th January,1909
With reference to your letter of the 5th Love:ber last (Ko K.11497) and previous correspondence relating to the improper use of signals from the International Code I am directed by the Board of Trade to forward
for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty the accompanying copy of a latter with en- closures from the Lerchant Service Guild from which it will be seen that the practice of using flags of the intornational code for the purpose of making spocial local signals obtains at certain Chinese ports, the signals being apparently prescribed by the local hac- bour or Customs Authorities in at least some cases.
In these circumstances the Board would suggest for Their Lordships consideration that the enclosed correspondence might be forwarded to the Commander in Chief on the China Station who might be asked to institute enquiries into the matter am if he finds
that the conditions are such that inconvenience or mi 9- understanding is likely to arise from the practice re- ferred to, might take such action as may be feasible with a view to preventing such inconvenience or mis-
understanding.
I have, etc.
(3D) WALTAR J.HOWELL.
The Secretary,
Admiralty.