N? 218.
REC
C.O
32618
READ JUL
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
378
HONGKONG.
31st May, 1916.
Sir,
With reference to my despatch No. 142 of the 7th
ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that the Admiralty did
not see their way to take up the two steamers "Telemachus" and "Moresby" for the conveyance of coal for the use of the Colonial Government and Imperial Departments in Hongkong, but that they have allowed the collier "Kathleen" shortly expected with Ad- -miralty coal to bring from Japan one cargo (5,400) of the 20,000 tone of coal purchased by the Colonial Government at a
freight to be arranged later. I note here that 5,000 of the
purchase of 25,000 reported to you was not negotiable at the last moment.
2.
The Colonial Government will make its own arrange-
-ments for space for the remainder of the coal before the end
of the year and will be able to affect considerable economies
by this means.
3.
The requirements in coal of the Colonial Govern- -ment and of the Military Authorities will thus be met for a
period of 12 months at least from the arrival of the first con-
-signment.
ER
I have the honour to be,
sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Governor,&c..
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ANDREW BONAR LAW, M.P.,
20..
&c., &o...