:
Enclosure
676
draft vessel was really necessary. The type of vessel then
under consideration was a twin screw motor launch about 50
feet long and costing from £1,500 to £2,000. Experience, as I have already stated, has shown that some such means of transport is essential for the proper policing of this difficult part of the frontier. The Police rowing boat was provided some time ago with an overstern motor, which usually fails to work. The Sham-chun river and the various creeks running into Deep Bay cannot be visited during a four hours patrol in a rowing boat, and it is obvious that the only suitable craft is a very shallow draft motor boat which cm cover the whole upper portim of Deep Bay, and the Sham-chun river to Muk Fu ferry beyond the railway. The boat would also work in and around the In Long creek, which is a favourite point for raiders from Chinese territory to start.
After careful consideration of various
4.
from
types the Government Marine Survey or bas decided that the boat shown on the enclosed blue print would be well adapted for the purposes. It only draws 11 inches and has a speed of 9 miles per hour. It has accommodation for two Europeans on board for a few days at a time and would not, therefore, have to return daily to Lok Ma Chau. The estimated cost is 86,300 and if Your Lordship should approve of the purchase of the boat I should be glad to learn by telegraph.
5.
I may add that the boat-house at Lok Ma Chau Police Station has silted up, and it appears to be impossible to keep it clear of silt without building expensive groynes. The proposed motor boat would require no
boat-house.
I have the hour to be, My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
bumble servant,
Ahlus Seven
Officer Administering the Government.