Enclosure /.
COPY.
Harbour Master,
Sir,
Hongkong.
413
Goverment Marine Surveyor's Office,
Honkong, 12th July, 1921.
!
With reference to the Board of Trade letter dated
18th April, 1921, on the question of Hongkong passenger certificates not being recognised by them.
1918-1947
I would suggest that copies of the Hongkong Merchant Shipping Ordinance of 1899 as amended in 1914, and slso that of the Asiatic migration laws be forwarded to them for their information, as being the latest regulations under which passenger certificates and Emigration are granted at this port. These laws differ somewhat from those laid down by the Board in their latest requirements but to all intents are similar to those obtaining in 1913.
During the year 1920 there were 131 steamers over 60 tons (Registered) granted passenger certificates in Hongkong: out of this number eight of the largest ply regularly between here and Vancouver and until recently no objection was made by the Canadian Authorities as to the validity of our certificates as they have no facilities for docking at their and end must perforce accepts our Bottom Certificate as their ow.
The usual practice with regard to the survey of a steamer for passenger certificate is as follows. Hull to be surveyed in dry dock at least once in 12 months together with cables, seevalves and cocks test holes to be bored for thickness if found necessary.
Propeller Shaft to be drawn in for examination at first survey and at least once in every 3 years thereafter. If found down over 4" of an inch bottom half of lignum vitae
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