Copy.
Enclosure io. 3.
No.45.
125
Government House,
Hong Kong, 1st March, 1928.
Sir,
With reference to your letter No.24 of
19th January, 1923, I have the honour to inform you that evidence has now been produced which satisfies me that the M/S "Wing Hung" is at present owned and controlled by two Chinese British subjects, Hessrs. Chau Sik Cheung and Chu Tsik Fuk who together constitute a private company, known as the Kwong On Co. Ltd. The Company has accordingly been informed that application should be made to you to register this vessel as a British ship under the Canton Consular District General
Regulations.
2.
As regards the complaint from the Commiss- ioner for Foreign Affairs, copy of which was forwarded under cover of your note No.6 of 9th January, 1928, I am of the opinion that the responsibility for the opium traffic from Tuchow, which is at least as great a nuisance to this Colony as it is to the Canton Govern- ment, cannot fairly be laid on the shoulders of the master or the owner of the M/S "Wing Hung" who could not do more than hand over the actual smugglers to the preventive officers at Do shing, which in fact was done.
His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General,
CANTON.
I have, etc.,
(Sd.) C. Clementi,
Governor, &c.