An
No. 427.
Sir,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
27th July, 1934.
22
I have the honour to address you on the
subject of the replacement of No.1 Police Launch. The
existing launch is a wooden vessel built in 1900. It
is not equipped with wireless telegraphy and has ceased
to be seaworthy in other than fair weather.
2.
Provision was made in the Estimates for
1930 to replace this launch but as some doubt was
entertained as to whether a vessel of the type which could be built for the sum ($100,000) provided would
satisfy the requirements of the Police Department certain repairs were carried out on the existing launch
and the work of building a new launch was not proceeded
with.
3.
A sum of $250,000 was included in the
draft estimates for the current year for a new No.1 Police Launch with three pounder gun, wireless
telegraphy and searchlight and capable of cruising in rough weather. Owing to financial stringency, however,
the item was deleted.
4.
The existing launch, owing to her age, is restricted in her movements and cannot patrol the full extent of her beat, particularly in the vicinity of Ping Chau, Mirs Bay, in rough or unsettled weather. Her
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G.B.E., M.C., M.P.,
&C.,
&C.,
&C.,