Geo. K. Hall Brutton & Co.
Solicitors.
The Honourable
Sir,
The Attorney General.
Bank of East Asia Building,
10, Des Voeux Road Central,
Hong Kong.
110
2nd March, 1939.
Misc. Procs. No.10 of 1939
s.s "Mao Lee" and s.s "An Lee"
With reference to the "Mao Lee" and "An Lee", as you
are aware, we have obtained an Order for an indefinite period (with liberty to apply) addressed to the Harbour
Master to stop his issuing any clearance in respect of
these vessels.
At the suggestion of the Harbour Master our Mr.
Strellett has been in communication with the Police
Authorities advising them that the clearance was stopped
and asking them to watch out for any attempt by the vessels
concerned to leave the Harbour. Needless to say,
if any
such attempt was made, it would probably be during the
night.
The Police have informed us that they will give their
Police Launch officers instructions to keep a watch on the
vessels but if the vessels or either of them attempt to or
actually leave the Police themselves can take no "physical"
action. We are told that if the vessels or either of them
attempt to leave or are actually leaving the Police will
take the earliest opportunity to report to the Harbour
Master and the Government, but in our view this would be
too late for effective measures to be taken.
}
It appears to us that if vessels in the waters of the Colony can with impunity leave the Harbour notwith-
standing that a clearance has been refused by the Harbour
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