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"Dear Mr. Paterson, I have to report that on the arrival of the "PRESIDENT MONROE" yesterday I was on the wharf and after she tied up I
went aboard.
The Immigration Officer in charge was a Mr. Burnie. Shortly after arrival the Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Forrest, came aboard apparently in a
very unpleasant humour. I saw nothing of the examination of the passen- gers in the lounge but I heard several of them make derogatory remarks regarding the manners of the Immigration £ffteEx. officials.
Whilst I was standing at the head of the gangway, The American President Line Shore Captain, Thomas, went on to the gangway and shouted to his No. 1 to instruct the stevedores to come aboard by the lower gangway. I presume he had received instructions from the Immigration Authorities or Police that it was in order for the stevedores to come aboard and open up the hatches. Several Immigration Officers were on the gangway and as the stevedores started to come on board every one of them produced his identification card complete with photograph. Shortly after the steve-
dores had started to file over the gangway, Mr. Forrest came to the head of the upper gangway and shouted to one of his Chinese Immigration Officers: "Who are those people coming on board?" The Immigration Officer said they were stevedores. Mr.Forrest then said: "You get down there at once and anyone without a proper pass duck him overboard."
The way this official acted aboard the ship was a disgrace to Hong Kong, and gave the impression that he was mentally unbalanced; several
American passengers and ship's officers commented in no measured terms
on the incivility of Hong Kong officials. The attitude and methods of
the Immigration Department are becoming a subject of openly adverse
comment on all sides, and as I am jealous of the good reputation of Hong
Kong, especially the treatment of foreigners coming to or passing through
the Colony, I report this is in the hope that something may be done to improve matters. (sgd) C.M. Manners, Secretary and Manager".
A. Yes.
Q. That letter you sent in due course to Mr. Paterson?
A. Yes.
Q. And the contents of that letter are within your own sight and hearing?
A. Yes.
Q. In every detail?