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(iv) Regulation o Ferry Services.
This should be done by a Marine Department as it
concerns the travelling public both from a safety and convenience point of view.
All royalties could go to the Trust, but regulation, fares, requests, etc., are matters for Government to decide.
(v) Navigational Aids and Signal Stations.
I see no point in taking these duties away from a technical department, and they are best left to a Marine Department.
The Port Trust is concerned with the Port of Victoria and not the waters of the Colony.
I have no intention of allowing Hong Kong to become second rate where Aids to Navigation and Signalling are concerned, and I know where to obtain the best advice.
It was I who first raised the question of spring fogs, but it will be some time before tramp tomage is fitted with RADAR; and the provision of an over-all RADAR to con ships into port is nebulous, we may have to turn to the temporary installations of ultra short wave marker beacons.
Harbour mooring buoys and their allocation should be done by the Trust in their capacity of berthage authority.
(vi) Licensing of Pilots.
Should be done by the Nautical Surveyors and Pilotage
Board.
I feel that the Marine Office should collect Light Dues, Buoyage Dues and Licensing Fees on behalf of the Port Trust, so as to simplify matters for shipmasters and launch, lighter and junk owners.
The following Fees would, of course, accrue to the Marine Department:
Registry Fees, the prescribed Survey Fees, Mercantile Marine Office Charges, Emigration Fees where applicable, Examination Fees, Dangerous Goods Permits, Official Signature Fees, other Official Permits and the like.
The charges for Sunday Working Permits should go to the Trust.
The 'Ship's Report", or K(A) Form as it is called in Hong Kong, would no longer be collected by the Boarding Officer but would be handed in at the Marine Office on Entering the Vessel.
All figures required by the Trust for the compilation of their statistics would be furnished with the minimum delay.