E 14
Launch.
A new sea-going launch built by Messrs. W. Bailey & Co. Ltd., was commissioned at the end of May, and has proved satisfactory, after her original failure to attain the contract speed was remedied. The launch was employed during the strike on patrol duties outside the harbour, being manned by a volunteer European crew. Subsequently R.O. Powell acted as Coxswain for some time till a Chinese crew could be obtained.
C.P.O. Clarke while in charge of the launch made an interesting capture off Cheung Chau, overhauling a suspicious large sea-going launch, which proved to be the Chinese owned launch S.S. Sui Yick belonging to Hong Kong which had been captured by soldiers near Swatow, and used subsequently as a transport. She was found to be packed with armed soldiers, who apparently were on a raiding expedition, and were making use of British waters as a short-cut. The launch was brought into the Harbour and finally restored to her lawful owners. A large number of rifles and revolvers were seized, and a very large quantity of ammunition of all kinds.
Statistical Branch.
The Statistical branch was closed at the end of September and the staff, in the case of those on the permanent establishment, transferred to other departments, in the case of those on the temporary establishment discharged. The last issue of the trade returns was that for the second quarter; a summary was published of the returns for the third quarter. The filing of declarations of all cargo received and exported ceased from the end of September to the great relief, especially of the Chinese mercantile community, for whom the making out of declarations in the proper form had always been a very irksome and expensive task.
15th March, 1926.
J. D. LLOYD,
Superintendent.