CO882-(6-8) — Page 559

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

111C.O. 882

سلسل

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

8 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

202

3. I am also to forward to you a copy of a telegram * from Sir J. Anderson, in which he states that notice has been given to the Board that the services of the London staff will not be required.

24269

SIR,

No. 175.

I have, &c.,

C. P. LUCAS.

ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received July 13, 1905.) [Answered by No. 184.]

Admiralty, July 12, 1905. In continuation of Admiralty Letter of 8th February, 1905,† on the subject of the storage of Admiralty stocks of coal at Singapore, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to forward to you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Lyttelton, copies of correspondence which have passed between their Excellencies, the Governor of Straits Settlements and the Commander-in-Chief, China Station, respecting the storage of the Admiralty fuel now in the custody of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company.

2. From this correspondence it would appear that some misunderstanding has arisen as to the Naval requirements for storage of fuel at Singapore, which are as stated in the Commander-in-Chief's letter of 27th May, 1905 (copy enclosed); and in view of the great importance to Imperial interests of securing the best possible facilities for coaling His Majesty's Ships at Singapore, I am to request that the attention of His Excellency the Governor of the Straits Settlements may be called to this matter with a view to a settlement being arrived at locally,

3. With this object their Lordships have instructed the Commander-in-Chief, China, to arrange for a conference between the Senior Naval Officer, Singapore, and the Governor of the Straits Settlements as soon as a suitable opportunity presents itself.

I am, &c.,

W. GRAHAM GREENE.

Enclosure in No. 175.

Copy of Submission by COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, China, dated May 25, 1905, No. 437/322.

Submitted for information with reference to Admiralty Letter, N.S. Coal, No. 442/4079, dated 16th March, 1905. If the guarantee mentioned in the last enclosure be obtained I would propose that no further coal contract be entered into for Singapore; but that the coal in future shall belong to the Admiralty, and an agreement made with the Colonial Government for the receipt, care, and

issue of it.

G. H. NOEL,

Vice-Admiral.

GOVERNOR, Straits Settlements, to COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, China. SIR,

Government House, Singapore, March 21, 1905. I HAVE the honour to inform Your Excellency that I have received a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, forwarding a copy of correspondence with the Admiralty on the subject of additional storage accommodation at the Tanjong Pagar Docks for fuel for the use of the Navy.

2. It is hoped shortly to let a contract for reclaiming the bay between the Peninsula and Oriental Company's property and the property of the New Harbour Dock Company at Telok Blanga and to build a quay wall along the face of it in

• No. 171.

↑ No. 46A.

203

33 feet of water. If suitable terms can be arranged, I shall be prepared to lease on this reclamation the area required to store 30,000 tons of coal and patent fuel for the use of His Majesty's Navy.

SIR,

I am, &c.,

JOHN ANDERSON.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, China, dated March 30, 1905, to GOVERNOR, Straits

Settlements.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge and thank Your Excellency for your letter, No. S.S. 31, of 21st March 1005, with regard to coal storage at Singapore.

2. I propose awaiting Your Excellency's reply to my letter of 22nd March before taking any action in this matter.

I am, &c.,

G. H. NOEL,

Vice-Admiral.

GOVERNOR, Straits Settlements, to COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, China.

Government House, Singapore, April 13, 1905.

SIR,

In reply to your letter of the 22nd of March ultimo, as to the storage of coal at Singapore, I have to state that as the property of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company has not yet been taken over by the Government, I am not in a position to say for certain that it would be impossible to find storage for the amount of coal which it is desired to stock.

2. It is, however highly improbable that space can be found, and it appears to me that, as the Government intend to proceed at once with the reclamation between the wharf of the Peninsular and Oriental Company and the eastern boundary of the New Harbour Dock Company, it would be best for the Admiralty to arrange to secure the necessary space on that reclamation.

3. It is intended to build a quay wall, with 33 feet of water L.W.O.S.T. along- side, on the sea face of the reclamation, and I am advised that the work will take about two years to complete. A survey is now being made with a view to preparing specifications and plans required to enable a contract for the works to be entered

I am, &c.

into.

JOHN ANDERSON.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, China Station, to GOVERNOR, Straits Settlements, dated May 2, 1905.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's letter of 13th ultimo, No. 2/1905, from which I gather that you think it will be found impossible to stow the Admiralty stock of coal in the Tanjong Pagar sheds, and that the Admiralty should arrange for stowage on the reclamation between the Peninsular and Oriental Company's wharf and the eastern boundary of the New Harbour Dock Company, which will probably be ready to receive it about two years hence.

In reply, I would beg to point out that the object of my previous letter was to provide for the storage of our coal now, when the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company is about to be taken over, rather than to arrange for the future. I would also add that the coal which I desire storage for is already in the Tanjong Pagar sheds, and no extra space is required.

Details of this coal are as follows:-

20303

(a.)-10,000 tons of patent fuel shipped by Admiralty from England are stored by agreement between the Admiralty and the Dock Company. (b.) 10,000 tons of Welsh coal bought by the Admiralty from the present Contractors, Messrs. Paterson, Simons and Company, and, now stored in the Tanjong Pagar sheds.

(c) 5,000 tons of Welsh coal is stored by the Admiralty Contractor by arrangement with the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, all ready for sale to the Admiralty, and issue to His Majesty's Ships whenever required.

2 D

1