CO129-223 - Governor Sir Bowen Acting Governor Marsh & Others - 1885 [11-12] — Page 410

Resolution

409

ports of Hong Kong and Singapore. The following resolution was unanimously adopted by the bonncil for transmission to your Lordship's

"Department; to the consideration of which I beg respectfully to direct your Lordship's best attention:-

"That, in view of the great importance

of British mercautite interests in the Cast, more particularly as concentrated at- Hong-Kong -the shipping tormage of which, entered and cleared, in 1883 amounted to 6,882,000 tons, and the unports and exports exceed £4000000 yearly - strong representations be made to the Government as to the imperative necessity of protecting British interests in the China Seas by adequate defensive precautions botte at Hong-Kong and Singapore, and that these two important-ports should be withian- delay winded by a dired-submarine telegraph cable entirely in British hands, even if a small Imperial subsidy (as in other cases) be requisite to ensure it's being laid "

Believe me, My Lord,

Yours respectfully

Bernie B. Murray

Secretary