CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 354

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built in space had been left in the cargo for the

accommodation of the stowaways and their number was

such as to leave no doubt of collusion, if not on

the part of the European officers, on that of the

stevedore in Hongkong.

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connected with the vessel namely the owners.

In face

however of the number of stowaways little could be

said and I am of opinion that the vessel escaped

lightly.

It is currently reported that an association

exists in Hongkong for the purpose of smuggling

Chinese into the Philippines, coolies being willing

to pay two hundred dollars to be landed.

A number of vessels have been fired already on

rather slight evidence but many fines have been re-

mitted.

The Hongkong firms who own the vessels depend

on Chinese and Malay quartermasters to check these

irregularities with little or no result as their

wages are small and a bribe an inducement.

I interviewed the Governor of the Islands on

the subject pointing out that the bond given was equal

to the value of the ship and that the fine if en-

forced would fall on the least guilty persons con-

nected

I have, &c.,

(Signed)

W. H. M. Sinclair.

Acting British Consul.

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