CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 13

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B. B. M's. Consulate,

Wuchow, March 24th., 1903.

Sir,

I have the honour to bring to your

notice, for the consideration of the Hongkong Government, the

question of the status of the steamers engaged in the West

River Trade.

11

As you are doubtless aware, the Eritish

Flag has not been represented on the River that is to say, on

the direct route to Hongkong since the Combined Companies with

drew the 'Wuchow' and 'Samshui' two years ago. Yet the value of

the direct trade even last year, a bad one - was over Six

Million taels; and there are now six small steamers, of tonnage

ranging from 100 to 300 tons, plying regularly between this and

the Colony.

namely:-

Of the above, five are British owned,

'Hoping' 178 reg.tons 'Mokuai' 190 do. 'Kongmoon' 160 ão.

'Changon' 207 do.

'Changwai' 264 do.

Messrs.banker & Co.

do.

Heungkong Steamboat Company, Limited. Noshun Steamboat Compa-. ny, Limited.

do.

The 'Wokuai' is under the American flag,

but the others fly the Chinese, as the Hongkong Government will

not recognise ther as Eritish vessels unless they take out a

Colonial Register and carry three European Officers. This,

having regard to the small size of the steamers suited to the

trade and the low rates of freight prevailing, they are unable

Honourable E. H. May, C.M.G.,

to

Colonial Secretary.