CO129-324 - Governor Nathan - 1904 [10-12] — Page 497

CONFIDENTIAL,

Hongkong.

C. O.

1526

Pay 16 JAN 05

Goverment House,

Hongkong, 16th. December, 1904.

496

W

Six.

42099

Ey

Referring to your telegram of the 14th.

instant informing me of the request made to you by the Owners

of the S.S. "Inkula" that the crew of that vessel should be

discharged here, in accordance with their agreement coupled

with the Owners' guarantee of the cost of their repatriation

should they become distressed seamen, and to my reply of the

men,

December

704.

15th. idem that such an arrangement would meet the case, I

have the honour to transmit for your information a minute by

the Harbour Master on the subject.

2.

The great and growing difficulties experien.

ced in the disposal of destitute Europeans makes it necessary

to take every precaution against the Aischarge in this port

of sailors that are likely to become a charge on the Colony

and I would recall to your recollection the circumstances

reported in the 6th. paragraph of my Confidential Despatch of

Juqr the 9th. September last which justify the Harbour haster in

viewing the action in this matter of the Owners of the Inkum"

and

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ALFRED LYTTELTON, K... M.P..

&C...

8cc..

Ecc..