CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12] — Page 764

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Captain Olsen of the Norwegian Steamer "Oscar-11, was summoned

for anchoring his vessel at a place other than a port of the

Colony on June 5th. of this year. At that time, as your Chamber

are aware, Junk Bay, where the vessel in question was anchored,

had not been declared such a port under Section 21 of Ordinance

No.10 of 1889 and owing to circumstances connected with the state

of war then existing it had been necessary to enjoin special vigi-

lance on the police in the enforcement of those harbour regula-

tions which secured the waters of the Colony from use inconsistent

with the Colony's neutrality. The defendant pleaded guilty but

stated that as the night was dark it was dangerous for him to en-

ter the harbour. In these circumstances no penalty was inflicted

by the First Police Magistrate before whom the case was tried.

At the instance, however, of the Masters of various tritish ships

your Chamber made a representation that the Government should

- "consider whether it would not be possible to adopt such measures

"as would allow the prohibition to vessels to anchoring in Junk

"bay to be removed". this representation was received on the

11th. July and on the 14th. of that month, arrangements having

been made to bring the bay under the supervision of the Water

Police, His Excellency approved on the recommendation of Captain

Barnes-Lawrence of Junk Bay being added to the list of ports of

the Colony and a notification to this effect was published in the

next issue of the Government Gazette. The promptness with which

the wishes of the Shipping Community as represented by the Cham-

ber of Commerce were met by the Government are somewhat curiously

instanced by "The Merchant Service Guild" as illustrating "the

"fact that Eritish Shipping does not appear to be receiving that

"assistance and encouragement at Hongkong which in justice to

"its "importance to the country, it would appear to demand".

3.

The Governor has thought it necessary to invite your

Chamber's attention to and coservations on these further charges

brought by the Merchant Shipping Guild against the Fort Autho-

rities