CO129-348 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [7-10] — Page 419

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for the supply of all necessaries to the telegraph party

during the period of their residence there. Such a project,

however, would seen to be entirely dependent in the first

instance upon the realisation of the schemes of Messrs.

Wilkinson and Newman and in the second place upon the

extent of co-operation which the Admiralty might be willing

to afford. I have not therefore at the present stage

considered it necessary to obtain any more precise estimates

of cost than those contained in Admiral Lambton's letter,

and I have only brought forward the question of a Wireless

Telegraphic Station in order that you may be aware of the

immense value of such a station in the forecasting of

typhoons, should the commercial proposals fructify.

3.

I have ascertained that Mr. Kendall

Newman is a journalist on the Staff of the "South China

Morning Post" in this Colony. He is aged about 40 a native

of Australia who has been in the Far East for about 18

years, and speaks, reads and writes Japanese. Mr. Wilkinson

was in Hongkong in January and February last when he left

without paying his Hotel bill. He returned again here and

stayed in the Soldiers and Sailors' Home, and left early

in August.

4.

I have received a Despatch from

Sir