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At present Canton, Swatow, and other neighbouring ports of China are dependent for warning of approaching typhoons upon the Ilong Kong Observatory, an institution supported by the Hong Kong Government at great expense, which gratuitously and in the common interests of humanity furnishes directly to the Chinese authorities at Canton through the Imperial Maritime Customs, and generally by its published warnings to all shipping, both foreign and native, frequenting the Southern seas, information regarding the approach of typhoons based on the daily reports received from the various observation stations with which it is in communication.
It is highly desirable in the interests of navigation that the Chinese Government should on their side establish an observation station in Pratas.
No great expense nced be incurred. It is estimated that the cost of a suitable wireless telegraph installation would cost from 4001. to 5001, exclusive of the cost of inexpensive buildings for the operating room, engine-house, and living quarters of the staff which need not consist of more than three persons. The observations are of a simple nature, relating merely to readings of the barometer, force and direction of the wind, and other weather indications, and do not require to be made by an expert staff. Com- munication with the mainland of China could no doubt be undertaken without much expense by the Chinese Naval Authorities at Canton.
In the event of the Chinese Government adopting this suggestion, Sir John Jordan is requested to state that the Hong Kong Government will be ready to co-operate in receiving and transmitting the observations to Canton and elsewhere, as may be arranged with the Chinese local authorities. The Director of the Hong Kong Observatory would also, if desired, undertake the instruction of the staff to be sent to Pratas in the method of taking the observation.
British Legation, Peking.
Enclosure 3 in No. 1. MEMORANDUM.
J. N. JORDAN.
The Board has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir John Jordan's memorandum of the 19th instant, stating that it would be very advantageous if China were to establish a wireless telegraphy station on the Pratas Islands, and further that the Director of the Hong Kong Observatory would also, if desired, undertake the instruction of the staff to be sent to Pratas in the method of taking observations.
The Board accordingly referred the matter for the consideration of the Board of Posts and Communications, and the latter have now replied that the Viceroy of Liang Kwang has been instructed at once to make the necessary arrangements.
25th November 1909.
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No. 3.
GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Government House, Hong Kong,
MY LORD,
In my despatch No. 303 of October 20th, 1909, to which I have not as yet
1st March 1910. received a reply, I had the honour to forward an application from Messrs. Keegan and Rosencrantz for a license to establish and operate a commercial wireless telegraphy business in this Colony. Prior and subsequent to that date the desirability of such a station in Hong Kong had been much discussed, and the chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce took occasion in his annual speech to draw attention to its necessity. I have also received a letter from the Commodore inquiring what steps could be taken in time of war or emergency to prevent any wireless station which may be erected from being used.
2. Deeming it desirable to obtain some information of a general nature on this subject, I communicated with the Commander-in-Chief and, at his suggestion, Į embodied the points on which I desired to be informed in a confidential letter, dated January 13th last, a copy of which is attached. In reply to this letter he verbally suggested to me that the best way of eliciting the information would be to appoint a small committee. I did so under the chairmanship of Sir Henry May, the Colonial Secretary, with the Director of Public Works, and two naval and military officers as members. I directed that the proceedings should be strictly confidential, and I enclose their report together with the terms of reference. Admiral Sir Hedworth Lambtou, and I now attach a copy of my letter and his These I forwarded to reply.
3. I have also on the 24th ultimo received a letter from Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Company, Limited, offering to submit detailed estimates for erecting a wireless station on the Poulsen system, if furnished with particulars as to range required, &c., and proposing to operate it for three months, when, if found satisfactory, it would be taken over by Government, system adopted by China in Chinese ports, and on various vessels. I enclose a copy It would appear from this letter that this is the of this letter and its enclosures in original, which, if convenient, I desire may be returned to me. I have caused a reply to be sent to this firm to the effect that I am referring the matter to your Lordship.
4. I have already expressed such views as I am able to form-with a very insufficient knowledge of the various systems in vogue, their respective cost, &c.--in my letter to Admiral Lambton, and I submit the papers for tions. I have only to observe that it seems to me highly desirable that a commercial your Lordship's instruc- wireless telegraph station should be established here as soon as may be, and that if it should be capable of superseding the land telegraph system to Chinese stations and to Singapore, there would seem to be a prospect of its proving a very desirable source of revenue for the depleted treasury of this Colony. It must, however, be understood that the Colony is not at present in a position to incur any large capital expenditure or annual charges which are not covered by the returns.
I have, &c.,
F. D. LUGARD, Governor, &c.
SIR,
No. 2.
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Admiralty, 5th February 1910. Wir reference to your letter No. 41383/1909, dated the 22nd ultimo, relative to the proposed erection of a wireless telegraph station on Pratas Island, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies that they are of opinion that this station should communicate with the new wireless telegraph station proposed to be erected at Hong Kong by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company and the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, rather than with the Naval Station there.
I am, &c.
W. GRAHAM GREENE.
SIR,
Enclosure 1 in No. 3.
Government House, Hong Kong,
THE question of inaugurating a commercial wireless station in this Colony
13th January 1910. has, from time to time, been raised, and this Government has received an application from Messrs. Keegan and Rosencrantz, who state that they hold the patent rights of Messrs. Marconi in the Far East. In accordance with standing instructions from the Secretary of State for the Colonies the application has been submitted to him. I in the meantime, anxious to obtain what information I can, as to the possibility of erecting and working such a station as a Government undertaking. If your Excellency
am,
* Answered on 1st February 1910 to the effect that the application was to be refused in view of license promised to the Eastern Extension and Marconi Companies.
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