CO129-407 - Public Offices & Others - 1913 — Page 73

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Any further communication should be addressed to:-

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY,

(HARBOUR DEPARTMENT), BOARD OF TRADE,

7, WHITEHALL GARDENS,

LONDON, 8.W.

And the following letter and number should be quoted:--

H. 1799,

BOARD OF TRADE,

(HARBOUR DEPARTMENT),

7, WHITEHALL GARDENS,

LONDON, S.W.

Telegraphic Address,

BOARD TRADE, HARBOUR,

LONDON.

(C O P Y)

18th February, 1913.

Sir,

With reference to your letter of the 3rd instant (No.4633/13) on the subject of the suggested establish- ment of a light on the Paracels Reef, China Sea, I am directed by the Board of Trade to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State that the Board concur in his proposal to communicate to the Merchant Service Guild a copy of the report made by the Coast In- spector at Shanghai in the matter.

".

I am at the same time to state that the Board still agree that the erection of one light in the vicinity would not be of real value to shipping and that the cost of the erection of sufficient lights to ensure safety to navigation in the vicinity would be very great.

I am to add that the cost of such a work could not legally be charged to the General Lighthouse Fund and that the Board doubt, whether the Chinese Government

would undertake the work and defray the expense.

I have the honour to be,

The Under Secretary of State,

Foreign Office.

H

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

y

(8gd)GARNHAM ROPER