CO129-432 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [3-5] — Page 495

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capacity of about 5,000 tons to bring the coal to Hongkong. This arrangement would provide sufficient coal for the Naval and Military Authorities, all the Colonial Government requirements, and

a considerable balance for industrial establishments which are also in difficulties, for the next six months by which time it is to be hoped the ordinary traffic will be resumed. The need of making such an arranganent as imperative as although the Harbour Master

had been able to come to an agreement with the Mitsui Bussan Kai sha for a supply of coal for two months at the enhanced price of $18

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a ton after that period the Company would have had the whole business in their hands and they have already indicated that they would have to charge the Colonial Government about $28 a ton deli- -vered in Hongkong. If the charter does not exceed a ton it is calculated that it will be possible to land the coal, which has been purchased in Japan, in Hongkong at about 11 a ton.

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The question of requisitioning the two vessels I have mentioned was crefully considered. I was advised that as

the power given to the Governor under the Order-in-Council of the

26th. of October, 1896, does not purport to give the Governor any jurisdiction outside the Colony it was very doubtful whether he

could use a ship requisitioned under sub-clause 6 of Clause III

of the Order-in-Council for any other than internal purposes. In

any case it would appear that the Governor would have no control

over a ship once it had left the waters of the Colony. I therefore

informed the Rear-Admiral that if it was desired by the Naval and Military Authorities to deal with the question of the supply of coal for their requirements in the manner suggested in paragraph 3 c of this Despatch I should be obliged if he would make an applica-

-tion by telegraph for the necessary authority to the Atairalty.

Rear-Admiral Anstruther accordingly telegraphed to the Admiralty on the 4th. April. I enclose a copy of the telegram to which no

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