CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916 — Page 336

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Messrs, ALFRED HOLT & Co.

Dear Sirs,

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S.S.PROTESILAUS,"

Hoxo KoNG,

January 28th, 1916.

I beg to report to you the safe arrival of the " Protesilaus" at this Port, all well, and that everything in all departments is going on very satisfactorily. On the voyage out searches have been made in all parts of the ship for Opium, and just before our arrival at Penang about 10 slabs of Opium was found part in the saloon bathroom, and part in the 2nd Engineer's room. This was traced to the Chinese stewards, who were prosecuted and received four months' rigorous imprisonment. On our arrival at Singapore another 100 lbs. was found by the Customs searchers, concealed behind the lining in the Chinese stewards' room, so this lot evidently belonged to the same men. Strict searches have since been made but nothing found.

The troops have been landed here all in good health, and everything is very satisfactory, there have been no complaints.

Please find enclosed 4 sheets Abstract of Log, 2 Overcarried cargo sheets.

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I remain,

Yours obediently,

(Signed) A. BRAITHWAITE,

Extract of letter from Capt. F. BAETENS, S.S. "EUMATUS," SINGAPORE,

Messrs, ALFRED HOLT & Co.

Dated 31st January, 1916,

While searching the ship before arrival here we discovered 4 tins containing about 2 lbs. Opium, hanging by a long line down one of the after derrick posts. I am therefore stopping the Chinese bonuses, as one or two other tins were subsequently found in the engine room under the dynamo.

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Extract of letter from Capt. WILLIAMSON, S.S. "ATRETS," SHANGHAI,

Dated February 2nd, 1916.

When paying off the Chinese Crew at Hong Kong I stopped the bonus owing to 3 lbs. of Opium having been found at Singapore. They felt rather aggrieved as the quantity of Opium found was so small, but I thought more might be found later on. So far, however, no more has been discovered.

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