CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 571

The Amoy Surveyor informs me that this method

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of measurement has been in use at Amoy within his recollection of the port --extending to more than 20 years. I have pointed out to him that it is not correctly in accordance with the rules for measurement laid down by the Straite

Settlements Ordinance, which requires measurement to be inside

the waterways. That the Straits Settlements Government has apparently condoned the incorrect system of measurement for

so many years does not affect the rules; and I have instructed the Surveyor that he is to follow the letter of the rules

in future surveys.

(2) Amoy certificates allow one servant for every first-class passenger, and one for each two second-class passengers. The

Hongkong certificates do not make this allowance. In some

cases, this will add 100 or more to the ship's complement of

emigrants.

I see no objection to the continuance of this arrangement; it has caused no trouble whatever in the past,

and it is a reasonable concession to the saloon passengers.

(3)

Small spaces taken up by movable encumbrances such as a

coop for chickens or a pen for pigs are not deducted from space measurement on the upper deck, in the Amoy certificates; in the Hongkong certificates such spaces are deduoted, and some difference in the number of licensed emigrants results therefrom. Also,bridge deck space is included in the Amby

certificates, but not in the Hongkong certificates.

These spaces do not amount to any considerable area; and as, on the other hand, deductions are made in the Amoy certificates of space for exergise, which deductions are

not made in the Hongkong certificates, these items may be

considered to balance themselves.

You are good enough to invite my observations

on the last paragraph of the Governor's letter. His Excellency's suggestion rests on the provision" so long as no official

"and independent measurer is attached to the Coast Port

emigration/