CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12] — Page 160

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(a.)

PETITION.

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To the Honourable Mr. CLAUD SEVERN, LL.D., the Officer Administering

the Government of the Colony of Hongkong for the time being and to the Mem-

bers of the Legislative Council of the Colony of Hongkong.

The humble Petition of :-

Messrs. The Douglas Steamship Co., Ltd., owners of the Steamships

Haitan and "Haihong.”

Messrs. Moller & Co. (Shanghai), Ltd., of Shanghai, owners of the

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Steamships Manapouri" and "Castlefield" (now called **Lindsay Moller" and "Ralph Moller" respectively. Messrs. Carmichael & Clarke of Hongkong, representing the owners

of the Steamship "Brisbane."

The Loen Hing Steamship Co., Ltd., of Hongkong, the owners of

the Steamship Pheumpenh."

The Lai Hing Steamship Co., Ltd., of Hongkong, the owners of the

Steamship Telemachus."

The Po Shun Steamship Co., Ltd., of Hongkong, the owners of the

Steamship" Haimuu.”

The Wollowra Steamship Co., Ltd., of Shanghai, the owners of the

Steamship Wollowra.”

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་་

Un Man Chuen of Hongkong, the owners of the Steamship “Lien

Shing."

Shewell as follows :-

1. In or about the mouth of March 1918 the Government of Hongkong notified your Petitioners of their decision to bring the said Steamships under Hongkong Government control. Your petitioners whilst protesting in every possible way did not oppose the action of the Government of Hongkong at the time being contented, having paid under protest the moneys demanded, to leave the adjustment thereof to a later date as your Petitioners considered that their ships were required for furthering the interests of the British Empire in the late war and understood that moneys received by the Hongkong Government by reason of such action would after making adequate compensation to the owners be remitted to England and used in connection with the late war.

2. On the 11th day of April 1918 our Solicitors Mossrs. Deacon, Looker, Deacon and Harston addressed the following letter to the Honourable Colonial Secretary:-

11th April 1918.

Sir.

We have the honour to address you with reference to the bringing under Government control of all steamers flying the British flag which have not yet been requisitioned for Imperial service, and whose ports of registry are either Hongkong or Shanghai.