CO129-506-8 Prevention of piracy- use of armed patrol launches in Canton Delta 12-1-1927 - 28-3-1927 — Page 15

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ADMIRALTY, S.W.1.

15

M.0265/27

14th February, 1927.

Confidential

Commander-in-Chief,

China.

With reference to your letter No. 1536/1041 of

the 21st December, 1926, regarding the renewal of the charters in respect of the armed launches "Onslaught", "Faulknor" and "Nessus" for service on the West River, I am to inform you, in continuation of Admiralty telegram 1725 of the 9th instant, that in normal conditions the share of the expense borne by At the the Government of Hong Kong should be much higher. present moment My Lords will not press for a higher contribution, but the matter should be raised before the contract is renewed

in 1928.

In this connection, I am to state that the annual cost of hiring and operating the "Faulknor", exclusive of all personnel expenses, is estimated to be about £3,200, or £266 a month. If the expense is to be equally shared with the Colonial Government, their contribution should be increased by about 30 per cent in the case of "Faulknor" and "Onslaught", and by a smaller percentage in the case of the "Nessus".

A copy of this letter has been sent to

the Commodore, Hong Kong.

BY COMMAND OF THEIR LORDSHIPS,

(Sgd.) Charles Walker.