CO129-508-5 Supreme Court of Hong Kong- slackness of registry accounting methods 28-10-1927 - 23-4-1928 — Page 48

List

marked "A".

Enclosure No. 5.

48

The position with regard to the S.S. "Ling Nam" is so involved and appears to be of such urgency, by reason of the ever accumulating cost of maintenance of the vessel, that the Committee of Enquiry considers it advisable to submit an interim report dealing with this matter alone.

The enquiry into this matter has been considerably hampered by the illness of Mr. Hill, the First Bailiff.

Mr. Hill gave evidence before the Committee on the 13th November, when he appeared to be exceedingly ill and it is understood that he is not in a fit state, mentally or physically, to be recalled for further examination.

The S.S. "Ling Nam" was seized on the 4th May, 1925, under an order of the Court in an action at the suit of the

Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co.,

Ltd.

The seizure was affected by Mr. Hill, the First Bailiff, acting in a capacity similar to that of the Admiralty Marshal in England. The order for seizure requires retention until further orders are given by the Court.

In all, eight actions have been instituted in the

Admiralty Jurisdiction against this ship, involving judgments for $70,248.96 and costs $4,931.40; eleven Original Jurisdiction Actions and nine Summary Jurisdiction Actions have been instituted against the Owners (The Chungwha Navigation Company Limited) involving judgments for $64,017.48 and £2,800 and costs $2,839.90. Total judgments and costs $142,937.74 end £2,800.

The Registrar estimates the total expenditure on the maintenance and upkeep of the vessel from the date of seizure

until