CO129-522-4 China inland water- river and coastal trade- smuggling by British ships 12-12-1929 - 24-3-1930 — Page 32

Enclosure No. 4

COPY

DOUGLAS STEA SHIP CO PANY LIKIT D

CONFIDENTIA L.

The Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn. C..G.

Colonial Secretary.

32

HongKong, 15th January, 1930

Sir,

We much egret that we have omitted to reply to your letter No.5998/1929, before and ask you to accept our apologies

for not having done so.

The Captains and Officers have strict orders to do

their utmost to prevent conveyance of contraband goods by this Copany's steamers and to give all facilities to the Customs Authorities for searching for same, and we frequently impress upon them the importance of carrying out these

instructions.

Any members of the Crew implicated in smuggling will be discharged.

As the smuggled goods are brought to the steamers at

ni ht, after work has finished, we would suggest that the Police be instructed to look out for suspicious persons or

sampans approaching the steamer after dark.

We are, Sir,

Your obedient servants,

(Sgd) Douglas Lapraik & Co.,

General Managers.

Douglas Steamship Co.Ltd.,