4
they are misinformed, the delay in getting water
was due to the fact that the military authorities
were unwilling that Hong Kong should be dependent
on a supply from the mainland if it could be
avoided because it would be difficult to defend
the supply in the event of war.
The Piracy regulations were agreed
on by the Shipowners as a condition of having
military guards supplied: when they had got
the guards they immediately agitated for the
withdrawal of the regulations. This was agreed
to and now they want the guards without incurring
the expense and trouble of the structural
alterations involved by the Regulations. It is
the first time I heard that the loss of life in the
mintiril
steamer was due to the defence arrangements and I
don't believe it. The punitive expedition to
Bias Bay was carried out by the Navy, the police
had nothing to do with it except to provide the
information on which they acted, it is generally
considered to have had a good effect.
As regards Quarantine. I have no
information as to the details of this complaint,
hon but America has las quarantining against ships
fro Hong Kong and this is probably the reason
why they have to take precautions which appear
and perhaps are unnecessary.
As regards restrictions on British ships
the present Harbour Master is endeavouring to
arrive at an agreement by which foreign ships will
have to adopt the same regulations about safety as
British ships. I do not know anything about the
?
tug.
As
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