CO129-549-16 Construction of new police launch 27-7-1934 - 19-12-1934 — Page 22

An

No. 427.

Sir,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG.

27th July, 1934.

22

I have the honour to address you on the

subject of the replacement of No.1 Police Launch. The

existing launch is a wooden vessel built in 1900. It

is not equipped with wireless telegraphy and has ceased

to be seaworthy in other than fair weather.

2.

Provision was made in the Estimates for

1930 to replace this launch but as some doubt was

entertained as to whether a vessel of the type which could be built for the sum ($100,000) provided would

satisfy the requirements of the Police Department certain repairs were carried out on the existing launch

and the work of building a new launch was not proceeded

with.

3.

A sum of $250,000 was included in the

draft estimates for the current year for a new No.1 Police Launch with three pounder gun, wireless

telegraphy and searchlight and capable of cruising in rough weather. Owing to financial stringency, however,

the item was deleted.

4.

The existing launch, owing to her age, is restricted in her movements and cannot patrol the full extent of her beat, particularly in the vicinity of Ping Chau, Mirs Bay, in rough or unsettled weather. Her

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G.B.E., M.C., M.P.,

&C.,

&C.,

&C.,