CO129-577-5 Naval Volunteer and Defence Ordinance 1939 4-7-1939 - 28-12-1939 — Page 14

Z/N:AMP

COPY.

5/460/1938.

14

Government House,

CONFIDENTIAL.

Hong Kong, 15th September, 1939.

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to paragraph 5

of your letter No.172.0/39 of 25th January, 1939, regarding

the provision of a sea-going tender for the Hong Kong Naval Volunteer Force, and to my confidential note of 28th

February, 1939, forwarding a copy of my letter of 24th February, 1939, to His Excellency the British Naval

Commander-in-Chief, China Station. No reply to the last

has yet been received.

2.

This Government has meanwhile decided to

proceed with the construction of a vessel which although

designed to serve certain civil purposes, particularly

acting as tender for the light-houses, will also definitely

serve the Hong Kong Naval Volunteer Force as a training

vessel. For this purpose it is proposed to make provision

for mine-sweeping gear as shown in your secret plan

No.C.C.24/39 dated 15th March, 1939, at the additional

cost of £750.

3.

In view of the fact that the entire cost of

the vessel will now be borne by the Colony, I shall be glad

if favourable consideration may be given to the suggestion

that the cost of the mine-sweeping gear should be met from

Imperial funds.

The Honourable

The Commodore,

Hong Kong.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

G. AS. NORTHCOTL

Governor.