DRAFT SAVINGRAM
GOVERNOR,
HONG KONG,
SECRET
48
Your telegram No. 763 Secret.
Soviet Vessels.
A cheque has now been received from
the Moscow Narodny Bank for the sum of
£254:15:0 in payment of the charges for the
maintenance of watchmen on board the
"Simferopol" and "svirstroi" for the period
1/9/45 to 31/12/46.
This is being forwarded
to the Crown Agents for credit of their
Hong Kong Government account.
2. I am advised that it is by no means
clear that S. 27 of the Merchant Shipping
Ordinance No. 10 of 1899 gives the Hong Kong
Government a right to dispose of the vessels
without Soviet agreement simply in order to
re-imburse themselves for expenses incurred
in maintaining watchmen on board. I do
however share your view that Soviet agreement
should be sought to the sale of the vessels
on the terms proposed in MacDougall's letter
of the 25th May, 1948, to Sidebotham and the
Foreign of ice are taking steps accordingly.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.