[ { "id": 247729, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12]", "page_number": 403, "title": "CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12]", "content_text": "(117)\n\n'jects in China, for the purpose of being examined by Messrs Mongan and Caldwell, or either of them; the original memorandum or circular of His Excellency Sir John Bowring dated the Twenty-sixth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight, addressed to all public departments for their information and guidance, and any copy draft of or extract from the same, and all letters or copies of letters of the said William Thomas Bridges then Acting Colonial Secretary covering the same to such departments, all correspondence and copies of correspondence official and private between you or either of you and Thomas Wade, Esquire, at present Chinese Secretary, between the Thirtieth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven, and the day of the trial of the Information referred to herein, and all other documents letters, books, papers, instruments and writings, and copies of documents, letters, books, papers, instruments and writings in your possession, custody or power, or under your control in any way relating to or connected with the matters now at issue.\n\nHis Excellency Sir John Bowring, Knight LL.D. Governor of the Colony of Hongkong, and Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, &c., &c., was served with a Subpœna duces tecum to produce.\n\nDOCKET.\n\nSent to Court on 9th November---The Deputy Registrar refused to issue---The Judge subsequently ordered issue and the Registrar to forward to Colonial Secretary---Gave Registrar copy for service.\n\n(Signed)\n\nH. TARRANT Defendant's Attorney.\n\nAlr A. S. Dixson, Government Printer, Mr A. Grand-Pre Collector of Police Rates. Mr Jozé D'Almada, Clerk in the Colonial Secretary's Office, Mr W. H. Mitchell, Sheriff and Assistant Magistrate, and Mr James Jarman, Inspector of Police.\n\nIN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONGKONG.\n\nCriminal Jurisdiction.\n\nREGINA\n\nV2\n\nTake notice that I, on behalf of Defendant (by Counsel) shall, on the Trial of this case TARRANT object to the Special Jury Panel herein, as struck on the thirteenth instant, on the grounds of the Defendant having had no notice of the nomination thereof and of Twelve Special Jurors only being returned by the Sheriff.\n\n(116)\n\nThe only parties subpoenaed by the Crown were Dr Bridges and Mr Mongan.\n\nHONGKONG\n\nTO WIT.\n\nSUBPŒNA DUCES TECUM.\n\n(Criminal Jurisdiction.)\n\nVictoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, to Norman Ramsay Masson, of Victoria in Hongkong, Acting Registrar of our Supreme Court of Hongkong, Greeting,\n\nyou\n\nF\n\nsame on the Hon'ble H. 'T. Davies, Esq., Chief Magistrate of Police.\n\nAdditional notices were served on Messrs Forth and to the following effect.\n\n(K\n\n\"You (Mr Forth) to produce all papers in your office, possession, power, custody, or control, relative to the evidence taken by the Caldwell Commission---also all correspondence and copy correspondence of William Thomas Bridges Esquire, or His Excellency the Governor with yourselves or each other, or between any or either of you, touching the constitution of the Caldwell Commission and the omission of your name.\n\nAnd\n\n\"You (Mr Davies) to produce all correspondence and copies of correspondence between yourself and William Thomas Bridges, Esquire, regarding the Caldwell enquiry---Minutes of the meeting of Justices convened on or convening same, and all correspondence and copy correspondence about or connected with Assow the Interpreter.\n\nThe Hon'ble Charles St. George Cleverly, Esquire, Surveyor General and Charles May Esquire, Superintendent of Police, were served with subpœnas to produce.\n\nWe command you, that laying aside all and singular business and excuses, you and every of you, be and appear in your proper persons before our Chief Justice of our Supreme Court of our Colony of Hongkong, at Victoria, on the Twenty second day of November instant, at 12 of the Clock noon of the same day, and following days until discharged, and also that you bring with and produce at the time and place aforesaid the original or copy of the circular or memorandum of His Excellency Sir John Bowring, dated the twenty-sixth day of January 1858, addressed to all the public departments of the Colony of Hongkong for the information and guidance thereof, with the letter forwarding you such circular or memorandum; also the Queen's Colonial Service Regulations, or a copy thereof, all other documents, letters, books, papers, instruments and writings, and copies of documents letters, books, papers instruments and writings in your possession, custody or power, or under your control in any way relating thereto, or in any way relating to or connected with the matters now at issue between ourselves and one William Tarrant, in respect of the information for Libel filed by our Acting Attorney General in our Supreme Court of Hongkong in its Criminal Jurisdiction, against the said William Tarrant, dated the eighteenth day of November aforesaid, or containing any entry, memorandum or minute in any wise relating to such matters so at issue as aforesaid, and also there and then to testify and shew all and singular those things which you know concerning the matter so at issue between ourselves and the said Defendant; and this you, or any of you shall by no means omit, under the penalty upon each of you of One Hundred Dollars.\n\nDated, November 16th, 1858.\n\nTo G. TURNER, Esq., Crown Solicitor.\n\n(Signed)\n\n\"Certain paper writings and books in the Chinese language seized on the premises of one Wong Akee otherwise Ma-chow Wong, now a convict in the Gaol of Victoria, including that portion thereof which you, in the month of October 1857, directed should be sent from the Police office or come to the office of the Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, for the purpose of being examined by Messrs Mongan and Caldwell;---the original of your memorandum or circular of the 26th January 1858, addressed to all Public Departments for their information and guidance;---letters or copies of the letters of the then Acting Colonial Secretary covering same to such departments;---and all other letters, books, papers, instruments and writings whatsoever, and copies of documents, letters, books, papers, instruments and writings in your possession, custody or power or under your control, in any way relating to or connected with the matters now at issue between Her Majesty the Queen and one William Tarrant in respect of the Information filed by Her said Majesty's Acting Attorney General against the said William Tarrant, dated the 18th day of November 1858, or containing any entry memorandum or minute in any wise relating to such matters so at issue as aforesaid; and also, then and there to testify and shew all and singular those things which you know on the trial of a certain Information for Libel filed in our said Supreme Court at Victoria, in its Criminal Jurisdiction by Her said Majesty's Acting Attorney General against the said William Tarrant, and dated the 19th day of November aforesaid.\n\nof the firm of Gibb, Livingston & Co.---William Lamont John Darby Gibb, Esquire J. P., Managing Partner Esquire J. P., Sub-manager of the Oriental Bank Corporation---Ludwig Wiese, Esquire, Managing Partner of the house of Siemssen & Co.---N. L. Beckwith, Esquire Managing Partner of the American house of Russell & Co.,---G. L. Wiener, Esquire, Consul for Austria, Managing Partner of the Hongkong branch of Lindsay & Co and Nicolay Duus, Esquire, Consul for Sweden and Norway, Managing Partner of the firm of N. Duus & Co.]\n\nWITNESS, The Honourable JOHN WALTER HULME, Esquire, Our Chief Justice of our said Colony, at Victoria, the Twenty-second day of November, in the Twenty-second year of our reign, 1858.\n\nSealed by\n\nHENRY JEFFERD TARRANT, Defendant's Attorney, Queen's Road, Victoria.\n\nA. WEATHERHEAD, for the Registrar.\n\nA similar subpœna was served on the Hon'ble Frederick Forth, Esq., Acting Colonial Secretary, and the same on Mr Leonardo D'Almada e Castro, Clerk of Councils and Chief Clerk to the said Acting Colonial Secretary, and the\n\n\"The following documents, to wit, you, the said Charles St. George Cleverly, all letters and copies of letters referred to by you in your deposition, and documents relative to the Caldwell Commission and the printing of its proceedings; and you the said Charles May all correspondence and copy correspondence between yourself and any person or persons whomsoever, relative to or in any way connected with the Caldwell enquiry, or any matters connected therewith, either previous to its issuing or during or subsequent to its sitting; and each of you, the said Charles St. George Cleverly and Charles May, all other documents, letters, books, papers, instruments and writings, in your or either of your possession, custody or control, or copies, in any way relating to or connected with the matters at issue between ourselves and one William Tarrant, in respect of an Information for Libel filed by our Acting Attorney General against the said William Tarrant, and dated the eighteenth instant, or containing any entry memorandum or minute in any wise relating to such matters so at issue.\n\nWilliam Thomas Bridges of Victoria, D.C.L. Barrister at law and James Mongan Assistant Chinese Secretary were also subpœnaed by the defendant to produce.\n\n\"All paper writings and books in the Chinese language seized on the premises of one Wong Akee, otherwise Ma-chow Wong, now a convict in the Gaol of Victoria, including that portion thereof which His Excellency Sir John Bowring in the month of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven directed should be sent from the Police office or Court, to the office of the Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, for the purpose of being examined by Messrs Mongan and Caldwell;", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405885, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "page_number": 427, "title": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "content_text": "Confidential\n\nHong Kong,\n\n4th October 1906\n\nGovernment House.\n\nI have the honour to enclose in clear versions of my telegram and of Your Lordship's of the 6th inst; and of subsequent telegrams to and from the Commander in Chief, China Station, on the subject of the appointment of a naval officer, with previous experience of the mercantile marine, to act as Harbour Master at Hongkong during the absence on leave of the Assistant Harbour Master and pending the appointment of a successor to the late Captain A.L. Aaronsen as an officer of Harbour Master.\n\n2. Your Lordship will see that Sir Arthur Moore has proposed for the acting appointment Lieut. Beckwith, Navigating Lieutenant of \"Druid\", and that I have accepted this proposal, and that the officer named will be available after the 19th instant.\n\n3. Lieut. Beckwith has served in his present rank since October 1905 when he joined the Navy under the Order-in-Council of the 20th June 1905 after 4 years' experience in the Mercantile Marine. My reasons for mentioning his name and that of Lieut. Butterworth in my telegram to Sir Arthur Moore were that I knew both, previously to receiving commissions in the Navy, had been in the Merchant service and that I had heard good reports of both from officers under whom they had served in H.M. Ships.\n\n4. To secure the best officer I could for the temporary appointment, which is one of great importance to the Colony, I thought it advisable to offer the full salary attached to the post, viz: at the rate of £780 per annum.\n\n5. The question of filling the permanent appointment presents some difficulty. The present Assistant Harbour Master, Mr. H. Jaglar, who is 45 years of age and served in the Royal Navy from 1878 to 1898 when he resigned his commission, joined the Colonial service in the post he now occupies in September 1899. He has since then on three occasions for periods of 15, 6, and 3 months respectively acted as Harbour Master.\n\n6. On the retirement of Capt. Rumsey, Mr. Basil Taylor applied for the post and in forwarding his application, the then Governor, Sir Henry Blake, stated in his dispatch No. 404, dated the 24th August 1903, as follows: - \"During the period in which Mr. Basil Taylor has discharged the duties of Harbour Master in the absence of Capt. Rumsey, he has given entire satisfaction both to the Government and to the public. I consider him a long way the most suitable officer for the appointment.\" When about a year later, I forwarded in my dispatch No. 652 dated the 29th September 1904, an application from Taylor to be considered for any other similar post which might become vacant, I stated that he was \"capable, zealous, and worthy of promotion\" and that the recent appointment of Capt. Barrie Laurence to be Harbour Master at Singapore made it improbable that there would be any promotion for Mr. Taylor in this Colony for some years to come. About 6 months later, Taylor applied to the Secretary of State for the appointment of Harbour Master at Singapore. In forwarding this application in my despatch No. 72 of the 13th March 1905, I referred to the favourable opinion of Taylor's capacity I had expressed in my previous dispatch, and to the experience he had gained in the Harbour Department of this Colony. A further application from Taylor for the Administrationship of Labuan was forwarded in my despatch No. 251 of the 19th August, in which I confined myself to referring to my previous communication.\n\nPage 353\n\n...\n\nPage 354\n\n \nThe East Dept. Reg.\n\n...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405888, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "page_number": 430, "title": "CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10]", "content_text": "Enclosure to Confidential despatch of 15/16/16.\n\nC\n\n12\n\n425\n\nTelegraphic Correspondence\n\nC\n\nFrom Governor Hongkong\n\nTo Secretary of State,\n\n6/10/06.\n\nNaval officer with previous experience of mercantile marine to act as Harbour Master during absence on leave of Assistant Harbour Master and pending appointment of new Harbour Master. Concur with submission which will submit recommendation later. Here telegraph of approved.\n\nFrom Secretary of State\n\n6.15pm 6/10/06\n\nYour reply to your telegram of today's date proposals approved.\n\nFrom Governor Hongkong\n\nTo Governor Hong Kong 6.4 am\n\n7/10/06\n\nTo Commander in Chief\n\n1.10pm 7/10/06.\n\nOwing to death of Harbour Master Secretary of State has approved of my applying to you for loan of Naval officer with previous experience of mercantile marine to act as Harbour Master at monthly payment of £65 during absence on leave of Assistant Harbour Master on leave and pending the appointment of new Harbour Master. Names & particulars of Jamdar and Beckwith, of Braden have been suggested to me: but leave it to you to select most suitable officer you can spare to fill post temporarily knowing you will give assistance in difficulty due to death of Harbour Master. Treat as confidential. Loan will not exceed 3 months but officer holding it may be offered permanent appointment if satisfactory.\n\nFrom Commander in Chief\n\n11.45 am\n\n9/10/06\n\nTo Governor Hongkong 1244pm 9/10/06\n\nRecommend Beckwith who volunteered. Can spare him at once. Arranging help accept as uniform Admiralty.\n\nFrom Governor Hongkong\n\nTo Commander in Chief\n\n9/10/06\n\nYour telegram received with thanks. Trust Beckwith and hope you can arrange for him to come at once as he is very much required.\n\nFrom Commander in Chief\n\n12.2pm 13/10/06\n\nTo Governor Hongkong\n\n1.49 pm 13/10/06\n\nThere being no early opportunity of sending Beckwith by steamer to Hongkong am sending Braden.\n\nPage 19", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 406213, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12]", "page_number": 218, "title": "CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12]", "content_text": "publicate.\n\nGdósure 4\n\nlosure F\n\nLupes\n\n5.\n\n213\n\nAmongst the steamers which were stranded during the typhoon of the 18th of September was the S.S. \"Heungshan\" plying between Hongkong and Macao. Captain Geo. Morrison, R.N.R. in command of that ship on the occasion in question has communicated with this Government concerning the services rendered at the stranding by Mr. E. H. Grainger, Chief Mate, and Mr. A. Harvey, 2nd Engineer. I enclose in original Captain Morrison's letter which I referred to the Harbour Master, Lieutenant Beckwith, R.N., who reports that he considers that it was largely due to the strenuous exertions of Mr. Grainger in getting the ropes ashore that so few of the passengers and crew were lost and that this act of bravery should come under the warrant for the Albert Medal 1st or 2nd Class \"For Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea\". He is also of opinion that the conduct of Engineer Harvey merits the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society.\n\nI concur in the Harbour Master's opinion and shall be glad if Your Lordship will notify the conduct of these two officers in the proper quarters.\n\nThe Form required in the case of applications to the Royal Humane Society is, as regards Mr. Harvey, transmitted.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-336 - Governor Nathan & Public Offices - 1906 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 432387, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-379 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [8-9]", "page_number": 137, "title": "CO129-379 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [8-9]", "content_text": "## \ncom cafe by \n\nT \n\n11. \n\nreport whether or not he was performing it satisfactorily \n\n133 \n\nand was competent to perform it. Messrs Thomson and Messer reported jointly on 13th January 1910 as follows: - \"We examined the accounts of the Mercantile Marine Office on the 12th instant, and found no evidence of incompetency on the part of Mr Craig. The book-keeping required is very primitive and he has been instructed to come to the Treasury with a view to learning a simple system of accounting. There was apparently no one in the department able to inform him as to how the accounts should be kept and it is not to be expected that he should have evolved a system of his own accord. We, therefore, recommend that no action be taken in regard to Mr Craig until he has had long experience in the Department. No trained accountant is required as the work is very simple and actually should not take more than an hour a day at the most to perform\". Subsequently on 5th August, 1910 Mr Messer, Acting Colonial Treasurer, and Mr Brayn, Acting Local Auditor, reported jointly as to Mr Craig: - \"He appears now to know how to do the small accounts that he has to keep. We are of opinion that he is competent to perform the accounting work assigned to him”. In the meantime Commander Taylor had re-iterated on 25th July 1910 his opinion that Mr Craig was \"strictly honest and well-meaning\". Accordingly Sir F.H. May in a despatch dated the 10th August 1910 recommended that Mr Craig should be confirmed in the appointment of 2nd clerk in the Mercantile Marine Office; and Lord Crewe approved this recommendation in a despatch dated 22nd September, 1910 (`v.5.0. 6917/09`). Commander Beckwith informs me that he has no fault to find with the manner in which Mr Craig is discharging his duties. \n\n10. \n\n13. \n\nIn the meantime Mr Britto, a Portuguese, who was 5th clerk in the Harbour Department, fell under suspicion of malpractices in January 1908. His duty was to collect light dues before issuing a clearance for a ship; the mode of collection then was to fill up a receipt in a special book with counterfoils and audit numbers and either to receive the amount in cash from the officer", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-379 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 437586, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-389 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [3-4]", "page_number": 242, "title": "CO129-389 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [3-4]", "content_text": "203\n\ngeneral revision of the salaries of the Service generally should come up for consideration.\n\n3.\n\nI brought this application to the notice of Sir F. D. Lugard just before his departure and he wrote that he had the highest opinion of Commander Beckwith, but that he much regretted that he was unable to make a recommendation at the last moment before leaving. I understand that this opinion is shared by those who are acquainted with Commander Beckwith's work, and I think it right, therefore, to bring the matter to your notice with my recommendation.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour most obedient,\n\nhumble servant,\n\nClann Severn\n\nOfficer Administering the Government.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-389 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [3-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 447040, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-409 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [1-3]", "page_number": 138, "title": "CO129-409 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [1-3]", "content_text": "! \n\nPRIDAN JENT \n\n2 \n\nIN KARACIA, MA ! \n\n137 \n\n8 ) \n\n* \n\n1 \n\nJ the 1 \n\n: 1 \n\n... \n\nL \n\nR \n\nT24 11 SAN MA \n\nHOL\" \n\nJ. \n\n6. \n\nPurnia SMART AREA! \n\nAR BALA \n\n* Aem odd we mu \n\nTHE HOLI \n\nAsz \n\nYour Committee is of the opinion:\n\n(a) that Mr. Lenfestey ought to have known and ought not to have omitted such an important part of his duty and that he is undoubtedly to blame.\n\n(b) that Fr. Chan Pui is in no way to blame.\n\n(c) that Mr. Jones, although deceived by an ingenious forgery, is not to blame in any serious degree.\n\n(d) that the question of Commander Beckwith's position in the matter not having come up for consideration, your Committee should not express any opinion other than is contained in the remarks already made in Commander Beckwith's paragraph 7 of this report, as he was absent from the Colony during the period covered by the falsifications.\n\n(e) that the Harbour Master should not have allowed Mr. Lenfestey to depart from the letter of the Government Order 315 (3), but that the former has honestly tried to keep the financial arrangements in his department on a sound footing, his attempts having been defeated by his own lack of perception; that he was unable to appreciate the necessity for the strictest adherence to financial regulations, the full intention and object of which he probably did not comprehend; and that the simultaneous presence in his Department of an astute and fraudulent Shroff, a somewhat irresponsible clerk, and an elderly ex-Mariner mechanically and unintelligently dealing with figures which he does not seem to have understood, created a combination of circumstances which shook off the somewhat limited grasp which the Harbour Master possessed over the detailed work of, at any rate, one of his subordinates.\n\nMatthe Rittallifer, S.C.A.\n\nJohn a Que Kill\n\nAttorney General,\n\nChairman.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-409 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 452640, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914", "page_number": 486, "title": "CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914", "content_text": "# HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SUPPLEMENT\n\n474\n\nwith Sergeant Grimmitt pounding at the captain. The vessel was abandoned, a light showing, just outside of British waters. Regretfully she was left, sitting broken there and smouldering beneath the deepening arch of the night.\n\nA call on Dr. Bell at the Government Civil Hospital on Wednesday, elicited the information that the men detained there under armed guard are still alive, and that the police this morning had been examining them.\n\nThe captain of the Tai On, along with Mr. King, the District Superintendent of Police, visited the hospital when an identificatory examination was made. As to the result of the examination there is no statement at the moment.\n\nCommander Beckwith R.N. when interviewed said that the Tai On was anchored South of Lamma Island in two and a half fathoms of water. On Wednesday the owners had sent out two launches to bring her to the refuge at Yaumati. The owners are being assisted by the police.\n\nIt is stated that the missing chief officer (Evans) is a married man and his wife was shortly to come out from England to join him.\n\nSeen by the \"Telegraph\" on the Wednesday, the captain of Tai On gave his version of what occurred. He did not succeed in identifying any of the men detained at the Government Civil Hospital, nor any of those at the Water Police Station. He said that in the dark and the excitement it was difficult to try to commit faces to memory. Referring to the grilles, the Captain said that had it not been for the double grille of his vessel they would have been killed by the pirates. He was keeping the last watch from Waglan to Kwongmoon, and, after clearing the Harbour of Hongkong, he handed over the charge of the vessel to the mate. This would be about twenty minutes past seven.\n\nHe got into his sleeping clothes and commenced to smoke. While lying still awake about ten minutes past ten, as a matter of fact he was smoking at the time, he heard yells and shouts and shots being fired. He immediately realised what had happened and switched his light. He reached out for his double-barreled breach-loading shot gun, No. 10 bore, and immediately made for deck by the after door. It was a good job too that he did use this door instead of the other door, as he would have been met with a volley of shots. On reaching the outside he found a man who saw the point of the gun barrel turned towards him and dashed off into safety.\n\nThe captain then turned his attention to a pirate who was attacking the Chief Engineer. This man he let have the full shot in the stomach and he died on the spot. The engineer then told him that he was shot; he took him to his cabin. The captain then brought into use his two revolvers and his Winchester and he used them alternately, the wounded engineer loading for the fighting skipper. The attack on the engineer was from the port side and when the skipper searched the dead aggressor afterwards for means of identification, all that he found on him was a packet of Mauser cartridges.\n\nThe deceased pirate he had reason to believe was the ringleader of the gang. Going on to the starboard side the Captain saw the man who first cleared off through scare and he let him have the contents of a barrel. The effect of the shot was so great that it forced the receiver over the rail on to the other deck. The watchman Dias was at this time peppering away at the bunk at the after side behind the grille. The other watchman da Silva was at this time pinned between the two grilles, but later they managed to free him from his perilous position. The pirates got on board at Hongkong, and when they made the attack they commenced aft of the funnel. The gang were twice repulsed, and then there was a period of quiet. During this period the Captain sent up distress signals, and afterwards the electric light was cut off by the pirates. The skipper then got the engineer to light a lamp, and commenced to burn blue lights with the double purpose of calling for assistance, and for the purpose of providing light so that they would not be made the victim of a third attack in the dark. The engineer then took command of the rockets and commenced to send them up. Suddenly he saw flames bursting through the skylights, and he realised that the desperadoes had determined to set the ship on fire. How the pirates got away, if they did get away, he had no idea as there was not a sampan or a junk to be seen anywhere near the ship.\n\nAll the pirates were in Chinese clothes and appeared to belong to the common class. There were none in European clothes. The captain then realised that it was useless with the few men at his command to do anything, and the lifeboats were practically on fire. He tried to get hold of the zinc rafts to slip them over the side, but it was no use. They then went on to the next deck, and the order was given to lower the anchor.\n\nThen he brought the ship round with head to the wind and tide. That permitted the flames to blow off the vessel and for a few moments gave the Europeans a respite. About half an hour later they decided to all get over the side. The Captain shook hands with his gallant comrades and wished them good bye, and they each in turn took leave of the other.\n\nAfter hanging on to the side for some time the Chief Officer decided to jump into the water and that was the last that the skipper and the chief engineer saw of him. Then the captain got on to the guard and hung on to the anchor tumbler. After a quarter of an hour in this position the chief engineer said the heat was unbearable and he would go out and do the best for himself.\n\nThe captain had previously given the order that they were to do the best they could for themselves when he wished them good bye. Then it came the captain's turn to do a dash for safety and he jumped into the water. He was in the water about half an hour when he was picked up by the Wo Kwai. He asked the skipper of that ship to put him on board the nearest ship that was going to Hongkong, and he was handed over to the Hoi-Bang. The chief engineer had been picked up by the Wo Kwai and handed over to the Sui An. \"The mate, poor fellow, I have not seen him since, but I still have hope. I hope to get a shore job no matter how small the salary. I would sooner sell papers in the streets than go up that river again,\" concluded the hero of the moment.\n\nThe captain has lost everything he possessed except a signet ring. He has no clothes except the pyjamas he was found in and his present rig out with which he has been accommodated.\n\nDias, the gallant Portuguese who helped to defend the S.S. Tai On, was brought to Hongkong by the S.S. Shun Lee. He is reported to have said that he saw Chief Officer Evans wounded by the pirates before they jumped from the ship. Dias claims to have accounted for no fewer than twelve of the marauders. He is a man of full stature and regular soldierly bearing; when alarm was raised on board the Tai On he armed himself with revolvers, one in each hand and assisted the Captain and the other officers to keep the bridge. The first man that he killed was one who, scaling the railings of the bridge, and holding on with one hand, was attempting to kill the captain with a revolver which he held in the other. Dias put one of his revolvers close to the man's forehead and fired, the man falling dead to the deck below.\n\nImmediately afterwards several of the pirates rushed for the bridge and Dias in a quick succession of shots emptied both revolvers into the charge, and accounted for no less than twelve men.\n\nFortunately, he says, the arms happened to be handy or such an effective resistance would not have been put up.\n\nA simple but impressive ceremony took place on Thursday in the drawing room of Government House, when H.E. the Governor met the defenders of the Tai On, Capt. Weatherell, Mr. McCartney and the Portuguese watchman Dias.\n\nThe Colonial Secretary, the Hon. Mr. Claud Severn and Mr. Mcl. Messer, Capt. Superintendent of Police, were also present.\n\nThe three men were presented to His Excellency in turn by the Captain Superintendent of Police and after a short chat with each His Excellency referred to the piracy in the following terms:-\n\nHis Excellency :- Well, gentlemen, I just wanted to say to you at the earliest possible moment how much I and the Hongkong Government appreciate your services on the occasion of the piratical attack on the Tai On. This is not, of course, the only way in which your services will be recognised. We will do more for you within reason than what I am going to do to-day. This is merely an informal expression of admiration of your conduct and of the thanks of the Government for protecting the British flag and the passengers who were entrusted to your care.\n\nI have been told that resistance to these piracies is more or less humbug, that the best thing officers and crew can do when attacked by pirates is simply to throw up their hands and let the miscreants work their will upon the ship. Well, that is not my idea of the duty of Englishmen who have the honour of commanding what are British ships according to register, ships that fly the British flag. The Government on the last occasion of the piracy of the Tai On took certain measures to give the officers a chance they have never had before of holding their own, and I am proud that upon the first occasion upon which British officers got a chance of holding their own, they should do so to such good effect that they repelled a strenuous attack, although they were greatly outnumbered.\n\nIt is a terrible thing that these devils—they are no better than devils—should set fire to the ship to make good their escape. I hope and pray that every single one of them has met his death or will meet it, and I hope that in the next world they will get due and proper retribution for their brutal conduct which has led to a terrible loss of life. I can tell you that the Government will do its utmost to prevent the occurrence of such an act as was enacted upon the Tai On.\n\nYou know as well as I do that the number of Chinese boarding these vessels as passengers and the facilities there are for smuggling of arms makes it not an easy thing to do, but still it has to be done and will be done, no matter what money it costs, because I am not going to have the British flag insulted by a lot of Chinese pirates, or pirates of any other nationality, and I thank you most heartily for backing up the efforts of the Government in this direction and I can assure you that you have my admiration, and, I may say, the admiration of the Chinese and British communities.\n\nAlthough the Chinese do not agree altogether with the method of dealing with pirates, they can admire brave men. They think it the best thing to drop hands and let the pirates take what they want, and that it is bad judgment if you lose your money, but, as I have said before, you are all Englishmen worth twopence and do not take this view and are not going to take it.\n\nCaptain Wetherall, I will read...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 459613, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915", "page_number": 468, "title": "CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915", "content_text": "Commands Beckwith to arrange for Harbor Master to arrange home to Joma for me going come to fold me out arrival in Hong Kong.\n\nAn official from the Board of Trade, a Certain Irish Official with Company on board came to see me about procedure with this import & also to give me some money.\n\nI dearly hope to do so as I have no money left, I had paid his doctor for Medicines sufficient to me for a slight attack of bronchitis I had during the Voyage, hoping I shall be alright on arrival.\n\nLiv, 449, Hamel Fathers Mile.\n\nColonial Office London 516.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 461057, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-432 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [3-5]", "page_number": 538, "title": "CO129-432 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [3-5]", "content_text": "# Enclosure 1\n## Hotel\n### To the Secretary of State for the Colonies\n\nDear Sir,\n\nManrubor 31st 1915.\n\n25201\n\n**REG 29 MAY 16**\n\nI beg to bring before your notice a matter, in which I have attempted, for the past six years, to secure just treatment in this colony, without success.\n\nBriefly it relates to the adjustment of compasses work on which I have depended to a large extent for my livelihood, but of which I have been largely deprived owing to the unfair advantage enjoyed by a government official, Comm. Beckwith, Harbour Master of Hongkong.\n\nThe Board of Trade regulations which are in force here merely stipulate that the person who adjusts the compass shall be a properly qualified man selected by the shipowner.\n\nIt is quite evident that a person, who presides over a marine court, selects berths, grants certificates of various kinds, enjoys a high official position such as Comm. Beckwith does, has power, and an influence which is bound to affect the agents of the owners of vessels who require their compasses adjusted.\n\nIt is surely contrary to all ideas of British administration that an official enjoying £900 per year, together with other emoluments, should be allowed to compete for this work, which is done in every part of the Empire by non-officials.\n\nI performed this work in the past to the entire satisfaction of the ship owners, but now Comm. Beckwith has acquired such power, that he decides in every case who shall adjust the compass.\n\nThe result is that the few now passenger carrying vessels, he does not want or has not time for are allotted to me, while he does the work on all the rest, the vast majority - this year 1915 the number he has adjusted is 24 to my knowledge.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-432 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [3-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 467516, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3]", "page_number": 285, "title": "CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3]", "content_text": "HONG KONG\n\nREG\n\nREG 20.11.17\n\nDomes to Comdr. CW Beckwith\n\nrecommends grant of £75 for services stated.\n\nComm. Beckwith has done excellent work & I think the recommendation is strongly justified.\n\nMy view is, Jones's pay on appointment was £400 so that £75 & £50 is not, I think, excessive. Approval of proposals rack. My memo is prepared.\n\nLast previous Paper. Jones cons. 37435 7617 14\n\nNext consequent Paper. 23455 20357\n\n281 May 77 1917 F Mch.\n\nPage information is not explicitly required to be kept in the given text, however, some context suggest keeping '281 May 77 1917 F Mch.' as it resembles a filing or reference information.\n\n(1615-4k) Wt. 38727-18. 60,000. 11,16. D&G 122′ 41.\n\n \nThe final output is: \n281 May 77 1917 F Mch.\n\nHONG KONG\n\nREG\n\nREG 20.11.17\n\nDomes to Comdr. CW Beckwith\n\nrecommends grant of £75 for services stated.\n\nComm. Beckwith has done excellent work & I think the recommendation is strongly justified.\n\nMy view is, Jones's pay on appointment was £400 so that £75 & £50 is not, I think, excessive. Approval of proposals rack. My memo is prepared.\n\nLast previous Paper. Jones cons. 37435 7617 14\n\nNext consequent Paper. 23455 20357\n\n(1615-4k) Wt. 38727-18. 60,000. 11,16. D&G 122′ 41.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 468046, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6]", "page_number": 350, "title": "CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6]", "content_text": "348\n\n7. We are satisfied that, apart from the direct result of our investigation, the appointment, or anticipated appointment, of the Commission indirectly brought about the release of an additional number of men, the practicability of sparing whom was so apparent as to render reference to the Commission necessary. A list (avoidably incomplete) of thirty-one men, other than those appearing before the Commission, for whom passages have recently been arranged, is given in Appendix D.\n\n8. It cannot but be noticed that the younger men in the Colony have, to a certain extent, refrained hitherto from coming before the Commission. We have had the opportunity of ascertaining the number of civilians in Hongkong of British race and military age; and are forced to the conclusion that, had more applied, more, although it may be not a large number, would have been found able to go; at the cost perhaps of personal sacrifice, but with no diminution of the Colony's value as an asset of the Empire. Furthermore, it has been a matter of surprise to the Commission to learn, what the enquiry has certainly proved, that there yet remains doubt in some minds whether the Empire needs more men; and this doubt probably in part explains the number who have abstained from applying. Being ourselves convinced that so long as the war lasts the need is imperative, and increasingly so, we respectfully recommend that a clear official pronouncement upon the matter is desirable.\n\n9. The Commission, in the cases before it, has accepted the principle that it is outside its province to decide whether the full carrying on in the Colony of any particular trade or business is necessary or expedient in the interests of the Empire. The Commission has accordingly based its findings upon the policy that, while staffs are to be reduced to the minimum compatible with efficiency, every trade and business, irrespective of its nature, is to be continued. Under the system of compulsory service obtaining in Great Britain, this standard has of course been abandoned; and we recognise that it may be necessary to modify the policy in Hongkong.\n\n10. The part played by Hongkong under the voluntary system will probably stand comparison with the part played by any other British Dependency; but believing, as we have said, that there are still men here who could well be spared, we should welcome a decision by the Imperial Government to extend to the Colony the obligation of compulsory service with the armies in the field.\n\n11. Pursuant to the terms of our appointment, we have confined our enquiry to the cases of men medically passed as fit for active service at the front, and have not considered applications from those physically capable of only sedentary or semi-active duties. And it is evident that the retention here of the latter class enables more of the former to leave.\n\n12. With a view to liberating men, sixty-five women have made offers of assistance in one capacity or another, and steps have been taken to put their names before employers. Useful and suitable work has already been arranged in several cases, and, we hope, will soon be in more. It must, however, be remembered that men who come from the United Kingdom to the Far East have usually undergone a special course of training, and it is difficult to find women possessing the requisite experience and technical knowledge to take their places. Unskilled and partly skilled work, such as is now largely done by women in the United Kingdom, is performed in Hongkong mainly by men of Asiatic race.\n\n13. We desire to express our appreciation of the valuable services of Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER as Secretary of the Commission.\n\n14. We hope that Your Excellency will see fit to direct the publication of this report in the Gazette.\n\nWe have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour obedient servants,\n\nE. H. SHARP.\n\nC. E. ANTON.\n\nROBT. SHEWAN.\n\nC. MONTAGUE EDE.\n\nI. B. F. CURRIE.\n\nC. W. BECKWITH.\n\nT. A. LOUGHLIN.\n\n3\n\nAppendix A.\n\nTHE MILITARY SERVICE COMMISSION.\n\nHONGKONG, 26th March, 1917.\n\nSir,- Referring to our recent interviews on the subject of applications from Civil Servants, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Commissioners, upon further consideration of all the circumstances which I put before you, are confirmed in the view that it would not serve any useful purpose for them to hear such applications.\n\n2. The principal circumstances influencing the Commissioners in this view are that such applications constitute in some respects a peculiar category; inasmuch as you hold the dual position, at once of the applicant's employer and the arbiter of whatever recommendations the Commissioners may make upon their findings. They also understand that in the former capacity, at the instance of the Secretary of State, you have already formed and are acting upon an opinion as to the maximum number of men who can be spared, which opinion they apprehend would in fact guide your decision in your final arbitrament.\n\n3. In the above circumstances, the Commissioners suggest that you withdraw the Civil Service from the purview of the Commission, in the same manner as the Naval and Military Services have been withdrawn.\n\n4. The Commissioners wish this letter to be understood as in no way implying a desire on their part to be relieved of the task of dealing with applications from Civil Servants, a duty they would gladly undertake were the conditions such as to enable them to perform it usefully and effectively.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nYour Excellency's obedient servant,\n\nHis Excellency\n\nSir F. H. MAY, K.C.M.G.,\n\nGovernor of Hongkong.\n\n(Sd.) E. H. SHARP,\n\nChairman.\n\nGOVERNMENT House, HONGKONG, 28th March, 1917.\n\nSIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th instant explaining the circumstances which have induced the members of the Military Service Commission to suggest that I should withdraw the Civil Servants from the purview of the Commission.\n\nI appreciate the reasons for this suggestion which in the circumstances I shall adopt. I shall at the same time weigh carefully the cases of those Civil Servants who have not applied to the Colonial Government for permission to offer themselves for Military service beyond the Colony, but who may have made applications to go before the Commission. I shall be glad therefore to receive from the Commission the names of all Civil Servants who have made such applications.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nThe Honourable\n\nMr. E. H. SHARP, K.C.,\n\nChairman,\n\nSir,\n\nYour most obedient servant,\n\nMilitary Service Commission,\n\n(S) F. H. MAY,\n\nGovernor, &c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 468050, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6]", "page_number": 354, "title": "CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6]", "content_text": "7. We are satisfied that, apart from the direct result of our investigation, the appointment, or anticipated appointment, of the Commission indirectly brought about the release of an additional number of men, the practicability of sparing whom was so apparent as to render reference to the Commission unnecessary. A list (unavoidably incomplete) of thirty-one men, other than those appearing before the Commission, for whom passages have recently been arranged, is given in Appendix D.\n\n8. It cannot but be noticed that the younger men in the Colony have, to a certain extent, refrained hitherto from coming before the Commission. We have had the opportunity of ascertaining the number of civilians in Hongkong of British race and military age; and are forced to the conclusion that, had more applied, more, although it may be not a large number, would have been found able to go; at the cost perhaps of personal sacrifice, but with no diminution of the Colony's value as an asset of the Empire. Furthermore it has been a matter of surprise to the Commission to learn, what the enquiry has certainly proved, that there yet remains doubt in some minds whether the Empire needs more men; and this doubt probably in part explains the number who have abstained from applying. Being ourselves convinced that so long as the war lasts the need is imperative, and increasingly so, we respectfully recommend that a clear official pronouncement upon the matter is desirable.\n\n9. The Commission, in the cases before it, has accepted the principle that it is outside its province to decide whether the full carrying on in the Colony of any particular trade or business is necessary or expedient in the interests of the Empire. The Commission has accordingly based its findings upon the policy that, while staffs are to be reduced to the minimum compatible with efficiency, every trade and business irrespective of its nature is to be continued. Under the system of compulsory service obtaining in Great Britain, this standard has of course been abandoned; and we recognise that it may be necessary to modify the policy in Hongkong.\n\n10. The part played by Hongkong under the voluntary system will probably stand comparison with the part played by any other British Dependency; but believing, as we have said, that there are still men here who could well be spared, we should welcome a decision by the Imperial Government to extend to the Colony the obligation of compulsory service with the armies in the field.\n\n11. Pursuant to the terms of our appointment, we have confined our enquiry to the cases of men medically passed as fit for active service at the front, and have not considered applications from those physically capable of only sedentary or semi-active duties. And it is evident that the retention here of the latter class enables more of the former to leave.\n\n12. With a view to liberating men, sixty-five women have made offers of assistance in one capacity or another, and steps have been taken to put their names before employers. Useful and suitable work has already been arranged in several cases, and, we hope, will soon be in more. It must however be remembered that men who come from the United Kingdom to the Far East have usually undergone a special course of training, and it is difficult to find women possessing the requisite experience and technical knowledge to take their places. Unskilled and partly skilled work, such as is now largely done by women in the United Kingdom, is performed in Hongkong mainly by men of Asiatic race.\n\n13. We desire to express our appreciation of the valuable services of Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER as Secretary of the Commission.\n\n14. We hope that Your Excellency will see fit to direct the publication of this report in the Gazette.\n\nWe have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour obedient servants,\n\nE. H. SHARP.\n\nC. E. ANTON,\n\nROBT. SHEWAN.\n\nC. MONTAGUE EDE.\n\nI. B. F. CURRIE.\n\nC. W. BECKWITH.\n\nT. A. LOUGHILIN.\n\nAppendix A.\n\nTHE MILITARY SERVICE COMMISSION.\n\nHONGKONG, 26th March, 1917.\n\nSir, - Referring to our recent interviews on the subject of applications from Civil Servants, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Commissioners, upon further consideration of all the circumstances which I put before you, are confirmed in the view that it would not serve any useful purpose for them to hear such applications.\n\n2. The principal circumstances influencing the Commissioners in this view are that such applications constitute in some respects a peculiar category; inasmuch as you hold the dual position, at once of the applicant's employer and the arbiter of whatever recommendations the Commissioners may make upon their findings. They also understand that in the former capacity, at the instance of the Secretary of State, you have already formed and are acting upon an opinion as to the maximum number of men who can be spared, which opinion they apprehend would in fact guide your decision in your final arbitrament.\n\n3. In the above circumstances, the Commissioners suggest that you withdraw the Civil Service from the purview of the Commission, in the same manner as the Naval and Military Services have been withdrawn.\n\n4. The Commissioners wish this letter to be understood as in no way implying a desire on their part to be relieved of the task of dealing with applications from Civil Servants, a duty they would gladly undertake were the conditions such as to enable them to perform it usefully and effectively.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nHis Excellency Sir F. H. MAY, K.C.M.G.,\n\nGovernor of Hongkong.\n\nYour Excellency's obedient servant,\n\n(Sd.) E. H. SHARP,\n\nChairman.\n\nGOVERNMENT HOUSE,\n\nHONGKONG, 28th March, 1917.\n\nSIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th instant, explaining the circumstances which have induced the members of the Military Service Commission to suggest that I should withdraw the Civil Servants from the purview of the Commission.\n\nI appreciate the reasons for this suggestion which in the circumstances I shall adopt. I shall at the same time weigh carefully the cases of those Civil Servants who have not applied to the Colonial Government for permission to offer themselves for Military service beyond the Colony, but who may have made applications to go before the Commission. I shall be glad therefore to receive from the Commission the names of all Civil Servants who have made such applications.\n\nThe Honourable Chairman,\n\nMilitary Service Commission.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour most obedient servant,\n\n(Sd.) F. H. MAY,\n\nGovernor, &c.\n\nPage 352", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 468285, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9]", "page_number": 48, "title": "CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9]", "content_text": "Hon. Colonial Secretary,\n\nThese ships are paid 10s. per ton gross measurement as an advance but I understand that the Admiralty Charter will work out at 12s. per ton and perhaps more, which will be adjusted from time to time.\n\nThis is certainly a hard case and in keeping with several others out of this port who speculated in old ships after war started.\n\nI do not think there would be any use in approaching the Admiralty for release of one for the reasons given. As I understand all British tonnage not requisitioned is shortly to come under control.\n\nJardines are already controlled. Butterfield and Swire and ...\n\n(sd.) C. W. Beckwith,\nHarbour Master.\n4.7.1917.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 468316, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9]", "page_number": 79, "title": "CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9]", "content_text": "73\n\nST\n\nE.\n\n+\n\n21 Tuonori writ er.\" rod en\n\n.enut Adhi to\n\n...b.fjší to middel end to 9000 97%\n\n.Patro0 £5 to 9older i Innes Iteen and bad sed erobommoÜ\n\nbigdagend garm anh.com atuam tuta bowlson\" oals ov.K OF\n\nthech qnolɔ0 -/** to adroqze bnu attoqul\n\n.barcatis 973 eaert to\n\n10:0\n\nhay\n\n27\n\nmor Int\n\n街\n\n3Idulčava sezugit edt tafð\n\nunrod rubikuð to twUORS\n\nSham Jon ob yeft bṛs +gno¤znok\n\n110 Etuis une ntar and\n\nno haute 100 ve omul „ner to dense\n\n(1 Jaj3imod and yd Ja\n\n-tetxe o un'da ruot sto tafi #2 ylvoɔlo Ataom two abroda Jadid\n\na a subota att et qu bruod qlaları ərs ynolɔd add to ǝone\n\natt to es totules and at ezotɔrü 13 Brus ɔzjavo unt iuditta2b\n\n.abazt antqqtis\n\naerobom 20 ante mort nattól arth oð borgar film\n\nmah Bowhun er ste vold to tremeteta stiaitab\" a Tot sies\n\nEB JE BỘ Crən lupte (Bent Izutos no ba ↑ aejuoz absið svoliBV\n\n„\"7d5wums:00 erit of qtriebreif quotzau sento zo antust jnevarq of\"\n\njet karli arabommat arta dilw borga ton ob sefilmwɔð SHT\n\nand satujitarroo quietempi apo trða medio zo vatest to noltnevezq\n\nað 22 Loar edi sonte this asoft\\OF \"> etnemetlupat Lativ\n\n10 Atyam of has i wont privil soitolak to qu oban al qiliumTO O\n\nLand of Isante dor ɛmå mitantiam to vrsaft arit jaib alquia a\n\nvaldeset at havlovni ora sousat avıra four jaij zebie..00\n\njottelumog and to waidh an smad and to slaad erit to maldɔng ode\n\nanthoǝcomm neshod hatine ed bijede inemrzovoð „M „A dais\n\nON Drom¬tem clarohommeð 633 of nå .aonif seɔdit no godtat\n\n**16Iunoq blødt edd za mah 13 J\n\nAe bruxul to goljentakis\n\n9289 70 denne art of molalar halvbet ata bertéoMOS\n\n,10 ttuður si anu 2.130qorul sa zet ɔ8 •\n\n100\n\nthe issue of export licenses by the Authorities at home, which licences we understand have of late been drastically reduced.\n\nWe submit herewith a statement again detailing the trade routes, with the British tonnage at present supplying them, which the Committee consider should be maintained to the fullest degree practicable. After reconsidering the whole situation the Committee are of opinion that further six British vessels might be withdrawn from these routes to meet urgent national requirements without dangerously affecting the vital requirements of the Colony. They appreciate that additional urgent demands for tonnage may arise, and recommend that opportunity be provided in that event for reconsideration of the tonnage position before further ships are withdrawn, as by that time the effect of recent withdrawals will be better known.\n\nThere is no question but that the recent requisitioning of both local and ocean tonnage is causing the Colony to suffer a considerable diminution of trade, as is instanced by merchants making urgent representations to the Chamber of Commerce on the subject. In this connection we think it necessary to point out that besides the 50% of British local tonnage already requisitioned, the bulk of British ocean tonnage trading with the United Kingdom and the Atlantic Coast of America has been withdrawn, heavily reducing the means of imports and exports for trade and industries. Further, the whole of the Blue Funnel Pacific Ocean tonnage, trading between Hongkong and Canada and the Western Coast of U.S.A. and representing over a year the import of 68,698 tons and export of 40,725 tons has been withdrawn. This greatly affects the supplies of timber, steel, and many commodities for industries including shipbuilding and shiprepairing in the Colony, and restricts the export trade not only from Hongkong but also from India, Colombo & the Straits.\n\nWe have &c.,\n\n(sd.)\n\nG. T. Edkins,\n\nC. E. Anton,\n\nRobt. Shewan,\n\nLau Chu Pak\n\nC. W. Beckwith, Stanley R. Dodwell\n\nW. D. Sarratt.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 477598, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12]", "page_number": 283, "title": "CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12]", "content_text": "## HONG KONG\n### 27 Nov. 1918\n\nTo have a report on My CAM Barlow's conduct once his enlistment in the 4 Leicestershire Regt. R Battn.\n\nTherefore to enquire whether his Lordship's will be furnished with a report from Bali's Commanding Officer.\n\n(c) G Grindle \naa. G. Levern. 330 \n1918 \n50591/19 \n\n### Bonus for Commander C.10. Beckwith\n\nLast previous Paper. Recommends for year 1918.\n\n| Amount | Reference |\n| --- | --- |\n| £130 | 425208 My howell |\n| | 44924 H.K. |\n| | 1357788 |\n\nApproved bonus of Ausd. 86.\n\n### 31 Jan 19\n\nNext subsequent Paper.\n\n| Year | Bonus | Reference |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1917 | $10 a month to Comm: Berkunth | 6.05. 78 5730 OL 13572 |\n| 1916 | £75 to him | 2om 20357 $600 |\n\nIt appears to have done very good work; a month is a considerable increase. However, \n1. Approve proposal \nD&S. G 122 41.\n\nAt once \nAE@ \n30.1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 483705, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-461 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [5-7]", "page_number": 58, "title": "CO129-461 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [5-7]", "content_text": "directions that a member of the Far Sanam Dept. oka \n\nat org Jarus \n\nAmé \n\nconvement to yourself. \n\n(Signed) G. CRINDEL \n\n沖 \n\nGov \n\nHome \n\nHONG KONG \n\n32029 \n\nFranbour Index. \n\nRE \n\n32029 \n\nIRE 30 JUN LO \n\n57 \n\nLast previous Paper. \n\nGr 518079 \n\nGr 1979 Foulon) lace wa \n\n1920 \n\n10th. Inave. \n\nbase. B. Taylor \n\nf wire. from 1st Int. 1920 comments affet. of Comm to. And how. Ben kanth Rov. S be \n\nIf approx \n\n+ \n\ndo that 2. Ca. wt Bake be offered frost \n\nmastis, that will \n\nAward Ž esetle \n\nMi Colline \n\nAuso coup 19 Jelj \n\nTel. Jour \n\nΣΕ \n\nAug. \n\nKam but I presume \n\nso before Promotion Clu \n\n? Vacancy form \n\n15 Permitions Desert. \n\nfor their wish \n\nILov \n\n15 \n\nthe shad \n\ncan find anyone \n\nCar Beckwrth \n\nI don't suppose \n\nbetter fitted \n\nWH \n\nNext subsequent Paper. \n\nfor 52849 \n\nFile 14963 (Conway Hake) \n\n(26069-) 17. 26689-35 50,000 11/19 1. St. G. 122 41. \n\nP.T.O", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-461 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 487066, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-467 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1921 [1-5]", "page_number": 40, "title": "CO129-467 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1921 [1-5]", "content_text": "# Enclosure 1.39\n\nHongkong, \n5th November, 1920.\n\nSir,\n\nIn the inspection of ship, engines and boilers for Passenger Certificate, we understand, it has already come before your notice that the Canadian Authorities have declined to accept a Hongkong Passenger Certificate as compliance with their Emigration Regulations.\n\nWe have the pleasure to attach copies of correspondence which have passed between Messrs. Dodwell & Co., Ltd., Agents for Messrs. Alfred Holt & Co. on the Pacific Coast, and the Chief Inspector of Steamships at Ottawa. As you will see the subject is rather a delicate one. Undoubtedly Messrs. Alfred Holt & Co. will be taking the question up with the Board of Trade but as the matter is one widely affecting the standing of the certificate issued at this port we have communicated with you believing that the question will form the subject of reference by you to the Board of Trade.\n\nWe shall be interested to learn any views in the matter which you may care to express.\n\nWe have, etc.\n\nPer Pro BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, \nSd. H. W. Kent, \nAgents, Ocean Steamship Co., Ltd., and \nChina Mutual Steam Navigation Co., Ltd.\n\nCommander C. W. Beckwith, R.N., \nHarbour Master, \nHongkong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-467 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1921 [1-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490386, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-472 - Others - 1921", "page_number": 78, "title": "CO129-472 - Others - 1921", "content_text": "## The Colonial Office \n\nMay 29th \n\nDear Sir, \n\nRe: Salisbury \n\nBe your letter 195 of May..., forwarded to me here, to which I replied May 23rd. I can come up to town to discuss the question of language and river measurements (Canton 734. Steamers with the P. & Surrey or B). If you will kindly arrange a date for next week, let me know as soon as possible.\n\nYours faithfully, \nCharles Beckwith", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-472 - Others - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 490391, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-472 - Others - 1921", "page_number": 83, "title": "CO129-472 - Others - 1921", "content_text": "## Letter\n\n2...Et for Letter will be addressed to you as you are fully aware is read from clouds. Beckwith.\n\nIt is understood that The Inspector General of Chinese Maritime Customs is not at present in this country.\n\n(Signed) G. GRINDLE\n\nThe Cottage \nTiffant \nSalisbury \n8th\n\nDear Mr Gent,\n\nI regret that I shall be unable to be in town tomorrow June 3rd. Your letter of 1st inst. has just been handed to me. An interview could be arranged with B/T by Thursday at 3:30PM if you could come to town by then. The Principal Surveyor should then be available.\n\nI am, \nYours faithfully, \nC. Beckwith\n\n316 Lee ... R) ... f attack... ons.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-472 - Others - 1921.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 493196, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "page_number": 104, "title": "CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922", "content_text": "As regards the complete control of the development of the Port, the works for which would be carried out as trade required, or rather something in advance of the requirements. Of course under such conditions the leasing of wharves should be for long periods, particularly if the lessees were allowed to build their own godowns on the leased property, which we consider very desirable.\n\n27. As requested by His Excellency, we have made the above remarks on the control of the Port, but we have kept them quite short as we realise that there may be questions of high policy outside our knowledge which may require consideration.\n\n28. Before coming to any conclusion regarding proposals for new works to allow ships to come alongside, we made a careful investigation of present conditions at the Port; we examined all works which would give us indications of the effects of typhoons, and we obtained a great deal of information from the Director of Public Works and his Assistant, Mr. Dungan, from the Harbour Master, Commander Beckwith, from the Acting Director of the Observatory, from the Representatives of the Shipping and Godown Companies, and others, and we are under great obligation to these gentlemen for the way in which they freely gave us such information as we required.\n\n29. The principal matters on which we wished information were shortly as follows:\n\n(1) The method of carrying on the business of the Port at the present time and any changes in such procedure which will probably develop.\n\n(2) The conditions of weather, tides, currents and other natural conditions which exist,\n\n--10--", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 497397, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7]", "page_number": 83, "title": "CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7]", "content_text": "## HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE\n\nHongkong, 1st November, 1923\n\nI have the honour to refer to the Chamber's letter of 20th July, in reply to the Government's letter No.2210/1923 of the 3rd July asking for the views of the Chamber upon a suggestion by the Harbour Master that an automatic fog signal be installed on Tathong Point.\n\nIt is understood that the automatic signal will come into operation on the first day of the New Year and the Chamber desires to make the suggestion if it has not already occurred to the Government - that the Fog Signal be named \"**The Beckwith Bell**\".\n\nCommander Beckwith has accomplished much in the direction of improving the Harbour and its administration during the 18 years that he has been connected with the Department. His work in relation to the maintenance, classification and organisation of buoys since they were taken over by the Government has been so efficient as entirely to remove the apprehensive feelings entertained by those interested in shipping when the transfer was first mooted.\n\nIt is assumed that, in the ordinary course of events, Commander Beckwith's term of service in the Colony will soon be drawing to a close and it is hoped that the Government will agree as to the appropriateness of permanently associating his name, in the manner suggested, with the Colony and particularly with the Harbour.\n\nThe Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.\n\nI have, etc. (Sd.) D. K. Blair, Secretary.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 499019, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924", "page_number": 127, "title": "CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924", "content_text": "## Short Title. Definitions.\n\n106\n\nApplication must be made to the Harbour Master for re-measurement of tonnage at least 7 days before such steamers next come under their Annual Survey.\n\n4. W. BECKWITH, Commander, R.N.\n\nHarbour Master, &c.\n\n20th January, 1892.\n\n## HONGKONG.\n\nNo. 23 of 1914.\n\nI assent to this Ordinance.\n\nF. H. MAY,\n\nGovernor.\n\n28th August, 1914.\n\n**An Ordinance to amend the law relating to the observance of precautions against Piracy.**\n\n[28th August, 1914.]\n\nBe it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:-\n\n1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Piracy Prevention Ordinance, 1914.\n\n2. In this Ordinance :--\n- \"Launch\" means any vessel used in navigation not exceeding 60 tons net registered tonnage in the propulsion of which any use is made of any mechanical means other than oars and sails.\n- \"Master\" includes any person (except a pilot) having command or charge of any ship.\n- \"Passenger\" includes any person on a launch or ship other than the master and crew and the owner, his family and servants.\n- \"Ship\" means any vessel used in navigation exceeding 60 tons net registered tonnage in the propulsion of which any use is made of any mechanical means other than oars and sails.\n\n107\n\nNo launch or ship to leave on certain voyages unless a bond has been entered into.\n\n3. No launch or ship shall leave or attempt to leave the waters of the Colony on a voyage to Amoy, Swatow, Macao, Kwong Chan Wan, Hoihow, or Haiphong, or to any port or place on the Canton River or the West River or any river or estuary in the province of Kwong Tung or the province of Kwong Sai, or to any port or place in either of the said provinces, unless the owners, agents, charterers, or licensees of the said launch or ship shall have duly entered into a bond as hereinafter required and unless such bond shall be subsisting and valid in all respects, and if any launch or ship shall leave or attempt to leave the waters of the Colony on any such voyage unless the said bond shall have been duly entered into and shall be subsisting and valid in all respects, the master of the said launch or ship and the owners, agents, charterers, and licensees shall be deemed to be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable upon conviction either summarily or on indictment to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one year and to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.\n\nNo launch to carry passengers except within the Harbour unless a bond has been entered into.\n\n4. No launch shall carry any passenger from or to any place in the Colony unless the owners, agents, charterers, or licensees of the said launch shall have duly entered into a bond as hereinafter required and unless such bond shall be subsisting and valid in all respects, and if any launch shall carry any passenger from or to any place in the Colony unless the said bond shall have been duly entered into and shall be subsisting and valid in all respects, the master of the said launch and the owners, agents, charterers, and licensees shall be deemed to be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable upon conviction either summarily or on indictment to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one year and to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars: Provided that this section shall not apply to the carriage of passengers between places within the limits of the Harbour of Victoria.\n\nClearance, etc., may be refused where reasonable ground to anticipate that an offence is about to be committed.\n\n5. It shall be lawful for the Harbour Master to refuse to grant any permission or issue any document or do any act necessary to enable any launch or ship to leave the waters of the Colony or a port in the Colony in respect of which he shall have reasonable cause to anticipate that any offence against the provisions of this Ordinance is about to be committed.\n\n123", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 562766, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-573-1 Vacancy for Deputy Shipping Master in Mercantile Marine office of the Harbour Department 13-4-1938 - 18-1-1939", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-573-1 Vacancy for Deputy Shipping Master in Mercantile Marine office of the Harbour Department 13-4-1938 - 18-1-1939", "content_text": "## \n30\n\nEventually, the then Hon. Harbour Master, the late Commander C.W. Beckwith, was asked by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to reply to the following question: \"Were there not, at the time of the appointment, any unemployed certificated ranks of the Merchant Service available who could have been considered?\"\n\nIt is understood that the nature of the then Hon. Harbour Master's reply was on the lines that: \"There were unemployed certificated ranks of the Merchant Service available, but not a suitable one.\" The matter thereupon closed, with the exception that it is within the recollection of the writer that Government gave an assurance that there would not be a repetition of such a case.\n\nI am uncertain as to whether this assurance was confirmed in writing (as I had then left the Colony for Shanghai), but I do know it was tendered orally to Captain T.T. Laurenson and Mr. W.J. Stokes, the then local respective Secretaries of the China Coast Officers Guild and The Marine Engineers Guild of China.\n\nSome years later (between 1925 and 1927), the present augmented service of Boarding Officers came into being, and it is the position that the officers attached to this Department are all in the possession of the qualifications of a Master Mariner.\n\nIt has recently come to the knowledge of these Guilds that a candidate for the impending post of Deputy Shipping Master is at present holding the position of Chief Inspector of Junks and Cargo Boats. It is further a fact that this official has no experience whatsoever in the Merchant Service and was, prior to his appointment as Third Boarding Officer in May, 1923, a Police Constable.\n\nThe writer hereof recently called on the Hon. Harbour Master with reference to this impending appointment and was given to understand that it was always the wish and intention of that official to recommend for the prospective vacancy as Deputy Shipping Master an officer who had the requisite experience in the Merchant Service, who also held the necessary qualifications, and who therefore, by reason of such, was fully competent to perform the duties.\n\nPage 30 \nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-573-1 Vacancy for Deputy Shipping Master in Mercantile Marine office of the Harbour Department 13-4-1938 - 18-1-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]