1122
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 4TH NOVEMBER, 1893.
(c) That the reporting station at Kowloon should be in as prominent a position as possible. (d) That every vessel signalled should be at once reported on the Post Office Notice Board
in accordance with the annexed form.*
(e) That the Government should give official notice in the Gazette, and otherwise as may be deemed necessary, that Gap Rock and Cape D'Aguilar Lighthouses are now Signalling Stations, and should invite all vessels when passing these Stations bound for Hongkong to hoist their number and national flag.
10. With regard to the first of these conditions, the communication from Gap Rock is at the present time direct to the Post Office, but that from Cape D'Aguilar passes through too many intermediate stations to be efficient. We therefore recommend that a separate wire be laid between Shaukiwan and Hongkong on the existing posts, thus completing a direct line between Cape D'Aguilar and Hongkong. Also that the present Telephone instrument at Cape D'Aguilar be replaced by the Morse Telegraph.
11. As to the second point we are of opinion that the suggested hours of looking out are longer than should be imposed on one man. We are agreed that the duty of looking out for as well as telegraphing vessels should not devolve on the European Lightkeepers in addition to their other duties, but we consider the telegraphing alone can be done by them if the look out is kept by men specially detailed for that purpose. We therefore recommend :-
(a) That at Gap Rock two Natives be appointed whose duty it shall be to keep a look out
for vessels and report to the Lightkeeper.
(b) That the duty of telegraphing from Gap Rock the approach of vessels as well as all other messages in connection with the working of the Light house and the meteoro- logical returns therefrom be vested in the Lightkeepers, and that for the performance of this special service they receive additional remuneration.
(c) That in view of the probable early disestablishment of Cape D'Aguilar Light and the continuation of the station for signalling purposes, a Telegraph Clerk and watchman be engaged for duty there in connection with the signalling of vessels by means of the Morse system of Telegraphy.
(d) That the two signal stations of Gap Rock and Cape D'Aguilar be placed in direct communication with the Offices of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company it having been ascertained that arrangements can be made with that Company:-
(1) To receive and despatch all messages to and from the above stations and
transmit them to their respective destinations, and
(2) To distribute notices of arriving vessels to such persons or firms as the
Government may direct.
12. We understand that the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company are willing to undertake, free of charge, to receive the messages from the Telegraph Company if the Government will supply and keep in order at their Kowloon Offices a Morse Telegraph instrument, and further that if a Telephone line be established from that Office to a proposed Flag Signal Station on Blackhead's Hill, they will forward the messages to that point.
13. We consider the flagstaff at Tsim-sha-tsui unsuitably placed for reporting vessels and recom- mend that its use for that purpose be discontinued, and that a new station, &c. be established on the hill known as Blackhead's Hill, where a signalman and a watchman should be employed; also that the signals made at Kowloon be repeated at the Peak flagstaff and vice-versa.
14. With reference to the distribution of notices by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company alluded to above, we consider that these should be sent to:-
(a) The Harbour Office.
(b) The Post Office.
(c) Central Police Station,
(d) The Health Officer.
(e) Such firms as signify their desire for information regarding vessels consigned to them and
who pay an annual fee of $20.
15. We wish to remark that though the evidence taken shows but few specific complaints of vessels not having been reported in the past, we believe that there have been grounds for complaint which have not been put forward in evidence. There also appears to have been a divided responsibi- lity in the matter of the signalling and reporting which was unfavourable to the investigation of complaints and the removal of the causes thereof.
* See annexure (1).
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