Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 184

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Inspector MACKIE also informed me that no complaints had reached him from any of the Stanley fisherman of their junks having been captured.

The positions pointed out by Inspector MACKIE and the fisherman are in the waters of the Colony, and a vessel steering a straight course between either of them would be continuously in the waters of the Colony.

Inspector MACKIE did not see any flag flying on board the steamer, nor is he able to identify either her or the junks.

H. G. THOMSETT, Esquire, R.N.,

Harbour Master.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

J. P. McEUEN,

Assistant Harbour Master.

The steamer and two junks were certainly within the waters of this Colony, but there is no reliable evidence as to what they were doing, nor does any one seem to be in a position to recognise the vessels.

Forwarded for the information of His Excellency the Governor.

19th November, 1879.

H. G. THOMSETT,

Harbour Master.

Minutes by His Excellency the Governor,

Let the Captain Superintendent inform Inspector MACKIE that he must be more careful in future. He ought to have stated in the first instance, what he seems to have admitted when questioned by the Acting Harbour Master, that no complaint whatever reached him on the subject.

J. POPE HENNESSY.

Seizure in British waters of a Salt junk by Chinese Cruiser.

SHAU-KI WAN,

SIR,

31st August, 1882.

I have the honour to forward you the following report for your information :— LAU YEUNG, Master of the Wing Hing Tai, Salt Junk, (2,000 piculs capacity), reports that about 2 A.M. this morning, while lying at anchor of Ch'áiwán in British waters his junk was boarded by 5 or 6 men belonging to a launch from the Fatt'auchau Customs Station. They asked for his Salt License and when he showed it to them they ordered him to go and anchor at Fatt'auchau, but he refused saying he was in British waters.

They then took the Accountant SEE YEUNG by the queue, put him on board their launch, and steamed away in the direction of Fatt'auchau. He lowered a boat from his junk to come to Shaukiwán and report to the Police; the crew of the launch on seeing the boat lowered, turned back and put the Accountant on board his junk again.

W. M. DEANE, Esquire,

Captain Superintendent of Police.

I have, &c., &c.,

(Signed)

A. MACKIE, Inspector.