Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 310

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In the opinion of the Committee, these objections are not valid at the present day, that so far as the question of erecting a Light-house on Chinese territory is concerned, and its maintenance, all material obstacles have been removed by the recent offer of Sir ROBERT HART, who, on behalf of the Chinese Government, has expressed himself disposed to undertake the erection and defray the expense of keeping up a Light, provided that the Government can arrange to meet the cost of its construction.

·

With regard to the means to meet the cost, which is estimated by Sir ROBERT HART, at ninety thousand dollars, I am desired by the Committee to state. that, the majority of the representatives of the Ocean Steam-ship Companies, and of privately owned steamers and sailing vessels arriving from the South, are disposed to acquiesce in the payment of one cent per ton Extra Light Dues, for the term of three years, or longer if necessary, as a contribution to the cost of the proposed Light-house.

It is estimated that these Tolls would realize fully fifteen thousand dollars per annum, which sum, added to the surplus revenue derived from the Light Dues now levied, would prove sufficient to guarantee the completion of the work, it being understood that the work shall be commenced immediately and that on final payment of the cost these extra dues would be removed.

The foregoing facts have an important bearing on the favourable solution of this matter, and the Committee, in representation of the annually increasing mercantile and steam-shipping interests of the Colony, beg that His Excellency will urge upon the Colonial Office the great importance of this question to navigation.

The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,

[C.S.O.].

Acting Colonial Secretary.

I have, &c.,

P. RYRIE.

Chairman

Enclosure 2.

Commodore Morant to the Officer Administering the Government.

SIR,

Victor Emanuel, AT HONGKONG,

30th September, 1886.

In reply to your Excellency's letter dated 28th instant, No. 172 G, requesting my opinion on the different Rocks and Islands visited on the 27th instant in H. M. S. Heroine, with a view of determining the position where a Light-house should be placed for vessels approaching Hongkong from the South, I have the honour to report that I consider the Gap Rock the best position for the Light-house. it being the S.W. extreme of the Lema and Kypong Islands, and is, in itself, bold with a channel on each side, and it has the further advantage of being, when once rounded, a good guide for ships inside these islands until Cape D'Aguilar light is sighted.

Reef Island perhaps is more accessible for attendance on the Light-house, but it is, in my opinion, objectionable in so far that it has outlying reefs off its Southern extremity, and the Gap Rock lying nearly two miles to the Westward.

It has to be borne in mind that ships making for this passage are coming from South and South-west, and therefore, in thick weather, might in looking for the light on Reef Island find themselves on the top of the Gap Rock.

With regard to a light being placed on Taitami Island, there is the objection of the Cambridge Rock being on one side of the channel and the Mosquito Rock being outside the point; therefore if this Island was lighted it might lead to ships going on these sunken dangers through misjudging their distance from the light in thick weather.

I have, &c.,

J. DIGBY MORANT,

Commodore.