267
2. On the 5th March, inquiry into the loss of the British Barque Lynnwood, Official No. 80,035 of Windsor, N.S., on Pratas Shoal, China Sea, on the morning of the 16th February. The Master's (JAMES Ross) Certificate of Competency was returned to him. 3. On the 16th March, inquiry respecting certain charges of misconduct brought against P. J. DONOVAN, Second Mate of the British Steamship Chittagong, Official No. 85,878 of London, by OLIVER DAVEY, Master of the said vessel. The Second Mate's (P. J. DONOVAN) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
4. On the 22nd April, inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steamship Exe, Official No. 94,309 of London, on rocks lying off the Southern extremity of Hongkong Chau of the Samoun Group of Islands on the morning of the 9th April. The Master's (Henry William PELL) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
5. On the 15th May, inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steamship Menmuir, Official No. 77,120 of London, off the Town of Imabari, Inland Sea of Japan, on the morning of the 1st May. The Master's (HUGH CRAIG) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
SUNDAY CARGO-WORKING ORDINANCE 1891.
52. During the year 63 permits were issued, under the provisions of the Ordinance; of these 15 were not availed of owing to its being found unnecessary for the ship to work cargo on the Sunday, and the fee paid for the permit was refunded in each case.
21 Permits were issued free of charge to Mail Steamers.
The Revenue collected under this heading was $7,575; this was $4,025 less than in 1895.
SEAMEN.
53. 19,313 seamen were shipped and 21,450 discharged at the Shipping Office and on board ships during the year.
304 Distressed Seamen were received during the year; of these 66 were sent to the United King dom, 5 to Bombay, 5 to Singapore, 2 to Sydney, I to Port Darwin, 9 to Calcutta, 1 to Port Said, 1 to Bangkok, 5 to Shanghai, 1 disappeared, 2 died, 198 obtained employment, 4 remained at Govern- ment Civil Hospital, 1 on board Hygeia and 3 at Sailors' Home.
$6,567.76 were expended on behalf of the Board of Trade in the relief of these men.
MARINE SURVEYOR'S SUB-DEPARTMENT.
54. Return No. XXIII shows the work performed by this branch of the Harbour Department.
LIGHTHOUSES.
55. The amount of Light Dues collected was as follows:-
CLASS OF VESSELS.
RATE No. OF PER TON. SHIPS.
TONNAGE.
TOTALFEES COLLECTED.
Ocean Vessels paying full dues,. 23 cents. 3,295
4,495,525 112,388.10
Launches paying full dues,
32
River Steamers (night-boats),...
cent.
711
823 730,896
20.60 4,872.61
Launches plying exclusively to
Macao,.
90
River Steamers (day-boats),
682
4,970 950,676
33.14
Launches plying to Macao by
day,
303
17,211
曲家
TOTAL,.......
5,113
6,200,101 117,314.45
56. The subject of Light Dues has occupied some attention recently and has elicited statements and arguments the basis of which is found in the phrase "Freedom of the Port."
57. But even from those whom this phrase falls most glibly have not attempted to explain precisely what meaning they attach to it. Hongkong is described by them as a "Free Port," and the Government is anathematized for destroying its freedom, yet there has been no proposal on the part of the Government to alter in principle the condition of things which has existed for the last quarter. of a century.
58. A "Free Port" in the general acceptance of the term is, I venture to assert, a port where there is no Custom House and where goods are free from Custom duties and control. Also in some cases
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