Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 653

HONGKONG.

REPORT ON THE TYPHOON OF 27TH-28TH JULY, 1908.

28

No. 1908

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor, September 17th, 1908.

No. 228.

HONGKONG.

MY LORD,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 4th September, 1908.

I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 30th July which was as follows:— "Disastrous typhoon 27th, 28th July. One river steamer lost, about 250 passengers. "Otherwise loss of life as far as known not heavy. Damage on shore very serious. Loss "of Government property alone estimated at $100,000. Private losses not yet estimated."

2. Your Lordship's reply dated the 3rd August was as follows:-"Your telegram of 30th July. News of typhoon received with great regret by His Majesty's Government, who "desire me to convey to Community at Hongkong sincere sympathy at this second disaster "within 2 years." I read Your Lordship's telegram to the Legislative Council on the 6th instant, and have to thank Your Lordship on behalf of the Community of this Colony for the expression of sympathy telegraphed by you in the name of His Majesty's Government.

3. I am now in a position to supplement my telegram of the 30th July by forwarding the following documents :-

1. A report by the Director of the Observatory.

2. A report by the Harbour Master.

3. A report by the Director of Public Works.

4. A report by the Captain Superintendent of Police.

5. A report by the Superintendent, Botanical and Forestry Department.

6. The finding of the Marine Court appointed to inquire into the circumstances attending the loss of the British steamship Ying King between Castle Peak and Pillar Point at about 2.30 a.m. on the 28th July.

7. A report by the Chief Resident Engineer, Kowloon-Canton Railway.

8. Two reports by the District Officer, Taipo.

9. A report of the Government Marine Surveyor on damages sustained by

Government launches.

10. A report by the Registrar General on relief of distress caused by the typhoon,

The Right Honourable

THE EARL OF CREWE,

His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.