Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 678

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Enclosure 8 (2).

REPORT BY DISTRICT OFFICER, TAI PO.

There seems to have been absolutely no loss of life ashore; one Ping Hoi junk was sunk off Bluff Head, and (probably) two lives lost. The rescued members of the crew took the first opportunity of returning to Ping Hoi by another junk, and no further information can be gleaned. There was a rumour of another l'ing Hoi junk sunk in Mirs Bay, but we have failed to discover anything definite about it, and I think these rumours referred to the wreck off Bluff Head.

There was a further rumour that all the men from a village in Sha Tau Kok District had been drowned in a salt junk in Deep Bay, on a voyage to Canton.

Also not substantiated, and no cases of destitution have come to the notice of the Police.

As for the boats blown ashore around Tai Po, the boats have been damaged but in no case do the owners seem to have been left destitute. They have of course been to the Station, to see if anything was being given away.

San T'in District suffered in the matter of crops-as usual. I gather however that the state of things compares not unfavourably with other years-the harvest was to have been very good, and became about normal. We are having no trouble with the Crown. Rent, and no appeals for help.

20th August, 1908.

E. R. HALIFAX, District Officer.

Enclosure 9.

REPORT OF GOVERNMENT MARINE SURVEYOR.

GOVERNMENT MARINE SURVEYOR'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 21st August, 1908.

SIR,-I have the honour to report as follows with reference to damage sustained by Government launches during the typhoon of the 27th July

*

1. Stanley,

2. Sybil,

3. Daisy,

4. Despatch,

5. C. 2 (acting for Lily),..

6. No. 1 Police Launch,

7. No. 2 Police Launch,

8. No. 7 Police Launch,

9. No. 5 Police Launch, 10. Lily,..........

The Honourable

I have, &c.,

Commander BASIL TAYLOR, R.N.,

Harbour Master, &c.

.$1,209.00

832.60

358.00

188.30

123.00

50.00

600.00

599 00

96.50

50.00

$4,106.40

WILLIAM A. CRAKE, Government Marine Surveyor.