Sessional_Paper_1920 — Page 61

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Harbour, to be detailed from the qualified men (volunteers) in the regular service of the Government-the Harbour Office for example. Further European assistance would probably be desirable and for this purpose a roll of available volunteers should be kept in readiness at some convenient centre: preferably the Naval Yard as it is the qualified men in the Naval Service who are particularly indicated in this connec- tion.

In other than typhoon weather the Committee anticipate that con- siderable employment could be found for the launches: even by letting them out on hire, if their time could not be filled by such work as attend- ing to lighthouses or towing the heavier Sanitary Board barges out to sea, and such other work as could be found for them by the Harbour Master.

Chinese launches and others not under Government control should be subjected to no special regulation: it is considered that any attempt to regulate them would probably result in making them unwilling to come forward when needed. The only complaint concerning them is that at times exorbitant charges are made for towage and it is suggested that these would be tempered by drawing up and publishing a scale of charges for the tugs controlled by Government. A suggested scale is attached but it is probable that the charges given are too low, aud that the scale itself will need greater particularisation in the light of experience yet to be gathered. The consideration and adjustment as necessary of this matter would best be left to the Board referred to in paragraph 4 below.

(c.) (i.)-Shelters.--It was resolved to recommend the sub-division of the Yau- mati Shelter into three sections. As it stands at present it is wide enough for quite a serious sea, and offers no opportunity for smaller boats to be interlocked, as they are unable to fill any one section of the shelter. The division would break the sea, and would give the smaller boats the opportunity they require. We find opinion on the necessity of sub- dividing the shelter very strongly held among the floating population in the Harbour. They anticipate that a really serious typhoon will occasion much damage among the craft that take shelter in Yaumati, unless this alteration is carried out.

(c.) (i.)—It was unanimously resolved to recommend the provision of a second shelter in Belcher's Bay (on the lines of the scheme already suggested to the Government by Captain Taylour) to provide a refuge for craft unable to make head against an Easterly wind. Failing a tow (probably at very high rates if available at all) such craft have little to hope for: as the record of wrecks at the West end of the Harbour shows.

(d.)—Signals.—In view of the number of ships that take refuge in Junk Bay, it was resolved to recommend that full typhoon signals should be repeated from some point visible from the whole of the Bay: and the Battery on the Southern side of the Lyeemun Pass is suggested as a suitable position.

4. The appointment of a permanent Board to deal with executive detail and such questions as will from time to time arise is recommended by the Committee as a matter of importance. The Board suggested would comprise only the Harbour Master, the Commander Naval Yard, and a third member who should be a resident civilian with marine experience. To this Board would be entrusted the detailed regulation of the tugs (and of the launches, so far as any regulation of the matter would be possible) their control on duty from the Naval Yard (signallers from among the volunteers already mentioned might be of value in this connection) and it could sit also when called upon as a Board of Arbitration as to the charges to be fairly made. They need have no powers in this matter except the power of summoning witnesses: it is better that at first they should not, for fear of the possible effect on Chinese launches which venture out on their own account: but their expressed opinion would carry weight and would no doubt have a practical effect on the Insurance Companies who might be called upon to pay the fees demanded and their existence would thus tend still further to bring charges to a reasonable level.