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CHAPTER VI (ii).

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and inform the P.C.M.O. when it will be fit for occupation. The work estimated to cost 7,000 dollars will be debited to "War Expenditure on account of Admiralty" for subsequent adjustment.

3. When it is decided to take over the Peak Hotel as a hospital for naval patients he will direct an officer of the P.W. Department to attend the transfer, make an inventory, and ascertain what alterations to the building may be required by the P.C.M.O. He will carry out these alterations, debiting the cost as in the last paragraph.

| 4. He will confer with the Chief Engineer at such time after the order for mobilization as may be convenient to that officer, with a view to the Public Works Department taking over the maintenance or construction of those military buildings and works that the C.E. considers should be proceeded with, but which cannot be undertaken by the R.E. owing to the requirements of mobilization. The C.E. will inform him whether the cost of any work so taken over shall be debited to the War Department as "War Expenditure" for subsequent adjustment, or as ordinary military expenditure to be repaid as incurred.

5. After his consultation with the C.E., he will submit to the Colonial Secretary for the approval of the Governor, a statement of the work he proposes to take over from the R.E., and also a list of those items of the Public Works Extraordinary Vote on which he recommends work should be postponed or suspended, bearing in mind—

(i.) Decrease in P.W.D. staff owing to members being called to military service. (ii) Employment of P.W.D. staff in supervision of military works.

(iii) Possible shortage of labour.

6. He will supplement as far as is in his power the R.E. staff and the stores available for the maintenance and extension of the military telephone system.

7. He will be in direct communication with the C.E. during the whole period the fortress remains mobilized, affording to that officer every assistance in his power by providing the supervision labour and materials that may be required of him from time to time for the reconstruction or repairing of defence works, roads, &c. He will report his action periodically to the Colonial Secretary for the information of the Governor.

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(ii.)-Harbour Traffic Regulations.

(a.) Schedule of Arrangements for the Examination Service and Regulation of Traffic when necessary during or in anticipation of War.

[To be put in force, when necessary, by authority of the Governor on the recom- mendation of the G.O.C., after the concurrence of the Naval Commander-in-Chief or Senior Naval Officer has been obtained.]

1. The following arrangements are designed (i.) to prevent the entry of hostile ships into the port of Hong Kong, whether by force, treachery, or stratagem; and (ii.), in effecting this object, to avoid unnecessary restrictions on vessels using the port, such as would interfere with its full use, or would tend to deter shipping from frequenting it.

2. Lieutenant Beckwith, R.N., who is Acting Harbour Master, will be appointed Chief Examining Officer of Shipping by the Governor when these arrangements are brought into action. He will act in conjunction with the Military Officer Commanding the Hong Kong Defences, and will have authority over the movements of all vessels in port of Hong Kong, other than those of His Majesty's navy.

He will be responsible for the identification, and if necessary, examination of vessels entering the port, for their being safely piloted through the defences when special pilotage is necessary, for assigning them anchorages in the port, and for regulating the internal harbour arrangements generally.

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