Seven British Vessels to Lie Up for Summer Hongkong, June 1.
The withdrawal of seven ships from their Hongkong, Canton," Shanghai and Tienisin services was announced to-day by ofelalz of the China Navigation Ca.
The depressed state of coastal commerce was given as the reason for the action.
"The underlying cause of the depression is stated to be the gigatttie smuggling operations, which are Fulning legitimate shipping businest—Reuter, A "Routine Matter"
Questioned on Mohday afternoon Shanghai officials of the China Naviga-ion "Ca, denied to a "North-Ceina Daily News" reporter that the ships were being taken off due to smuggling activities in the north and slated that was simple a routine matter that took place every summer about this Umme, "One oMeial said that tre C. Ca. ships were roughly divided into two elatses, those which carried both passengers and cargoes to such ports fas Hongkong, Canton. and Tientsin, fand those which carried special cat= oes under charter to various ports Business falling off during the sum mer, he went on, it was customary for the company to lay up these Tatler ships until the autumn when trey would be again called Into use, They can always been seen up at Lunghua the summer time, he added.
"The ships that will be Ind up are tke Luchow, Hangchow, Yingchow, Kanchow, Chekiang, Chungking. and Chengtu.' Twe of these ships, the Hangchow and the Yingchow," are now in tke upper section of the ha hour. No large scale laying off of officers will take place.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.