Colonial Despatches

I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the 27th June conveying the suggestion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that measures should be taken for checking desertions from the Royal Navy, as well by the adoptionof of the means resorted to in New Zealand, therein mentioned, as by putting in force the statutory penalty for the offence of procuring or assisting Desertions under Section 25 of the Act 29 and 30 Vic. C. 109.

2. On reference to the Attorney General upon this subject, I find that convictions for inducing Seamen to desert from Her Majesty's Navy, have been had here under 37 Geo III Chap. 70. sec. 1 which makes the offence a felony and punishable with Penal servitude for life or imprisonment for not morethan than three years with or without hard labor; and it is presumed that this Statute will still be held to be in force here.

3. The Statute 29 & 30 Vic Chap. 109, Secs. 25 & 26 referred to in Your Lordship's Despatch provides for a summary conviction, with a fine not exceeding £30 and £20, respectively, but this has been found so utterly indequate for the purpose intended, that all cases of assisting or persuading seamen in Her Majesty's Navy to desert are now sent up to the Assizes for trial under the before mentioned Statute of37 Geo 37 Geo. III. Chap. 70.

4. It is believed that the Senior Naval Officer on this Station gives rewards for the apprehension of Deserters, and I apprehend that if the local Government were to do so instead of the Naval authorities convictions would not be any more frequent than they are now.