Wolley to Under-Secretary of State
28 June 1870
Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 11th inst, transmitting a copy of an Ordinance passed by the Government of British Columbia "to prevent desertion from Merchant Ships," & requesting to be informed whether My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty wish the same to be applied also to Deserters from Her Majesty's Ships, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaintyouManuscript image you for the information of Earl Granville that they do not wish the provisions of this Ordinance to be applied to Deserters from the Royal Navy, as the 25th & 26th Sections of the Naval Discipline Act apply to any part of Her Majesty's Dominions.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Thos Wolley
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Holland
See 6791. Bd of Trade.
CC 29/6
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Acknowledge rect of Ordinance. State that it was referred to the B of Trade & that their Lordships have suggested (see minute on 6791) & request that this point may receive consideration.
State also that though the preamble refers to Merchant Ships only, there may be some doubt whether the provisions of the Ordinance Would not include deserters from the Royal Navy, and as the AG in his report refers to the cost of Sending marines or seamen in Men of War Ships from England, Ld G thought it desirable to ascertain whether the Lords of the Admiralty wished the ordinance to be applied to deserters from HM's Ships, but he has been informed in reply that their Lordships do not desire it, as the 25th & 26th sections of the N.D. Act apply to any part of HM's dominions.
Under these circes Ld G. suggests that this Ordinance should be repealed & a new one passed adopting the suggestion of the B of Trade & making it clear that the provisions apply to Merchant Vessels only.
HTH 29/6
FR 29/6
WM 30/6
G 6/7
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Kimberley to Musgrave, No. 3, 11 July 1870.