No. 15
18th February 1871
My Lord,
I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the 4th January transmitting for my information and guidance an Extract of a Letter from the Board of Trade having reference to a questionwhichManuscript image which has recently arisen in the Colony of Trinidad as the Rules to be observed in the measurement of the Tonnage of Foreign Vessels.
2. Your Lordship requests to be informed whether the practice advocated by the Board of Trade, viz: that Tonnage dues should be levied on Foreign Vessels according to their Tonnage as ascertained by English measurementhasManuscript image has been adopted in this Colony.
3. Up to the present time the practice has been to charge tonnage dues on Foreign Vessels according to their own measurement taken from their Certificate of Registry. There has never been a complaint or objection in consequence. By adopting the plan now laid down, for the first time in this Colony, there will be a loss to the RevenuethroughManuscript image though to no great extent. Foreign Vessels, other than American, rarely come to our Ports, except from time to time to Burrard Inlet to load with Lumber.
4. In future the instructions of the Board of Trade shall be complied with.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant
A. Musgrave
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
CC 11/4
Mr Herbert
The practice as regards Tonnage Dues in B.C. has been to levy them on the Tonnage stated in the Certificate of Registry held by the Master of the Vessel.
A small loss will accrue to the Revenue by the adoption of the Bd of T suggestion.
Inform that Dept.
WR 12/4/71
Mr Holland
Yes.
RGWH Ap 12/71
Mr Robinson
Allude to the draft I passed yesterday. At once.
HTH 13/4