No. 27
21st March 1871
My Lord,
Referring to my Despatch No 15 of 18th February and Your Lordship's Circular of 4th January, I have the honor to forward copy of a Letter from the Collector of Customs on thesubjectManuscript image subject of the Rules for collecting Tonnage dues on Foreign Vessels.
2. Mr Hamley points out, what had been overlooked and not previously brought to my notice, that the local Act of which I annex a copy, imposes the duty per ton register; and as American Registers do not exclude Crew Space andEngineManuscript image Engine Room, the terms of the Law in the opinion of the Attorney General would require tonnage to be collected on the gross registered Tonnage.
3. Amendment of the Act would therefore be necessary to carry out the directions of the Board of Trade. But as this Colony will soon be united to the Dominion ofCanadaManuscript image Canada, and all matters relating to Navigation and Shipping will be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Legislature of the Dominion, I think Your Lordship will agree with me in considering it inexpedient to pass a local Act now which would have but very temporary effect.
I haveManuscript image
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant
A. Musgrave
Minutes by CO staff
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CC 27/4
Mr Holland
It will be necessary to write to the Bd of T with reference to that part of our letter of 19 Apl which related to B Columbia & to state that since writing it the Governor has reported that to give effect to the wishes of the Bd of T it would be necessary to amend the Local Law which imposes the tonnage Duty for "Ton Register." That Ld K concurs with Mr Musgrave in thinking that as BC is about to be united with the Dominion of Canada it will be inexpedient to pass such an amending Ordinance.
WR Apl 27
I agree, but would send a copy of the Ordinance to the B of Trade; & explain that it had been overlooked in the Colony.
HTH 27/4
K Ap 29/71
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
W. Hamley, Collector of Customs, to Musgrave, 10 March 1871, explaining why he felt unable to follow recent instructions respecting the collection of tonnage dues, and referring him to the ordinance controlling them.
Copy of shipping ordinance in question, No. 29 of 1867 (not on microfilm).