318
with respect to the proposition of the Harbour Master that he should open Debtor & Creditor account direct with this Department whereby any delay in accounting for the balance due to the estate of deceased seamen might be lessened the Lieutenant Governor states that he sees no objection whatever to the adoption of this course.
My Lords however observe on reference to the letter of the Harbour Master that the difficulty appears to exist with regard to this proposal in as much as the Harbour Master states that he receives no fees on account of the Board of Trade.
As the Duke of Newcastle is aware all duties in the Colonies connected with the relief of distressed Seamen and the estates of deceased Seamen devolve under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, on a Shipping Master duly appointed by the local Authorities or in his absence the Collector of Customs.
All monies received by either those functionaries are brought into the account with this Department as explained in their Lordships letter to the Colonial Office of the 25th February and the last balance of the account either drawn for or remitted be at the expiration of each quarter.
The Colonial Secretary at Hong Kong