Adm
AGENT.
Council
Office
Home Office
Su. T. More
to the Admiralty, with reference
to their letter of 10th April 1869, relative to the extent
of the claim made on account of the crew of the Hong Kong vessel "Earl of Hardwick", and to what extent their Lordships feel justified in defraying this claim.
In
reply, I am to state to
you for the information of Mr. Secretary Cardwell that my Lords have ascertained from the Registrar General of Seamen that the "Earl of Hardwick" is correctly described as belonging to Hong Kong.
With regard to the expenses, my Lords are of opinion that they may properly be paid out of the Vote for the relief of distressed Seamen, Section 211 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1854, authorizing payment for the subsistence and
conveyance of all shipwrecked Seamen being subjects of Her Majesty.
The original papers
are herewith returned.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant