Page 256
144
vessels or either of them attempt to leave or are actually
leaving the Police will take the earliest opportunity to
report to the Harbour Master and the Government, but in
our view this would be too late for effective measures to
be taken.
It appears to us that if vessels in the waters
of the Colony can with impunity leave the Harbour
notwithstanding that a clearance has been refused by the
Harbour Master, the requirements of the Merchant Shipping
Ordinance in regard there to might well be ignored.
The personal responsibility of the Master or
his liability to prosecution, should he ever return to the
Colony, would not in many cases, and particularly in the
present instance, serve as a deterrent.
We are writing to enquire whether, in view of
the special circumstances and the fact that the stopping
of the clearance has been ordered by the Supreme Court,
the Government are disposed to issue any special
instructions to the Police Authorities.
We are,
etc.
(SGD.)
GEO. K. BRUTTON & CO.
Page 256
Page 256
Page 256