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that the law gave me no power to interfere as Governor. The Harbour Master was strongly of opinion that he was bound by the terms of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 86 of 1891.
5. On looking over the Ordinance on my return to my Peak Residence I concluded that section 8 sub-section 1 of the Ordinance gave the Harbour Master a discretion. I therefore thought it right to let him have my views on the subject while refraining from giving instructions on a subject with which the law did not empower me to deal.
3. I again saw the Harbour Master on the morning of the 15th with Mr. Goodman, Attorney General, who is now acting as Chief Justice, and discussed the legal position. Rumsey felt that sub-section 5, of section 4 of the Ordinance was mandatory, and he did not feel justified in granting clearance except some further provision was made for life-saving apparatus. I directed him to visit the ship, and to meet the wishes of the United States Authorities to the fullest extent that he felt justified in going. At 3.30 p.m. the Master again applied for clearance, which was granted, some further life-saving provision having been made.
2. I attach a copy of the correspondence and minutes in the matter, and a letter published in to-day's Daily Mail
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