300
being made to send them to England. They refuse to sign off and will claim their wages to date of arrival at home. A guarantee has been received from the Master on behalf of the Owners the Imperial Steamship Company of Manchester
-
that
the expenses of the men's maintenance while here and their passage home will be recoverable from the Owners. Immediately after this transaction a Chinese crew was shipped and the
Tessel cleared on the 30th. ultimo for Vladivostock.
6.
In this instance no Magisterial decision was given owing to the withdrawal of the case. I still consider, however, that it is highly desirable that the opinion of the Law Officers in England on this question of the obligation of sailors to serve in ships carrying contraband of war in cases where they had no knowledge that this was proposed when they signed their articles, should be communicated to me in order that the Magistrate may have its guidance should further similar cases arise during the present war.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble servant,
M. Zatten
Governor, &c.,