28
2. This Colony can have but little interest in the question, as it would be quite impossible to publish any book in St. Vincent; but the Colonial Legislature will, I fancy, readily afford the necessary protection to authors and owners of copyrights in other countries.
3. Two local Acts, No. 88 of 1852 and No. 223 of 1864, passed under the Imperial Statute 10 and 11 Victoria, chapter 95, provide already for this protection, and it would only seem necessary, in the event of the proposed amended Copyright Act being passed, to repeal those laws and re-enact somewhat similar ones.
I have, &c.
Sir,
ST. LUCIA,
No. 12.
(Signed)
W. H. RENNIE.
Administrator Diel to Governor Rawson, C.B.-(Received November 14.)
Government Office, St. Lucia, October 20, 1873.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Earl of Kimberley's Circular despatch of the 29th of July last, inclosing copy of a despatch addressed by his Lordship to the Governor-General of Canada on the question of Copyright, together with the draft of a Bill to amend the "Copyright Act of 1842," which it is proposed to introduce at an early period of the next session of the Imperial Parliament.
2. In reply I beg to state, for the information of his Lordship, that I have submitted the proposed measure to the Legislative Council, and that they have expressed their entire approval of it. No suggestions occur to me to offer upon the Bill.
I have, &c.
(Signed) MACNAMARA DIEL.
29
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
No. 14.
President Campbell to Governor Sir J. P. Grant, K.C.B.-(Received November 28.) Sir,
Government House, Grand Turk, October 17, 1873. IN continuation of my despatch No. 71, having reference to certain Circular despatches from Downing Street, directing that the Legislature of this Colony should pass certain Ordinances in conformity with instructions from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, I beg to state that, as these Islands will so immediately form part of the Colony of Jamaica, it is undesirable for any action to be taken by the Legislative Council regarding the exemption of transports from port dues, as was directed to be done by Circular despatch.
2. I will keep your Excelleney informed regarding the various Laws or Ordinances which have been suggested to be passed by this Government.
. The following Jamaica Laws, it appears to me. should be extended or made appli-
cable to these Islands by the Jamaica Government on annexation taking place:
"Letters Patent;"
"
Proposed Convention with the German Empire;"
Regarding Friendly Societies ;"
"Regarding Transports not being charged Port Dues in British Colonies;'
Copyright Act of 1872;"
**
"Regarding Property held in Trust by Colonial Bishops."
4. Your Excellency must be aware how helpless) I have been for some time past without the assistance of a Legal Adviser, and though I might have claimed the aid of the Judge to draft the requisite Ordinances, his plea of ill-health when he is most required prevents my doing so.
5. It will be to me a matter of great congratulation when this Colony secures the services of a really efficient Judge. I can assure your Excellency I have had to exercise the greatest self control to prevent bringing matters to a crisis with the Acting Judge. Anything of that sort is to be avoided now that the contemplated changes in the form of this Government are about taking effect.
HONDURAS.
No. 13.
Lieutenant-Governor Cairns to Governor Sir J. P. Grant, K.C.B.-(Received November 14.)
Sir,
Government House, Belize, October 4, 1873.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt, by last month's mail packet, of the Circular (2) despatch dated the 29th July, with which were transmitted a copy of a despatch addressed by Lord Kimberley to the Governor-General of Canada, and the draft of a Bill to amend the Copyright Act of 1842, which it is proposed to introduce early in next Session.
2. The projected legislation in regard to copyright cannot but be beneficial, so far as such a measure would have operation in British Honduras, by greatly increasing the value of any literary work which may be first published in the Colony, and, in the event of the Jocal Legislature remaining inactive under the powers proposed to be given, by leaving undisturbed the prohibition against the importation of foreign reprints of works in which British copyright is subsisting.
3. The Attorney-General, with whose assistance I have considered the subject, is not prepared to offer any suggestion for the improvement of what he rightly characterizes, as I think, a "maturely elaborated scheme."
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. W. CAIRNS.
[472]
I have, &c.
(Signed)
MELFORT CAMPBELL.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
C.O.8
885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO