6035.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
CO. 885
12 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
1
MY LORD,
No. 293.
(CYPRUS.)
LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
We were honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Wingfield's
Royal Courts of Justice, 10th April 1883. letter of the 30th ultimo, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to request that we would furnish your Lordship with our opinion as to whether it would be competent for the Legislative Council of Cyprus to enact as part of an ordinance to regulate inquiries into wrecks, and to provide for the custody and disposal of wrecked property, the draft clause (enclosed) giving the Supreme Court of that island juris- diction in salvage claims for services rendered on the high seas.
That the island of Cyprus, which then formed an integral part of the Ottoman Em- pire, was, by the Anglo-Turkish Convention of the 4th June 1878, assigned by the Sultan to be occupied and administered by England.
That by a supplementary agreement of the 14th August 1878, it was delared that the Sultan, in so assigning Cyprus, had transferred to and vested in Her Majesty the Queen, for the term of the occupation, and no longer, full power for making laws and conventions for the government of the island in Her Majesty's name, and for the regulation of its commercial and consular relations and affairs free from the Porte's control.
That provision was first made for the government of the island under the British occupation by an Order in Council of the 14th of September 1878, and that so much of that Order as related to the Legislative Council was repealed by an Order of the 30th November last making fresh provision on the subject.
That the Supreme Court referred to in the draft clause was established by another Order in Council of the 30th of November last.
That copies of all the documents referred to in Mr. Wingfield's letter were enclosed as specified in the margin.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have the honour to
Report
Anglo-Turkisi
(c. 3087) Con- vention 4/6/71. Declaration of
14 Aug. 1878.
(0.249.)
O. in C. 14 Sept.
1878.
0. in C. 30 Nov.
1882.
O. in 0.30 Nov.
That we are of opinion that it would not be competent for the Legislative Council 190 of Cyprus to enact the draft clause submitted to us. Its provisions appear to us not
66
to be necessary for the peace, order, or good government of the Island of Cyprus."
We have, &c.,
(Signed) HENRY JAMES.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby,
&o.
&c.
&c.
▲ 12916.-10. 25.-12/64.
FARRER HERSCHELL,