CO885(3-4) — Page 112

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

c.o.

Reference -

885

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

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Their duties are very irksome, and cannot be declined.

Under an Order of the 5th of September, 1705, the Wardsmen are to have the supervision of the inhabitants in their respective wards, to see that the streets are kept orderly and clean, and take charge of the public funds.

The Wardsmen discharge the duties of Cassen. meister, or Treasurer, each, in his turn, for one

year.

They receive a salary of 19s. per annum, and a double share of "pilot money."

Elders.

There are sixteen; all elected by the Council,

but not in pursuance of any law.

They are properly the officers of the pilots, whom

they select in their turn to go off with them to ships

in distress; and they specially supervise the con-

duct of the pilots who are engaged in saving stranded property.

Their salary is 68. 9d. per annum, with a double share of "pilot money."

Pilotage has so completely gone out of the hands of the Heligolanders, that there is but little occasion for regulating that branch of industry; and this establishment of sixteen officers is, there- fore, thought unnecessary. The only real import- ance of the Elders consists in their being members of the Representative body. But their influence and authority have gradually become so weakened as to be merely nominal and when occasionally deputed to take charge of a stranded vessel, on board of which there is valuable property, they can no longer restrain its plunder, because there are absolutely no means of punishing anybody. All the institutions, rules, regulations, ancient customs, and laws, are, in truth, thoroughly relaxed; and those who are appointed to enforce them are afraid

to act.

;

• The earnings of the pilots are distributed in certain fixed proportions, according to law.

て

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Cassenmeister, or Treasurer.

The Cassenmeister is elected annually by the Wardamen from themselves, and holds his office for one year. He receives and disburses all the income and expenditure of the commune, and sees to every- thing that must be paid for. He gives no security.

Of his own authority he can only disburse very small sums for services ordered by some superior authority.

For every expenditure amounting to 21., he must have the distinct sanction of the Council; and any

expenses above that amount must be approved by

the whole of the Representatives, or Vorsteher- schaft.

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The ordinary income of the commune is very

small, and consists—

?

1. Of the rent of a few acres of land belonging

to the public.

2. Of the payments received for the licenses

granted to transient traders.

3. Of one-tenth of the net profits of the bathing establishment.

4. Of the rent paid by the lessee of the Assembly Rooms, amounting to 2401, per annum; and,

5. Of the premium paid for the use of the play- room during the bathing season: in all about 1,7004 or 1,8001.

This last income has varied from year to year.

This year it is to be 1,2004, the highest sum which

bas

yet

been obtained from that source. That income is applied--

1. To the payment of the interest on the public

debt, amounting to about 5,4001.

2. To the repair of the Assembly Rooms.

3. To the payment of salaries and of the night watoli.

4. To the erection of buildings and payment of workmen.

The accounts are audited, before the Treasurer goes out of office, by two members of each body of

the Representatives, and certified by them. After such audit, the accounts should, according to Von

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