( 50 )
solely in the Governor. The Duke of Buckingham therefore considers it highly important that the coastguard station should be established in the island before or simultaneously with the promulgation of the new form of government.
When these two steps are taken the Governor anticipates no difficulty in obtaining a proper amount at least of taxes, and that he will be able to check the abuses which have occurred in the case of salvage and wrecking.
G. W. Hunt, Esq., M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
No. 14.
(Signed)
I am, &c.,
C. B. ADDERLEY.<
GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAXSE, C.M.G., to HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS.
MY LORD Duke,
(Received February 21, 1868.) Heligoland, 18th February 1868.* WITH reference to paragraph 8 of my despatch of the 22nd of January, I have the honour to inform your Grace that the time is now at hand when the different hotels and spirit shops in Heligoland import from Hamburg, in native vessels, the wines and spirits necessary for their trade.
The delay with the mails baving been considerable lately, I have not had an opportunity of receiving your Grace's decision as to the arrival of a coastguard cutter.
I beg, however, to request of your Grace's kindness that the vessel in question may be despatched as speedily as possible, which will enable me in the easiest possible manner to obtain payment of the import duties on wines and spirits according to law.
I am the more induced to make this request as letters have arrived at the post office addressed H.M. Cutter "Mermaid" at this place.
Within the next 10 days several of our vessels will sail for Hamburg, and probably be returned with the cargoes of spirits within three weeks. It is of the very utmost impor- tance to me to collect this tax, and it would be a simple matter. Under such cicumstances I have thought it my duty to make this application.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) FITZ MAXSE,
To his Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos,
&c.
&c.
&c.
No. 15.
Lieut.-Col., &c.
( 51 )
No. 16.
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS to Governor
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAXSE, C.M.G.
SIR,
•
Downing Street, 3rd April 1868.
In my despatch of the 3rd inst., I informed you that arrangements were in progress for sending out the coastguard men to be stationed at Heligoland, and that I should then be able to apprise you of the views which I have taken of the present state
of affairs in that island.
I have now to acquaint you that the coastguard schooner "Mermaid" will sail in a 1 chief officer few days with the coastguard force stated in the margiu.
mnan
I chief boat-
2 commis-
sioned boatmen
The cost of the establishment will be provided for in the Parliamentary estimate in aid of the expenditure of the Local Government of Heligoland, but it will be necessary that you should provide from among the existing buildings on the island, and without charge to the Imperial Government, a "watch-room," lodgings for the officers and crew, and a 2 boatmen wooden boathouse.
I hope this measure will have the effect of enabling you to put an end to the lawless 6 practice of salvage and wrecking which has so long existed at Heligoland and neigh- bouring coasts, and of maintaining order amongst the large number of English fishing- smacks which now resort to the island.
But the internal state of the island has likewise engaged my serious attention; your late despatches have convinced me that the representative institutions which were granted in 1864 are wholly unsuitable to the character and disposition of the inhabitants, and that so long as the Combined Court exists, it will not be in your power to impose any taxation, however small, nor to maintain an orderly administration of government.
Her Majesty's Government have, therefore, determined that a simpler form of govern- ment shall be established, and that the power of legislation shall henceforward be vested solely in the Governor. I have the honour to transinit to you an order of Her Majesty the Queen in Council, bearing date the 29th of February last, making provision for the government of the Island of Heligoland and declaring the powers of the Governor there- of, together with a Commission appointing you to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the island, and instructions under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet.
At the earliest opportunity which you think suitable after the receipt of this despatch, which will be conveyed by the "Mermaid," you will take the necessary measures for publishing the Order in Council in the most authentic manner, and to issue at the same time a proclamation naming the date from and after which it is to take effect.
You will have the goodness to inform me at your early convenience of the receipt of this despatch, and of the steps which you may have taken in consequence.
I have, &c. BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS.
(Signed)
Governor Lieutenant-Colonel Maxse,
}
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS to GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAXSE, C.M.G.
SIR,
. Downing Street, 3rd March 1868.
I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches of the 22nd January and of the 18th ult., the former reporting that the dissolution of the Combined Court had resulted in a return of 10 out of the 12 members who have habitually resisted the Government; that their first meeting was a scene of great disorder, the members disowning the present Constitution, and declaring taxation unnecessary.
In the latter despatch you request that a coastguard cutter may be sent to Heligoland, to enable you to obtain payment of the import duties on wines and spirits which will shortly be imported from Hamburg, and which could not be collected without such assistance.
I have the satisfaction to inform you that H.M.S. "Argus "has been ordered to proceed immediately to Heligoland, and that she will remain there till the arrangements for sending out the coastguard men to be established on the island are completed, which, I hope, will be effected in a short time, when I shall be able likewise to inform you of the views which I have taken of the present state of affairs in Heligoland.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS.
&c.
&c.
(Enclosure in No. 16.)
ORDER of the QUEEN IN COUNCIL making provision for the Government of the Island of Heligoland,
and declaring the Powers of the Governor thereof, dated 29th February 1868.
At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 29th day of February 1868.
Present:
The Queen's most Excellent Majesty in Council.
Lord Chancellor.
Lord President.
Lord Steward.
Sir J. Pakington, Bart.
Mr. Disraeli.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer.
WHEREAS Her Majesty did, by a certain Order in Council dated the 7th day of January 1864, Recites pre- amongst other things, make temporary provision for the Government of the Island of Heligoland, and vious Order declare the powers of the Governor thereof, and did thereby order that the said Order in Council in Council, should remain in force for five years from the date of the proclamation thereof in the said island, 7th January
1864.
• No. 12.
† Nor. 12 and 14.
89493.
• No. 15.
H
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
mwim.............C.O. 885
4
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.