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the partners were (I take the names from the judgment of Sir Samuel Evans in the "Roland") Louis Wessels, Alexander von Gontard, Johann Smidt, and Gustav Kulenkampff. The business domicile of the last three was New York, and they were German subjects. Mr. Louis Wessels is of course a British subject naturalized in Jamaica. Some time after the commencement of the War the old partnership was dis solved and Mr. Louis Wessels took over the Jamaica business, and later on admitted his nephew as a partner therein. It would be possible for the Governor to act as re- gards Wessels & Nephew under (e) of section 3 of the Alien Enemies (Winding-up) Law, 1916, but as the firm contains as a partner Mr. W. J. Wessels, who is of neutral nationality, the matter requires further consultation with the Secretary of State. The peculiarity of the position is of course that Mr. Louis Wessels is a German in Trinidad, but a British subject in Jamaica. It has always seemed to me that at the beginning of the War measures might usefully have been taken throughout the colonies to cancel the naturalization papers of Germans and Austrians, and to reissue afresh in special cases. Such a course may have been impracticable as regards British certificates of naturalization, but no difficulties would be likely to The Naturalization Act, 1870, is probably arise as regards colonial certificates. operative throughout the world, but the holder of a certificate of naturalization granted in a colony is a British subject only within the limits of that colony, and it seems absurd for a man, as in Mr. Wessels's case, to be an alien in one West Indian island and a British subject in another. If the business were closed Mr. W. J. Wessels might of course open it again in his own name, and await his uncle's returo at the end of the War. The present Imperial policy and continuity of action as regards the procedure adopted in Trinidad would seem to require that the firm be wound up if the presence therein of Mr. W. J. Wessels does not, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, constitute an insuperable difficulty.

4.

As regards paragraph 5 of the despatch, the permanent assets of Messrs. Finke & Company and Messrs. Bruhn & Company have, as far as I am aware, been realized. There was no real estate and no goodwill. There are, however, some outstanding debts, mostly uncollectable, due Finke & Company, and there is merchandise outstanding amounting to £130 and consignments amounting to £17

As regards the property of Bruhn & Company, there has been a final distribu- tion amongst the creditors. Mr. Bruhn's business was that of a ship chandler, and he is not likely to resume it except as an agent of the German Government. Finke & Company might possibly wish to re-enter the rum trade after the War.

5. As regards paragraph 6 of the despatch, there is, so far as I know, nothing to show that German firms in the Colony have attempted to divert cocoa to Hamburg, but in this connexion the Collector-General may be able to give some information as to dealings by Messrs. Wessels & von Gontard.

6. I return herewith the leases of No. 2 railway pier kindly lent me from your office.

14th April, 1916.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL to THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. HONOURABLE Colonial SecreTARY,

E. ST. J. B.

PLEASE see above as to the position of the music warehouse. The business of Mr. Wihan can be wound up under the Alien Enemies (Winding-up) Law, 1916.

E. ST. J. B. 3rd May, 1916.

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2. The business is carried on by one M. C. Dadd, under a power of attorney, dated the 18th of May, 1915, which, being limited to one year, will expire this month. Dadd is a British subject and a Jamaican by birth. Dadd states that the importa- tions are from England and the United States, and that he has no trading with alien enemies.

3. Under the power of attorney Dadd has full control and management of the business, and the banks honour bis name as attorney. Out of the proceeds he pays a certain amount monthly to a lodging-house keeper in South Camp Road for board and lodging for Mrs. Wihan and child. He also makes a weekly allowance to Mrs. Wihan. He pays for clothing, etc., for Wihan, and allows him 158. or 208. weekly, which is to enable Wihan to provide for himself apart from his mess at

Dadd deducts his own salary out of the profits, and lodges the surplus profits in the bank to Wihan's credit, to be paid to him after the War.

4. The value of the stock might reach £1,000.

camp.

5. Mrs. Wihan is a Jamaican by birth, and prior to her marriage was & British subject.

6. If the business is wound up there is no likelihood of its being reopened by any member of the family.

2nd May, 1916.

THE COLLECTor-General, KINGSTON, to THE COLONIAL Secretary,

(Confidential.)

(Nos. 618/754.)

Collector-General's Office,

H. J.

Jamaica, 3rd May, 1916.

SIR,

HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 5227, Secretary of State, 18th February, 1916, dated the 28th ultimo, and, with reference thereto, to attach a memorandum showing the distribution of cocoa exports during the years 1913 and 1914. The principal shippers to Hamburg were Finke Company, Wessels Brothers & von Gontard, Lascelles de Mercado & Company, and J. E. Kerr & Company, and bills of lading were usually drawn to order." The tendency to increase in the case of the French shipments was, I understand, due to preferential treatment in France of direct consignments.

C

2. The Valuation Commissioner published a pamphlet of all properties of fifty acres and upwards on the valuation roll, and revises it from time to time from the dockets of deeds put on record, and a careful scrutiny of this publication shows only two properties capable of producing cocoa as being under taint of German influence, viz., Langley," in St. Andrew, in the hands of Wessels & Nephew, and "Reddington," in St. Mary, held by Wessels & Nephew for Estate Benecken- dorf. Both these properties were taken over for debt, and cultivation on "Langley " is not being increased, while Reddington is practically abandoned.

3. From the foregoing I think it may be accepted that if there was a scheme

to divert cocoa to Hamburg it had not made any headway at the time of the breaking. out of hostilities.

I have, &c..

A. H. MILES,

Collector-General.

Enclosure 2 in No. 173.

THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY-GENERAL to THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Kingston.

(Secretary of State.

Confidential. 18th February, 1916.) HONOURABLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL,

THE business carried on by George Wihan, at 68, King Street, Kingston, is called "The Music Warehouse." He is a dealer in music, pianos, and musical instruments generally. Wihan, a natural born Austrian subject, is the sole pro- prietor, and is and has been an interned prisoner at Up Park Čamp several months.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Kingston.

TIT:

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

885/25

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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