CO129-211 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [8-9] — Page 187

3.

182

For Britannic Majestys Exequatur. On inqurring at the Tarbour Master's office. as is the origin

of she practice complained of I was referred by the

master to section is four

Tof the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1879 as authority for collecting the fee. It will be seen that this section of the Ordinance directs the Fagbour "Master to charge for every seaman shipped a fee of $10

my opinion this means for every seaman shipped at the Tarbour Master's office. The word "fee implies a compensation

but in

hany.

or reward for a service rendered

on

a

distinguished from a tax

which is a ourden or

charge

imposed for the support of Government without reference to a

any benefit to the party paying it. There can be no propriety in the Harbour Master charging a bee for

work done

I

by ine. I do not

think it was the intention. of the ordinance to deprive Consul

in this Salony one o of the right to discharge then principal functions_shipping

Craws

for

FA Merchant ships

of their countries. Section 5

must have been intended

chert