CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 155

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Bargash thereupon assured Mr. Drummond Hay that the Lighthouse would be built solely at the expense of the Moorish Government but that the French Engineer would be allowed

to fix the site and form of the building.

As there were no vessels sailing under the Moorish

flag, and as the Moorish Government had little or no

interest in maintaining the light, except with a view of

complying with the demands of the French and Spanish

Governments Mr. Drummond Hay had very little confidence

in the future regular maintenance of the light, if the

Sultan had to pay all the expenses after the tower had

been built.

Mr. Drummond Hay reminded Lord J. Russell that

in 1852 he had suggested to Her jeety's Government

that he should be directed in concert with his Foreign

colleagues to urge the Moorish Goverment to allow that

a lighthouse should be b11 on Cape Spartel, and that

all Foreign Goverments who had Representatives in

Morocco should subscribe anmially a sufficient sum to

defray the expenses of the light. He was of opinion

that it would be desirable to revert to this plan, and

that

that an understanding should be come to with other

Governments on the subject, as it would not only

of having the

check any intention that might exist

light under the control of any particular nation, but

What was more important, it would ensure the regular

maintenance of the light, and though the Moorish

Goverment might retain the sole right of appointing

Moors to guard the property, one or two Europeans

could be selected by the subscribing Governments to

superintena the light.

The Board of Trude concurred in thinking the

establishment of the Light of great importance so

British Trade but they did not consider that there was

any immediate necessity for Her Majesty's Government

to take any steps in the matter. It was und uttedly

of importance that the light should be of such a

character as to be distinguished from the neighbouring

lights, but they were of opinion that this object

was ot likely to be lost sight of by the French and

Spanish Authorities at whose instance and by whose

advice the Moorish Goverlet appear to be acting. It

Was also of importance that the Light when completed,

sho::ld