CO129-462 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [7-10] — Page 287

Enclosure 1.

276.

C

Hon. Colonial Secretary,

The true facts of this case are as follows:-

On receipt of a telegram from the Indian Govern- ment dated 23rd December, 1919, (copy attached), Captain Taylour, R.N., the Harbour Master, allowed the sale of this steamer to a firm in Calcutta, named F. Gaebele & Co. on the supposition that it was a registered company. This sale was completed on December 29th, 1919, without declaration of ownership having been received at this Port, which should have been preliminary to the transaction. Some doubt appears

to have been entertained as to the status of this company, and a further telegram was despatched to Calcutta. A copy of reply, (copy attached), shows that the firm was not regis-

tered and therefore was not entitled to own a British ship.

Then certain elterations were made in the Re-ister by consent

of H.E. the Governor on the 10th May, 1920, which was then

altered so as to make the partners in the firm of Gaebele &

Co. individual owners, although one of which Frederic Jaebele

is a Frenchman and therefore not eligible to own a British

ship. On June 17th 1920 the declaration of ownership arrived

signed by Frederic Gaebele for Frederic Gaebele & Co. So the

position is that this ship for the reasons given has been improperly sold to persons not entitled to own a British ship.

C. W. Beckwith,

sd.

Harbour Master,

28th August, 1920.