Cowes Letter Collector to Board 1906 - 1908A partial transcription from the Book held in the National Archives reference CUST61/60 Transcribed entries are in Black, entries in Blue relate to other material included the Book, which has not specifically been transcribed. Entries in Italics reflect some degree of uncertainty. Unless otherwise stated the Letters are signed by Collector, A H Drumgoole.
7 September 1906 The “Saxon” came into Harbour at St Helens at 3am yesterday, and as I had been advised on the previous evening by the Chief Officer of Coast Guard of her arrival off the Harbour, I despatched the Preventive Officer and a Preventive Man by the first train yesterday at 8.45 am. The Vessel was rummaged inwards and the whole of the Ore for St Helens landed soon after 6pm yesterday, the officers returning by the 7.30 train from that place and returning home at 9pm. The Charges are: Two Excursion Return Fares Cowes to St Helens and vice versa @ 3/- each 6 – 0 Subsistence Preventive Officer 1 day 2 – 6 Subsistence Preventive Man 1 day 1 – 3 Day Pay Preventive Officer recovered 7 – 0 Day Pay Preventive Man recovered 4 – 4 £1 – 1 – 1 I have made the Charge for Day Pay as both Officers were away from their Station, and their whole day was taken up on the Applicant’s account.
7 September 1906 The Collector was informed was informed that the Board had written to the Office of Works stating that it considered no changes to the existing Custom House accommodation at Cowes was necessary.
13 September 1906 Memorandum from the Accountant and Comptroller General It is observed that W Pearce, Extraman was employed continuously from 13 July to 11 August with the exception of three Sundays, a total of 27 days. It is requested that the Board’s sanction may be obtained for this employment as Sundays off cannot be held to be a break sufficient to avoid an infringement of Par. 351 of the Establishment Code.
14 September 1906 To enable for me to provide for the leave of Officers of this Establishment during July and August, I employed W Pearce as a Casual Extraman from 13 July to 11 August, both inclusive, with three breaks of one day each in his service during that period – namely on Sundays 15 July, 22 July and 5 August. I was under the impression that to break the employment of Casual Extramen in this manner was to comply with the Regulations set forth on the subject in Par. 351 of the Establishment Code, but it appears from observations by the Accountant and Comptroller General on the accounts for this port for the month of August, I must have been in error in taking this view. I beg, therefore, that your Honours will be pleased to sanction the employment of Pearce for the 27 days in question, and I will in future govern myself by the Interpretation of the Regulations as laid down. (Approval was given on 17 February.)
18 September 1906 T M Lewis, Second Officer and Acting Collector applied for 4 days sick leave on behalf of the Collector with Mr Parsons, Preventive Officer, Lower Section acting in his place as Second Officer. A further 12 days were subsequently requested on 22 September, with a further 6 on 5 October. The reason is not stated. All applications were approved by the Board.
24 September 1906 I beg to submit for your Honours favourable consideration an application from Alfred S Cassell, Preventive Man at this Port for the position of Preventive Man in Charge at Itchenor. Cassell has a little over fourteen years service, eleven of which have been at this Port. He is a steady, reliable and willing Officer and performs his duty in a satisfactory and intelligent manner, and would, I have no doubt soon qualify himself for the duties of the office to which he seeks to be appointed. As I do not have access to the Record of Ages and Capacities I beg a reference to the last return for Cassell’s character. (Signed by T M Lewis, Acting Collector.)
24 September 1906 The Watch House is necessary and suitable for the accommodation of Waterguard Officers at this Port, and so far as I know the sanitary arrangements are satisfactory. The Preventive Officer’s Office was painted last year, and both it and the Preventive men’s room are now in good order. I submit, however that gas or electric light should be substituted for the present arrangement of lighting by oil lamps. (Signed by T M Lewis, Acting Collector.)
25 September 1906 C A Fry, Preventive Man given an Increment from £1 – 12 – 4 and 1/- star allowance per week to £1 – 13 – 0 and 1/- star allowance per week from 1 October.
28 September 1906 The gas main runs beside the Watch House, and the electric light is about forty yards away. I enclose a letter received this morning from the gas manager from which it will be seen that gas could be laid on and the necessary fittings put in for £1 – 15 – 0. The electric light manager promised to let me have an estimate of the cost for putting in electric light, but so far has not done so. I do not think, however, that it could possibly be done cheaper than the estimate given for gas. (Signed by T M Lewis, Acting Collector.)
18 October 1906 L Daly, Assistant given an Increment from £80 to £85 from 5 December & W H Finley, Probationary Preventive Man from £1 – 1 – 2 per week to £1 – 2 – 8 per week from 11 November. A J H Titheridege granted a second star.
22 October 1906 On the 16 Instant I received a telegraphic advice from the Chief Officer of Coastguard at Bembridge that the barge “Lord Wolsley” had arrived there to discharge a cargo of bricks from Ostend. I sent the Preventive Officer, with one Preventive Man, by the next train to rummage the vessel inwards, and on the application of the broker, lodged in my hands late the same day, have allowed the cargo of bricks to be discharged at St Helens, a place not approved for the landing of goods from foreign, under the supervision of Chief Officer of Coastguard. The cargo was all out on the 20 Instant on which day the Preventive Officer, with one Preventive Man, again journeyed to St Helens, and cleared the barge inwards. I now state my proceedings and a statement of the expenses incurred, for your Honours approval. No intimation of the vessel’s expected arrival at the East of the Island had been conveyed to me and no application made for permission to discharge the cargo at this unapproved place, and consequently when the Master reached here on the Evening of 16 instant, to report inwards, I called upon him for an explanation of his conduct and took a deposit of £1 from him to abide by your Honours decision. He represent that his action was not wilful, and it is for your Honours consideration whether a small portion of his deposit should be retained to mark the irregularity on his part in not bringing his vessel to the nearest Boarding Station. 22 October 1906 In reporting to your Honours on 25 November 1905 on the establishment of a Motor Launch for permanent service at this port, I raised the question of the possible necessity to provide a small dinghy, about 10 or 12 feet in length, to enable the motor-man to ferry himself to and from the launch at her moorings in the Harbour. The launch “Nimble” has now been in commission since the beginning of last April, and I am under the necessity of begging that your Honours may be pleased to sanction the purchase of such a dinghy, as it has been found in practice that the only boat now available for the purpose indicated, the boarding punt, an old and heavy craft 16 feet in length, is unsuitable for the work. She cannot be managed by one hand, and put alongside “Nimble” especially in rough weather, with safety, and as the Winter is approaching when the duty of hanging the riding light each evening must be performed by the Watchman who is on duty by himself alone after 4pm, the provision of a lighter boat, within the capacity of one hand to manage is absolutely necessary. The Superintending Engineer was at this port inspecting “Nimble” on the 17 instant, and I took the opportunity of submitting the question to his judgement. I mentioned also to Mr Travis that Messrs. Clare Lallow, the builders of “Nimble”, has in stock two boats of precisely the class and dimensions required – one built of spruce, the other of elm, and I submit details of the former which I would recommend the purchase in preference to the elm boat. I believe that one will (with due care and oversight) last as long as the other (say 15 years) and it is essential that the boat provided should be as light as is compatible with strength and safety as, at dead low water, she will have to occasionally be carried out of the Watch House yard to the launching place at the water’s edge. The spruce boat is, of course, much lighter than that built of elm, but they are in dimension, equipment and price identical. Specification of Dinghy built by Mr Clare Lallow in 1905 Length 10 feet Breadth 4 feet Material Spruce (fitted with top strake and thwarts of teak) Bottom Board Elm How fastened Copper Stern and Keelband (Continuous) Iron Rudder Teak Price £11 – 11 – 0, to include one pair of paddles and one pair of gun metal crutches. Has been built and in stock for eighteen months and it thoroughly seasoned. (It was agreed by the Board that the dinghy could be purchased.)
22 October 1906 Having, as directed by your Honors, considered the probable cost of making a tour of the coast of this Island under the conditions set forth in the circular of the 15 instant, I beg to report that I estimate the approximate cost of making such visits as £8 – 14 – 0 and the number of days necessary at 4. The complete circuit of the Island taken at high water and excluding the coasts of Bembridge Harbour, Wootton Creek, Cowes Harbour and Newtown River is 60 miles. I should add, however, that if, as I recommend might be done, the whole of the North coast of the Island were visited and inspected by means of the motor launch maintained at this port, the cost of the tour would be reduced by, I estimate, £2 – 15 – 0 (less, of course, the cost of petrol). “Nimble” can, under suitable weather conditions, be used with perfect safety for the purpose. I have myself travelled from Bembridge, at the extreme East of the Island, to Yarmouth at the West, and she could be utilised to go as much further West as Totland.
25 October 1906 I beg to submit the enclosed application from Mr Lawrence Daly, Assistant at this port, for transfer at his own expence to Bristol or any other large English or Welsh Outport on the occurance of a suitable vacancy. Mr Daly was appointed here, on probation, on 5 December 1903 and confirmed in his appointment in December 1904. He has, consequently been under my survey for nearly three years, and I have a very high opinion of him and a most industrious, zealous and reliable young Officer, exemplary in his conduct and deserving of consideration. His opportunities for learning the particular duties of his grade are necessarily limited at a port of this character, and, believing that with a wider range of experience he would become an even more useful Officer than at present and that such a transfer would therefore be for the benefit of both the Service and himself, I submit his request for your Honours favourable consideration. (In January 1907 he was offered a post at Manchester but turned it down as he wished to be transferred to a large port on the coast.)
1 November 1906 Yesterday I received a telephone message from the Chief Officer of Coast Guard at Ventnor that a person coming from the Chilean vessel “Zeno”, Hull to Valparaiso coal laden, had been intercepted by the Coast Guard Watchman and found to be in possession of a small amount of Tobacco. The person in question was being detained in the Coast Guard watch room, and I conversed with him over the telephone as to the circumstance. He represented himself to be the pilot who brought the “Zero” down from Hull, and gave his name as Daniel Sullivan of 30 Church Road, Seaforth, Liverpool, adding that the Master of the Steamer had given him the Tobacco. Looking to the remoteness of the Station; the difficulty of learning whether Sullivan had any standing as a pilot; and the small quantity of Tobacco landed; I took upon myself to act in contravention to your Honours’ Regulations as to attempted smuggling by pilots, and, after learning that the Coast Guard Officer had weighed the Tobacco and found it to be 14 oz. of Cavendish, directed him to release Sullivan on the latter making a deposit of 16s 7d, treble the duty paid value. This has been received from the Chief Officer today, and brought to account as a deposit, and I have also received from him the seized Tobacco. I submit these proceedings for any for any directions your Honours may see fit to issue thereon. (The Board confirmed the Seizure, ordered that the deposit be brought to account as a fine and asked the Collector Liverpool to make further enquiry as his status as a pilot. This was subsequently done, he was confirmed as a pilot and the Board waived any further action, but did refer the Matter to Trinity House. There is considerable further correspondence on this matter, which is not transcribed, as the pilot subsequently disputed whether the Tobacco was duty free. The Board did not accept this, but said that if he could produce evidence they would repay the penalty. This does not appear to have happened.)
1 November 1906 Seizure made on 27 October 1906 of 11/100 proof Gallons of Brandy by William Moses, Commissioned Coastguard Boatman, Bembridge from William Mursell, fisherman, Bembridge and Daniel Cawse. Labourer, Brading. The goods were being brought ashore in an open boat from a vessel lying in Bembridge Roads. No proceedings.
14 November 1906 On the 10 instant a small Norwegian sailing vessel “Primus”, 54 tons net register, stranded at Brighstone, on the South West coast of this Island while on a voyage from Bergen to L’Orient and Douarnenez laden with 704 Barrels of cods roe. On the 11 instant (Sunday last) 100 barrels of the cargo were taken out of her and brought round on the deck of the tug “Malta” to the legal quay at this port, where on application of the agent, I allowed them to be examined and delivered out of charge. On the 12 instant the vessel having been lightened by the removal of the above mentioned 100 packages, and pumped out, she was got afloat and brought round here. The rest of the cargo has been discharged and stored preliminary to repairs being effected, the discharge being completed this morning. Having, therefore, allowed foreign cargo to be worked on a Sunday in circumstances which are shewn above to have been urgent, I submit the proceedings for your information and approval as directed by Importation Code Paragraph 449 (j). (Approval was subsequently given.)
17 November 1906 I beg to report that William Henry Finley appointed to this port as Preventive Man by your Honours Order of 2 November 1905 and admitted to you on 11 November 1905 has now completed the twelve month’s probation prescribed by your Honors Order. He has been absent from duty for four days by leave during the period of probation. I have to report that Finley’s conduct has been quite satisfactory throughout the whole period. He has performed all the work required of him, and shewn himself apt and intelligent in acquiring a knowledge of duties of his office. I therefore feel justified in recommending to your Honours that he should be confirmed in his appointment. (His appointment was confirmed.)
29 November 1906 On the 25 instant the Ketch “Daring”, 47 tons net register, arrived here from Guernsey with a cargo of hewn and broken granite in bulk and granite siftings in bags which, in the application of the broker, I have allowed to be discharged at the Town Quay here, a place not approved for the discharge of goods from foreign. No charges have been incurred. The Town Quay is but a short distance from the Watch House and the discharge was supervised, and the vessel visited, by the Waterguard Officers in the ordinary course of their duties. (Approval was subsequently given.)
18 December 1906 Having in obedience to your Honours’ Order of 14 instant summoned before me W Hodge, nominated to the Office of Preventive Man, I beg to report that the candidate presented himself this morning, but that I am unable to proceed to his examination etc. pending your Honours further directions, as I find that he attained the age of 20 on 18 October last. He states, however, that his nomination had been secured by Mr Godfrey Baring, Member of Parliament for this constituency, before that date, and I beg to be informed whether, under such circumstances, Hodge may be regarded as eligible for examination and appointment. I might add that in physique, address and apparent intelligence, Hodge would seem to be a desirable recruit. (The Collector was informed that the Treasury had approved the Nomination and he should proceed with the examination. Hodge subsequently passed the examination and was appointed a Preventive Man at Weymouth.)
20 December 1906 Collector was informed that the Collector at Southampton had issued a transire to the Barge “Carrier” for a trip to St Helens (and Cowes if necessary). The Cargo was a Railway Engine and coaches.
5 January 1907 T M Lewis, Clerk Class II Upper Section was given an increment from 1 January from £240 to £250.
10 January 1907 I beg to request that six Badges may be supplied for fitting on the Motor Launch and two Boats at this Port. (Signed by T M Lewis, Acting Collector.)
16 January 1907 In accordance with your Honours directions I beg to report that the Royal Arms are not displayed over the entrance to this Custom House – which is provided by His Majesty’s Office of Works. I beg also to say that I do not consider that the Royal Arms should be so displayed at this Port. The Customs Offices here are on the upper floor of the building part of the ground floor of which is used as a stationer’s shop, the remainder of the premises constituting the local Post Office and Postmaster’s residence, The entrance by which the staircase leading to our office is approached is not in a main street, but down a waterside lane, and a narrow board set at an angle from the main wall, and inscribed “Custom House” takes up all the room available over the doorway.
21 January 1907 I submit to your Honours favourable consideration, an application by Messrs. W B Mew Langton Limited of Cowes and Newport I W for remission of the duty on a chargeable loss of 3 gallons arising on a pipe of Port Wine n.e. 42°, cleared by them for home consumption ex their Bonded Warehouse No. 4 at this Port on the 10 instant. I was absent of that date at Ryde, on Wreck service, but, in submitting a report of the circumstances by Mr T M Lewis, Examining Officer, who dipped the cask pro Surveyor, beg to say that from my personal experience of the Warehouse, and observation of the pipe in question, the excessive loss was undoubtedly due to conditions in the Warehouse. There is no question whatever as to any fraudulent dealing with the package, for the Warehouse is never open but in the charge of an Officer. (The Board approved remission of duty and Mew Langton wrote a letter that they “appreciate the actions of the Honourable Board in remitting the duty”.)
23 January 1907 In compliance with your letter of the 16th Inst. I have this day forwarded by the London and South Western Railway Company the series of Collector’s Letter Books embracing the periods 1749 to 1829, excepting those for the periods April 1759 to June 1764 and March 1774 to December 1778 which are missing.
2 February 1907 The Collector, on the instructions from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and the Board was asked to examine and measure E A Biddlecombe of Brooklyn, Mill Hill Road, Cowes who had been nominated as a Preventive Man. This was carried out after a query about his age, which resulted from incorrect information from the Board. He was subsequently appointed to Weymouth.
2 February 1907 The Collector was informed that a contract had been placed with Messrs. J S White and Co, East Cowes by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to build and Ocean Going Destroyer for the Royal Navy, H.M.S. “Saracen”.
13 February 1907 The Collector requested protective clothing for the Preventive Man operating the Motor Launch. This was agreed by the Board.
18 February 1907 The Acting Collector, T M Lewis, provided details of Books of Receipt held, Duty Slip Books – 17, Request and Receipt Books (R & R) – 2 and Receipt Books for Registry Fees – 3.
20 February 1907 As directed by the Circular of the 15 January 1906, I beg to report the receipt at this Port from Messrs. Hebbert and Co. Ltd, of the undermentioned articles of uniform clothing which do not bear the usual marks signifying that they have been inspected at the Royal Army Clothing Department. For A J H Titheridge, Preventive Man Vest Cap (The Board instructed that the uniform should be returned for approval. They were returned on 8th March.)
25 February 1907 I beg to report that towards 5pm on the 18th instant a fire broke out in a dwelling house in Medina Road in this Town, which speedily spread to adjacent waterside premises, doing a great deal of damage. It raged for some hours, and although the wind was off shore at the time, the flames approached so closely to the Western wall of Bonded Warehouses Nos. 1 & 2 that there seemed to be a possibility of those premises being involved. Men had been landed from the warships lying in the Roads and Harbour, to assist the local fire brigades, and it is said (though the uproar and confusion prevailing at the time were such that no certainty in the point seems possible) that a naval officer in command of one of these parties gave orders to break open the doors of No. 1 Warehouse and remove the goods stored therein. This was done, and the whole of the contents of the Warehouse (344 cases and 35 casks of Wine and Spirit) very hastily transferred to an empty store on the opposite side of the Medina Wharf. Mr F J Parsons, Preventive Officer Lower Section, and some of the Preventive Men at the Port were on the scene as spectators of the fire, and Mr Parsons at once assumed charge of the operation of removal and temporary storage. Mr T M Lewis, acting as Collector in my absence (I was on leave until the morning of the 19th instant) arrived and took matters in hand, and when the removal etc. had been completed a Crown Lock as affixed to the door of the store and Officers placed in charge of the premises through the night. By the morning of the 19 Instant the fire had been got under control and, as there was no longer any danger to the Bonded Warehouse, the casks and cases were removed from their temporary storage and re-stored. Every package shewn by the Registers to be in stock was produced, and a careful and thorough examination having been made by the local Officers and myself, of each cask and case in the Warehouse, they have all been found to be correct, with the single exception of a case of plain British Spirit from which the lid had been wrenched and a bottle extracted. Duty has been paid on the contents of this bottle, and I now furnish this account of proceedings for your Honours information. In doing so I think it is my duty to commend Mr Parsons for the intelligence and initiative which he displayed in dealing with the situation with such readiness and thoroughness as effectually prevented the plundering and irregularities which might otherwise, in the darkness, crowding and confusion so easily occurred. I beg also to add that, as the results reported above show, the promptitude and efficiency of the arrangements made by Mr Lewis when he became aware of the circumstances, and had to deal with them, left nothing to be desired.
27 February 1907 All yachts (which are presumably the “private craft” referred to by Mr Courtnay (Commissioner of Customs) ) inward at this Port are boarded by the Waterguard Officers. Those of British nationality are also rummaged, but foreign yachts are not so dealt with, the Officers merely putting the health questions and delivering the Stores Notice No. 470, and that as to dogs which are prohibited by paragraph 414 of the Importation Code. Yachts arriving coastwise are not, in ordinary circumstances, boarded by the Waterguard Officers. It happens sometimes that the seals on Surplus Stores on such vessels may require inspection, or the Officers may visit with some question as to Light Dues etc. but the greater number of the yachts which come here off the coast require, and receive, no visit.
9 March 1907 The general routine of Waterguard duty at this port was definitively established by your Honours Order of 4 October 1905 and there are no subsidiary Orders affecting the practice. Under the scheme drawn up by the Inspecting Surveyor the following arrangements were approved: Sundays Preventive Officer is not on duty but makes disciplinary visit two out of every three Sundays, and after making the visit is “on call” for boarding duty. On every third Sunday he is entirely relieved from liability for any duty whatsoever by the employment of a Preventive Man in Charge. Three Preventive Men are in attendance as Watchmen from midnight of Saturday to midnight on Sunday (in three watches of eight hours each) and, as the duty of Sunday boarding etc. is shared among these three men only, two preventive Men are entirely free on each Sunday. The man who has taken the 0/8 am watch and the one liable for the 4 pm/0 watch are called out by the Watchman on duty from 8 am to 4 pm should a vessel arrive requiring attention during that period, and similarly the Watchman from 4 pm to midnight would call out the men who had taken the two preceding Sunday watches. Weekdays On Week days actual attendance for boarding etc purposes is given by Waterguard Officers as follows:- Preventive Officer 9 am to 4 pm 1 Preventive Man (Watch) Midnight to 8 am 1 Preventive Man (Watch) 8 am to 4 pm 1 Preventive Man (Watch) 4 pm to Midnight 1 Preventive Man (Driving Launch) 8.30 am to 4 pm *1 Preventive Man 9 am to 2 pm (* This is partially in consideration of this Officer having to come in again at midnight following, for the watch 0/8am, and by rotation of this daily relief among the 4 Preventive Men who keep watches a weekly margin of about 3 hours is secured to each man, so that in the event of unexpected work at the end of the week calling for late attendance it is ensured that a total of 48 hours duty for each man is not exceeded.) After 4 pm the only Officers actually in attendance are the Watchmen who came on duty at that hour and at midnight, remaining on watch until midnight and 8 am respectively. Rummaging etc. is not undertaken after 10 pm, but until that hour the Preventive Officer (or Senior Preventive Man – see details below) and two Preventive Men are “on call”, and it the event of a vessel coming in for boarding etc. the Watchman calls out the Preventive Officer, the Preventive Man driving the launch (in certain circumstances) and, if necessary, another Preventive Man. Should the arrival be of an unimportant character and the weather fine enough to allow of the launch being merely moored to the visiting vessel without risk, the Watchman and the launch driver only would go off with the Preventive Officer to rummage etc. and the third Preventive Man would not be called out. It follows therefore, that although all 5 Preventive Men are on duty daily, 3 of them merely give 8 hours attendance each, and at the conclusion of such period of attendance are free from liability to call. As regards the other two, one has given only five hours attendance in the day of the evening of which he is liable to call, and the second is the Launch Driver who does not share the watch, but usually gives regular daily attendance, as shown above of 7½ hours, between 8.30 am and 4 pm. As to the Preventive Officer, I have during the last few months, instituted and arrangement of the duties by which he and the Senior Preventive Man are secured periodical relief from liability to call between 4 pm and 10 pm. Every alternate week charge of the boarding duty is entrusted to the Senior Preventive Man (who is also the launch driver and has, therefore, as shewn, all his evenings free from any obligation as Watchman), and the Preventive Officer signing off at 4 pm is relieved from the necessity for further attendance until the next morning. The Senior Preventive Man is similarly relieved in alternate weeks by the allotment of the evening boarding (if any) and an arrangement that the boarding shall be done by the rowing boat. It will be seen from these details that no compensation, either in money or time, is afforded to officers who are “on call” for Waterguard duties.
16 March 1907 The Advising Officer sought and received approval for payment for accounts in respect of the Launch “Nimble”: Mitcham Motor Company Ltd Steam Roller ) £11 – 3 – 6 Spare Accumulator ) Fitting and Repairing ) tail-end shaft & propeller ) Brown Brothers Ltd Tools ) £1 – 17 – 3 15 Newman Street Volt Meter ) Oxford Street London W
20 March 1907 During the year to 31 December 1906 the following “calls” were made on the Waterguard Officers at this Port:
The amount of Overtime earned by these Officers on Sundays was:
4 April 1907 Extra remuneration during 1906 in their Official capacity by officers of all grades.
4 April 1907 F J Parsons, Preventive Officer given an Increment from £120 to £125 from 9 April.
20 April 1907 The barque “Canna”, Official Number 85112, 429 net register tonnage, is at present loading at this Port a cargo of general goods for conveyance to the Cacos Islands, and application has been made to me to allow the shipment by her, among other goods, of about 8 or 10 cwts. of Manufactured Tobacco under bond. This I have, with reference to Section 1 of the Manufactured Tobacco Act, 1863, refused, and the agent of the owner of the ship and Islands has thereupon addressed to me the enclosed letter, which I submit for any directions your Honours may think fit to issue, observing that no facilities for weighing tobacco exist at this Port. (The Board replied by telegram allowing the application.)
30 April 1907 A series of seizure of Tobacco (amounts not specified) made on 29 April from George Burnop, William Hewitt and James A Bowden, Engineers accompanying the new Norwegian steamer “Eir” from Newcastle upon Tyne on behalf of the Builders of her first trip. Illegally landed when leaving the steamer at Ventnor and detected by James Mundell, Commissioned Boatman of the Coastguard at Ventnor. Offenders were allowed to deposit treble the duty paid value (the first two 11s 11d and the last 8s 9d). Seizures were confirmed and deposit brought to account.
1 May 1907 I beg to report that on 24 March last the steamship “Marina”, property of the Royal Mail Company, sailed hence for Rio de Janeiro, the Master failing to clear outwards in respect of the cargo shipped at this Port. The vessel appears to have been cleared for her South American voyage at London, but brought up in the Roads here on the afternoon of the date specified (a Sunday), and a Customs Launch built for the Brazilian Government by Messrs. Thorneycroft and Co., of Southampton, was towed from that Port alongside the “Marina”, and shipped on the deck of that vessel, which proceeded on her voyage immediately afterwards. The specification for the launch is question has just been deposited with me, and is being submitted to-day to the Principal of the Statistical Office with the Company’s explanation as to the cause of the delay in lodging it
5 June 1907 Lawrence Daly, Assistant was transferred to Southampton.
13 June 1907 In the enclosed application Mr George Drover, a local shipbroker, seeks permission to discharge some cargoes of bricks, expected to arrive from a Belgian port, at Wootton Creek, about midway between this and Ryde, not approved for the landing of goods from foreign. There is no record of discharge of goods from foreign at Wootton on any previous occasion, but I submit that the present application may be granted on terms similar to those on which your Honours have granted such concessions in respect of other outlying places on the Island. There is a Coast Guard Crew at Fishbourne, which commands the entrance to Wootton Creek, and, on receipt of an intimation of each vessel’s arrival from the Station Officer, Officers can be dispatched to rummage her etc., and they would travel again to Wootton to rummage her finally and clear her inwards, the discharge of the bricks being supervised by the Station Officer of Coast Guard. Applicant undertakes to repay all expenses for travelling etc. incurred by the Officers. (This was approved.)
20 June 1907 William Joseph Jennings, Assistant, London appointed Assistant, Cowes.
21 June 1907 I beg to make application for supply of a small blue ensign, 4ft 6ins x 2ft 6ins for use on the motor launch “Nimble” at this Port. The one supplied on 7 August 1903 is now unfit for further use. (In reply to a query from the Board the Collector stated “the “Nimble” is not painted in Service colours, but kept bright , and the small ensign is always flown to certify her”.
17 July 1907 I submit herewith for your Honours favourable consideration the enclosed application by Alfred Samuel Cassell, Preventive Man at this Port for appointment to Preventive Man in Charge at Lymington. Cassell entered the Service on 31 August 1892, and has therefore, nearly 15 years’ service. He is a reliable and willing Officer; and performs his duties in an intelligent and satisfactory manner. I believe that he is quite well qualified for such a position as that to which he seeks appointment. (He was informed on the 1st August he had not been appointed.)
22 July 1907 I submit for your Honours directions the enclosed application by William Samuel Graves, a Commissioned Boatman of Coast Guard at Seaview, in this Island, to be placed on the general list of candidates for employment as a Customs Watcher. Graves is now entitled to a pension of 1s 4d a week, and to an addition of 3½d a week to that sum for each further year of service. Intimation was made to Graves on the 11 instant in the terms of your Honours’ Order of 8 instant, Circular Secretary No. 10146/1907 (concluding paragraph). (His name was added to the list.)
31 July 1907 I have to report that after the arrival at this port yesterday of the steam yacht “Joyeuse” of Southampton, Official Number 104284 98 tons net register (property of Mr Hamilton Fletcher of Lewestor Manor, near Sherborne, Dorset; the Anchorage, Christchurch Bay, Hants and Claridge’s Hotel, London), seizure of Tobacco, Cigars and Cigarettes were made by the local Waterguard Officers as follows. The yacht was from Amsterdam via Dover, at which Port I am informed, she arrived and was cleared inwards on the 8 instant. She has since been cruising on the South Coast of England. At 4.20 pm Mr F J Parsons, Preventive Officer, who was accompanied by A J H Titheridge, Preventive Man, stopped A W Henley, the Cook, and W Jackman, the Steward, in Newport Road and questioned them as to the contents of a bag and portmanteau which these men were respectively carrying and which they had landed from the “Joyeuse”. Both men denied the possession of dutiable goods, Henley persisting in his denial and his assertion that he had no key to the package he was carrying, until taken by the Officers into a locksmith’s shop, when he produced the key of the bag and admitted that he had landed, and was carrying, a quantity of Tobacco. His bag being examined was found to contain 22 lbs Cavendish Tobacco and 10/16 lbs Cigars. He was at once arrested, taken to the Police Station; and brought before a Magistrate. He made no defence when charged and, on application to that effect, was remanded, on application to that effect, the 3 proxima, the first occasion on which a full bench of Magistrates will sit, and when, at 11.30am, he is to appear before them at Newport. The Magistrate accepted bail for his appearance, Henley himself in £50, and one surety for a similar amount, and this being forthcoming the Police released him. I beg that your Honours will instruct me, as early as possible before Saturday, as to what Penalty he should be sued for; whether I should undertake the conduct of this case; and, in view follows as to Henley, as to the respects in which he should be charged. I have no knowledge of any previous conviction against him. Jackman, the Steward, was found to have concealed in his portmanteau 1 lbs Cavendish Tobacco, and being offered the option of depositing treble the value and duty to abide by your Honours decision, availed himself of this alternative. The Preventive Officer with Titheridge and two other Preventive Men later proceeded to the “Joyeuse”, which was lying in the River. On the way to the vessel one of her fireman, H Willis was intercepted in East Cowes and found to have landed, and to be carrying concealed among clothes in his bag 38/16 lbs Cavendish Tobacco, in respect of which he too deposited treble the value and duty. The “Joyeuse” being rummaged, seizures of Tobacco etc. were made from 5 more members of the crew who had concealed goods in various places on board: W Matthews, Forecastle Cook 3 lbs Cavendish Tobacco, 6/16 lbs Cigars R Foley, A.B. 28/16 lbs Cavendish Tobacco F E Harvey, A.B. 38/16 lbs Cavendish Tobacco W E Prince, O.S. 24/16 lbs Cavendish Tobacco, H Summers, Fireman 1 lbs Cavendish Tobacco All these Men deposited treble the duty paid value of the goods seized from them, as did C Tambling, an Able Seaman, who had thrown overboard, to prevent seizure, and from whom I have taken an additional deposit of £1 to abide by your Honours decision in regard to this additional offence on his part. The Tobacco which he threw overboard was found by the Officers on a raft alongside and seized. There was also thrown overboard, by some member of the crew not identified, 4/16 lbs Cigars which was recovered from the water by the rummaging Officers and seized. In addition to these quantities a further 212/16 lbs Cavendish Tobacco was discovered concealed in a locker in the Cook’s berth, making a total quantity dealt with by Henley 2412/16 lbs Cavendish Tobacco and 10/16 lbs Cigars, the treble duty paid value of these articles amounting to £25 – 0 – 3. The total of the goods seized from the “Joyeuse" is therefore 422/16 lbs Cavendish Tobacco, 18/16 lbs Cigars 6/16 lbs Cigarettes and, in view of the quantity dealt with, and other circumstances of the case, I have informed the Master and Owner (the latter, who is at Claridge’s Hotel, London by letter of this date) that the yacht being liable to detention will only be released on a deposit of £25. This sum will, I believe, be lodged in my hands tonight, probably after despatch of the mail, as the Owner wishes to embark with friends before the arrival of His Majesty at the end of the week, but the yacht meanwhile lies under observation and in these circumstances I have not placed an Officer on board. I beg that I may receive your Honours directions as to the disposal of the various deposits and seized goods. (The goods were retained as seizures, and the deposits, with the exception of the additional £1 from Tambling, brought to account as fines. The £1 from Tambling was returned, as the Collector had no authority to take it, and no further action taken.)
31 July 1907 Seizure of Tobacco (quantity unknown) from P Smith, A.B. on board the “Medona” yacht from Rotterdam, goods concealed in the lining of sail and a waste bag. Made by F J Parsons, Preventive Officer and A S Cassell and E J Osborne, Preventive Men. Treble duty paid value taken as deposit. Goods seized and deposit retained.
1 August 1907 Following a request from the Board the Collector reported that A J H Titheridge, Preventive Man, serviced as a Lance Corporal in the 5th Volunteer Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment.
6 August 1907 I appeared before the Magistrates at Newport on Saturday 3 instant, to sue A W Henley for £100 in this case. Henley duly surrendered his bail, and I laid the facts before the Bench, who also heard the testimony of Mr Parsons, Preventive Officer in support. After proof of the case against Henley so far as it related to the Tobacco and Cigars seized from him, I again addressed the Magistrates as to the reasons which lead your Honours to regard the case of being of a serious character, and, in accordance with the Solicitor’s instructions informed them of the fact that a further seizure of 212/16 lbs Tobacco also owned by Henley, was made on board the “Joyeuse” after his detection and arrest above. The Magistrates committed Henley and fined him in the substantial Penalty of £40 and 6/- costs, or one month’s imprisonment, which, I submit is a highly satisfactory result of the prosecution. Henley asked the Magistrates for time in which to pay the fine and costs, and this the bench granted him. I deferred this report until to-day in the expectation that the money would have been paid this morning, but it has not reached me up to the moment of writing. (Payment was received on 8 August.)
9 August 1907 T M Lewis, granted 25 days leave and replaced by Mr A E Perrett, Examining Officer, Class II
14 August 1907 The attached application by Mr Albert J H Titheridge, Preventive Man at this port, for appointment to Preventive Man and Second Officer at Bridgewater, is submitted with reference to Circular od 12 instant. Titheridge is a very steady and well conducted Officer, holding two “stars”, and he will complete 16 years service on the 31 instant.
19 August 1907 As directed by your Circular of 16 instant, I beg to report that I have never found it necessary to dismantle in any manner a ship which I may have had occasion to detain under Section 692 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, but that I always place the vessel in the custody of an Extraman (stationed on board) – the staff of Established Officers at this port not being sufficiently numerous to admit the employment of such an Officer for that purpose. These observations apply to the case of any vessel which, in my capacity of Receiver of Wreck, I might have reason to detain upon a claim for salvage.
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