No. 117

I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Circular
Despatch of the 27th June conveying the suggestion of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty that measures should be taken for
checking desertions from the Royal Navy, as well by the adoption
of the means resorted to in New Zealand, therein mentioned, as
by putting in force the statutory penalty for the offence of
procuring or assisting Desertions under Section 25 of the Act 29
and 30 Vic. C. 109.

2. On reference to the Attorney General upon this subject, I
find that convictions for inducing Seamen to desert from Her
Majesty's Navy, have been had here under 37 Geo III
Chap. 70. sec. 1 which makes the offence a felony and punishable
with Penal servitude for life or imprisonment for not more than
three years with or without hard labor; and it is presumed that
this Statute will still be held to be in force here.

3. The Statute 29 & 30 Vic Chap. 109, Secs. 25 & 26 referred to
in Your Lordship's Despatch provides for a summary conviction,
with a fine not exceeding £30 and £20, respectively, but this
has been found so utterly indequate for the purpose intended,
that all cases of assisting or persuading seamen in Her
Majesty's Navy to desert are now sent up to the Assizes for
trial under the before mentioned Statute of 37 Geo. III. Chap.
70.

4. It is believed that the Senior Naval Officer on this Station
gives rewards for the apprehension of Deserters, and I apprehend
that if the local Government were to do so instead of the Naval
authorities convictions would not be any more frequent than they
are now.