Letters to various people in Governors letterbooks Volume 1 (ITM17659)

[Left margin] 330.

You will afford Captain Challis every facility in your power for holding the survey of any buildings in the Settlement, and furnish him with all information on the subject that he may require, but the Colonial Secretary is not aware of any buildings at Somerset belonging to the Imperial Government. I have &c (Signed) H.H. Massie Under Colonial Secretary

[Left margin] Copy 83-71

Somerset 29th March 1871 Sir Having received instructions from the Honble. the Colonial Secretary, Brisbane, to furnish you with information concerning the buildings at this settlement I now do myself the honor to inform you that I will be glad to point out any buildings you may desire to inspect, and to give any information and assistance that may lie in my power I have &c (signed) Frank L. Jardine P.M.

[Left margin] Commander H.J. Challis R.N. H.M.S. "Rosario"

List of Public Buildings erected at Somerset Port Albany. 1. Barracks for the detachment of Royal Marines (LI) with detached kitchen and offices. 2. Quarters of the officer commanding the above, with detached kitchen and offices. 3. Quarters for the Naval Surgeon in charge, with detached kitchen and offices. 4. Hospital, with detached kitchen and offices. 5. Three cottages for married men in the detachment 6. Guard-room and cells 7. Boat House 8. Court House with quarters for the Police Magistrate and commission of crown lands 9. Office for the collection of customs and Harbor dues. (signed) C. Tiffin Colonial Architect of Queensland.

[Right margin] 331. [Left margin] 331. D 71/374 331.

Colonial Secretarys Office Brisbane 4th July 1871. Sir I have the honor to transmit for the information of His Excellency The Acting Governor, with the view of His Excellency being pleased to direct the same to be forwarded to Commodore Stirling, a copy in duplicate of all correspon-dence in connection with 29 tons of coal, belonging to the Imperial Government, supplied by the Police Magistrate at Somerset on requisition made by Captain Revault of H.J.M.S. "Marceau" for the prosecution of his voyage to Tolous via Timor, Pondicherry & the Suez Canal. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient servant (signed) H.H. Massie Under Col. Sec:

[Left margin] The Private Secretary Government House Brisbane

Copy of correspondence on the subject of coal supplied to the French Man of War "Marceau" by the Police Magistrate, Somerset annexed to letter to the Private Secretary 4th July 1871 No. #374

Date No. From Whom To Whom Subject 1870 September 6th 1 P.M. Somerset Colonial Secretary Reporting supply of coal to "Marceau" 7 March 1871. 2. Colonial Secretary Commander Challis Enclosing copy of extract of letter from P.M. Somerset. 10th March 1871. 3 Colonial Secretary P.M. Somerset How payment of coal secured. 31st March 1871 4 P.M. Somerset Colonial Secretary Payment not secured 1st April 1871 5 Commander Challis P.M. Somerset Survey of coal and deficiency 2nd April 1871 6 P.M. Somerset Commander Challis Explanation 4th April 1871 7 Commander Challis P.M. Somerset Estimated quantity of coal left Somerset

[Left margin] 332 48-70

copy (extract) Somerset 6th September 1870 Sir I do myself the honor to report the arrival of H.J.M.S. "Marceau" on the 2nd instant from New Caledonia bound to Toulou via Timor, Pondicherry, and the Suez Canal, and to state that I acceded to a requisition, made by Captain Revault for thirty (30) tons of coal which he assured me was indispensable for the prosecution of his voyage, she left on the 5th istn. I enclose herewith Captain Revaults requisition together with his receipt for the coal (27 tons) The Megoera another French Man of War is also daily expected from New Caledonia via Rockhampton, and is to call here, but I should not feel justified in supplying her with coal should she require any x x x x (signed) Frank L. Jardine P.M.

[Left margin] The Honble The Colonial Secretary Brisbane

Colonial Secretary Office Brisbane 7 March 1871

[Left margin] Copy 71/165

Colonial Secretary Office Brisbane 7 March 1871 Sir I have the honor by direction to transmit for your information, extract of a letter received from the Police Magistrate at Somerset dated the 6th September last, reporting the circumstances under which he had been induced to accede to an requisition made by Captain Revault H.M.S. "Marceau" for a Supply of Coals necessary for the prosecution of his voyage I have &c (signed) H.H. Massie Under Colonial Secy. [Left margin] Captain Challis R.N. H.M.S. "Rosario"

[Right margin] 333

[Left margin] Copy D 71/159 Colonial Secretary Office Brisbane 10 March 1871. Sir, With reference to your letter of 6 September last (48-70) reporting the circumstances under which you had been induced to accede to the requisition of the Captain of H.M.S. "Marceau" for a supply of coals necessary for the prosecution of his voyage. I am directed to request that you will state for the information of the Government, the manner in which payment for the Coals So Supplied was made or Secured. I have &c (Signed) H.H. Massie Under Colonial Secretary

[Left margin] The Police Magistrate Somerset Copy 96/71.

Somerset March 31st 1871. Sir, In reply to your letter 71/159 dated 10th March, requesting one to state for the information of the Government the manner in which payment for the coals supplied to H.M.S. "Marceau" was made or Secured. I have the honor to inform you that as I was not aware of theh price of the Coal per ton, I left the matter for future adjustment with the French Authorities, merely taking Captain Revaults receipts for the quantity Supplied I have &c Signed Frank L. Jardine P.M.

[Left margin] The Dept The Colonial Secretary

[Left margin] 334 Copy

HMS "Rosario" Somerset Cape York 1 April 1871. Sir, Having caused a Survey to be held on the coal belonging to the Imperial Government lying at Somerset it is estimated that there were about 59 Tons on our arrival. Having been instructed by Commodore Stirling that 70 Tons would be found here after deducting the supply to the French Steamer "Marceau" I should be obliged if you will afford me any particulars on the subject, in your power. I was further instructed to enquire under what circumstances the French War Steamer was supplied with coal; and was furnished at Brisbane with a copy of your correspond: :ence theron. I have &c (Signed) Henry J. Challis Commander

[Left margin] J.J. Jardine Esq. Police Magistrate Somerset Copy

Somerset April 2nd 1871. Sir, In reply to your letter of yesterdays date, wishing me to account for a deficiency of 11 Tons in the coal left here for the use of Her Majesty's Ships, I do myself the honor to inform you that the coal was landed on Abany Island, by the Brig "Western Star" on November 1868 from whence it was

[Right margin] 335 recovered by Her Majesty's Ship "Virago" and stacked on the main land where it has remained until now, exposed to the sun and weather. I would further beg to state that I am unaware of any coal being taken from the heap, with the single exception of 29 tons supplied to H.M.S. Ship "Marceau", which I only granted upon receiving a letter from Captain Redbuth stating that the safety of his ship absolutely depended on the coal for which he then asked. I have &c (Signed) Frank. L. Jardine P.M.

[Left margin] Commander Challis R.N. H.M.S. "Rosario" Copy

H.M.S. "Rosario" Somerset, Cape York. 4 April 1871. Sir, I have the honor to inform you that I have taken on board 30 tons of the coals lying at Somerset and estimate that there are about 30 tons now remaining there belonging to the Imperial Government. I have &c (Signed) Henry J. Challis Commander

[Left margin] J.J. Jardine Esq. Police Magistrate Somerset

336 [Blank]

337

To His Excellency Earl Belmore &c &c &c Sydney. New South Wales.

ditto To H. E. Viscount Canterbury K.C.B. &c &c &c Melbourne Victoria

" To H. E. The Rt: Hon: Sir J. Fergusson Bart &c &c &c Adelaide, South Australia

" To H. E. Governor F.A. Weld &c &c &c Perth, Western Australia.

" To H. E. Governor Charles Du Cane &c &c &c Hobart Town, Tasmania.

" To H. E. Sir George F. Bowen G.C.M.G. &c &c &c Wellington, New Zealand.

ditto To H. E. Sir H. G. R. Robinson K.C.M.G. &c &c &c Ceylon

Goverment House Brisbane 12 August 1871.

My Lord,

I have the honor to announce that I have this day assumed the Office of Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony of Queensland under a Commission from The Queen.

I avail myself of the opportunity to assure your Excellency that I shall be happy on all occasions to co-operate for the good of Her Majesty's service, or for the advancement of the mutual interests of the Inhabitants of the Colonies over the Government's of which we have been respectively appointed to preside.

I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Most Obedient Servant (Signed) Normanby

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