Letters Book 1915 – 1919Letters Book held at the Isle of Wight Records Office Transcribed entries are in Black, entries in Blue relate to other material included the Book, which has not specifically been transcribed. Certain pages in the book are faded beyond recognition and illegible with the consequent gaps. Certain entries in 1918/9 are from the 1918 -1925 book as it overlaps this book, these are marked (1918 – 1925). Unless otherwise stated the Letters are signed by Collector, John Stephens.
13 August 1915 From S T G Spencer, Preventive Man. I beg to report that at 9.35am on August 12th the Motor Boat “Nimble” was moored along the Watch House Slipway when a steam launch from the hospital ship “Carisbrook Castle” approached and while landing alongside the slipway collided with the stern of the “Nimble” doing damage to the port side. The top of the stern and the brass capping was broken. The Third Officer of the “Carisbrook Castle” was in charge of the steam launch and I drew his attention to the “Nimble’s” stern. The cause of the collision was through the steam launch coming too fast and through the Officer in charge not reducing her heading to land safely.
17 August 1915 A regret having to report that the Customs Motor boat “Nimble” of this port whilst lying alongside the Watch House Slipway was run into at 9.35am on the 12th instant by a steam launch from the hospital ship “Carisbrook Castle” o.n. 108351 lying in Cowes Roads. A small piece of the upper part of the stern was carried away and the brass capping broken, the damage, I estimate, amounting to about £2. Preventive Man S T G Spencer was the only person on board the “Nimble” at the time of the casualty which appears to have been solely due to the steam launch in charge of the 3rd Officer approaching the slipway with too much way on. The Superintending Officer and his local representative have seen her and the damage will be made good I understand when the “Nimble” is getting her new clutch fixed this week at Portsmouth. I annex the statements of Driver Fry and Preventive Man Spencer. (No further action was taken by the Board.)
August 1915 Collector granted leave. Wilfred Richard Dickinson, Unattached Surveyor officiated.
24 August 1915 Auxillary s/yacht “Valhalla” I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant and to state that the costs accumulating against this vessel are: (1) 5/- per day for shipkeeping and (2) 8/- per day (less 1/3 when the vessel has been at her moorings for 30 days) for moorings. The charge for the latter is made quarterly by the Cowes Harbour Commissioners and has been paid by Mr G H Marvin, the Registered Owner, up to the end of June last. The Master, Chief Engineer and Boatswain are standing by the vessel and are paid shore wages. Only the last named and the shipkeeper sleep on board. It would be very difficult to estimate the value of the vessel, but a Bill of Sale in my possession dated 25th March, 1911, gives the selling price then as 100,000 dollars and since that time she has had wooden masts replaced by steel ones and various other alterations done at a cost of I believe several thousand pounds. The greatest difficulty would be in getting any one to buy her for besides the initial price she is a costly vessel when in commission requiring nearly 70 members of crew to man her. Her tonnage is 1219 gross and 806 net. Although she has been lying in the River Medina for some considerable time she is well looked after and is in very good condition.
24 August 1915 Offender in this case Landed at Watch House Slipway in order to join the passenger steamer to Southampton, whence he was proceeding to his home in Berwickshire on a weeks leave when the Contraband was found on his person by the Waterguard Officers. This is an ordinary case of smuggling and Tolmie on being given the option elected to deposit £1-4/7 treble the duty paid value to abide by your Honours decision. Offender being a responsible officer, I called upon the Master to deposit £2 on the vessel (a transport lying in Cowes Roads) and this he has done. I submit a request from him for a return of part of his deposit, but his statement that Tolmie had no intention of smuggling cannot be accepted as offender has been at sea for several years and should by this time be well acquainted with Customs Regulations in that respect. I respectfully submit that the whole of the deposit on the goods and a small portion of that on the vessel retained as fines. (The seizure record is illegible, but it appears that the offender was 2nd Engineer on the “Verdallor” from Port Said and the goods tobacco and cigars. The deposit on the goods and 10/- of the deposit on the vessel were retained as fines.)
24 August 1915 I beg to report that the term of 7 years approx. granted in papers 1090/1909 for No. 4 Bonded Warehouse at this port expires on 28 January next, and I respectfully submit and application from the Principal to the Bond, Mr Francis Templeman Mew, of Messrs. Mew Langton and Company, Limited, requesting a renewal of the approval for another term and nominating the same Sureties as in the existing bond viz: Ernest Charles Langton of The Grange, Wootton, I W, Gentleman Tom Rogers Tilling of May Dene, Newport, I W, secretary to W B Mew Langton and Company, Limited, of whose individual sufficiency to meet the Penalty of the bond I am satisfied. This warehouse consists of 2 floors having 2999.16 superficial feet of storage. It has been approved for many years and is necessary for the trade of the port. The accounts are kept at the Custom House distant 565 yards and the Warehouse is never open unless and Officer attends for the examination and delivery of goods as required. The attendance given by the Officer, at an estimate, averages half an hour a day, and the longest period of duty he is required to give does not exceed 2 hours at any time. There is no office accommodation in the warehouse, only a desk furnished by the Warehousekeeper on each floor for the convenience of the officer taking the account. There are no lavatory arrangements, the nearest convenience being a public one belonging to the town about 100 yards distant. The Warehouse complies with the conditions in the Warehousing Code and is quite dry and sanitary.
25 August 1915 I beg to report as directed by your Order 33517/1913, that during the four weeks ended 21st August, 1915, the Preventive Officer, 5 Preventive Men and 1 Engine Driver exceeded the credited attendance of 48 Hours per week as follows viz:
Part of the Excessive Attendance was due to the extra time credited for night attendance and part to the examination of coastwise cargos on discharge of shipment, but the bulk of it was owing to the attention required to be given on arrival and on the shipment of bonded store &c. to the Transport and Hospital ships lying in Cowes Roads awaiting orders after their return from France and elsewhere, and to the Armed Patrol Yachts fitting out in Cowes Harbour. A certain amount of the extra attendance in this period was due to the distribution of Registration Forms to the Transports &c.
25 August 1915 I beg to report that during the four weeks ended 21st August, 1915, I have found it necessary to employ the two Officers at this Port in excess of the 48 hours per week as follows viz: McPherson : 56½ hours Bright : 56½ hours The Extra Attendance was wholly due to the large amount of extra work caused by the war; part to the General Long Room War Duties in connection with the Coasting trade, part to the drawing of stores in the Bonded Warehouses here and the clerical work incidental for the Transports, Hospital and Armed Patrol Yachts lying in Cowes Roads, Cowes Harbour and at Southampton, but the greater part is due to the signing off and on of the crews of these vessels, in the Mercantile Marine Office and on board. It has been absolutely necessary to incur this Extra Attendance and I respectfully request your Honours approval of my actions. (Letters similar to the two above were sent by the Collector to the Board regularly and were normally approved without query. These letters are not normally transcribed.)
26 August 1915 The offender in this case had been granted 10 days leave to go to his home at Preston and landed at the Watch House Slipway with a portmanteau when he was intercepted by the Waterguard officers. On being challenged he produced the perfumery from his bag and stated that he had brought in Alexandria from a bum boat. On being given the option the offender elected to deposit 13s/9d treble the duty paid value to abide by your Honours decision. Offender being a responsible officer I called on the Master to deposit £2 on the vessel (a transport lying in Cowes Roads) and this he has done. I submit a request from him for the return of his deposit on the vessel and although his statement that the officer “did not conceal the perfumery with any intention of causing an offence against the Regulations” can hardly be accepted, I have no reason to doubt his other statements regarding the offender. As the perfumery is of poor quality and the quantity small, I respectfully submit that the whole of the deposit on the goods may be retained as a fine and that on the vessel returned. (The whole of the deposit on the goods and 15/- of that on the vessel were retained as fines. The offender was 3rd Engineer of the “Crispin” Transport. The seizure report itself is illegible.)
6 September 1915 The arrangements for the delivery of the forms were that the Preventive Officer and crew should visit all the Transports – about 40 in number – lying at anchor in the Solent, from the submarine net westward, to vessels as far as the Reel Bank buoy eastwards, an area of about 7 miles by 3, also vessels as the arrived, yachts moored in the river, and coasters and trading vessels at the Railway Jetty, Cement Mills and Newport Quay. Altogether 2572 forms were delivered. As the work was carried out in conjunction with other Waterguard duties, it is not possible to state the exact amount of extra attendance, but it was probably about 2 hours per day for a week on average. On Sunday the 16th August a visit was made to vessels in the Solent and this occupied about 1½ in connection with Registration work. (Letter signed by W R Dickinson, Acting Collector. This work was carried out with the National Registration Act 1915.)
8 September 1915 I beg to report that the motor boat “Nimble” proceeded to Portsmouth on the 18th ult. in order to have a new clutch fitted, remaining there until the 23rd. The motor boat “Hawk” from Portsmouth in charge of G Davey, Engine Driver, relieved the “Nimble” at Cowes and returned to Portsmouth on the completion of the work to the “Nimble”. On the evening of the 30th the “Nimble” was laid up for varnishing and cleaning. This was completed and the vessel resumed work on the 6th inst. when the “Hawk” which had again been relieving left for Southampton. The arrangement worked quite satisfactorily and the proceedings are reported in accordance with B O 12145/1904. (Letter signed by W R Dickinson, Acting Collector.)
13 September 1915 I beg to report with reference to the Est. Code par 44, that S T G Spencer was injured whilst on duty in the motor boat “Nimble” on the 9th instant. The sea was rather rough on that day and Spencer strained his ankle in stepping back on the floor of the launch after pushing the launch away from a steamer to which she was moored. I enclose a Medical Certificate from which it appears Spencer will be incapacitated for some time, and respectfully submit his application for sick leave for favourable consideration. A somewhat similar case was dealt with in papers 18202/1911, but in that case there was a question of liability of a third party. (Letter signed by W R Dickinson, Acting Collector. He was granted 12 days sick leave, followed by a further 10 days with a further 10 days on 16th October.)
24 September 1915 Relaxation of rules as to the examination of cargo carried coastwise. I beg to report as directed in Circular 1426 of 23 August, 1915, that: (1.) The vessels to which the concession has been applied are those belonging to the Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., Ltd.: Princess Beatrice Princess Helena Her Majesty Duchess of York Solent Queen all carrying mails, passengers, and packages of perishable goods between Southampton, Cowes, Ryde, Southsea and Portsmouth and: Lord Elgin carrying general cargo between Southampton and Cowes. (b) the small steamers belonging to Pickfords Limited carrying general cargo between Southampton, Cowes, Ryde and Portsmouth viz: Sandfly Firefly Krom Bat (c) and the small steamer to Long & Co., Brewers, Southsea, carrying beer between Southsea, Ryde, Cowes, Southampton and Portsmouth. (2.) No irregularities have been discovered during the test examinations; (3.) The resulting reduction in overtime attendance is I estimate about one hour a day for one Preventive Man; (4.) No reduction could be made in the staff if the relaxation were made permanent.
30 September 1915 The goods in this case were made up in a parcel ready for posting to the offenders mother at 112 Greville Road, Ore, Hastings, and being carried along High Street, Cowes, when he was intercepted by Preventive Man Dobrzanski. There are no extenuating circumstances and I respectfully submit that the goods be retained as a seizure and the whole of the deposit brought to account as a fine. (Offender was T Francis, Quartermaster of the “Mount Temple” steamship who deposited £1 – 8 – 0, the remainder of the seizure report is illegible.)
3 October 1915 I beg to report that A J White, 3rd Engineer on the s/s “Algerian”, a transport lying in Cowes Roads, was intercepted yesterday by Preventive Man W H Finley whilst landing at Watch House Lane Slipway. He was found to be in possession of 8/16 lb Cavendish Tobacco which he was carrying on his person to the boat for Southampton whence he was bound to his home for a weeks leave. No deposit was required from the offender – the quantity of tobacco not being sufficient – but being a responsible Officer I called upon the Master to deposit £2 on the vessel and this he has done. I annex a request from the Master for the return of the deposit and although I have no reason to doubt his statement that he tries to prevent smuggling by his crew I respectfully submit that the goods be retained as a seizure and 10/- of the deposit as a fine. (The seizure was confirmed and 5/- brought to account as a fine.)
7 October 1915 I hope you will excuse me for writing to you, but I am in doubt about the rewards due to Waterguard officers under the following circumstances viz: The Preventive Officer, Motor Driver and another Preventive Man were on boarding duty and the other morning before the Preventive Officer left for other duties he instructed the two Preventive Men left at the Watch House to keep a look for members of the crews of Transports coming ashore until his return. This I am satisfied the men would have done without any instruction from the Preventive Officer. The two Preventive Men in the absence of the Preventive Officer made a seizure and the Preventive Officer now claims to be a participator in the reward having given directions which led to the seizure being made. He was not present at the seizure and I am not at all satisfied that he is entitled to a share in the reward or to any other credit for the seizure. I know you will have a lot of experience in such cases, and I beg to refer the matter to you for your decision on my behalf and that of the Officers concerned who have undertaken to abide by what you say. (Unfortunately the result is not available.)
16 October 1915 There is no Preventive Man at this port over 50 and only one, Charles A Fry, will attain that age before 1st April, 1917, viz: on 9th July 1916. He is still fit for active Waterguard duty and no grounds exist for considering his transfer to light duties ordinarily performed by Watchers on shore.
21 October 1915 The desks provided provide sufficient office accommodation for the officers and nothing further is at present required. I have filled up the forms as far as applicable and beg to submit them herewith.
21 October 1915 William H Finley, Preventive Man granted an increment from £1.14.8 to £1.16.0 per week from 11 November.
12 November 1915 I beg to report, as instructed by your Order in papers 21853/1914, that the leave scheme for Preventive Officers and Preventive Men has worked satisfactorily so far as this port is concerned. Cowes is districted with Southampton and each officer here has been granted ordinary leave within the period for which he was minuted and has been relieved by an officer from another port. Several officers here did not ask for their full leave at the time for which they were minuted, but they understand that any application for further leave would not be likely to receive favourable consideration.
16 November 1915 I beg to submit the accompanying application from Mr Charles Brown, Proprietor of Brown’s Stores, 130 High Street, Cowes, for remission of duty on 48/16 lbs B M Cut Cavendish Cigarettes and 12/16 lbs B M Cigars, delivered from No. 2 Warehouse in this Port, on 14th July last for shipment as stores on the Transport, “Lucincitor”, lying at Southampton. The goods not being produced to the Proper Officer were returned to be charged and duty was paid per H C Warrants No 21/22 of 22nd October 1915, viz: £1 – 5 – 6 for the cigarettes and 7/10 for the cigars. A declaration made before a Justice of the Peace by the Master that the stores were actually shipped and used as stores on board the vessel is submitted. As these transports are usually ordered away on very short notice I have no reason to doubt the statement of the applicant that this was the cause of the goods not being produced in the usual way, but perhaps the Collector at Southampton may have something to say. (The application was accepted.)
13 December 1915 List of Officers at this Port who have been attested, passed into Section B of the Army Reserve in their appropriate group and returned to their civil duties.
22 December 1915 I beg to transmit for your information, as directed by Paragraph 424 of the Miscellaneous Code, the accompanying copy of a Draft Provisional Order for transferring the Victoria Pier at Ryde to the Ryde Corporation and other purposes in connection therewith. (After consultation with the Collector, Portsmouth, the Collector again wrote to the Board indicating there was no objection, providing the Department’s right of access was maintained.)
30 December 1915 Increments granted to J Stephens, Collector £425 to £440 from 20th January, G O Warne £1.8.6 to £1.10.0 per week from 21st February and W McPherson, Officer, late Clerk II U/S, £300 to £315 from 7th January.
10 January 1916 Stanley T G Spencer, Preventive Man, having expressed a desire to be relieved of his duties as Relief Driver of the Motor Boat “Nimble” to which he was appointed by your Honours, I have had William Henry Finley, Preventive Man, under instruction in order that he might qualify himself for appointment to the vacancy. As Finley has shown considerable aptitude in acquiring the knowledge necessary for the proper care and management of the Motor, I respectfully submit that he may continue under instruction and I feel sure that he will soon be able to satisfy the Advising Officer as to his fitness for the post. (The Board replied that “under the peculiar conditions at Cowes” they agreed to the proposal. An allowance of 6d per day (later increased to 1/-) was paid when he was so employed.)
19 January 1916 The Master of the Norwegian Whaler “Bas” applied for 20 Tons of bunker coal to take him in ballast direct to Sandifjord (Norway). This was granted by wire.
21 January 1916 John Haslett, Unattached Officer, Cantley, Norwich appointed Unattached Officer, Cowes on relief.
9 February 1916 John Stephens, Collector granted 12 days sick leave from 9th February. W McPherson acted as Collector.
9 February 1916 I beg to report that G E Mawdsley, 4th Engineer of the chartered transport “Maidan”, lying in the Solent awaiting orders, was intercepted on the 3rd inst. by I J Dobrzanski, Preventive Man, when landing at Watch House Slip & found to be in possession of 6 ozs. of Cavendish Tobacco which he had ready parcelled for the post. A deposit of 11/3 was taken from the offender and £2 on the ship from the Master. I enclose the P O’s report on form 458, and an application from the Master for the return of the deposit on the vessel, but submit that some portion of it may be retained to mark the offence. (Signed by W McPherson, acting Collector. The deposit on the goods was retained, as was 5/- on the vessel.)
10 February 1916 I beg to report that a return of the coal brought coastwise to Cowes in the years 1914 and 1915 has been issued through the Bill of Entry to Cowes U.D.C. who urgently required it in connection with representations they are making to the Board of Trade in the matter of the retail price of coal in the Island. The return was prepared by an Unattached Officer. Time taken was 8 hours, 5 of which were overtime at 1/- per hour. I submit the proceedings for your approval and suggest that a fee of, say, 10/-, should be charged. (Signed by W McPherson, acting Collector.)
21 February 1916 (From the Preventive Men.) We the undersigned Officers respectfully permission to be allowed to work in the local munitions factory. In support of this request we wish to state that in this district foodstuffs, cloths and coals have increased in price from 20% to 60% in addition to pre-war rates, also that all other articles cost considerably more than they did previous to the commencement of hostilities. Our salaries are inadequate to defray this additional cost of living and we wish to augment them. We respectfully appeal for a favourable consideration to our request and promise if granted, any work undertaken by us shall in no way interfere with our Official duties as Officers of Customs. (This was supported by the Collector, and approved by the Board provided it did not interfere with the efficient performance of their Official duties.)
7 March 1916 I beg to report that having received information from the local police that there were reasonable grounds for suspecting that contraband goods were being harboured in the “Prince Regent”, a licensed house in Market Hill at Cowes, I yesterday issued the Writ of Assistance to Mr F J Parsons P O and directed him to search the house with the assistance of three Preventive Men. This was done and I enclose his report shewing that nothing contraband was found nor anything of a suspicious nature seen on any part of the premises. The search was made between the hours of 2.30 and 4 pm.
16 March 1916 I beg to submit the accompanying application from G Davey, Engine Driver of the Motor Boat “Hawk” now at Cowes on relief duty from Portsmouth. Davey asks for assistance in replacing his spectacles which were knocked of his face and lost overboard when alongside the Transport “African Prince” lying in Cowes Roads. . I have made enquiries and am satisfied that the loss was as stated by the applicant and not due to carelessness on his part. As I have no knowledge of any similar case, I beg respectfully to submit the matter for your Honours instructions.
27 March 1916 I beg to report that while rummaging the s/s “Courtfield”, a transport lying in Cowes Roads, the Waterguard found concealments of 12/16 lbs and 14/16 lbs Cavendish Tobacco on board, belonging to Ah Sam, No. 1 Fireman and Loy You, Greaser, respectively. Both offenders are Chinamen and on being offered the usual option elected to deposit £1 – 17/6 and £1 – 2/6 treble the duty paid value in each case to abide by your Honours decision. The latter is a leading Fireman and is in charge of others, and accordingly I called on the Master to deposit £2 on the vessel. This he has done and I submit a request letter from him. Although I have no reason to suppose that there is any lack of supervision on his part, I am satisfied that the Chinamen knew well enough what they were doing. The “Courtfield” has for some time been running frequently between Cowes Roads, Southampton & France. The wages of the offenders are £8 and £7 per month respectively with free rations in addition. I respectfully submit that the whole of the offenders’ deposits and 10/- of the deposit on the vessel be retained as fines. (Deposits from the offenders were brought to account as a fine. Deposit in respect of the vessel returned, Collector appears to have been informed he should not take deposits from vessels on Admiralty Charter.)
3 April 1916 I certify that I am satisfied that all persons to whom pensions are paid out of the Vote of this or any other Department and who receive their Superannuation or other allowances in this Collection are identical persons to whom the pensions were originally granted.
14 April 1916 Theatres, Music Halls, Cinema Theatres and Football Grounds in Cowes and Suburbs.
19 April 1916 Increments granted to F J Parsons, Preventive Office, £172.10/- to £180 from 9 April and W Bright, Officer, £87.10/- to £95 from 2nd June.
May/June 1916 A considerable number of seizures were made during this period, frequently from crew landing at Watch House Slip. These have not been included.
15 May 1916 (From F J Parsons, Preventive Officer to the Collector.) I beg to report with reference to the case of the perfumery in question, that from what the storekeeper said the Officers at Southampton would not release it until proper documents were forthcoming. It remained under seal until the 6th inst. when the enclosed vouchers together with the letter from the owner of the goods were produced to me. I examined the goods as per invoices and everything seemed in order and as the vessels was expecting to proceed to Belfast on finishing Hospital work. I cleared the case from under seal, as is done in the case of yachts on production of proper evidence as to the goods being duty paid. I very much regret not having written of the perfumery from the Jerque Note, but this I have now done. 15 May 1916 (To the Collector, Southampton) I beg to transmit the report of Mr Parsons on this matter. Most of his work has been with yachts and I am afraid that he dealt with this package as if the vessel had been a yacht instead of a Red Cross Boat. He has now endorsed on the Inward Clearing Bill a certificate of the delivery of the package from under seal on the 6th instant, but I do not see anything on that document to indicate that the goods were missed when the Surplus Stores were sent to the King’s Warehouse on the 9th instant.
(Undated) May 1916 As most of the work required of the Unattached Officer here is in the Long Room (including Mercantile Marine) it seems to me that an Ex. 1st Class EO would require some training before his services could be economically used. The office hours are from 9am to 5pm, whilst the first train and boat from Ryde are due at Cowes at 9.20am and 9.40am respectively. The boat service is not reliable as the port is frequently closed by order of the King’s Harbourmaster. The Officer could, however, travel by train and I could arrange for his hours to be, say, 9.30am to 5.30pm. The name of the present Unattached Officer is William Henry Bright whom, I may say, I shall be very sorry to lose as he is doing exceptionally good work here. (The Collector had been asked whether it would be possible to employ a Reserve Officer living at Ryde. An Order was issued on 27th May transferring Mr Thomas E O’Reilly, Reserve Officer from London Port to Cowes and Mr W H Bright, Unattached Officer in the opposite direction. This was, however, cancelled on the 12th June. )
19 June 1916 On coming to Cowes Mr Haslett gave me the impression that he was careless in his work, but on personal investigation I found that this was partly due to his inexperience and partly due to his manner. I therefore instructed him with regard to his manner, and also, when in any doubt with regard to his work, to seek instruction from me, and when these were sought and given he proved himself apt and intelligent. He was certainly not a slacker, but like most persons who have no experience of business, he was at first inclined to depend more on his own ideas than to consult the regulations. The inexperience referred to in some of the reports is in my opinion due to inexperience in life as well as departmentally as, except as a farmer’s son, he knew nothing of business until he entered the department Mr Haslett is of a quiet and retiring disposition and of a manner which on slight acquaintance could be easily misjudged, but I think he has been somewhat handicapped by the shortness of his stay in the different stations and possibly by the lack of guidance from fellow officers which a beginner usually gets. I have no hesitation in saying that whilst at this port the quantity, and after he had got over his initial inexperience, the quality of the work he was called on to perform, were quite up to the standard reasonably to be expected of an officer of his service.
3 July 1916 I am desired to inform you that the Board, by their Order of the 1st instant, have now directed that in the circumstances, Mr Thomas E O’Reilly, Reserve Officer, London Port, be transferred to Cowes, and that Mr W H Bright, Unattached Officer, Cowes, to be transferred to London Port, both at the Crown’s expense. Mr O’Reilly will not be paid subsistence allowance, but will be allowed the actual reasonable expenses of getting to and from his work under par. 3 (c) of the memorandum as to the conditions of temporary re-employment No. 20619/1913. (O’Reilly took up his appointment on 2nd August.)
10 July 1916 I beg to report as instructed by your Order in papers 17928/1915, that the Motor Boat “Hawk” from Portsmouth has been at Cowes relieving the “Nimble” on three occasions since my report on the working of the relief scheme in papers 12145/1914 viz: (1.) From 17th August 1915 to 23rd August 1915, when the “Nimble” was at Portmouth having a new clutch fitted. On the return of the “Nimble” on the latter date the “Hawk” had to go to Portsmouth for some repairs due to herself but returned to Cowes on:- (2.) 30th August 1915 and remained until the 6th September 1915 during which time the “Nimble” was hauled up on the slip for varnishing and minor repairs and (3.) From 8th March 1916 to 17th March 1916, when the “Nimble” was on the slip for varnishing and minor repairs. In addition to the ordinary work of the port the “Hawk” had to cover a wide area with officers visiting a fleet of Government Transports lying in the Solent and on all of these occasions her work gave entire satisfaction. I have much pleasure in reporting that the scheme, so far as Cowes in concerned, has proved itself all that could be desired. (The Board ordered to scheme to be continued, with a further review in July 1917.)
17 July 1916 Increment granted to S T G Spencer, Preventive Man, £1.11.6 pw to £1.13.0 pw from 4 September.
16 August 1916 I beg to report that the amount of petrol allowed by the Petrol Control Committee for use on the Customs motor Boat here is only 104 gallons for the 4 months commencing 1st August 1916, of which not more than 26 gallons can be obtained in any one Calendar month. This is not nearly enough as the quantity used during the Quarter ended 30th June last was 130 gallons, and I estimate that I shall require the same quantity in the present and each succeeding quarter. There is a contract with the Anglo-American Oil Company for the supply of Pratt’s Perfection Spirit at 2/5 a gallon from the depot at Cowes for the year ending 31st March 1917. The local Agent however informs me that he cannot now supply me with more than the quantity covered by the licence for each month. It is impossible to give the required attention to the work of the Port unless the amount allowed is increased to at least 130 gallons a Quarter. I beg to submit the matter for your instructions and venture to suggest it may be possible to obtain a supply for official purposes as is done when petrol is required by Naval and Military Authorities. (The licence was increased to 50 gallons a month.)
21 August 1916 I regret having to report it was discovered on Monday morning the 31st ultimo that the No. 2 Dry Goods Bonded Warehouse. Medina Wharf, had been broken into. The door was left securely fastened by the Officer under the Warehousekeepers’ and Crown locks on the preceding Saturday, but the Warehousekeepers’ local Manager found it open on Monday morning with the door damaged, the Crown lock missing and the Warehousekeepers’ lock forced and broken. I immediately caused the damage to the door to be repaired and new Warehouse and Crown locks to be put on the door. The Police were called in, but up to the present the culprits have not been traced. I directed the Waterguard officers to rummage a number of vessels lying off the Warehouse, but nothing of a suspicious nature was found. The stock in the Warehouse was taken and it was found 98 tins of British Cavendish Cigarettes weight 115/16 lbs was missing belonging to Brown’s Stores, Cowes. I called upon the Warehousekeepers’ Messrs Shepard Brothers, Limited, for payment of the duty, £4 – 14 – 6, on the missing cigarettes and they have done today the amount being brought to account by H C Warrant No. 9/21.8.1916.
22 August 1916 I beg to acknowledge the receipt this morning of your letter dated the 18th instant enclosing a deputation appointing me to be an Officer for the receipt of certain of His Majesty’s Stamp Duties.
October 1916 The Collector was instructed to buy Lubricating Oil for the motor boat and paraffin for Custom House and the Watch House through the Office of Works.
21 October 1916 Collector granted 17 days leave. Ainsworth Adair, Unattached Surveyor to officiate.
31 October 1916 I beg to report that the Waterguard leave scheme for the current year has worked well. With a few slight exceptions the ordinary leave due to the respective officers has been taken by them within the periods minuted on the scheme, and relief has been provided by the approved port of Southampton. The overlap period of acting by a Preventive Man was for some days recently when the Preventive Officer was absent on sick leave. It was expected that the PO would resume duty soon, as the indisposion was known to be slight. (Letter signed by A Adair, acting Collector.)
9 November 1916 This postal packet was handed to me by the local Postmaster. On inquiry by the Waterguard officer the offender was traced. He is serving as Steward on the Tug Ranger recently from Harwich towing the Government salvage barge Dromedary on passage to Holyhead. The barge is manned by naval ratings in charge of Petty Officer Smith from whom the offender stated he received the tobacco. P O Smith admitted the transfer to Mr F J Parsons, Preventive Officer. The tobacco was of a kind from the naval victualling yards and the tins had the appropriate warning against improper use. This is a deliberate attempt to smuggle and I respectfully submit that the whole of the deposit may be taken as a fine. (Offender was W Wild of 60 Douglas Road, Anfield, Liverpool. Deposit of £1 – 18 – 3 was brought to account as a fine.)
16 November 1916 2 seizures made on shore by I J Dobrzanski, both in the High Street, one from Charles McCarthy, deposit of 19/- (11th) and the other from Donald Kerr £1 – 10/- (16th). Deposit brought to account as fines.
17 January 1917 Increments granted to J Stephens, Collector, £440 to £450 from 24th January, W McPherson, Officer, £315 to £330 from 7th January and G Warne, Preventive Man, £1.10.0 to £1.11.6 pw from 21st February.
19 January 1917 I shall be very much obliged if your kindly advising whether the accompanying Sufferance Wharf Bond requires to be renewed at the termination of the seven years for which it was approved viz: 13th February 1916. No goods from foreign have been landed at this wharf for many years. (This related to Thetis Wharf operated by Pickfords. The Board appear to have offered no objection to the renewal for a period of seven years with a bond of £1000.)
16 February 1917 I beg to report under the writ of assistance issued by you, I proceeded with two Preventive Men to search the premises known as “Lynwood”, Bernard Road, Cowes, in the occupation of Mr Elderfield. On tin containing about 2 oz of navy cut tobacco was produced by Mr Elderfield, who stated he got it from his father in law. No other dutiable goods were found. I then proceeded to the address of his Father in law Mr Plumbley in Beckford Road and he produced one tin containing about 4/16 lbs navy cut tobacco and one empty half pound tin. He stated that he had received three half pound tins of tobacco from H M Trawlers which had been under repair at White Bros Yard, Cowes where he is employed. Two tins he got from one trawler and one tin from another, but could not remember their names. On searching the house one box Cigars and one part box 2/16 lbs were produced (Remainder illegible) 22 February 1917 This letter is partially illegible, the following are legible extracts. …… harbouring contraband tobacco in his house “Lynwood”, Bernard Road, Cowes, I issued the Writ of Assistance to Mr F J Parsons, Preventive Officer and directed him to search the house with two Preventive Men. This was done and from information received from Mr Elderfield searched the house of his father in law, Mr Plumbely, and assistant Engineer with Messrs W White & Sons Ship at Cowes, at residing at Selworthy, Beckford Road, Cowes. I annex the report of the Preventive Officer giving the result of the search of both the houses. It appears from the enquiries I have made that Plumbley, who is employed by W White and Sons to fit guns on Government trawlers, obtained the navy tobacco on board …… …… took treble duty paid value £1 – 18 – 3 on the tobacco (1½ lbs) from Plumbley and 12/9 on the one tin from Elderfield to abide by your Honours decision. There are no extenuating circumstances in these cases and I respectfully submit that both deposits be brought to account as fines. Plumbley stated that the 12/16 lb Cigars found in his house were purchased duty paid from the Bond Cigar Company, Alexandra Dock, Grimsby, but could not produce the receipts as they had been destroyed. He has since obtained duplicates and as they appear to be in order, I respectfully submit that the cigars may be returned to him. (The deposits were retained as fines, the cigars were returned.)
24 February 1917 (To the Recruiting Officer, Castle Road, Newport, I W)
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