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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

DESPATCH FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WITH ENCLOSURES RELATIVE TO THE ERECTION OF COLONIAL LIGHTHOUSES.

Lmd on the table of the House June 24: th, 18j6, and ordered to be Printed.

Downing Street, 6th September, 1855. Sib, —I have to communicate to you, for your information as to the views of Her Majesty's Government, and in order that you may bring them, whenever occasion shall require, under the consideration of your Executive Council, the following observations and proposal on the subject of Colonial Lights. 2. The great importance of a well-ordered system of Colonial Lights to the Trade and Shipping of the British Empire has suggested to Her Majesty's Government the propriety of inviting the co-operation and assistance of the Local Authorities in the Coloni s, in order to bring about a more efficient and more economical system ot management in the erection and maintenance of Colonial Lights than than which at present exists. 3. Since the passing of the " Shipping Law Amendment Act" in 1853, the control of the Lights of the United Kingdom has been vested in the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade. 4. It is proposed to apply the information and experience which the Board of Trade has acquired under that arrangement in assisting the Colonial Governments to effect such improvements in the management of their Lights as may be found desirable. 5. The accompanying printed Memorandum, which has been prepared by the Board of Trade with the assistance of the blder Brethren of the Trinity House, fully explains the nature and extent of the assistance and information which that Department is prepared to afford to the Colonial Authorities, as well as the steps to be taken by those Authorities for obtaining such assistance and information. 6. In addition to the assistance which the Board of Trade are prepared to give as above mentioned, the " Merchant shipping Act Amendment Act'' (18 & 19 Vic. Cap. SI) recently passed, a copy of which I enclose, con,ains a provision for enabling Her Majesty, by Order in Council, to fix Dues to be paid for Colonial Lights. The nature and objects of this provision you will find fully explained in a letter from the Board of Trade to this Department, dated 15th August, of which a copy is also herewith enclosed. I have, &c., (Signed) W*. Mqlesworth.

C—No. 10.