APPENDIX XVIII. REPORT BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO THE PRESENT OPERATION OF THE LAW FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF TONNAGE. [Presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of Her Majesty, August, 1881.] COMMISSION ISSUED BY QUEEN VICTORIA APPOINTING THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL VICTORIA R. Victoria, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith. To our trusty and well-beloved Charles Morgan Norwood, Esq.; our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Stokes, knight commander of our most honorable Order of the Bath, colonel in our Corps of Royal Engineers; our trusty and well-beloved Sir Edward James Reed, knight commander of our most honorable Order of the Bath; our trusty and well-beloved Henry Cadogan Rothery, Esq.; our trusty and well-beloved Thomas Gray, Esq.; our trusty and well-beloved James Porter Corry, Esq.; our trusty and well-beloved Robert Capper, Esq.; our trusty and well-beloved John Glover, Esq.; our trusty and well-beloved Thomas Dyson Hornby, Esq.; our trusty and well-beloved William Pearce, Esq.; our trusty and wellbeloved Thomas Bland Royden, Esq.; and our trusty and well-beloved Barnard Waymouth, Esq., greeting: Whereas we have deemed it expedient that a commission should forthwith issue to inquire into the present operation of the law for the measurement of tonnage, and to report to us whether the principle of the present law is fully and properly carried into effect, and whether the terms of the present rules are suitable to the present state of shipbuilding, and to report whether the law is fair in its operation as between those who pay and those who receive dues on shipping, and as between the different classes of those who pay such dues; and to report whether, having regard to the great changes which have taken place in the character of merchant ships, there are any defects in the form, the build, or the user of such ships which can be traced to the present law of tonnage, or which any amendment of that law would remedy; and to report whether, having regard to just principles of taxation, to the convenience and furtherance of trade, to international arrangements, and above all to safety, it is desirable to make any and what alteration in such law: Now know ye, that we, reposing great trust and confidence in your ability and discretion, have nominated, constituted, and appointed, and do by these presents nominate, constitute, and appoint you, the said Charles Morgan Norwood, Sir John Stokes, Sir Edward James Reed, Henry Cadogan Rothery, Thomas Gray, James Corry, Robert Capper, John Glover, Thomas Dyson Hornby, William Pearce, Thomas Bland Royden, and Barnard Waymouth to be our commissioners for the purposes of the said inquiry. And for the purpose of enabling you, our commissioners, to make the said inquiries we do hereby authorize you and empower you, or any three or more of you, to invite all such persons as you may judge most competent, by reason of their situation, knowledge, or experience, to |