Colonial Despatches

Mr Birch
Do you know anything of Mr Ball?

I think that Mr Ball's application is entitled to every consideration. He is one of the oldest & best Public Servants of the Colony. He was selected by Govr Seymour as Acting Colonial Secretary during Mr Seymour's absence in England. He has always been chosen as the Magistrate to be sent to the most important Mining Districts and has held a seat in the Legislative Council ever since its creation in 1863.

Mr Robinson

Mr Herbert
There are 7 Nominations to Naval Cadetships given by the Admiralty annually. Four are allotted to Canada & the N. American Colonies and the other three are apportioned among the Australian Colonies. If the S of S does not receive the name of a Candidate from any Colony to which a nomination is due within the first quarter of the year, the nomination is considered to be forfeited by the Colony, and if there are any other applications for Cadetships from any of the Colonies not entitled to them, these lapsed nominations are used to meet such claims. In view of this contingency the Circular of 11 June last was sent to B. Columbia. See Admy/5331/70.

The 7 regular nominations are in the first instance strictly reserved for the sons of bonâ fide Colonists. Mr Ball who holds the Office of Stipendiary Magistrate was, I see by the Colonial Office List, formerly in the Army, he cannot therefore be considered as coming withinthat that definition. With regard to the lapsed nominations this rule was relaxed in the case of Mr Nairns—Tasmania see B/4874/69 and Desp. to Gov. No 40 14 May/69 on Gov. 4331/69.

It is for decision whether the Governor should be informed that for the reasons above given Mr Ball is not eligible or whether he should be answered that if the S of S should have a lapsed nomination at his disposal in April next the name of Mr Ball will be submitted to the Admiralty. At the same time sending him the Regns for the entry &c of Cadets and form to be filled up by the Parent or Guardian. It is possible on receiving these he might find that the young man is not within the prescribed limits of age. His age is not given in the Desp. or Enclosure. In any case inform the young man who is in this Country of the result of the application of which no doubt he has been advised.

Sir F. Rogers
I should be inclined to think Mr Ball qualified to receive a nomination for his son, if one is available.

i.e. a lapsed one—if Lord K encourages Govrs to divide the cadetships among sons of public officers, they will soon monopolize it. I wd point out to Mr Musgrave that the object is to introduce sons of colonists in the proper sense of the word into the Navy.

Henry M. Ball to Musgrave, 16 November 1870, applying for a naval cadetship on behalf of his son, Henry Cardross Ball.

Knatchbull Hugessen to H.C. Ball, c/o J.W. Nicholls, 25 January 1871, forwarding copy of Kimberley's reply to Musgrave as noted above, along with other information pertinent to his application for a cadetship.