Abstract:
GG 313 5/86 1 folder, 4 pages. Pages are out of order. Some typed passages are hard to read. Letter from the Secretary of State to the Governor-General, regarding a note from the French Ambassador on the subject of fishing rights in the waters of the Crozet Islands and the activities of Messrs. Irvin and Johnson of the Kerguelen Sealing and Whaling Company, 27.11.1924. Note, in French, from Paul Cambon (French Ambassador) addressed to Sir E. Grey (State Secretary) stating that the Crozet Islands are under French sovereignty and that any request for a concession should be addressed to the French Minister of Colonies, 2.7.13. Letter from E. Grey to P. Cambon, regarding the application by Mr W.E. Heppell for a mining concession on Possession Island, (Heppell being under the impression that the group is under British sovereignty). Asks to be informed if the islands are now French possessions and whether Mr. Heppell should be directed to communicate with the French Minister of Colonies instead, 2.6.13. Letter from W. Langley to P. Cambon, informing the latter that the United Kingdom never laid claims on the Crozet islands. Hopes that the French Government will allow Mr Heppell to continue his mining operations on Possession Island, 26.5.10. Copy of Decree, in French, on the subject of fishing rights in French territorial waters, 29.3.24. Letter from French Ambassador to State Secretary, informing him that Messrs Iving and Johnson have been illegally hunting sea-elephants and whales in the French territorial waters of the Crozet Islands. He adds that it is rumoured that Mr. Johnson is getting ready to sail to the Crozets and has been trying to obtain a fishing licence from the British Government. Requests that they make it clear that the Crozets are under French sovereignty and stop Messrs Irving and Johnson from squandering precious marine resources, 30.10.24.