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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Customhouse

Customhouse.

The Dunedin Custom House , situated in Lower High Street, is a two storey brick building with stone facings. The ground floor is used as the long room and for the offices of the collector and other officials. Twenty-six officers, including cadets, are engaged in connection with H.M. Customs at Dunedin and Port Chalmers.

Mr. C. W. S. Chamberlain , who is Collector of Customs for Dunedin and Registrar of Shipping, is an old officer of the department, and has occupied every rank in the service. In 1864 he entered the Custom House at Lyttelton as a junior, and was transferred to the West Coast in the following year. Eleven years later, having attained to the position of landing waiter, Mr. Chamberlain was transferred to Wellington. He was subsequently removed to Dunedin, and in 1887 was appointed to his present position.

Mr. John Tennant , formerly First Clerk and Cashier in H.M. Customs at Dunedin, was born in 1835, at West Linton, Peebleshire, Scotland. He was educated at the public school of his native place, and commenced his business career in a wholesale grocery establishment in Edinburgh, After seven years' service he came to Port Chalmers in the ship “Tamora,” arriving in March, 1859. On the Anniversary Day of Otago in the same month in which he landed, page 138 Mr. Tennant entered the Custom House, under Mr. Charles Logie, collector, Mr. William Mills, landing surveyor, and Mr. Archibald Barr, postmaster, the Customs and Post Office being at that time under one head. For fully forty years he was an officer of the Department, and held the position of first clerk for many years. Mr. Tennant took a keen interest in educational matters; he was for many years a member of the Caversham school committee, of which he became chairman. He held office as a deacon of Knox Church, Dunedin, and for several years filled the positions of deacon and treasurer in connection with the Caversham Church. Mr. Tennant was married in 1866 to a daughter of the late Mr. Joshua College, of Dunedin. He retired on a pension in January, 1901, and now resides in the Old Country.

The Marine Department in Otago has its quarters at the Government Shipping Office, 15 Jetty Street, Dunedin. The Department is administered under the authority of the Minister of Marine (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones), and is responsible for the erection and maintenance of lighthouses, the collection of light dues, the erection of beacons, and the supervision of harbours. Steamships trading to and in the colony are inspected and reported on regularly, and when necessary recommendations are made with a view to the safety of the public. Examinations for masters and mates are held, and certificates issued to those passing satisfactorily. The Superintendents of Mercantile Marine at the four large ports are charged with the administration of the Shipping and Seamen's Act, which deals with the engagement and discharge of seamen, etc. At other ports these duties are performed by the Collectors of Customs.

Captain C. E. W. Fleming , Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and Examiner of Masters and Mates, for the Marine Department at Dunedin, was born in Dublin, and educated at the Wesleyan College in that city. He entered the service of Messrs Lyle, shipowners of Greenock, and afterwards joined the Royal mail service running between England and Ireland. In 1884 he joined the Union Steamship Company and served four years and a half as chief officer, and eleven years as master. Captain Fleming was appointed to his present position in 1899.