1424
Time and mode
of application for licence at the
ports out of the Colony,
Punishment for
furnishing untrue particulars.
[Ibid, sec. 6.]
General licences to mail steamers, &c.
Conditions of licence and
amount of fee. [Ibid, sec, 6.]
Governor in Council may impose conditions.
Licence to specify time of departure: proviso for extension thereof.
[Ibid, sec. 7.]
The Governor may authorise labourers and
servants to be engaged for persons in British
possessions.
ORDINANCE No. 5 OF 1876.
Chinese Emigration Amendment.
3. Whenever any Chinese passenger ship, which is not provided with a licence covering her intended voyage, is about to proceed with free Chinese emigrants under no contract of service whatever from any port in China, or within one hundred miles of the coast thereof, upon a voyage of not more than thirty days' duration, the owners or charterers of such ship, or, if absent, their respective agents, may, before such ship is laid on for the conveyance of Chinese emigrants, and before any depôt is opened for their reception, apply in writing to the emigration officer at such port for a licence under his hand and seal for the conveyance of such emigrants upon the intended voyage only, and shall furnish all particulars as to the destination of the said ship, and as to all other matters relating to the intended voyage and emigration which may be required of them,
4. All such particulars shall, if so ordered, be verified upon oath before the emigration officer or any Justice of the Peace, and every person who shall knowingly furnish untrue particulars, shall be liable to imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for any period not exceeding six calendar months, and to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, either in addition to or in substitution of such imprisonment.
5. The Governor in Council may, at his discretion, grant to any vessel a general licence for any period, or for any number of voyages, or for voyages to and from any specified port or ports, upon the condition that the vessel provided with such licence shall carry only free passengers under no contract of service whatever, except as hereinafter mentioned.
6. The granting of any licence shall be in the discretion of the Governor in Council, and in cases within the third paragraph of this section, shall be in the discretion of the emigration officer, and in every case shall be subject to the payment of a fee of five dollars, and to such conditions as may, from time to time, be prescribed under instructions from Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the Governor in Council may impose such conditions on the granting of any licence as he shall think expedient in each particular case, provided the same shall not be contrary to or inconsistent with such instructions.
7. Every licence, other than a general licence, granted under this section in respect of any Chinese passenger ship shall specify the period within which such ship shall clear out and proceed to sea: Provided always that it shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, or emigration officer who granted the licence, from time to time, to extend such period.
8. The Governor in Council may, at his discretion, authorise any person to engage any specified number of Chinese artisans, mechanics, labourers, or servants for any person resident in any British possession, and to make contracts in writing on behalf of such resident with the persons so engaged. Every such contract shall be made in triplicate, and one part shall be lodged in the office of the emigration officer; and such part shall be admissible in evidence without a stamp.
Any vessel provided with a general licence may carry any persons so engaged without thereby affecting her licence.