Authority,
In order that the fort may
be
held responsible for any expenses thereby incurred.
Will you
have the goodness to inform the,
convenience, who are the persons
at your command authorised to receive requisitions
I have been
"(signed) Peter Jones Surgeon.
Rules to be observed until further Order for the admission of British Merchant Seamen into the Merchant Seamen's Hospital at Hongkong.
1. When the Master or other Person in charge of a Vessel or other individual under his authority, applies to the Merchant Seamen's Hospital, the said master or other person, is to apply in the first instance to the Harbour Master and Marine Magistrate who will refer the case to the (Acting) Colonial Surgeon; and the latter Officer considering the case a proper one for admission, he will certify accordingly, and send the Patient to the Hospital.
2. In all cases coming within the preceding rule, The Harbour Master will obtain an acknowledgement in writing from the Master or Person sending the Patient, or failing them, from the Owners or Consignees of the Vessel, that his expenses whilst in Hospital will be paid according to the scale published in the Hongkong Gazette of the Government.
3. In cases where destitute (that is unemployed) British Seamen may apply to the Harbour Master and Marine Magistrate to be admitted to the Hospital, that officer is, in addition to referring that case [as laid down in rule 1] to the [Acting] Colonial Surgeon, to ascertain all particulars regarding such applicants, according to a form that will be furnished for his guidance and submit those particulars, together with the [Acting] Colonial Surgeon's opinion, for information & commands of Govt., it being obviously requisite & proper that strict & precautions should be taken to prevent the benefits of admission to the Hospital being abused, and that excellent institution converted into a retreat for idle and worthless characters.
4. In cases of sudden & obvious emergency the above rules may be dispensed with, either by the Harbour Master's Marine Magistrate or by the [Acting] Colonial Surgeon, making after the Patient shall be sent to the Hospital with a note addressed to the Surgeon in charge and "headed" "Emergency" "By order.
(signed)
A. Worrall