REGULATIONS OF THE PORT OF HONGKONG. The following rules and regulations are hereby promulgated with a view to the safety of the shipping in the harbour, and the convenience of the navigation thereof.
ART. 1st. Every master or person in charge of any merchant vessel arriving at the said port, will take up the berth indicated by the harbour-master (and moor if required), under a penalty of $100 to be recovered in the manner hereinafter set forth for the general recovery of fines.
ART. 2d. Every master or person in charge of any merchant vessel lying within the said port, shall immediately remove the vessel to any other berth indicated by the harbour-master, under a fine of $20 for every hour that the vessel shall remain in the same place after a written notice to quit, signed by the harbour-master.
ART. 3d. All masters or persons in charge of vessels are required to strike their top-gallant yards and masts, and to have their jib and spanker booms rigged close in, if called upon so to do, and generally to follow such directions as the state of the weather or the crowded condition of the port may render necessary in the judgment of the harbour-master, for the safety of the whole shipping, and masters of vessels offending against this regulation will be liable to a fine not exceeding $400, and payment of all expenses incurred by reason of the vessels breaking adrift, or occasioning damage, subsequent to the precautionary notice of the harbour-master not being duly regarded.
ART. 4th. Masters of vessels proceeding to sea must give notice to the harbour-master at least 24 hours before the time of intended departure: and Notice is hereby given that vessels will be detained, the masters of which shall not have paid fines or expenses awarded for violation of these rules and regulations.
ART. 5th. Transports wearing pendants will always be berthed by their own agent, and the harbour-master will make application to the senior naval officer on the spot respecting any movement which he may judge necessary for the general safety of the shipping in the port.
ART. 6th. Masters of vessels will be expected to conform to ordinary port regulations, other than those hereinbefore specified, and they are particularly warned not to cast overboard any stone or other ballast.
ART. 7th. All persons are required to take notice that the harbour-master's authority extends to the preservation of order at the several landing-places in the harbour.
All fines for breach of these rules and regulations will be proceeded for before the chief magistrate, who is hereby authorized at the written request and complaint of the harbour-master to summon the parties charged, and thereupon to make summary decision, and all fines so recovered will go to the use of Her Majesty.
REGULATIONS FOR THE MARINE MAGISTRATE.
SECTION 1,
Of the functions of the magistrate.
REG. No. 1. To repair forthwith on board of any British ship, sending or making the signal for assistance (signals hereinafter specified), by reason of the riotous state of the crew, and, if a state of actual violence or resistance to authority shall exist, to take instant and energetic measures for the restoration of the peace and due subordination.
REG. No. 2. Fire-arms in no case to be used on such occasions, except for the protection of life, till the Magistrate, or in his absence the commanding officer of the ship, or one of the constables of police, shall have, audibly and ineffectually, made the following Proclamation (or words to the like effect):
"Our sovereign Lady the Queen commands all persons here assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and to return peaceably to the performance of their duties. God save the Queen."
REG. No. 3. The Magistrate on the spot, after summary inquiry into the occasion of any riot, may issue his Warrant for the apprehension of any Persons who shall appear to him to have acted as ringleaders, either leaving them for safe custody on board their own ships, or committing them to jail, as he may judge best under the circumstances.
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