28
instead of having it calculated under an Act of Parliament that, for all practical purposes, did not exist at the time, and was not to come into operation for probably three months after the vessel left her port, the' it appears from the Acting Immigration Officer's Report, think it "brought to bear against this unfortunate ship.
Aves
I shall dismiss that part of the Acting Immigration Officer's Report that alludes to the existence of a misunderstanding between the Authorities at Hongkong,
- Aug_Mong
is
over to the Harbor Master's interfering " in matters connected with the Sewingers in which he should not have any voice", by simply stating that, as Hongkong a Free Port, there is no Custom House, and the Harbor Master performs all the duties which would be discharged by the
Collector and Comptroller
80
29
to deci 12 of
M
13
be
were such Officers here; and a
reference to sec: The Passenger Act will inform Mr. Ag that it is an especial duty assigned to the Officer of the Customs, from whom "clearance for a Passenger ship shall be demanded, to countersign the Passenger List; and I hope the statement I have had the honor to submit for His Excellency's information has sufficiently explained the grounds on which the Officers at Hongkong gave the certificate in question?
I have, &c
(Signed) Thos V. Wacting,
Harbor Master.
True Copy
Colonial Sec