the proposed
Bill
into Parliament.
1855.
18 VICT.
DRAFT
OF A
BILL
FOR
3345436/55+
The Regulation of Chinese Passenger Ships.
[Note..-The Words printed in Italics are proposed to be inserted in Committee.]
WHEREAS Abuses have occurred in conveying Emigrants from Ports in the Chinese Seas: And whereas it is expedient to prevent such Abuses in respect of Emigrants conveyed in British Ships or from British Ports: Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, as follows:
I. In the Construction of this Act the Term "Chinese Passenger Carrying Ship" shall include every Ship carrying from any Port in China or any Port within One hundred Miles of the Coast thereof more than Twenty Passengers, being Natives of Asia; the Word "Colony" shall include all Her Majesty's Possessions abroad not being under the Government of the East India Company; the Word "Governor" shall signify the Person for the Time being lawfully administering the Government of such Colony; the Term "Legislature of Hong Kong" shall signify the Governor and Legislative Council or other Legislative Authority of the same for the Time being; the Word "Ship" shall include all Sea-going Vessels.
Definition of terms: "Chinese Passenger Ship", "Colony", "Governor", "Legislature of Hong Kong"