520
in order to shew how very little we can suggest to further their own native decency, Passengers often arrive here in a body from their native Districts when the ship is ready for sea; they all appear at this office. My presence has their dietary scale
on
and in
~
the Passage, and the general regulations explained to them, their Passage Tickets are then countersigned
by me, and they go
on
board, where I
again muster them all when making
My
last inspection
immediately before
the vessel clears for Sea.
The Victoria Colonial act of the 24th November 1837, with the £10. Head money clause, manifestly
requires no explanation here, as all the responsibilities under that act rest on the Master and ship carrying the Immigrants; and the £10 has to be paid here in advance into the Master's hands before the ship sails, a point very sharply
attended to by the ship's master, so much so that I have known Masters
refuse to take up their Anchors until the Head money for the Melbourne
Passengers in their ships, to them by lien on the passengers' Cargoes,
the
Money
not
having been paid.
If it is considered advisable to
publish in Chinese such part of the Laws of, and such information relative
to, Emigrants' prospects in, the Australia,