to the Mail Steamers belonging to the Messageries Maritimes, and the Peninsular and Oriental Company.
2. Shortly before the departure Sir Richard MacDonnell, the Firm of Jardine Matheson and Company, being the Owners or Agents of two first-class Steamers, running between Calcutta and this Colony, called the Indian Mail Packets, applied to be exempted from the operation of the Chinese "Passengers Ordinance No. 8 of 1871."
The ground was that the Peninsular and Oriental and Messageries Maritimes Steamers were not required to comply with its provisions.
Inclosure No. 2.
538
Inquiry led to the alleged fact being substantiated, and as neither the Imperial Act nor the local Ordinance admitted of any exemptions being granted, the Agents of the respective Companies were duly informed by the Migration Officer that on their conveying in their Steamers more than 20 Chinese Passengers, they fell within the scope of the Law referred to.
4. On this, the Agent of the Messageries Maritimes has pleaded the Postal Convention of 1850, and the Agent of the Peninsular and Oriental an Imperial Act (15 and 16 Victoria Chapter 44), as containing...
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