1472
557
Dongkang.
No 288.
24. December 187.
Govenor
Sis Aritun Kennedy, R.cm.& c.n.
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The Right Umoralde
"The Earl of Shimdaley
Ordinance No 17 of 1873 - "to establish Light hours.os
" within the Coolary
Transmite Copy off- for Oa Majortize Confirmation -
Statement of Objects and Reasons.
This Ordinance is introduced to empower the Governor to erect
the necessary Lighthouses for lighting the approaches to the Harbor of Hongkong, and to raise funds by means of a loan for such purpose. The great and progressive increase of late years in steam navigation has rendered more urgent a want which the interests of commerce have long felt, and which this enactment is meant to supply in the readiest and most effectual way open to the Legislature.
As these lights will not benefit to any very appreciable extent any ships, but those bound for this Port, it does not seem necessary to resort to the process provided by "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1855, for collecting dues for the use of such lights in British Ports other than this. The provisions for the collection of dues are therefore made altogether local, and the Ordinance by Section VI leaves it in the bands of the Governor in Council to fix such dues as may be in the first instance deemed necessary to cover the original cost of construction and subsequently the working expenses only. The estimates which have been made for the construction of the Lighthouses when compared with the average amount of tonnage annually coming into this Harbor give reason to antici- pate that such dues will impose but a slight burden on commerce. Sections VII and VIII exempt all men of war of whatever nationality from the payment of light dues, and empower the Governor by order in Council to exempt any other Ships or classes of Ships from such dues, or to make arrangements for annual payments.
Sections IX to XIV inclusive with reference to the method of collecting such dues, for preventing damage to the lights, &c., and the use of false lights, are taken from "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," and require no special explanation.
By Section XVI the Governor in Council is empowered to make such regulations as will in practice be found necessary for the working of the Ordinance.
THOS. C. HAYLLAR, Acting Attorney General,
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