"Houghing and Macao, and between "Waughing and Places on the Canton "River: being No 11 of 1876.
I enclose copies of the correspondence which has passed between this Government and the Agents of the two Steam Ship Companies, when the Ordinance most immediately concerned, together with the report of the Harbor Master and that of the Acting Attorney General.
The Ordinance is a temporary great palliative against the dangers arising from crowding on board these River Steamers, which the reduced fares occasioned by local competition has encouraged to an alarming degree. When the Merchant Shipping Bill is brought forward, the question of over-crowding will be dealt with in conjunction with shipping matters generally, but I did not think it right to defer legislation in a matter which if left unnoticed might at any time have resulted in a lamentable catastrophe and loss of life.
I trust, therefore, that Your Lordship will lay this Ordinance before the Queen for Her Majesty's gracious sanction.
76~H & S 2454