stowaways in Hongkong. The classes we desire to legislate for, 1st discharged
are
seamen and 2nd destitutes sent to or landed
in
Hongkong from Cast China or Manila.
I noticed in one
of the papers, a few days ago, mention of two persons at Shanghai, destitutes or rogues and vagabonds, being sentenced to be deported to Hongkong.
The only Colonies which seemed to have taken the matter in hand are:
1st Mauritius. The law there forbids the landing of stowaways, foundlings
or
enfants trouvés without the permission of the Police.
2nd Victoria, where stowaways are treated as passengers, and in the event of their being likely to become a burden to the Colony, a bond is taken from the owner, master, or charterer of the
vessel.
3rd South Australia. The law in this Colony requires the master of the
vessel
from which a stowaway
landed, who is not in good health, to send him to Hospital and to
keep him there till convalescent, and if
necessary to give a bond to that effect, and to pay his
expenses.
The proposed Ordinance will apply to stowaways, as Sec. 22 says: "Every
master landing or allowing to be landed
in this Colony any person not a Chinese
who is obviously destitute or likely
speedily to become so.”
(Signed) Edw J. Ackroyd
Acting Attorney General
28th July, 1886.