within a
"
on
lately cleared for that Port with 1500 passengers on board, and another, the "Nosang" is now on the berth. Her agent wishes to claim exemption from the obligations of the Ordinance, on the plea that Vladivostock is
journey of seven days. (see parts of section 5 of the first named Ordinance). The distance is calculated at 1200 miles. No doubt a full-powered steamer in good weather could easily make the
voyage in five days, as Mr. Wake, the agent of the Indo-China Company pleads, but bad weather and want of steam power must be allowed for.
I notice in schedule 4 of the said Ordinance that Manila
and Japan
are both named as
placed to which the Ordinance applies. Both of these are nearer
The
212
the coast of China than Vladivostock is to this. Is there any definition
of what constitutes a seven days' voyage?
I have no wish to put
steamer agents to unnecessary trouble or
in the case
expense,
or to drive
the passenger traffic into steamers running under another flag, but unless passenger steamers are properly controlled great abuses in the
way of overcrowding may occur, as has happened already, of steamers running between Chefoo and Newchwang and Chefoo and Port Arthur. Immense numbers of emigrants are leaving the Province this spring owing to the
failure of last year's crops. May I ask for the favour of a speedy reply that I may take action while the emigrant season lasts.
E for