EMIGRATION ORDINANCES.
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The diet is simplified, and Passengers are allowed to provide their own provisions.
These vessels are not compelled to carry Surgeons.
Government Notification No. 107 of 17th May, 1872,-Prohibits Sailing Chinese Passenger Ships leaving Hongkong for the Australian Colonies, from the months of April to September inclusive.
Emigration under Contracts of Service prohibited, unless the Emigrants shall be proceeding to British Colonies.
The Emigration Officer holds the Master of a Passenger Ship answerable for compliance with his requirements.
When a ship has been chartered for the conveyance of Chinese Passengers, the Master is to notify the Emigration Office, in writing, to that effect, naming the Licensed Passage Broker authorised to issue Passenger Tickets, and forwarding at the same time a copy of the Government Surveyor's Certificate of measurement.
The vessel will then be inspected by the Emigration Officer, who will pass or reject her as be shall see fit.
If the vessel is passed, the Agent or Charterer will make the usual application for a licence, on a form to be obtained at this office, and if granted, the Master with two approved sureties must attend at the Emigration Office and execute the Bond required under Section 4 of the Chinese Passengers' Act.
The ship is then to be fitted with such berths, body hatches, ladders, hospital, privies, &c., as may be directed by the Emigration Officer.
If the vessel is to carry Female Passengers, a place separated from the Male Passengers must be appropriated to their use, conveniences for them being placed aft. Between the bunks of married couples, there must be a division board not less than 22 inches high.
When the provisions are taken in, they must not be stowed away without the sanction of the Emigration Officer, who will not pass, (in vessels about to proceed on voyages of over thirty (30) days' duration,) any Chinese preserved Beef or Pork; nor Fish cured with their entrails remaining in them.
The water should be taken on board at an early period to admit of the casks taking up.
The Master will make arrangements with his Passage Broker for providing his vessel with properly qualified Surgeons and Interpreters, one of each being required for every two hundred (200) Passengers, unless a European or American Surgeon is engaged for the voyage, when only one Surgeon is needed.
If the vessel is a steamer, she must be supplied with such quantity and quality of Coals as the Emigration Officer shall direct, and a certificate must be produced that the Engines and Boilers are in good condition for the contemplated voyage.
If the vessel is fitted with an approved distilling apparatus, she may carry a reduced quantity of water in casks.
When the provisions are stowed, and the ship is ready to receive the passengers on board, the passage broker will bring a written notice to that effect from the master, when a time will be fixed for the attendance of the passengers at the Emigration Office to have their Contracts or Passage Tickets (as the case may be) signed, and explained to them by the Emigration Officer.
The passengers will then embark, and when the master shall have satisfied himself that they are all on board, he is to report to that effect, when the Emigration Officer will muster the passengers and make a final inspection of the ship.
The papers to be lodged with the Emigration Officer before clearance will be granted, are:-
1.-Government Surveyor's certificate of measurement and seaworthiness. 2.-When required, Engineer Surveyor's certificate as to condition of boilers and engines, quantity and quality of coals on board, description of condensing apparatus and quantity of fresh water it is capable of producing daily.
3.-Lists of provisions and medicines.