CO129-053 - Public Offices - 1855 — Page 380

It is undeniable that you should give it as extensive a publicity as possible.

The object of this Act is to prevent (so far as regards British Ships or Ships sailing from British Territory) the recurrence of the grave abuses which have existed in the carriage of Chinese Emigrants.

In keeping with this view, it provides that until otherwise ordered by the Registrar of St. Helena, every such Ship shall be subject to certain Regulations specified in a Schedule to the Act, which limits the number carried and requires a sufficient supply of provisions, water, medicine, & medical comforts. The duty of certifying that these regulations have been observed is devolved on the "Emigration Officer." Ships wanting such Certificate are made liable to forfeiture.

If you should decide, for the present at least, not to exercise the power of legislation confided to the Legislative Council of Hong-Kong, the regulations of the Act will come into operation, and you should see no objection to determine that course.

But it may be desirable to point out that in the scale of provisions, medicines & medical comforts, some alteration may be necessary.

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