c. o.
30901
Ihat?
Bet 18 AUG 05)
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE:
Hongkong,
24th June,
1903.
Report on Ordinance No.
5 of 1903.
I have examined the accompanying Ordinance, entitled
An Ordinance to provide for the more effectual preven-
-tion of frauds on owners and charterers of ships by
stowaways, their aiders and abettors
and I am of opinion that the Ordinance is one which is not contrary to
the Governor's Instructions.
Objects and Recsous.
This Ordinance, which is very drastic in its provisions, is introduced, as a last resort, in the hope that it will at onee cheek and finally put an end to the at prosent con- stantly recurring cases of frands on owners and charterers of ships by stowaways, principally between Hongkong and Manila.
The matter has been made the subject of communica- tions to Government from several quarters, among others from the Chamber of Commerce. Various measures hava been taken to stop stowing away, bur all hitherto doue has been insufficient to countervail the exce; tional temptatious to introduce Chinese into the Philippines.
In one case, that of the Kaifong, no less than 134 stowaways were found concealed on the vessel on her arrival at Cebu, a port in the Philippines. The ship's officers made a timely discovery of the stowaways, and re- ported the matter to the American Authorities, so escaping very heavy fine for a breach of the stringent laws against the introduction of Chinese Into the Islands. As it was great delay and expense to the ship was occnsioned, and the owners were obliged to enter into a bond for $70,000 gold to take the stowaways back to Hongkong.
Under the law at present in force in Hongkong a fine of $500 or, in default of payment of the fine, six months' imprisonment with or without hard labour may he
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