CO129-335 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [8-10] — Page 138

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charge be proven, the offender hall be immediately punished on

the spot. Fassengers embarking without or senting themselves for

inspection and by other means than the ferry, will be regarded as

pirates and handed over to the local officials to be dealt ith.

Intending passengers shall embark by the ferry in a body

and not by twos and threes. But should the number of such passen-

gers be excessive they may embark in parties, at the discretion of

the officer in charge of the port guardboat.

7.

8. The institution of such ferry-boats at Canton would, how-

ever, easily lead to confusion on account of the number of wharves

in that exceptionally populous centre. Accordingly, Chung Lic Ti

Chu to the Bast, Nan Shih Tou to the test, and hua ti kou to the

North-West of the city have been selected, as points which vessels

must pass, and the Commandant of the Chung Li li Chu fort, the

Commandant of the wan Shih Tou fort, and the Commandant of the

Chiang An Division respectively have been charged with the select-

ion of competent guardoost officers to be constantly on duty and

to board immediately every launch without tow passing those points,

to inspect the passengers. They are not to delay or obstruct

passengers intentionally. The penalty for any vessel refusing to

slow down and be examined will be $500 for each offence.

9. It is advisable that launches without tow, althought they

can not be expected to expicy eight soldiers as guards in the same

manner as launches towing passenger boats, should themselves engage

four men armed with revolvers to remain on board and inspect passen-

gers under the direction of the captain of the launch, to see if

there are any armed pirates amongst them. Such guards should be on

board night and day to patrol the vessel energetically, and members

of the crew should not be employed in their place. The guards

should resist to the utmost any attempt at piracy, and by shouting

as loud as possible summon the launches and guardocats in the river

to their assistance. Should the captain and guards make no effect- ive search for arms, or offer no strenuous resistance, or should