Directory_and_Chronicle_1886 — Page 1024

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

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RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH SUBJECTS IN SIAM.

British subjects on leaving Siam as a residence are equally required to report themselves at the Consulate, at least forty-eight hours before their departure.

Seamen borne on the muster-roll of a British vessel are exempt from this obligation. Art. III.-In compliance with the Order of Her Majesty in Council, dated the 1st of May, 1858, a register of all births and deaths occurring amongst British subjects in Siam is kept at the Consulate. The registration free of each case is two shillings and sixpence.

The period in which such registration can take place after the occurrence of the event in foreign countries has been fixed by Her Majesty's Government to be seven years; this being the utmost limit that can be allowed for such registration.

Art. IV. It the event of a sudden death, either by accident or otherwise, amongst the subjects of Her Majesty residing here, it must forthwith be reported at Her Majesty's Consulate in order that such measures may be taken as the circum- stances require.

Art. V.-British subjects in Siam desiring to trade beyond the limits stipulated by the Treaty, must apply for a passport to the Consulate a reasonable time before their intended departure; as that document must be countersigned by the proper Siamese authority.

Persons travelling without a pass render themselves liable to be treated as deserters, and will be detained at the government stations in the interior until the case having been reported to the Consul, instructions on the subject have been received.

Art. VI. In the cases of loss of British property by theft or fraud, assault or felony, whether committed on shore or on board of a British vessel in harbour, the occurrence must be forthwith reported at the Consulate-office, and in cases of theft, peculation, or assault where British and Siamese subjects are both concerned, a Siamese, if guilty of any criminal act, may be conveyed to Her Majesty's Consulate, provided there is no responsible officer of his country at hand to whom the offender might be delivered. But British subjects will not be permitted to use violence to Siamese offenders, or take steps for the redress of their grievances, under peril of rendering themselves liable for the prosecution of an assault.

Art. VII.-It is strictly forbidden a British subject, whether permanently or temporarily residing in Bangkok, or in any other part of Siam, to enter the precincts of a Wat or Siamese Temple for the purpose of shooting pigeons or other birds; nor is it permitted to injure the edifices, or the symbols of Siamese worship of their tombs, or to damage any of the trees and shrubs within the last. Any infringement of this rule will subject the offender to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds, or in default of such payment, to imprisonment in the Consular gaol for a period not exceeding one month, with or without hard labour.

Art. VIII.-No British subject residing in Bangkok or in any other part of Siam may establish either a boarding or eating-house without the sanction of the Consul, and unless security has been given not to harbour any seaman who fails to prove that he has been legally discharged. Any person thus licensed as boarding or eating- house keeper, must use every precaution that the inmates and frequenters of his house do not conduct therselves in a riotous manner, or break the peace, otherwise he will be rendered responsible, and his licence may be withdrawn.

Art. IX.-Any British subject resident in Bangkok, who wilfully harbours or secretes any seaman or apprentice who has deserted from a British ship, knowing or having reason to believe such to be the case, shall, conformably to the "Merchant Shipping Act, 1854" (paragraph 257), incur a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds; in default, he may be imprisoned in the Consular gaol for any term not exceeding three months, with or without hard labour.

Art. X. It is strictly forbidden to British subjects to enter the houses of the Siamese people against their will, or to create disturbances at their abodes. Any infringement of this rule subjects the offender, or if more than one, each of the offenders, to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds, or in default thereof to imprison- ment in the Consular gaol for the period of not more than one month, with or without hard labour.

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