Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 113

GENERAL PORT REGULATIONS FOR BRITISH

CONSULATES IN CHINA

The undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China, acting under the authority conferred upon him by the 85th Section of the China and Japan Order in Council, 1865, hereby declares the following Regulations, made, in pursuance of the above Order in Council, to secure the observance of Treaties and the maintenance of friendly relations between British subjects and Chinese subjects and authorities to be applicable to all ports which are, or may hereafter become, open to British trade:-

I.—The British Consulate offices at the several open ports shall be opened for public business from 10 o'clock A.M. to 4 o'clock P.M. daily, excepting Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday, King's Birthday, Easter Monday, those holidays upon which public offices in England are closed, and Chinese New Year's day, and such Chinese holidays as the Chinese Customs authorities may observe.

II.-On the arrival of any British vessel at the anchorage of any of the

of the open ports, the master shall, within 24 hours, deposit his ship's papers, together with a summary of the manifest of her cargo, at the Consulate office, unless a Sunday or holiday shall intervene.

III.-Every British vessel nust show her national colours on entering the port or anchorage, and keep them hoisted until she shall have been reported at the Consulate and her papers deposited there.

IV.-No British vessel or any vessel the property of a British subject, unless, provided with a certificate of registry, or provisional or other pass from the Super- intendent of Trade at Peking, or from the Colonial Government at Hongkong, shall hoist the British ensign within any port or anchorage, or any flag similar to the British ensign or of a character not to be easily distinguishable from it. Nor shall any registered British vessel flying the Red ensign hoist any other ensign or flag (except she be entitled to fly the Blue ensign) in use by Her Majesty's vessels of war, or the national ensign of any foreign State or any ensign or flag not plainly dis- tinguishable from the ensigns used by Her Majesty's ships of war or from those flown by Ships of foreign States.

V. Should any seaman absent himself from his ship without permission, the master shall forthwith report the circumstance at the Consulate office, and take the necessary measures for the recovery of the absentee, and it shall be lawful for the Consul, if circumstances shall require it, in his discretion to prohibit leave being given to seainen to come ashore, and any master who shall violate such prohibition shall incur the penalties hereinafter declared.

VI. The discharge of guns or other firearms from vessels in harbour is strictly prohibited, unless permission shall have been granted by the Consul.