641431-1895-Bills-read-Arms-Consolidation-An-Ordinance-to-declare-the-effect-of-Ordinances-repealing-others — Page 3

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH MA RCH, 1895.

All Importers

of or dealera

in arms to turnish return quarterly. (Ibid, 8, 16.)

Penalty for making false return.

(Ibid, s. 11.)

Penalty for refusing to make such returns.

(I bid, s. 19.)

Power of Magistrate to issue warrant to search for Arms.

(Ibid, n. 13.)

Register to be kept by dealers in arms.

Magistrate

may issue warrant for search of arms, (Ibid, a. 14.)

Arms found or carried to be forfeited.

Magistrate may isano Bearch

warrant for armis, &o., intended for bands of Chinese. (Ord. 24 of 1890.)

Penalty.

Power to

search for

arms, &c., ou

ships about to depart the Colony.

Possession of arms.

importers of, or dealers in arms not registering their names and taking out such licence shall be liable, on summary conviction thereof, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, or to imprisonment not exceeding one month.

11. All importers of, and dealers in arms shall be bound on or before the sixth day of February, May, August and November in each year to furnish to the Captain Superin- tendent of Police a statement shewing the number aud description of arms remaining in their possession on the last day of the preceding months.

12. Any person making a false return of arms under this Ordinance shall, on conviction thereof before a Magistrate, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars or to imprison- ment not exceeding ten days.

13. All importers of, and dealers in arms failing or refusing to make such return shall be deemed to be in possession of all arms found in their house, store or godown contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance, and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceed- ing one hundred dollars or to imprisonment not exceeding one month.

14. Upon the hearing of any information for furnishing such false return the Magistrate may, if he thinks fit, issue a warrant to search any house, store or place where such arms are alleged to be kept or stored, and any Police Officer to whom the said warrant is directed may with or without assistance and using force if necessary enter any house, store or place in the said warrant mentioned and search for such arms.

15. Every dealer in arms shall keep a Register in which shall be entered the name, occupation, and address of each purchaser, the particulars of the arms sold, the date of the sale, and the number and date of the licence presented in each case, where such licence is required.

16. A Magistrate may by warrant authorise any person named in such warrant to search in any houses, buildings, ships, vessels or places for any arms suspected to be therein in contravention of this Ordinance.

The person so named in such warrant with such consta bles and other persons as he calls to his assistance, may at any time enter into any house, building, ship, (not being a ship of war or ship having the status of a ship of war), vessel or place and there execute the warrant, and in case admittance is refused or is not obtained within a reasonable time after it is first demanded, such persons may enter by force in order to execute such warrant. The person execut- ing such warrant shall before executing the same if so desired produce the said warrant.

Any arms, carried, had or found under circumstances which contravene this Ordinance, may be forthwith seized and shall be forfeited to Her Majesty.

17. If it shall appear to a Magistrate upon the oath of any Officer of the Police that there is reason to suspect that any person has in his possession, or that there are concealed in any house, building, place or ship any arms or ammunition intended to be used in arming any band or bands of two or more Chinese persons within the Colony or the waters thereof, the said Magistrate may by his warrant- directed to any Police Officer not under the rank of sergeant empower the said Officer by day or night to enter and search any house, dwelling, building or place, or any ship (not being a ship of war or ship having such status), lying. or being in the waters of the Colony and to take possession of such arms found therein.

Any person found in possession of any such arms or am- munition shall be liable on conviction before a Magistrate to a fine not exceeding $100 or to imprisonment with or without hard labour not exceeding three months and all such arms or ammunition shall be forfeited to the Crown.

18. (1) Whenever any ship whether under weigh or not (not being a ship of war or ship having the status of a ship or war) is about to leave the waters of the Colony it shall be lawful for the Master or Officer in charge thereof for the time being without any warrant for the purpose to search or canse to be searched all passengers, their luggage, baggage and goods for arms or ammunition and for that purpose, where necessary, to use force or to break open any cases, boxes or other receptacles wherein any arms are or may be reasonably suspected to be concealed.

(2.) Any person being in possession or having the control of such arms or ammunition may be arrested forthwith by the master or any other officer of the ship and unless such person shall satisfactorily account for such arms or ammu--