690379-1877-Deck-Cargo-Space-of-Vessels-Measurement-of- — Page 1

MO

DROIT.

THE HONGKONG

Government Gazette.

No. 21.

No. 114.

Published by Authority.

VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 5TH MAY, 1877.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

VOL. XXIII.

The following Circular Despatch of 9th January, 1877, from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, transmitting letter from the Board of Trade showing the arrangements which have been adopted for measuring the Deck Cargo space of Vessels, in accordance with the provisions of Section 23 of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1876," is published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 1st May, 1877.

J. GARDINER AUSTIN,

Colonial Secretary,

CIRCULAR.

DOWNING STREET, 9th January, 1877.

SIR,-I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, showing the arrangements which have been adopted by that Department for measuring the deck cargo space of vessels in accordance with the provisions of Section 23 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1876.

2. The Board of Trade desire that these arrangements should be made known to the various Colonial Governments, so that they may be able to follow a similar course.

3. It is suggested by that Department that the Officers of Customs in each of the Colonies should be instructed to report to the Board of Trade any case in which a ship arrives in the Colony from the United Kingdom, carrying deck cargo in excess of the amount stated in Form Surveys 104a, in order that the necessary steps may be taken in the matter; and it is pointed out that if any Colonial Govern- ment adopts the plan thus adopted in this Country, and issues a form equivalent to the Form enclosed to ships leaving the Colony for the United Kingdom, and also causes the necessary entries to be made in the Official Log, it will greatly facilitate the measurement of the Deck Cargo space on arrival in the United Kingdom.

4. As it is desirable to secure, as far as possible, uniformity of practice in carrying out the pro- visions of the Section of the Act referred to, I request that you will bring the enclosed letter under the careful consideration of your Government, and that you will report to me at your earliest con- venience what action has been taken in the matter.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

The Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong.

CARNARVON,