696439-1874-Merchant-Shipping-Consolidation-Draft-Bill- — Page 1

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THE HONGKONG

Government Gazette.

No. 29.

Published by Authority.

VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 18TH JULY, 1874.

VOL. XX.

No. 115.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

The following Draft Bill "relating to Merchant Shipping, the Duties of the Harbour Master, the Control and Management of the Waters of the Colony, and the Regulation of Vessels navigating the same," is published for general information,

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 13th.July, 1874.

J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.

An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to consolidate and amend the laws relating to mer- chant shipping, the duties of the Harbour Master, the control and management of the waters of the Colony, and the regulation of vessels navigating the

same.

[

, 1874.]

HEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the laws

Master, the control and management of the waters of the Colony, and the regulation of all vessels navigating the same; and whereas doubts have arisen as to the applicability of certain sec- tions of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," and the Acts amend- ing the same: Be it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:-

PRELIMINARY.

Title.

Preamble.

I. This Ordinance may be cited for all purposes as "The Mer- Short Title. chant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance, 1874.”

II. In the construction and for the purposes of this Ordinance Interpretation (if not inconsistent with the context or subject matter) the follow- Clause. ing terms shall have the respective meanings hereinafter assigned to

them, that is to say:

"Master" shall include every person (except a pilot) having command or charge of

any ship;

"Seaman" shall include any person (except masters, pilots and apprentices duly indentured and registered) employed or engaged in any capacity on board any ship;

Ship" shall include any description of vessel used in naviga- tion not propelled by oars, except Chinese junks or lorchas.

The term "waters of the Colony" shall (except as herein- after provided) be, for the purposes of this Ordinance, deemed to comprise the waters situate within a radius of one marine league from the shores of the Colony: Provided always that this interpretation shall not be construed to affect waters within such radius in any case where such waters are situate within the territorial limits or jurisdiction of the empire of China.