the-ordinances-of-the-legislative-counci-1890 — Page 131

ORDINANCE No. 16 OF 1844. 95


Registration of Inhabitants.


No. 16 of 1844 .

An Ordinance for establishing a Registry of the Inhabitants of the Island Title.

of Hongkong and its Dependencies .

[ 21st August, 1844. ]

HEREAS to secure tranquillity and good order in the Colony of Hongkong and Preamble.
W its dependencies, and to prevent the resort thereto of abandoned characters
and of persons without any ostensible means of subsistence it is expedient that a
registry be established of persons resident therein. Be it therefore enacted and
ordained by His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong with the advice ofthe Legislative
Council thereof that there be established in some convenient locality in Victoria an
office to be entitled " The Registration Office " and that this office do consist of a
Registrar, and of such further officers and assistants and at such salaries as the
Governor in Council may be pleased to appoint subject to Her Majesty's pleasure.

And be it further enacted and ordained that from and after the first day of Commencing 1st
November, 1844.
November next , all male inhabitants of the age of twenty- one years and upwards or
capable of earning a livelihood resident in the Colony of Hongkong shall be required
once in every year to appear personally at the said office or at such branch offices as may
be from time to time established by the Governor in Council to be there registered in
manner hereinafter mentioned unless where it shall appear advisable to the said
Registrar General to dispense with the personal appearance of any one hereby required
to be registered.

And be it further enacted and ordained that the said Registrar General or such Entry of
particulars.
other officer so to be appointed as aforesaid shall and may in all cases where he shall
deem it advisable enquire into, and acquaint himself with the age birthplace and
residence of every person so to be registered and with his occupation, and date of
arrival in the Colony aforesaid and with the circumstances of his family and con
nexions and with their places of residence and occupation , and shall and may ascertain
whether the said applicant be married and of what number his family consists and
whether male or female and that he do enter or cause to be entered all such particulars
in a book to be kept for that purpose.

And be it further enacted and ordained that if upon enquiry it shall appear to Ticket to be
granted or
the Registrar General or such other officer so to be appointed as aforesaid that the said otherwise.
applicant is a fit and proper person to be permitted to reside in the said Colony it shall
be lawful for the said Registrar General or such other officers to be appointed as
aforesaid to grant him a registration ticket upon payment of the fees hereinafter
mentioned . Provided also that if upon enquiry it shall appear to the said Registrar
General or such other officer so to be appointed as aforesaid that the said unregistered
person is a vagabond or bad character or without visible means of subsistence the said

Registrar General or such other officer as aforesaid shall have full power and authority
to prohibit him from residing in the said Colony.