the-ordinances-of-the-legislative-counci-1890 — Page 47

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ORDINANCE No. 4 OF 1844. 11


Merchant Shipping.


No. 4 of 1844.

An Ordinance to restrain masters of merchant vessels belonging to Her Title.

Majesty's subjects from leaving seamen and others in a destitute
state in the Colony of Hongkong , and from refusing to convey dis
tressed scamen from thence to England , and also to provide for the
good conduct of seamen within the same .

[ 28th February , 1844. ]

HEREAS by reason of the distance of Hongkong from Great Britain , great delay Preamble.
WE and expense are incurred in recovering such sums of money as are expended
on Her Majesty's behalf, in conveying home destitute seamen unlawfully left behind
in Hongkong by masters of British merchant vessels.

And whereas it is expedient to effectually provide against masters of merchant
vessels belonging to Her Majesty's subjects leaving behind seamen or other persons in
a destitute state in Hongkong, and against masters of merchant vessels refusing to
convey distressed seamen thence to England , and also to provide means of affording
satisfaction to persons who may have suffered injury from the crew of any vessel
belonging to Her Majesty's subjects.

1. Be it therefore enacted and ordained by His Excellency the Governor of Masters of mer
chant vessels to
Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, that the master of every enter into bond
with sureties, as
merchant vessel belonging to any of Her Majesty's subjects, as such master and in that in form annexed.

character, on his arrival at Hongkong, shall together with sufficient sureties subject to
the jurisdiction of the Courts of Justice at Hongkong enter into a bond, conditioned
as and in the form in the schedule to this Ordinance annexed . Provided always that
only one such bond shall be required within the space of one year, unless the same
shall become forfeited , and that any bond of a similar nature, taken at any port in the
dominions of the Emperor of China, and conditioned to extend to Hongkong , shall be
of the same force and effect as if entered into at Hongkong aforesaid . Provided also
that the Superintendent of the Trade of Her Majesty's subjects in China may demand
and take such other security as he may deem necessary or sufficient from the owners
master consignees or other persons interested in any vessel, for the due performance of
the conditions in such bond as aforesaid , conditioned to extend both to Hongkong and
the dominions of the Emperor of China, and that thereupon no master of any vessel ,
in respect of which such other security shall be taken, shall be required to enter into
such bond as hereinbefore mentioned.

2. And be it enacted that the Harbour Master at Hongkong or such other officer Harbour Master
to take bond and
as may be duly authorized in that behalf, shall be entitled to demand and take possession give certificate
thereof and
of such bond, and shall deliver a certificate of the taking thereof to such master as approve of
sureties.
aforesaid, and that the sureties therein shall be to the satisfaction of and approved by
the said Harbour Master or other officer.