Each allotment to be put up at public auction, at a certain up set rate of quit-rent, and to be disposed of to the highest bidder. But it is engaged, upon the part of Her Majesty's government, that persons taking land upon these terms shall have the privilege of purchasing freehold (if that tenure shall hereafter be offered by Her Majesty's government), or of continuing to hold upon the original quit-rent, if that condition be better liked.
All arrangements with natives for the cession of lands, in cultivation, or substantially built upon, to be made only through an officer deputed by the government of the island; and no title will be valid, and no occupancy respected, unless the person claiming shall hold under an instrument granted by the government of the island, of which due registry must be made in the government office.
It is distinctly, to be understood, that all natives, in the actual occupancy of lands, in cultivation, or substantially built upon, will be constrained to establish their rights, to the satisfaction of the land officer, and to take out titles, and have the same duly registered.
In order to accelerate the establishment, notice is hereby given that a sale of town allotments, having a water frontage of yards, and running back yards, will take place at Macao on the instant, by which time, it is hoped, plans, exhibiting the water front of the town, will be prepared.
Persons purchasing town lots will be entitled to purchase suburban or country lots, of square acres each, and will be permitted, for the present, to choose their own sites, subject to the approval of the government of the island.
No run of water to be diverted from its course without permission of the government.
Macao, 1st May, 1841.
Charles Elliot.
Rules and Regulations for the British Merchant Shipping.
The following Rules and Regulations for the preservation of the peace, and the maintenance of due subordination on board the British merchant shipping, now at anchor or hereafter arriving within the port of Hongkong, are published for the information of all whom it may concern.
Section 1.
Of the functions of the magistrate.
Reg. No. 1. To repair forthwith on board of any British ship, sending or making the signal for assistance (signals hereinafter specified), by reason of the riotous state of the crew, and, if a state of actual violence or resistance to authority shall exist, to take instant and energetic measures for the restoration of the peace and due subordination.
Reg. No. 2. Fire arms in no case to be used on such occasions, except for the protection of life, till the Magistrate, or in his absence the commanding officer of the ship, or one of the constables of police, shall have, audibly and ineffectually, made the following Proclamation (or words to the like effect):
"Our sovereign Lady the Queen commands all person here assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and to return peaceably to the performance of their duties. God save the Queen."
Reg. No. 3. The Magistrate on the spot, after summary inquiry on the occasion of any riot, may issue his Warrant for the apprehension of any Persons who shall appear to him to have acted as ringleaders, either leaving them for safe custody on board their own ships, or committing them to jail, as he may judge best under the circumstances.
Section 2.
Of the offences cognizable by the magistrate, and the penalties thereunto attached.
Reg. No. 1.
| Offence. | Penalty. |
| 1. Drunkenness with riot, either on board a ship, or on shore. | 1. Confinement, with, or without, hard labor, not exceeding two weeks,—or a penalty not exceeding 20 shillings, or both—according to the particular gravity of the offence, and its frequency. |
| 2. Contempt of the authority of the magistrate on any occasion of inquiry. | 2. Either of the above penalties. |
| 3. Disobedience of orders to desist from riotous conduct, or abusive and menacing language tending to the disturbance of the peace and of due subordination. | 3. Confinement in the like manner, not exceeding 14 days,—or a penalty, not exceed £2 10s; or both according to the circumstances. |
| 4. Ringleaders in riots, attended with violence towards officers or resistance to the magistrate, or the constables of police, engaged in the restoration of the peace. | 4. Confinement in like manner, not exceeding one calendar month,—or a penalty not exceeding £5,—or both, according to the circumstances. |
Reg. No. 2. A decision against a prisoner involving higher penalties, or longer confinement, than those set down in the 1st and 2d specification, needs the the sanction of the Head of the government, or in his absence of the Deputy superintendent, and is therefore not to be pronounced by the Magistrate, till that sanction has been received, the Prisoners remanded after the closing of the evidence on the defence.
Reg. No. 3. All other offences of a more aggravated nature, or not specified above, to be reported to the Head of the government by the Magistrate, and the prisoners to be left in confinement according to the customs and usages of the sea service, pending further instructions under his hand; or to be committed to jail.
Reg. No. 4. All prisoners to be maintained on the half allowance of provisions (without spirits), for which maintenance, a sum of 9d per diem shall be paid, and charged against their wages.
Reg. No. 5. If the prisoner shall have been confined on board the ship to which he belongs, no charge shall be made for his maintenance.
Reg. No. 6. Commanders of ships to which prisoners belong, under confinement according to these rules and regulations, are at literty to hire laborers to supply their place, charging the daily expense to the wages of the prisoners.
Reg. No. 7. In the case of prisoners not having wages enough to meet the penalties they have incurred, the magistrate may remit the same at the end of their confinement, and the want of finds may not be made a ground for detention beyond the period originally determined.
Reg. No. 8. Commanders of ships, who have been called upon to pay penalties out of seamen's wages, to be furnished with a certificate by this government.
Reg. No. 9. Nothing herein contained to be construed, to prevent the commander of any ship from restraining his crew, by such lawful means as he may see fit to use on his own responsibility, and without making application for police assistance.
Section 3.
Of the signals to be made by British ships, requiring assistance, by reason of the riotous state of the crew.
Reg. No. 1. In the day time, ensign, union downwards, to be hoisted wherever most conspicuous or convenient, and a musket to be fired to draw attention.
In the night time, three or four lights in the after rigging, at irregular heights, and firing of single muskets, to be repeated at intervals till assistance arrive.
Section 4.
Of the rate at which payments are to be made, and the disposal of penalties.
Reg. No. 1. All payments and penalties, made or incurred under these rules and regulations, to be at the rate of 5s, the Spanish dollar.
