NEW SHIPPING REGULATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 138, 25 April 1862, Page 4

NEW SHIPPING REGULATIONS.

In August, 1801, an Act was passed by the Imperial Government, intituled "An Act to empower the Governors ot' the several Australian colonies to regulate the number of passengers to bo earned in vessels plying between Ports in these Colonies." Under this Act, the Governor of Victoria has issued a proclamation, notifying that the 13th and 14th sections of the " Passengers' Act, lSf>s," are, until further notice, suspended, and tl:at.on and after the l^t of April current, the following regulations touching the carriage of passengers from Victoria, to the English possessions. in Australia will be in force: — SAILING VKSSKLS. 1. No ship propelled by sails only is to carry more than one person (inclusive of crow, &c), to every two tons resrister.' '. ■. . 2. No ship is to entry under the poop, or m ihe rmmd-houfee or deck-house, or on the upper passenger deck, a greater number of passengers than in tho proportion of one statute adult to every twelve superficial feet of deck allotted to thcif use. . 3. No ship shall carry on her lower passenger deck (subject to the same conditions as under the _ Passengers' Act, 1855," section 14, clause 3) than m the proportion of one statute adult to every fifteen superficial feet, or one to every twenty-five, as the case may be 4. No ship, whatever the tonnage or superficial s'vace, shall carry a, greater number than one statute adult to every five superficial feet clear for exercise. 5. Space uecupied by luggage, &c., to be included. STEAMERS. The number of passengers who may be carried on board any vessel propelle.l by steam power, shall be ascertained and in wanner following,

1. Measure in cubic feet, the clear space allotted to fore;cabin passengers between decks, and divide the cubic content;* by 72. ' 2. Count the number of sleeping berths exclusively provided for the accommodation of fore-cabin passengers, and add to it the number obtained as above. 3. The total number thus obtained is the total number of fore-cabin passengers who may be carried. . i. Proceed in the same'manner with the space allotted to al'ter-cajjin passengers. The-results of Uiotaitl computations shalldeteruiine tho number of fore-cabin and ai'tei'-cabin. passengers respectively, who may be carried on board of a vessel propelled by steam power, and all passengers on board thereof shall be included in .one or other of the said denominations. PENALTIES.

The penalty is reduced to not less than one pound sterling, nor more than five pounds, for each person or passenger in excess. The above alterations being already in force in respect to. vessels leaving Victoria, it is absolutely necessary that our Now Zealand Government should as one issue a similar proclamation—and if possible that all the colonies should be under the same Jaw and regulations in every.respect. It is also high time a fresh proclamation (the one in force at present being several years old) were issued, defining the length of a' " Colonial voyage," as it is ridiculous to compel a vessel like the Aldinga or the City of Hobart, to provision for thirty days back to Melbourne, when they often ruake two complete voyages in less time —18 or 20 days is quite sufficient, and for sailing vessels 25 or 30 would be more reasonable than 50. . ■ . ■■