A.—No. Ia

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OE STATE

26

For each transgression of this prohibition committed by any one belonging to the ship or vessel, or who has made the voyage therewith, the commander will be punished by a fine of 100 to 1,000 florins. Any one who, without being authorized to do so by virtue of these regulations, shall go on board such ship or vessel, will be punished, according to his nationality, by imprisonment or by labour on the public works for a period of ciglrb> days to a month. The Commander of the Guardship, or, where no such vessel is present, the Harbour Master, is to attend to the maintenance of the prohibition, in accordance with the directions given thereupon. Article 3. If it should afterwards appear that, although the ship or vessel is in the condition described in Article 1, the yellow flag was not hoisted upon it on its arrival, the commander incurs a fine of 500 to 5,000 florins." The Commander of the Guardship, or, where no such vessel is present, the Harbour Master, then orders that the yellow flag be immediately hoisted. Article 4. When any ship or vessel bearing a yellow flag comes to a roadstead, or when the yellow flag is hoisted after arrival in the roadstead, according to the provision in Article 3, an officer of health from the Guardship, cr, in places where there is no Guardship, a civil or military medical man, to be appointed by the Chief of the Local Administration, shall go as speedily as possible, observing the prescribed measures of precaution, on board the newly-arrived ship, for the purpose of instituting a diligent inquiry as to the nature of the disease. All officers and others charged with any civil or military medical service are bound to perform that service with the greatest speed. A report of the result of the inquiry is to be immediately made, both to the Chief of the Local Administration and the Commander of the G-uardship, or, in places where there is no Guardship, to the Harbour Master, so that the necessary measures may be taken, in accordance with the existing regulations in this respect, to isolate the newly-arrived ship, to render assistance to the Commander, and to attend to the sick. If, however, it should be found that there is no danger of contagion, then permission is immediately to be given to haul down the yellow flag ; and this serves as a sign that the prohibition against the opening of communication with the shore or with other vessels is revoked. The same is done so soon as the Chief of the Local Administration has declared, on the advice of the medical man, that all danger of contagion is at an end. Article 5. The Chief of the Local Administration is to give immediate information, by telegraph if possible, of the measures referred to in the third paragraph of Article 4, as well as of the declaration mentioned in the last paragraph of that Article, to the Commander of the Naval Force, the Chief of the Department of Marine, and to the Director of Instruction, Worship, and Industry, and, if he is not himself the Acting Chief of the District, also to the Chief of the District Administration. Article 6. In ships or vessels whereon the yellow flag has been hoisted it must not be hauled down without the express order of the Commander of the G-uardsliip, or, in places where there is no Gruardship, of the Harbour Master. After sunset, two lighted lanterns must be placed, one under the other, on the foretop. For every transgression of these regulations, the Commander will incur a fine of 500 to 5,000 florins. Article 7. The Commander of any ship or vessel whereon the yellow flag is hoisted is bound to execute, immediately and strictly, the measures prescribed to him by the authorities authorized thereto, in accordance with this Ordinance. If necessary, the aid of the armed force will be called in to enforce the execution of those measures. Article 8. Ship and cargo are liable and seizable for the payment of the fines laid upon the Commander by virtue of Articles 2, 3, and 6. The sentence of condemnation shall always contain the declaration that the officer charged with the execution is authorized to continue the embargo on the ship or vessel, and to prevent the departure thereof until the fines are paid, if the sale in execution should be considered unadvisablo by the Chief of the Local Administration in the interest of general health. Transitory Provision. —Article 1 and the first paragraph of Article 3 first come into operation with the seventh month after the promulgation of this Ordinance. The second paragraph of Article 3 and the rest of the provisions of this Ordinance are, nevertheless, applicable to the ships and vessels referred to in the first paragraph of Article 3, which arrive in a roadstead of Netherlands India within seven months after the promulgation. And in order that no one shall plead ignorance hereof, it shall be inserted in the official paper (Staatsblad) of Netherlands India, and, so far as necessary, be posted up in the Native and Chinese languages. It is, moreover, ordered and commanded that all superior and inferior communities and public persons, officers, and justiciaries, each for so far as concerns him, shall maintain the strict observance hereof, without connivance or respect of person. Done at Buitenzorg, the 4th of August, 1871. P. Mltek. Van Haeestoaespel, General Secretary.