COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS. COMMERCIAL ORDINANCES OF MAURITIUS AND DEPENDENCIES. We have received from the Department of State, at Washington, official copies of several ordinances "Enacted by the Governor of Mauritius with the advice and consent of the council of the government thereof.” The ordinances (seven) are in the English and French languages, and numbered 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and are entitled as follows:No. 3. "To repeal and alter the colonial duties levied on the exportation of certain goods." No. 6. "For altering and consolidating the port charges upon vessels in the harbor of Port Louis." No. 8. "For altering and amending the immigration law on spirits." No. 9. "For altering and amending the colonial laws regulating the customs duties." No. 10. "To alter and amend the colonial law relating to the quay duties and wharfage dues." No. 11. "For the purpose of placing certain articles of foreign production, when imported into Mauritius direct from the place of produce, on the same footing as if such articles were imported through the United Kingdom; and of repealing the duties of customs on certain other articles." No. 12. "For repealing the tonnage dues and the duties on coasting vessels, and for altering the duties on the licenses of boats, lighters, &c." We publish the several ordinances in the order as enumerated above, beginning No. 3 and closing with No. 12. Each ordinance is signed "D. W. Ricketts, Secretary of the Council; published by order of His Excellency the Governor, George F. Dick, Colonial Secretary;" which we have omitted for the sake of brevity. III. TO REPEAL AND ALTER THE COLONIAL DUTIES LEVIED ON THE EXPORTATION OF CERTAIN GOODS. Whereas it is expedient to repeal and alter the colonial export duties of customs levied on certain articles the produce of Mauritius: His Excellency the Governor in council has ordered and does hereby order:— A colonial customs duty of nine pence for every 100 lbs. nett French weight of sugar exported to be levied.-Art. 1. In lieu of the duty of 1s. per 100 lbs. French imposed by the arrete of 30th Fructidor, an 12, on the exportation of sugar, there shall be raised, levied, and collected on the exportation of all sugar the produce of Mauritius a colonial customs duty of nine pence for every 100 lbs. nett French weight. The duties on the exportation of ebony, coffee, cotton, cloves, &c., repealed.—Art. 2. The duties imposed by the said arrete, and also the duties imposed by government authorities on the exportation of ebony, coffee, cotton, cloves, indigo, clove stalks, tortoise shell, and gums, the produce of Mauritius are hereby repealed. Promulgation.-Art. 3. The present Ordinance shall have effect from the day of its publication. Passed in council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 7th day of February, 1848. VI. FOR ALTERING AND CONSOLIDATING THE PORT CHARGES UPON VESSELS IN THE HARBOR OF PORT LOUIS. Whereas it is expedient to alter and consolidate in one Ordinance the several port charges leviable under sundry Ordinances and notices upon vessels entering or clearing from the harbor of Port Louis: His Excellency the Governor in council has ordered and does hereby order : The charges hitherto levied on vessels entering or clearing from the harbor of Port Louis shall cease and be replaced by the different charges fixed in the following schedale.-Art. 1. The several charges leviable upon vessels entering or clearing from the harbor or roadstead of Port Louis under the Ordinances Nos. 44 of 1829, 17 of 1840, and proclamation of 22d September, 1841, and under the notices dated 7th December, 1825, 1st August, 1841, and 9th September, 1846, shall cease, and in lieu thereof there shall be levied the several following charges, that is to say: For tugging vessels by the post office steamer, inwards or outwards, namely: of 200 tons or upwards, per ton.............. For the use of warps and boats, namely: Inwards, for each vessel above 100 tons burthen.... The same, if the post office steamer be employed... For anchorage dues: 66 Vessels trading with Madagascar or dependencies, per ton of register... For moving from one berth in harbor to another, or to hulks, each time.. For remooring....... For the use of the mooring chains, or the anchors which are placed round the "Trou Fanfaron," namely: For each vessel under 100 tons, per day...... 66 66 of 100 tons and not above 200, per day. For the use of an anchor from 4,500 lbs. to 3,500 lbs., per day. 2,500 2,000 1,500 a chain from 14 inches to 16 inches 66 11 13 10 7 5 For vessels remaining swung on the warps above 24 hours, namely: Under 100 tons......... Of 100 tous or upwards....... For port and police clearance, namely: On vessels trading with Madagascar and dependencies, each... On all other vessels, each..... For the dredging service.-An additional proportional amount on all other charges, namely: On vessels under 350 tons per register...... Art. 2. The present Ordinance shall take effect from the day of its publication. Passed in council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 7th day of February, 1848. VIII. FOR ALTERING AND AMENDING THE IMMIGRATION LAW ON SPIRITS. Whereas by Ordinance No. 7 of 1842, a tax of 4s. per gallon is imposed on spirits imported: And whereas it is expedient that the said tax be charged according to the degree of strength by which such spirits exceed the strength of proof: His Excellency the Governor in council has ordered and does hereby order : Duty to be levied on spirits.-Art. 1. The duty of 4s. per gallon imposed on spirits imported by Ordinance No. 7 of 1842, shall be levied on each gallen of spirits of or under the strength of proof by Sykes' hydrometer, and the like sum shall be levied for every gallon which may result from such spirits exceeding the strength of proof. The tax, how collected and applied.-Art. 2. This tax shall be levied, collected, and applied in the same manner with the duties and taxes imposed by Ordinance No. 7 of 1842. Art. 3. The present Ordinance shall take effect from the day of its publication. Passed in council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 14th day of February, 1848. IX. FOR ALTERING AND AMENDING THE COLONIAL LAWS REGULATING THE CUSTOMS DUTIES. Whereas the duties imposed in the United Kingdom by the Act 8 and 9 Vic., cap. 90, having been altered by subsequent acts, orders of Her Majesty in council, and of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, it has become necessary to alter and amend the Ordinance 56 of 1844, and to make new laws and regulations in reference to the duties leviable under that Ordinance: His Excellency the Governor in council has ordered and does hereby order : Duties, how to be levied and recovered.-Art. 1. Instead of the duties imposed by Ordinance 56 of 1844 on certain articles mentioned in the "Table of Duties" hereinafter contained, the several duties set forth in the said table shall be levied, recovered, and collected in like manner as if such duties had been imposed by the said Ordinance No. 56 of 1844. TABLE OF DUTIES AT MAURITIUS. 1. On rum or arrack, being the production or manufacture of the United Kingdom or of any of the British possessions in America or of any British possession within the limits of the East India Company's charter, into which the importation of rum or arrack, the produce of any foreign country or of any British possession into which foreign sugar or rum may be legally imported, is prohibited 4s. per gallon of any strength not exceeding the strength of proof by Sykes' hydrometer, and the like sum for every gallon which may result from such spirits exceeding the strength of proof. 2. On spirits not being rum or arrack the production or manufacture of the United Kingdom or of any of the British possessions in America or of any of the British possessions within the limits of the East India Company's charter. 6d. per gallon of any strength not exceeding the strength of proof by Sykes' hydrometer, and the like sum for every gallon which may result from such spirits exceeding the strength of proof. 3. On spirits not being the production or manufacture of the United Kingdom or of any British possession in America or of any of the British possessions within the limits of the East India Company's charter. 1s. per gallon of any strength not exceeding the strength of proof by Sykes' hydrometer, and the like sum for every gallon which may result from such spirits exceeding the strength of proof. 4. On cordials or spirits sweetened or mixed with any article so that the degre e strength thereof cannot be exactly ascertained by Sykes' hydrometer: 33. per gallon in volume. 5. On all tobacco imported, namely: leaf or unmanufactured tobacco, 1d. per lb. Manufactured tobacco, 3d. per lb. Segars and snuff, 8d. per lb. Goods not the produce of the United Kingdom or of any British possession imported into Mauritius without drawback or duties to pay only the duties leviable on the like goods imported from the United Kingdom.-Art. 2. If any goods not being the growth, production, or manufacture of the United Kingdom or of any of the British possessions in America or of any of the British possessions within the limits of the East India Company's charter, or of the produce of any of the British fisheries be imported from the United Kingdom being there free of duty on importation, or after having there paid the duties of consumption, be imported into Mauritius from thence without drawback of such duties. Such goods shall be charged with the same duties only as are leviable on the like British goods when imported from the United Kingdom. Articles exempted from duty on their importation.-Art. 3. The following articles shall be exempted from the payment of duty on their importation into Mauritius in the same manner as if such goods had been enumerated in the "Table of Exemptions" subjoined to the Ordinance No. 56 of 1844, namely: Bricks, tiles, lime, slates, coals, books and maps, articles of naval uniform, the produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom. Firewood, bran, wheatmeal, pollard, lentils, seeds intended for agricultural or horticultural purposes, whether British or foreign. Sal ammoniuc, saltpetre, and phosphate of soda, the produce of British possessions within the limits of the East India Company's charter to be used for agricultural purposes solely. Vacoa leaves and Vacoa bags, the produce or manufacture of places within the limits of the East India Company's charter. Art. 4. The present Ordinance shall have effect from the day of its publication. Passed in council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 14th day of February, 1848. X. TO ALTER AND AMEND THE COLONIAL LAW RELATING TO THE QUAY DUTIES AND WHARFAGE DUES. Whereas by an Ordinance of His Excellency the Governor in council dated the second day of April, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, and numbered thirty-two of that year, certain quay duties and wharfage dues are imposed on goods, wares, and merchandise imported into and exported from the Island of Mauritius, and it is expedient to alter and amend the same: His Excellency the Governor in council has ordered and does hereby order : Quay duties and wharfage dues repealed.-Art. 1. The quay duties and wharfage dues set forth in the table subjoined to Ordinance No. 32 of 1828, are hereby repealed. Quay duties to be paid on goods imported into and exported from the Island.-Art. 2. There shall be raised, levied, collected, and paid upon goods, wares, and merchandise imported into and exported from the island of Mauritius, the quay dues set forth in the following table, that is to say: TABLE OF QUAY DUTIES AT MAURITIUS. CLASS 1. 1. Bags, mats, bales, bundles, trusses, and other soft packages not exceeding 75 lbs........ 2. Casks, kegs, boxes, parcels, not exceeding 25 lbs.. 3. Demijohns, dubbers, cases, boxes, and casks empty..... 6. Iron pots and kettles..... 7. Hides, raw and tanned..... 8. Single or loose bolts of canvass.. CLASS 2. 1. Bags, bales, bundles, mats, and trusses above 75 lbs. and not 2. Casks or kegs above 25 lbs. and not exceeding 75 lbs..... 4. Jars, jugs, and tins above 3 and not exceeding the content 5. Demijohns and dubbers not exceeding 6 gallons in capacity. 6. Segars in single or separate packages or boxes exceeding 500 and not exceeding 1,000....... 7. Half-tubs of sugar candy, oars...... 8. Chairs........ 9. Chinaware, earthenware.. 10. Cocoanuts... 11. Salted and dried fish.... 12. Gargoulettes per 25... 13. Cheeses not exceeding 12 lbs. in each, packed singly. 14. Cordage, cables, and hawsers... CLASS 3. 1. Bags, bales, bundles, mats, and trusses above 150 lbs., and not exceeding 200 lbs... 2. Casks or kegs above 75 lbs., and not exceeding 100 lbs. or 25 gallons....... .... 3. Boxes, cases, and baskets not above 2 cubic feet in measurement, cases and baskets, containing wine, oil, spirits, or other liquids not exceeding one dozen bottles each.... 4. Jars of almonds, sausages, biscuits, preserves, &c., exceeding the capacity of 5 gallons or not above 100 lbs......... 5. Dubbers, &c., above the capacity of 6 gallons.......... 6. Iron and brass cauldrons..... 7. Tubs of sugar candy and boxes of tea exceeding 12 lbs...... 8. Horns, slates, bricks, and tiles....... 9. Grinding stones.... 10. Cheese packed singly exceeding 12 lbs. and not exceeding 30 lbs...... 11. Carrots of tobacco..... 12. Turtles..... CLASS 4. 1. Bags, bales, and bundles above 200 lbs. and not exceeding 250 lbs..... 2. Casks or kegs above 100 lbs. or 25 gallons in content and not exceeding 300 lbs. or 60 gallons in capacity.. 3. Spars and masts..... 4. Copper in sheets... 5. Cheese in tubs or in bulk.... 6. Hams and dried beef.... 7. Wax and rattans........ 8. Shingles......... CLASS 5. 1. Bags, bales, and bundles above 250 lbs. and not exceeding 500 lbs...... 2. Casks above 300 lbs. or 60 gallons in content and not exceeding 500 lbs. or 100 gallons in capacity.............. 3. Boxes, cases, trunks, and baskets above 2 and not exceeding 4 cubic feet in measurement........ 4. Jars containing almonds, sausages, &c., exceeding 100 lbs. in weight........ 5. Sugar pans................ 6. Slabs of marble.. 7. Anchors not exceeding 500 lbs. weight.. 8. Horses, mules, and asses... 9. Crates...... CLASS 6. 1. Bales, bags, and bundles exceeding 500 lbs....... 2. Casks exceeding 500 lbs. or 120 gallons in capacity.................................. 3. Boxes, trunks, and baskets above 4 cubic feet in measurement, chests or cases of tea, segars or other goods having inner packages....... 4. Anchors exceeding 500 lbs... 5. Piano fortes....... CLASS 7. 1. Wood, stone, iron, lead, and other heavy goods, machinery, boilers, chain-cables, ordnance, iron tanks, and boats....... per ton one shilling. 1. Carriages of all sorts.... CLASS 8. each two shillings. Goods landed from ships entering the port in distress to pay half the above rates. Goods exempted from the payment of quay dues.-Art. 3. The following goods shall be exempt from payment of the quay dues established by the aforegoing table, namely:Government, military, and naval stores. Passengers' baggage. Goods landed from or shipped on coasting vessels and vessels trading to the dependencies. Goods landed from or shipped on board of vessels belonging to His Highness the Imaum of Muscat. Ice and guano manure. Art. 4. This Ordinance shall take effect from the day of its publication. Passed in council at Port Louis, Island of Mauritius, this 14th day of February, 1848. XI. FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLACING CERTAIN ARTICLES OF FOREIGN PRODUCTION WHEN IMPORTED INTO MAURITIUS DIRECT FROM THE PLACE OF PRODUCE ON THE SAME FOOTING AS IF SUCH ARTICLES WERE IMPORTED through the united kingdom; AND OF REPEaling the DUTIES OF CUSTOMS ON CERTAIN OTHER ARTICLES. Whereas by an act passed in the session of Parliament holden in the ninth and tenth years of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, entitled "An act to enable the legis latures of certain British possessions to reduce or repeal certain duties of customs," it is enacted that if and whenever the legislature of the Island of Mauritius make or pass any act or Ordinance, acts or Ordinances, reducing or repealing all or any of the duties of customs imposed by an act passed in the session of Parliament holden in the eighth and ninth years of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, entitled "An act to regulate the |