tonnage of their ships destined from Bombay to China; and in the event of their not occupying it, it is disposed of by open competition: and if the commanders and officers of the ships offer a rate of freight equal to the highest bidder, the preference is given to them, on condition that the freight, together with the proceeds of the goods, shall be paid into the Canton treasury, for the latter of which bills are granted on England at the current rate of exchange. The commanders of the Bombay and China ships frequently dispose of their tonnage to the merchants at a stipulated rate of freight for each particular commodity, and advance their money on respondentia on the goods, at a premium of 10 per cent., the rate of exchange being 316 Bombay rupees per 100 Spanish dollars, payable 30 days after the ship's arrival at Whampoa. Sugar and sugar candy form one of the most material articles of import from China. To throw this branch of trade more within the British dominions, the Government a few years since took off the duties on Bengal sugar, which is now more in demand. DUTIES.-Indian Trade.-Goods imported from Bengal will be exempted from duty, on producing the usual certificates, otherwise they are to be assessed at an advance of 15 per cent., and charged with duties as other goods. Certificates of duties having been paid from Madras, Malabar, or Surat, admitted in exemption of duties here. Certificates from Ceylon not admitted here, nor from Prince of Wales's Island. Arrack, the manufacture of Bencoolen, exempted from duties. Opium (by Reg. 1818) is subject to a duty of 12 rupees per Surat seer. All other merchandise imported, except cotton, to pay a duty of 2§ per cent. on the manifest prices, and an established advance thereon, regulated as follows; from which advance the cargoes of ships imported from England are to be exempted, viz. Cargoes by foreign ships, Americans excepted, from whatever place imported, an advance of 60 per cent. On British ships, or ships navigated under the colours of the native Princes of India, viz. From the Coromandel Coast From China...⌁⌁n⌁⌁ From Mocha, agreeably to the amount sales on oath. 15 20 ditto. From Malabar (without the province) Guzerat, Scindy, Cambay, Cutch, Gaunt, and Pegu From Goa, if the produce of Europe From the two Gulphs, if the produce of Europe if not the produce of Europe ...... 10 per Cent. 60 ditto. 60 ditto. 15 ditto. Timber and plank subject to the same Duty as other goods. From the Cape of Good Hope From Batavia (arrack excepted) nn ............... 30 ditto. ------- 25 ditto. Batavia arrack to be assessed at 55 rupees the leager, but no leakage or ullage allowed. Cotton is subject to duty at a fixed valuation of 120 rupees per candy. By Reg. 1821, goods, the produce of Europe, China, any foreign, Asiatic, or other state, imported from Goa, Demaun, Diu, or other foreign European port in India, are subject to a duty of 4 per cent. on an advance of 60 per cent. upon the invoice cost: if invoice cost cannot be ascertained, 7 per cent. ad valorem, will be charged. Exports under British or foreign colours, to the aforesaid places, ultimately intended for Europe, China, or any foreign, Asiatic, or other state, are subject to 3 per cent. on invoice valuation. Goods landed expressly for exportation, or transshipped in the harbour, to pay the same import duty as other goods, and no drawback to be allowed. All goods, though imported for private use, are to pay duties. Nothing but wearing apparel to pass duty free. And all baggage to be inspected at the Custom-house. All goods or packages of every description, timber excepted, to be landed and inspected either at the Bunder Custom-house within the Fort, or at Muzjid Bunder without, but at no other landing place. An additional duty of one per cent. on account of the Honourable Company's Marine, is also levied on goods imported, except from the United Kingdom. Europe Trade.-Articles, the produce of the United Kingdom, imported by British or India-built register ships, are subject to a duty of 21 per cent.; articles, the produce of foreign Europe, so imported, 3 per cent. Additional excise duties are payable on wines and spirits so imported, viz. wine for home consumption, 12 rupees per pipe of 120 gallons, or half a rupee per dozen quarts in bottle: cordials, 6 rupees per dozen pints: other spirits half a rupee per gallon. I The following articles, the produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom, imported in British or India-built register ships, are exempt from all duties, viz. woollens, unmanufactured metals, cutlery, table and kitchen utensils, trinkets wholly or chiefly of metal, ironmongery of all sorts, locks, bolts, scales and weights, clocks and watches, sheet copper and iron, nails, wire, lead in sheets, cast or rolled, copper pumps, mathematical instruments, fire engines, tin ware, fowling shot, bellows, brasiery, and all other articles coming under the description of wrought or unwrought metals; canvas, cordage, and marine stores. There are no export duties, except as before stated; but the exportation of liquors to New South Wales, of salt to Calcutta, and of opium to China, are prohibited; and goods cannot be exported to the Cape of Good Hope, without permission of Government. A manifest of export cargo is also required. Table of Exchange for Adjustment of Customs. PORT REGULATIONS.-By Rule 1820, modified by Rule 1821, Captains of ships are, before entering at the Custom-house, to report personally their arrival to the Superintendent of Marine, to produce the ship's log and authority for passengers; likewise to deliver on arrival, a list of crew and passengers to the Inspector of the Port; and another list of casualties while in the harbour, on ship's departure; on default of which, a port clearance will be refused. Notice of discharge, or desertion of European or American seamen, to be sent to the senior Magistrate of Police: on apprehension of a deserter, a reward of 8 rupees will be given, and charged to the ship: penalty on omitting notice, 500 rupees for first offence; 1000 rupees for each succeeding. A similar penalty on receiving Europeans or Americans on board ship without permission of Superintendent, if seamen; or Town Major, if soldiers. Ballast not to be thrown into the harbour; penalty for the first offence 600 rupees; 1000 for each succeeding. No stones or ballast to be deposited in the dock basin, on penalty of 200 rupees. No stones or ballast to be taken within certain limits. No vessel to sail without a port clearance: penalty, loss of licence. Ships in dock not to land lumber without permission of Superintendent. RATES OF PILOTAGE.-The following are the rates of pilotage at which all merchant ships and vessels visiting the harbour of Bombay, are charged. SQUARE-RIGGED VESSELS. Rupees. Rupees. Up to 300 tons burthen in fair weather 50, in the monsoon 75 LIGHT-HOUSE DUES.-A duty of 10 rupees per 100 tons is collected by the Master Attendant from every merchant vessel anchoring in the harbour. WHARFAGE. The following are the rates of charge for the use of the cranes at the Bunder wharf, viz. Hoisting large spars, each An anchor under 20 Cwt. Ditto above ditto A gun under ditto............... Ditto above ditto... A large bale A small bale or cask A horse A bullock or cow .........⌁ A carriage or large box Small packages Rs. Q. R. 20 0 Articles conveyed in the Company's craft, to pay half the amount, whether belonging to His Majesty or to merchants. DOCK-YARD REGULATIONS.-I. No boats but those belonging to His Majesty's ships, the Company's cruisers, and the establishment of the yard, to use the stairs of the dock; except the boats of the Company's chartered ships, when their commanders are in them. II. Natives of every description, not engaged in the service of the yard, or the ships and vessels before mentioned, or concerned in the ships under repair, excluded from the dock-yard. III. No baggage or stores to be carried through the yard by any other than the crews of the ships and vessels, except with an order from the Governor, the Admiral, the commanding officer of the forces, the superintendent of the marine, the master-attendant, or town-major; and all baggage and stores so passed, are to be accompanied by a certificate from the officer to whom they belong. IV. The dock-gates to be shut after sunset, the wicket being left open till the evening gun is fired; after which, nobody belonging to the ships in the harbour, below the rank of a commissioned officer, is allowed to land, or enter the dock-yard, without the express permission of one of the authorities above mentioned. V. Boat's crews not permitted to quit their boats at the stairs, after the hour of shutting the gates. VI. Small craft not to deliver fire-wood, or any other lading, within the limits of the yard, without the superintendent's sanction. VII. The ships and vessels in dock not to land any lumber whatever on the pier. VIII. No cargo of any description to be landed in, or passed through the yard, from or to any ship in dock, without the superintendent's permission in writing. IX. No palanquins to remain in the yard without permission of one of the authorities above mentioned. X. If any fire should happen, or signal of distress be made, on board a vessel in the harbour, the dock-gates are to be thrown open, that every assistance from the shore may be conveyed to her. XI. When a ship is either coming into, or going out of dock in the night, the gates are to be open for the master attendant's and builder's people to pass. XII. The tindals of the Bunder-boats having any reports to make on service, to be permitted to pass. XIII. When the builder is repairing any ships afloat, he may, on his own authority, desire the sentries to allow country boats to quit the dock stairs with artificers, planks, tools, &c. The following are the charges on ships entering the docks : Every English ship, the first springs..................... Ditto every subsequent spring, each Every foreign ship, the first springs Ditto every subsequent spring, each .......... 450 rupees. 350 ditto. ........... 600 ditto. ................ 500 ditto. ་་་་་་ |