PORT OF ENTRY IN THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 88, 7 January 1908, Page 7

PORT OF ENTRY IN THE NEW HEBRIDES.

$ The new Anglo-French agreement for tho control of tho atffiirs- of the New Hebrides group provides for tho establishment of ft port of entry for the islands. Tho port of Vila, in the island of Efate, will, therefore, bo tho sole port of entry for the New Hebrides, and all vessels entering tho group from foreign ports will report first- at -Vila. In tho case of vessels which may, through stress of weather or other circumstances, be compelled to disregard the provisions of the Act-, the onus of proof that such disregard was caused by circumstances over which tho master of the vessel had no control will rest on such master, otherwise ho will ho considered as having been guilty of a breach of this regulation. In all matters affecting vessels putting in at tlio port of Vila, tho two Resident " Commissioners will bo considered as representing the. mnrine authorities of their respective nations. Tho masters of all Vessels navigating the group will keep a log, which will bo regularly posted, and snob log will be open to tho inspection of tho authorities of tho nation to which such vessel belongs whenever such vessel shall put in at any locality in tho group whero sueh authorities may be established. Persons guilty of breaches of this regulation will, on conviction, be liable to a fine of from £2 to £20, or to imprisonment of from 24 hours to 30 days. Provided that in the caso of a repetition of the offence the punishment of imprisonment will always bo iullic'td.