Act 56 Geo. 3, Caps. 83, 114. by the First of These Acts, Which Is

confined in its operation to Newfoundland and the coast of Labrador, the tonnage check was omitted, and the limitation was changed to the check by space, viz. 6 feet in length by 2 feet in breadth for each passenger, with the full perpendicular height between the two decks in vessels having two decks, and 5 feet perpendicular between the cargo and deck when there was no second deck.

The dietary scale was increased to

1 lb. of bread or biscuit, } per day, 1 lb. of beef, or ¾ lb. of pork } per passenger; 2 lbs. of flour, } 3 lbs. of oatmeal, } weekly; ½ lb. of butter, }

but the allowance of water was reduced from 8 to 5 pints.

In 1817 the original Act (43 Geo. 3, cap. 56), which had been previously repealed in respect of Newfoundland and Labrador, was repealed in respect of the rest of British North America by the 57 Geo. 3, cap. 10. By this Act the number of passengers was limited to one passenger for every 2½ tons burthen—and in ships partly laden with goods, in the same proportion for the unladen portion only. A distinction in computation was, for the first time, made between children and adults; three children under fourteen being reckoned, for space purposes, as one adult. The dietary was the same as in the repealed Act of 56 Geo. 3, cap. 83. The Shipowner was to give bond for the number of passengers on board, and for their being landed at the proper port. An abstract of the Act was to be hung up on board.

In 1823 the preceding Acts were repealed, and their principal provisions embodied in the 4 Geo. 4, cap. 84, which enacted that vessels should not carry to any place out of Europe more than one person, including master and crew, for every 5 tons, without special permission or licence from the Commissioners of Customs. The licence would only be granted, in the case of British ships, to vessels having two decks, with 5 feet 6 inches in height between them. Vessels carrying goods were permitted to take passengers in the proportion of one adult to every 2 tons of unladen space, provided that to each passenger there should be allotted an “integral” space of 6 feet in length by 2 feet 6 inches in breadth, and 5 feet 6 inches in height between the decks, or from cargo to deck, when there was no second deck. Two children under fourteen, or three under seven, were to be computed as one adult. Bond was to be given in the sum of 20l. for each passenger, that the vessel was seaworthy and properly stored with water and provisions, and provided with a surgeon, in case there were fifty persons, including the crew, on board. Passengers could only be embarked at a Custom-house port. A penalty of 50l. was imposed for each passenger in excess of the licence. The allowance of provisions, &c., was—

Water 5 pints } Bread or biscuit 1 lb. } Beef (or) 1 lb. } Daily. Pork ¾ lb. } Flour 2 lbs. } Oatmeal, peas, or pearl barley 3 lbs. } Weekly. Butter ½ lb. }

And a penalty of 500l. was imposed for re-landing provisions, &c. Rules for cleanliness and fumigation were established; ships carrying passengers were to be marked with a “P.” if there were more than one person, including the crew, to every 5 tons on board. The