DEFENCES (FIRING AREAS) ORDINANCE

DEFENCES (FIRING AREAS) ORDINANCE

CHAPTER 196.

DEFENCES (FIRING AREAS).

To regulate practice firing from Hong Kong defences and
for clearing of certain sea areas in connexion therewith.

[1st July, 1937.]

WHEREAS it is necessary, from time to time, to carry out
practice firing with projectiles from sorne or all of the
defences of Hong Kong, and it is necessary to make
provision for the safety of shipping and all persons who
may be affected thereby :

1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Defences (Firing
Areas) Ordinance.

2. In this Ordinance-
'aircraft' includes all balloons (whether fixed or free), kites,
gliders, airships, aeroplanes, seaplanes, flying boats and
other flying machines;
'Commander, Kowloon Area' means the officer for the tirne
being in command of the military forces stationed in
Kowloon and the New Territories or the officer for the
time being commanding Royal Artillery, Hong Kong;
t(gun site' includes any gun site on land within the Colony
or any gun sited upon any vessel operating within -the
Colony or its territorial waters;
'vessel' includes ship, yacht, lighter, junk, boat and craft
of every kind, aiid whether navigated by steam, inotor,
sail, oars or otherwise.

3. Subject to the provisions of this Ordiriance practice
firing may take place frorn any gun site over all or any of the
firing areas described in the First Schedule : Provided that
when any vessel or aircraft is within danger in or over any
such firing area, all firing within or over that area shall cease.

4. (1) A provisional programme of firing froin gun
sites shall be circulated at the commencement of every quarter
by the Commander, Kowloon Area, in respect of Firing
Area B, to the persons enumerated in the Second Schedule,
such programme being subject to alteration froni time to time
if necessitated by inllitary requirements,





(2) Such officer shall supply to such persons as many
charts, showing the firing area, as they may require.

(3) Such officer shall also cause to be published notice
of intended practice firing in or over Firing Area B at least
seven clear days before the date on which the firing is to take
place and shall supply to the persons enumerated in the
Second Schedule as many copies of such notice as they may
require, and, in regard to Firing Area B, shall deliver not
less than seven clear days before the firing commences, copies
of such notice to such persons as the District Commissioner
may specify.

(4) Such notice shall contain warnings to masters of
vessels or pilots of aircraft exempt from the operation of this
Ordinance under section io, to assist the carrying out of the
firing practice by hastening throuch the firing area affected
or by consenting to be towed out of such area, if necessary,
by any vessel acting under the orders of the local military
authorities.

(5) The Commodore Superintendent, Hong Kong, shall
cause to be published notice of intended practice firing in or
over Firing Area A at least seven clear days before the date
on which the firing is to take place and shall supply to the
persons enumerated in the Second Schedule as many copies
as they may require and shall deliver not less than seven clear
days before firing commences copies of such notices to such
persons as the Director of Marine may require.

(6) No practice firing under the provisions of this
Ordinance shall take place on any day which is a general
holiclay by virtue of the Holidays Ordinance : Provided that
practice firing may take place over the Port Shelter Range
described as Firing Area B in the First Schedule hereto on
any d ay which is not a Wednesday or a Sunday.

5. Notice that firing is about to take place or is taking
place in any of the firing areas, shall be given in the man-
ner specified iii the Third Schedule.

6. While notice that firing is taking place over any of
the firing areas is given by the hoisting or display of the
signals as provided under section 5, then in respect of the
arens afTecled by Ille snid notice-





(a)no person shall enter or remain within the area, nor
bring, take or suffer to remain therein any vessel,
aircraft or thing, except as provided in section io;
(b) no vessel shall be employed in fishing in the area;
(c) no pleasure boat shall cruise in the area;
(d)no vessel shall anchor or remain anchored in or
ground on the area;
(e)no aircraft shall alight on, remain in or travel upon
the area;
in the event of any vessel or aircraft being froni any
cause within the area, the master or pilot or other
person in charge thereof shall use his utmost
endeavours to pass out of the area without loss of
time.

7. No person shall trawl, dredge or search for or other-
wise interfere with any shot, shell or other projectile or
portions thereof within any of the firing areas, or take or
retain, or be in possession of, any such shot, shell or otlier
projectile, or portions thereof, found within any of such areas.
Any person who, when trawling, dredging, or in any
manner whatsoever, shall come into possession of any such
shot, shell or other projectile, or any portion thereof, within
any of the areas, shall not retain it, but shall immediately
return it in its existing condition, and without tampering
with it, into the water : Provided, nevertheless, that the
provisions of this section shall not apply in cases of persons
who recover projectiles under written instructions froni the
local naval or military authorities.

8. (1) Any person doing anything prohibited by or
otherwise contravening section 6 or 7 shall be deemed to
commit an offence.
(2) If any person commits an offence against this
Ordinance he shall be liable on summary conviction
to a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars, and mav
be removed by any officer authorized by section 9 from
the areas to which the Ordinance applies, and taken into
custody without warrant, and brought before a magistrate to
be dealt with according to law, and any vessel or thing found
in the areas in contravention of this Ordinance may be
removed by such officer as aforesaid and on due proof of
such contravention may be declared by a magistrate to be
forfeited to His Majesty.





9. The following officers are hereby authorized to
remove or to take into custody without warrant any person
contravening section 6 or 7, or to remove any vessel, aircraft
or thing found on any area affected-
(a) the officer in charge of the gun sites, that is to say,
the Commander, Kowloon Area;
(b) any officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer
or military policeman, for the time being under the
command of the said officer in charge of the gun
sites ;
(c) any person authorized in writing under the hand
of the said officer in charge of the guil sites; or
(d) any police officer.

10. (1) This Ordinance shall not apply to-
(a) any ship or aircraft entering or passing through the
areas affected in the ordinary course of navigation
from one port to another except where such vessel
is engaged in firing practice from a gun site;
(b) any vessel or aircraft compelled to enter or unable to
quit the areas affected by reason of the exigencies of
navigation;
(c) any vessel or aircraft when racing, provided due
notice of the racing fixture lias been given not less
than forty-eight hours previously to the.Commander,
Kowloon Area;
(d) any vessel employed in tending, placing or replacing
mark buoys or other aids to navigation within the
areas affected ;
(e) His Majesty's ships of war or aircraft, or any vessel
or aircraft employed under Admiralty, War Office,
or Air Council authority or tinder the Government
of the Colony.

(2) In this section the word 'ship' has the same
meaning as in the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899.

11. The Governor in Council may by order signified
in the Gazette amend the Schedules to this Ordinance in any
manner whatsoever provided that no amendment of the firing
areas shall extend any such area beyond the Colony and its
territorial waters. [10A]





FIRST SCHEDULE. [s. 3.]

FIRING AREAS.

Note-(1) All latitudes are N. and longitudes E. Latitudes and
longitudes taken from Admiralty Charts Nos. 3429, 1466, 3605, 3280,
3279, 3612 and 1180, but longitudes from Charts Nos. 1180, 3612
and 3605 have been decreased by 9'.

(2) Map references in Firing Area B are taken from the revised
edition (1938) of the 1: 20,000 map, sheets 16 and 20.

(a) FIRING AREA A-
The area included in this firing area is bounded as follows-
By a line starting from high water mark at western end of Stone-
cutters Island (latitude 22' 19' 15'-longitude 114' 07 46'), thence
across to Green Island (latitude 22' 17' 15'-longitude 114' 06' 36'),
thence across to eastern shore of Lantau at latitude 22' 17 45'-
-longitude 114' 01' 23', thence following high water mark along the
eastern shore of Lantau to latitude 22' 20' 13'-longitude
114' 06' 20', thence across to Chung Hue at latitude 22' 19' 42-
longitude 114' 05' 26-, thence following high water mark along the
southern shore of Chung Hue to latitude 22' 20' O0 -longitude
114' 06' 20, thence along the eastern shore of Chung Hue to latitude
22' 20' 37'-longitude 114' 03' 26, thence to the island at latitude
22' 20' 46'-longitude 114' 07' 15', thence to Stonecutters Island at
latitude 22' 19' 37'-longitude 114' 08' 05', thence along the shore
of Stonecutters Island westwards to starting point.
(b) FIRING AREA B-
The area included in this firing area is bounded as follows-
By a line starting at a point on the high water mark in
Portshelter map reference 668067 (latitude 22' 20' 57' longitude
114' 15' 53') thence in a direction 075' to point 79 map reference
701076 (latitude 22 21' 22' longitude 114' 17' 38) on the South
end of the island known as Kiu Tsiu Chau (Sharp Island) thence
in a direction 045' to the North West point of Urn Island map
reference 729103 (latitude 22o 22' 41' longitude 114' 19' 08') thence
along the high water line round the East of the island to the South
East point map reference 738090 (latitude 22' 22' 20' longitude
114* 19' 36') thence in a direction 154' to map reference 755054
(latitude 22' 20' 1W longitude 114' 20' 3V) thence in a direction
100' to North shore on islet map reference 782049 (latitude 22'
19' 58' longitude 114' 21' 57') thence in a direction 054' to map
reference 807067 (latitude 22' 20' 48' longitude 114', 23' 18')
thence in a direction 141 to map reference 824046 (latitude 22'
19' 45' longitude 114* 24' 10) thence in a direction 205 to South
East extremity of East Ninepin Island map reference 787969
(latitude 22* 15' 57' longitude 114' 22' 06) thence in a direction
263' to map reference 749964 (latitude 22' 15' 47' longitude 114'
20' 05') thence in a direction 301' 30' to map reference 703992
(latitude 22' 17' 13' longitude '114' 17 3V) thence in a direction
347' to a point on the high water mark map reference 697018
(latitude 22' 18' 31' longitude 114' 17 22') thence along high
water mark to map reference 695030 (latitude 22' 19' OY' longitude
114' 17' 17') thence in a straight line to a point on the high
water mark map reference 685034 (latitude 22* 19' 18' longitude
114' 16' 43') thence along high water mark to the starting point.





(c) FIRING AREA C-
The area included in this firing area comprises the greater are
of the Castle Peak Peninsula and is bounded as follows-
By a line from latitude 22* 24' 32', longitude 113' 54' 47
southwards to latitude 22' 23' 38' thence south south eastward
and east of Nam Long to latitude 22' 22' 28', longitude 113
55' 17', thence south eastwards to latitude 22' 22' 02' 9 longitud
113' 55' 46', thence north eastwards to latitude 22 22' 27'
longitude 113` 56' 43', thence north north eastwards to latitud
22' 22' 51', longitude 113' 56' 51, thence north westwards t
latitude 22' 23' 13' longitude 113' 56' 35, thence northwards to
latitude '22 23' 40: longitude 113' 56' 38', thence northwards to
latitude 22' 25' 18', longitude 113' 57' 05', thence south westward
to latitude 22' 24' 25', longitude 113' 55' 30, thence westward
to starting point.

SECOND SCHEDULE. [s. 4.]

LIST OF PERSONS TO BE SUPPLIED WITH PROGRAMMES,
NOTICES AND CHARTS.

Colonial Secretary,
Director of Public Works,
Director of Marine,
Commissioner of Police,
Director of Civil Aviation,
District Commissioner, New Territories,
Commander-in-Chief, British Pacific Fleet,
General Officer Commanding, Hong Kong,
Commodore Superintendent, Hong Kong,
Air Officer Commanding, Hong Kong,
Secretary, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

THIRD SCHEDULE. [s. 5.] G.N.A. 219/49.
G.N.A. 43/50.
FIRING SIGNALS.

1. Notice that firing is taking place in any firing area shall
be given by the hoisting or display of the signals hereinafter
mentioned.
2. Such signals, when firing by day, shall be displayed two
hours before firing is due to commence.
3. Such signals, when firing by night, shall be displayed two
hours before sunset.
4. In all cases signals shall remain displayed until firing has
ceased, and shall then be hauled down or extinguished.





5. In respect of firing by day the signals referred to in
paragraph 1 above are-

(a) for Firing Area A-
(i) by a red flag flown at the gun site concerned;
(ii) by a large red flag on the range target towing vessel.
The display of this flag is a signal that the target is ready to
be, or is being, fired at;
(iii) by a red flag, with, below it, the International Code Flag
'A' flown from Green Island typhoon signal mast.
(b) for Firing Area B-
(i) by a red flag flown at the gun site concerned;
(ii) by a large red flag on the range towing vessel. The
display of this flag is a signal that the target is ready to be,
or is being, fired at;
(iii) by a red flag, with, below it, the International Code Flag
'B', flown from a point on the main road nearest to each gun
site and from the old Sai Kung police station flag pole (map
reference 671102) and from the old observation post, hill '163'
(map reference 717003) and from such points as the District
Commissioner may require on the following islands-
Bluff Island (map reference 765033),
Town Island (map reference 778056),
Urn Island (map reference 731101);
(iv) during anti-tank firing only, by a red flag flown on flag-
pole overlooking Ngam Tau Sha (map reference 69150315) and a
red flag flown on flagpole near the road (map reference 70350160)
and a red flag flown on flagpole near the jetty on Tung Lung
Island (map reference 69559540).

(c) for Firing Area C-
(i) by a red flag flown at each gun site;
(ii) by a red flag flown at Castle Peak (map reference
314109) unless the District Commissioner gives permission to the
military authorities to dispense with this flag;
(iii) by a red flag flown from a launch patrolling the coast
between Tap Siak Kok (map reference 274097) and Black Point
(map reference 256129);
(iv) by a red flag flown from,a flag pole at a point between
Nam Long Village and the boundary of Firing Area C (map
reference 284114);
(v) by a red flag flown from such other position or positions
as may be agreed upon, from time to time, by the District Com-
missioner and the military authorities.

6. In respect of firing by night the signals for Firing Areas
A, B and C are-
(i) by a red lamp hoisted at the gun site concerned;
(ii) by such signals or warnings as may appear suitable and
practicable to the District Commissioner and the military authorities.
1 of 1936. 50 of 1936. 26 of 1946. 7 of 1948. 38 of 1949. 7 of 1950. 24 of 1950. Short title. Interpretation. 50 of 1936, s. 2. 7 of 1948, s. 2. 7 of 1948, s. 2. 38 of 1949, s. 12. Authorized firing areas. First Schedule. 7 of 1948, s. 3. Firing programme and notices. 7 of 1948, s. 4. Second Schedule. (Cap. 149) 7 of 1950, s. 2. Firing signals. Third Schedule. 7 of 1948, s. 5. Offences while firing signals are displayed. [s. 6 cont.] Offences and provisions relating to the recovery of projects. Penalty for offences. 55 & 56 Vict, c. 43, s. 17(2). 26 of 1946, Schedule. Officers authorized to arrest or remove trespassers, etc. 7 of 1948, s. 9. Exemptions. 50 of 1936, s. 3. 26 of 1946, Schedule. 7 of 1948, s. 10. 38 of 1949, s. 12. (10 of 1899.) Power of Governor in Council to amend Schedule. 50 of 1936, s. 4. 24 of 1950, Schedule. 7 of 1948, s . 7. G.N.A. 219/49. G.N.A. 43/50. 7 of 1948, s . 7. G.N.A. 219/49. G.N.A. 43/50. Signals for day and night firing. [Third Sch, cont.] Firing by day. Firing Area A. Firing Area B. Firing Area C. Firing by night. Firing Area A , B and c.

1 of 1936. 50 of 1936. 26 of 1946. 7 of 1948. 38 of 1949. 7 of 1950. 24 of 1950. Short title. Interpretation. 50 of 1936, s. 2. 7 of 1948, s. 2. 7 of 1948, s. 2. 38 of 1949, s. 12. Authorized firing areas. First Schedule. 7 of 1948, s. 3. Firing programme and notices. 7 of 1948, s. 4. Second Schedule. (Cap. 149) 7 of 1950, s. 2. Firing signals. Third Schedule. 7 of 1948, s. 5. Offences while firing signals are displayed. [s. 6 cont.] Offences and provisions relating to the recovery of projects. Penalty for offences. 55 & 56 Vict, c. 43, s. 17(2). 26 of 1946, Schedule. Officers authorized to arrest or remove trespassers, etc. 7 of 1948, s. 9. Exemptions. 50 of 1936, s. 3. 26 of 1946, Schedule. 7 of 1948, s. 10. 38 of 1949, s. 12. (10 of 1899.) Power of Governor in Council to amend Schedule. 50 of 1936, s. 4. 24 of 1950, Schedule. 7 of 1948, s . 7. G.N.A. 219/49. G.N.A. 43/50. 7 of 1948, s . 7. G.N.A. 219/49. G.N.A. 43/50. Signals for day and night firing. [Third Sch, cont.] Firing by day. Firing Area A. Firing Area B. Firing Area C. Firing by night. Firing Area A , B and c.

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