Chinese Protectorate and Warden's Office, Ballarat

Full description

The Chinese Immigration Act 1855 limited the number of Chinese passengers on a vessel arriving in Victoria to one for every ten tonnes of cargo.

The Act also provided for the appointment of Protectors to regulate the activity of Chinese on the goldfields and shield them from attacks. Each Protector was also responsible for the collection of fees for miners rights and business licences, and for enforcing the rules of the protectorate.

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The system guaranteed some basic rights to the Chinese and allowed them better access to the legal system.