Consuls and foreign ships

Whenever any articles belonging to, or forming part of, any foreign ship which has been wrecked on or near the coast of Belize, or belonging to or forming part of the cargo thereof, are found on or near such coasts, or are brought into any port of Belize, the consul of the country to which such ship, or, in the case of cargo, to which the owners of such cargo belong, or any consular officer of such country authorised in that behalf by any treaty or agreement with such country, shall in the absence of the owner of such ship or articles, and of the master or other agent of the owner, be deemed to be the agent of the owner, so far as relates to the custody and disposal of such