Section 4: Bill of lading in hands of consignee, etc., conclusive evidence of shipment as against master, etc.

(1) Every bill of lading in the hands of a consignee or endorsee for valuable consideration, representing goods to have been shipped on board a vessel, shall be conclusive evidence of such shipment as, against the master or other person signing the same, notwithstanding that such goods or some part thereof may not have been so shipped:

Provided that the master or other person so signing may exonerate himself in respect of such misrepresentation, by showing that it was caused without any default on his part, and wholly by the fraud of the shipper, or of the holder, or some person under whom the holder claims.

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply where the holder of the bill of lading shall have had actual notice at the time of receiving such bill of lading that the goods had not been laden on board.