THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, DECEMBER 24, 1930.
7. Proof of British nationality will, in ordinary circum- stances, involve the production of a birth certificate or of a certificate of naturalisation. If an applicant for examination cannot produce such a certificate he should be asked to furnish such documentary evidence of nationality, or of birth and nationality of parents, as he may be able to obtain, and, if necessary, the case should be referred to the Principal Ex- aminer of Masters and Mates for consideration.
8. If the applicant is not a British subject he will, as rule, be able to produce some official document testifying to his nationality. If there is any doubt as to the authenticity of such document, the Examiner should consult the nearest Con- sular Officer of the nation to which the applicant belongs. If necessary, the case should be remitted to the Principal Ex- aminer of Masters and Mates for consideration.
9. Application: particulars of sea service. A candidate's eligibility for examination will depend (amongst other things) upon the amount of sea service which he has performed and upon the ranks which he has held on board the various vessels in which he has been employed. It is therefore most important that the particulars which the can- didate inserts in Division II of the application form (Exn. 2) should be accurately stated.
Candidates for certificates, for which service as watch- keeping officer is required, must also produce certificates of watchkeeping service signed by the Masters of the vessels on which they have served. Specimen forms of these certificates are shown in Appendix D.
It must be clearly understood that the amount of service laid down in the Regulations for each grade of certificate of competency is the absolute minimum that can be accepted, and unless a candidate can show the full amount he must in no case be allowed up for examination.
10. Testimonials required. Testimonials to charac- ter, including sobriety, and to experience and ability, on board ship for at least the last twelve months of sea service preceding the date of application to be examined, will be required of all candidates, and without producing them no person will be examined.
11. Penalty for misconduct.—Candidates who have neglected to join their vessels after having signed articles, or who have deserted their vessels after having joined, or who have been found guilty of gross misconduct on board, will be required to produce satisfactory proofs of two years' subsequent service and good conduct at sea, unless the Gover- nor, after having investigated the matter, should see fit to reduce the time.
12. Deafness and other physical and mental dis- abilities. If during the progress of the examination the Examiner finds that a candidate is afflicted with deafness, with an impediment in his speech, or with some other physical or mental infirmity, and he is satisfied upon further investigation that the degree of deafness or of the impediment or other infirmity is such as to render the candidate incompetent to discharge the ordinary duties of a mate or master at sea, he should not allow the candidate to complete his examination and should return his examination fee; but every case in which this action is taken must be reported to the Governor.
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