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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 20TH MARCH, 1869.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
23. Twenty-two vessels have been registered during the year and twenty-five have, for various reasons, been struck off.
SEAMEN.
24. 7,032 seamen have been shipped, and 6,942 have been discharged, which is a decrease of 1,085 in the former and 593 in the latter instance. This is the result of the general decrease of European vessels during the year.
MARINE MAGISTRATES' COURT,
25. There have been 43 fewer cases brought before me in 1868 than appeared in 1867, but this is also due to the lesser number of vessels coming here. None of the charges were of an important nature.
EXAMINATION,-Or linance No. 17 of 1860.
26. Of the 31 applicants for examination for Masters and ates in the mercantile marine, 6 were rejected. This Board is of much value. Before its existence, from a want of some method to test the qualifications of Officers in the mercantile marine, Masters and Mates were placed on ships' registers and agreements indiscriminately.
MARINE COURT,-Ordinance No. 11 of 1860.
27. One only of these Courts has been held during the year, to inquire into the circumstances attending the loss of the British Ship Tricolor on the Pratas Shoal on the 7th of June last.
GUNPOWDER STORAGE,-Ordinance No. 4 of 1867.
28. Under the provisions of this Ordinance, 28,111 packages containing about 313 tons of Gunpowder have been stored, and 24,008 packages containing 267 tons have been delivered. The present hulk is not of sufficient capacity to contain the whole number of packages at present stored. Stone Cutters' Island Gaol has, therefore, been freely made use of for this purpose, a guard of Sihks being stationed there to keep watch.
To the Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N.,
Harbor Master, &c.