373
MARINE COURTS, UNDER SECTION 13 OF ORDINANCE 8 OF 1879.
15. The following Courts have been held during the year:--
1. On the 19th February, 1886,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Douglas, Official No. 84,357 of Hongkong, on the White Rocks on the 11th February, 1886. The Master's (MATTHEW YOUNG) Certificate of Competency was suspended for four months.
2. On the 10th March, 1886,-Inquiry as to the striking of the British Steam-ship Thames, Official No. 85,898 of Glasgow, on the South-west point of the Lyemoon Pass, on the 2nd March, 1886. The Master's (WILLIAM ARTHUR SEATON) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
3. On the 24th March, 1886,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Barque Bothwell Castle, Official No. 47,822 of Newcastle, N.S.W., on the Reef surrounding Ngarik Island, Caroline Group, on the 21st December, 1884. There was not sufficient evidence before the Court to enable them to apportion any blame for the casualty. A Court of Inquiry was also held at Sydney on the arrival of the Master, Second Mate and two of the Crew at that Port
4. On the 1st April, 1886,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Breconshire, Official No. 79,674 of London, on the White Rocks, on the 7th Mrach, 1886. The Master's (WILLIAM EDWIN POPE) Certificate of Competency was suspended for three months. 5. On the 19th April, 1886,-Inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steam-ship Venena Official No. 68,388 of Glasgow, on Isaki Reef off Cape Tanabé, near Kobe, on the 26th March, 1886. The Master's (WILLIAM EDWARD LAWRENCE CLEMENT) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
6. On the 12th July, 1886,---Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Compton, Official No. 77,080 of London, on the South-west side of the Island of Balabac in the Palawan Passage, on the 12th June, 1886. The Master's (MATTHEW BRYCE WALKER) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
7. On the 30th August, 1886,—Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Madras, Official No. 70,626 of London, on a rock in the Bay within the West side of the Tai Chow Islands, on the 15th August, 1886. In the absence of the Master (HENRY PLENGE) who was washed overboard and drowned, and the Chief Mate's injuries having incapa- citated him from performing his duties, there was not sufficiently good evidence to enable the Court to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion as to the exact position of the rock on which the Madras struck, nor are the courses the ship is said to have been steered, very reliable. 8. On the 14th October, 1886,-Inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steam-ship Dafila, Official No. 68,501 of Sunderland, on the South Bank, Hainan Straits, China, on the 12th May, 1886. The Master's (JAMES MOONEY) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
9. On the 25th November, 1886,-Inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steam-ship Greyhound, Official No. 81,647 of London, on a reef running out from Nan Sa Point in the Gulf of Tonquin, on the 2nd November, 1886. The Master's (THOMAS ABRAHAM THOMAS) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
In the latter Case, the Court recommended that the attention of the Chinese Government be called to the want of lights and marks in the Hainan Straits, which has led to the stranding of several vessels.
SEAMEN.
16. 8,589 Seamen were shipped at the shipping Office during the year, and 9,229 discharged.. 17. I am glad to see that provision is made in the Estimates for this year for the construction of a long wanted jetty off this Office, and I trust there will be no delay in building it. The present slipway answered very well when nothing but gigs were used, but it is only at certain times of the tide that a steam-launch can get in to land people, and the boats not unfrequently touch the ground to the injury of their keels and bottoms.
18. Provision has also been made for making Hunghom, a "Harbour Master's Station," under Section 38 of Ordinance 8 of 1879. Great inconvenience is felt by the Owners and Masters of boats frequenting that place, in having to go to Victoria or Yaumáti report their arrivals and obtain their papers. This Station will, I hope, soon be ready. At present an Officer has to visit Hunghom daily, but this is attended with much loss of time, expense, and inconvenience.
I have the honour to be,
Sir;
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbour Master, &c.