215
duties as to make it impracticable for them to attend to coolies coming and going is conducive to abuses, and I think that the best remedy would be found in the establishment of a Government Emi- gration Wharf alongside which vessels would take on board their Emigrants at the last moment before sailing, the wharf being closed to the public after the Health Officer and Emigration Officer had passed through the gates to go on board for the final inspection of the Emigrants, and the vessel leaving immediately after this inspection. This method would doubtless cause some little delay in getting the vessel off, and for that reason is open to objection, I think however that the evil would be more than compensated for by the good which would accrue.
REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.
15. Nine vessels were registered during the year and eight certificates of Registry were cancelled. It has been brought to my notice that inconvenience exists in the want of a simpler mode of Registry whereby small vessels British owned could obtain a "National Character," and be entitled to fly the British flag outside the waters of the Colony. This inconvenience can, I think, be removed under the Colonial Shipping Act 1868 (31 and 32 Vic. Cap. 129) which enables Regulations to be made providing for the issue to Vessels under 60 tons burden of terminable certificates of Registry under which the Vessel so long as the certificate is in force, is deemed a registered British vessel, and I am now preparing regulations to be submitted to His Excellency the Governor with this object in
view.
MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
77
16. Seventy cases were beard in the Marine Magistrate's Court during the year.
"Refusal of duty,'
," "Insubordination" and "Absence without leave were the principal offences in the case of ships, and Leaving without clearance" and "Leaving during prohibited hours," in the case of Junks.
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS, Mates and Engineers, Under Section 15 of
ORDINANCE No. 8 of 1879.
17. The following table will show the number of candidates examined for Certificates of Compe- tency, distinguishing those who were successful, and those who failed:--
Masters,
First Mates,
Only Mates,
Second Mates,
GRADE.
First Class Engineers,
Second Class Engineers,
PASSED.
FAILED.
19
3
12
.3
43
3
20
19
3
39
3
MARINE COURTS UNDER SECTION 13 OF ORDINANCE No. 8 of 1879.
18. The following Courts have been held during the year :-
1. On the 20th February, 1888. Inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steam-ship Ardgay, Official No. 88,869 of Aberdeen, a little to the North of Cape Batangan, on the 15th December, 1887. The Master's (ALEXANDER COOK) Certificate of Competency was suspended for three months.
2. On the 1st May, 1888. Inquiry as to the stranding of the British Steam-ship Ashington, Official No. 63,010 of South Shields, on the West Point of Hongkong Island in the Channel named on the Chart Sulphur Channel, on the night of the 20th April, 1888. The Master's (Walter REYNELL) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.
3. On the 11th May, 1888. Inquiry as to the abandonment of the British ship Rock Terrace, Official No. 72,217 of St. John, New Brunswick, off the Island of Guam, on the 29th February, 1888. The Master's (STEPHEN BARNES ATKINSON) Certificate of Competency was suspended for six months, and that of the First Mate (AUGUSTUS HARRIS) was also suspended for six months.
4. On the 5th June, 1888. Inquiry respecting certain charges of misconduct brought against ROBERT LYLE, First Mate of the British Steam-ship Crusader, Official No. 63,856 of Glasgow, by JOHN OGSTON, Master of the said ship. The First Mate's Certificate of Competency was returned to
him.
5. On the 24th October, 1888. Inquiry as to the death of HENRY WILKINS, A.B., of the British Steam-ship Ghazee, Official No. 87,678 of Rochester, who was washed overboard by a sea which swept the steamer's decks during the Typhoon encountered on the 29th September, 1888. The Master's (ARCHIBALD SCOTLAND) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.