157
MARINE COUrts.
(Under Section 13 of Ordinance No. 26 of 1891.)
33. The following Courts have been held during the year:
1. On the 19th April, inquiry as to the grounding of the British Steamship Polyphemus, Official No. 97,818 of Liverpool, on Jubilee Island (approaches to Hongkong) on the morning of the Sth April, in foggy weather. The Master's (WILLIAM THOMAS CHUBB) certificate of competency was returned to him.
2. On the 14th May, inquiry into the loss of the British Steamship Peking, Official No. 95,860 of Hongkong, on the Southern point of Meichen Sound, China Sea, on the morning of the 3rd May. The Master's (GEORGE PARKER) certificate of competency was suspended for six months.
3. On the 31st May inquiry respecting certain charges of misconduct brought against ROBERT CRATHORNE, First Engineer of the British Steamship Riversdale, Official No. 68,974 of Sunderland, by EDWARD PECK, Master of the said vessel. The First Engi- neer's (ROBERT CRATHORNE) certificate of competency was suspended for six months. 4. On the 28th November inquiry respecting certain charges of misconduct brought against DAVID GORDON, First Mate of the British barque Torrisdale, Official No. 99,828 of Glasgow, by ROBERT BUCHANAN, Master of the said vessel. The First Mate's (David GORDON) certificate of competency was suspended for three months.
"SUNDAY CARGO-WORKING ORDINANCE, 1891."
34. During the year 105 permits were issued (exclusive of 42 issued free during the coolie strike) under the provisions of the Ordinance; of these 28 were not availed of owing to its being found unneces sary for the ship to work cargo on the Sunday, and the fee paid for the permit was refunded in each
case.
35. 29 Permits were issued free of charge to Mail Steamers.
36. The Revenue collected under this heading was $11,600; this was $1,775 less than in 1894, but nearly 50% more than in any other year since the Ordinance came into force.
SEAMEN.
37. 16,278 Seamen were shipped and 17,926 discharged at the Shipping Office and on board ships during the year.
38. 289 Distressed Seamen were received during the year; of these 59 were sent to the United Kingdom, 12 to Calcutta, 12 to Singapore, 1 to Sydney, I to Port Said, 8 to Japan, 1 to Shanghai, 9 to Manila, 2 to Bombay, 1 to Saigon, 6 died, 160 obtained employment, 13 remained at Government Civil Hospital, and 4 at Sailors' Home.
$5,832.73 were expended by the Board of Trade in the relief of these men.
MARINE SURVEYOR'S SUB-DEPARTMENT.
39. Return No. XXIII. shows the work performed by this branch of the Harbour Department. 40. The Assistant Marine Surveyor was on leave from 27th May to 20th November.
41. His duties were at first undertaken by the Marine Surveyor in addition to his own. Owing to a breakdown in the health of the latter, it was later on found necessary to engage the service of a local engineer to assist in the work until the return from leave of Mr. MACDONALD.
LIGHTHOUSES.
42. The amount of Light Dues collected was as follows :-
CLASS OF VESSELS.
RATE PER TON.
No. of SHIPS.
TONNAGE.
TOTAL FEES COLLECTED.
Ocean Vessels paying full dues,. 2 cents. Launches paying full dues,
3,057
4,097,215 | 102,430.46
24
718
>"
River Steamers (night-boats),...
cent.
740
723,962
17.91 4,825.90
Launches plying exclusively to
Macao,
127
"
6,247
41.64
River Steamers (day-boats), Launches plying to Macao by
Free.
755
933,933
day,
TOTAL,
303
18,951
39
5,006 | 5,776,026 | 107,315.91
43. During the year the Lighthouses bave been maintained as usual. The Principal Light- keeper returned from leave; and on the expiration of their 3 years' agreement, the Gap Rock Light- keepers were permanently engaged on the Fixed Establishment.
44. Advantage was taken of the presence of Mr. MATTHEWS (of the firm of Messrs. CooDE SON & MATTHEWS) at Colombo to engage his services for a report on the Gap Rock Lighthouse and buildings more especially with reference to the damage sustained by these in the typhoon of 1893. A visit was paid to the Rock and Mr. MATTHEWS furnished the Government with his opinion.