36
through-
belong to no individual or individuale, but are in the hande of Trustees, and are employed under the Committee's directions solely for the efficient maintenance of the Society's organization. The Committee, with whom lies the whole control of the Society's affairs, is composed of 69 Members, elected' by Underwriters' Associations, Shipowners' Societies, Chambere of Commerce, ¿p. out the country to represent the interests of Under- writers, Shipowners, and Merchants. It will be seen that the Members of the Committee are themselves personally and seriously interestedin the efficient discharge of the Society's functions, and this fact alone is a guaran- tee to all concerned of the vigilant care devoted to the superintendence of the Society's Surveyors in the execution of their duties. The extent of public con- fidence in the Society may be illustrated by the following figures showing thenumber and tonnage of vessels now trading which are classed in Lloyd'e Ragiater Book, viz:-
No.
Tonnage.
BRITISH
FOREIGN
Total
6,652 11,790,000
3,020
5,927,000
9,672 17,717,000
At the present time, no less than 1 million tons are being built, or are about to be laid down, under the Special Survey of the Society with a view to classifica- tion. It is needless to remind the Board that, the Committee being empowered to assign Freeboards under the Merchant Shipping Act, surveys held by this Society'e ofri- ders have already statutory recognition. Under that Act Freeboards have been assigned by the Committee to
upwards