Hongkong is exceptionally situated in this matter. There are but few ships registered here, and only Officers serving in those vessels could, under the terms of the existing Orders in Council, qualify for Certificates.
Under Ordinance No. 8 of 1879, no steam-ship, British or foreign, carrying more than twelve passengers can clear out or proceed to sea unless the Officers possess Certificates of Competency or Service. The consequence is, that a large number of Masters, Mates and Engineers have presented themselves before the local Examination Board. The great majority of these candidates could not have been examined had Hongkong come within the Orders in Council, as the candidates could not produce Certificates of three years' cumulative domicile or service. The consequence would have been that many ships could not have cleared with over twelve passengers from Hongkong for want of certified Officers.
With the exception of the domicile or service of three years, the qualification of service in Hongkong is the same as in England. The Examination viva voce and by papers is taken from the Board of Trade instructions on the subject, and I have no hesitation in stating that candidates here go through as strict an examination as they do in any part of the world.
It seems, therefore, hard on Hongkong Certificate holders, that, although they have proved themselves from a professional point of view equally competent as Masters, Mates and Engineers who pass in the United Kingdom, and in those Colonies to which the Orders in Council can apply, they should have to pay further fees and have to be re-examined before they can be put on the Register or articles of a ship at a home port.
The reasons which have led to the cumulative domicile or service rules are doubtless good ones, but I am unable to see why certified good service in any ship should not be equivalent to service in a Hongkong registered vessel. What is required is competency for the post for which the candidate presents himself; and if a candidate has satisfied a competent Board of Examiners that he has the requisite experience and knowledge, it seems not unreasonable that it should be sufficient to render his Certificate valid anywhere.
Marine Courts, UNDER ORDINANCE No. 11 of 1860 (NOW REPEALED AND RE-ENACTED IN ORDINANCE No. 8 of 1879).
23. The following Courts have been held during the year:
1. On the 6th February, 1880, - inquiry as to the loss of the British barque Oprnell, Official Number 60,883 of London, in a Typhoon near Cebu, Philippine Islands. The Master's (P.H.C. LANGLOIS) Certificate of Competency was returned.
2. On the 2nd June, 1880, - inquiry as to the stranding of the British steam-ship Mooth, Official Number 81,457 of Sunderland, on or near the East Lamock Island. The Master's (Joux Jonsson) Certificate of Competency was returned.
SEAMEN.
24. 6,392 seamen were shipped during the year, being 46 less than were shipped in 1879. 7,139 seamen were legally discharged, being 747 in excess of the number shipped. Of the latter excess, many have worked their passage without regularly shipping, others pay their own passage, and many were sent to England.
25. The Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance No. 8 of 1879, became law on the 17th July last. This Ordinance is the consolidation of many Ordinances which had been passed since 1845, and the opportunity was taken in framing the new Ordinance to introduce measures for insuring the efficiency of British, Colonial and foreign steam-ships employed in the conveyance of passengers hence.
26. Ordinance No. 4 of 1855 was introduced to enable Chinese land owners in Hongkong to use the British Flag, and at the time the Ordinance was passed Chinese owned none but junks or lorchas. In course of time, Chinese became owners of steam vessels and obtained Colonial Registers. These vessels were old, indifferently officered, and generally badly found. Section V of Ordinance No. 8 of 1879 has now put this class of steamers on the same footing as other steamers.
27. The steam-launch Ordinance has, in my opinion, effected much good; the six-monthly surveys of them have doubtless prevented many accidents, which must have been attended with great loss of life.
28. Between the 17th July and the 31st December last, 63 vessels have been surveyed. Great difficulty has been experienced in procuring the regulation life buoys, and other small requirements. The instructions of the Board of Trade are followed as nearly as the circumstances of the Colony will admit, and by a strict adherence to the provisions of the Ordinance, such another accident as that of the unfortunate Yesso in November, 1877, cannot well be repeated.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable FREDERICK STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
...
H. G. THOMSETT, P.N.,
Harbour Master, &c.
Hongkong is exceptionally situated in this matter. There are but few ships registered here, and only Officers serving in those vessels could, under the terms of the existing Orders in Council, qualify for Certificates.
Under Ordinance No. 8 of 1879, no steam-ship, British or foreign, carrying more than twelve passengers can clear out or proceed to sea unless the Officers possess Certificates of Competency or Service. The consequence is, that a large number of Masters, Mates and Engineers have presented themselves before the local Examination Board. The great majority of these candidates could not have been examined had Hongkong come within the Orders in Council, as the candidates could not produce Certificates of three years' cumulative domicile or service. The consequence would have been that many ships could not have cleared with over twelve passengers from Hongkong for want of certi- ficated Officers.
With the exception of the domicile or service of three years, the qualification of service in Hong- kong is the same as in England. The Examination vica voce and by papers is taken from the Board of Trade instructions on the subject, and I have no hesitation in stating that candidates here go through as strict an examination as they do in any part of the world.
It seems, therefore, hard on flongkong Certificate holders, that, although they have proved them- selves from a professional point of view equally competent as Masters, Mates and Engineers who pass in the United Kingdom, and in those Colonies to which the Orders in Council can apply, they should have to pay further fees and have to be re-examined before they can be put on the Register or articles of a ship at a home port.
The reasons which have led to the cumulative domicile or service rules are doubtless good ones, but I am unable to see why certified good service in any ship should not be equivalent to service in a Hong- kong registered vessel. What is required is competency for the post for which the candidate presents himself; and if a candidate has satisfied a competent Board of Examiners that he has the requisite experience and knowledge, it seems not unreasonable that it should be sufficient to render his Certificate valid anywhere.
Marine Courts, UNDER ORDINANCE No. 11 or 1860 (NOW REPEALED AND RE-ENACTED IN ORDINANCE No. 8 or 1879).
23. The following Courts have been held during the year :---
1. On the 6th February, 1880,-inquiry as to the loss of the British barque opernell, Official Number 60,883 of London, in a Typhoon near Cebu, Philippine Islands. The Master's (PH C. LANGLOIS) Certificate of Competency was returned.
2. On the 2nd June, 1880,-inquiry as to the stranding of the British steam-ship Mooth, Official Number 81.457 of Sunderland, on or near the East Lamock Island. The Master's (Joux Jonsson) Certificate of Competency was returned.
SEAMMEN.
24. 6,392 seamen were shipped during the year, being 46 less than were shipped in 1879. 7.139 seamen were legally discharged, being 747 in excess of the number shipped. Of the latter excess, many have worked their passage without regularly shipping, others pay their own passage, and many were sent to England.
25. The Merchant Shipping Consolilation Ordinance No. 8 of 1879, became law on the 17th July last. This Ordinance is the consolidation of many Ordinances which had been passed since 18-45, and the opportunity was taken in framing the new Ordinance to introduce measures for insuring the effi ciency of British, Colonial and foreign steam-ships employed in the conveyance of passengers hence.
26. Ordinance No. 4 of 1855 was introduced to enable Chinese land owners in Hongkong to use the British Flag, and at the time the Ordinance was passed Chinese owned none but junks or lorchas. In course of time, Chinese became owners of steam vessels and obtained Colonial Registers. These vessels were old, indifferently officered, and generally badly found. Section V of Ordinance No. 8 of 1879 has now put this class of steamers on the satne footing as other steamers.
27. The steam-launch Ordinance has, in my opinion, effected much good; the six-monthly surveys of them have doubtless prevented many accidents, which must have been attended with great loss of life. 28. Between the 17th July and the 31st December last, 63 vessels have been surveyed. Great difficulty has been experienced in procuring the regulation life buoys, and other small requirements. The instructions of the Board of Trade are followed as nearly as the circumstances of the Colony will admit, and by a strict adherence to the provisions of the Ordinance, such another accident as that of the unfortunate Yesso in November, 1877, cannot well be repeated.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable FREDERICK STEWART, LL.D..
Acting Colonial Secretary,
$c...
H. G. THOMSETT, P.N., Harbour Master, &c.
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