1874 — Page 210

25. The great loss of life on board the Japan, which has been, I fear, rather under estimated than over, leads to reflection on what would have been the result had the Japan had her full complement of passengers on board, 1,430; for it is impossible that a ship can carry boats for so large a number of people. This ship had her full complement of boats and rafts, yet still the loss of life was great. Most of the Chinese passengers were possessed of large sums of money in dollars which they attached to their persons, and many of them were drowned in consequence.

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26. The cause of the fire is attributed to the spontaneous combustion of coals, in the fore bunker of the ship, which had been taken on board in a wet condition at Yokohama; but as this Government bad nothing to do with the enquiry which was held, I can form no opinion of the origin of the fire, except so far as the published evidence could inforin me. It was found that it was no part of the Company's instructions that the temperature of the several coal bunkers should be tested at stated intervals. Had such a rule obtained on board, probably the fire and consequent loss of the ship and lives might have been avoided.

REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.

27. Fifteen vessels have been registered; twenty registers have been cancelled, and thirty-four other transactions, such as mortgages, &c., have been recorded by this Department during the year. This is the usual average work done, but it will shortly be lessened, probably by one half, as a Registry Office is about to be established at Shanghai.

28. The fees collected under this head amount to $435.74.

MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

29. There is a reduction of 47 per cent in the number of Defendants brought before this Court, due chiefly to the short stay of the ships in Port.

EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS AND MATES, UNDER

ORDINANCE No. 17 OF 1860.

30. Of thirty-two applicants for examination, twenty-nine obtained Certificates, and three failed in showing themselves qualified.

MARINE COURTS, UNDER ORDINANCE No. 11 OF 1860.

31. There have been three Courts held during the year, to investigate:-the circumstances attending the loss of the Sunfoo, Official Number 65,572, near the Asses' Ears; the loss of the 'hite Cloud, Official Number 50,651, at Macao; and the loss of the Mongol, Official Number 68,496, on the Nine Pin Rocks.

SEAMEN.

32. 5,782 Seamen were shipped, and 5,784 seamen were legally discharged during the year.

I bave the honor to be,

The Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,

Colonial Secretary,

HONGKONG.

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

II. G. THOMSETT, R.N.,

Hurbor Muster, fe.

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