CO129-304 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [1-4] — Page 64

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for having persons in charge whose antecedents are well known

and who are not likely to be in callusion with pirates.

The Committee hope, therefore, that His Excellency the Governor will join with then in recognising that stead-launch owners are not at present sufficiently protected against liability to loss and disaster through the action of the persona in charge of these vessels, and that some more effective measures should be taken to bring them under proper supervision and control. If the continuous record system could be extended to the sailors employed on the stean-launches, a still better guarantee for the safety of those craft would be gained.

The Harbour Master and the Captain Superio- tendent of Police would, it is believed, find little difficulty in working out the details of such a systed, which should, of course; as at present, provide for the attachment of a photograph of the holier to such certificate, to be renewed as often as day be deemed necessary for purposes of identification.

I have etc.,

(Sa.) R. Chatterton filcox,

Secretary.