1929-05-16 — Page 10

10

TRENCHANT CRITICISMS OF RIVER STEAMERS.

EMPLOYMENT OF UNCERTIFIED PILOTS.

COMPREHENSIVE REPORT OF COMMISSION.

PILOTS WHO DEPEND UPON CAPTAINS.

The River Steamers Commission companies in Hong Kong nad we see i was appointed in 1929 to consider the no reason why it should not be status of River Trade, Certificates | adopted officially. as Master and Mate issued by the It is considered that the Master Hong Kong Government, the agrees would have more contral over a ment made between owners and more permanent crew and that masters and master and crew and the notice given to terminate these agreements, the system of discharge and payment of wages of native seamen, the method of measurement of river steamers for passenger gertificates, the carriage of large ambers of free passengers as com mission agents, the system of em barkation of passengers and loading of cargo and the employment of uncertified pilots.

various irregularities would thereby be lessened. The fact was elicited that the crew is generally largely in excess of the number for whom accommodation is provided and the Commissioners recommend that the crew signed on should be limited to the number for which erew space certified, any other percons car. ried. being technically passen. gers."

The Merchant Shipping Ordin The first meeting was held in ance requires amendment to permit November last and at six subse-the engagement and discharge of. quent meetings the evidence of 13 and payment of wages to seamen witnesses was taken. The report in the form and manner provided of the Commission has just been by the Merchant Shipping. Ass issued.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1929.

LADIES' OPEN GOLF,

MISS JOYCE WETHERED'S

BAD LUCK.

ANGLO-AMERICAN FINAL

LIKELY,

THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.)

ST. ANDREW, May '15. During the severest thunderstorm in the history of the event Miss Joyce Wethered was drenched, and left her ball on the third green and returned to find the hole hidden by a pool.

Miss Glenna Collett was more fortunate, playing hear shelter at the time.

An Anglo-Americas final is re garded as certain, Miss Wethered beat Miss Shewan by 5 and 3; Miss Collett beat Miss Brown (Formby) by and and Miss Hollins bent Miss Boothby (America) by 6 and 5.. 1,000 GUINEAS CONTEST.

FRANCE'S GREAT

WALL.

FORTS THAT HELD THE

HUN IN CHECK. : - .

PASSENGERS,

Departures.

The following passengers left Hong Kong yesterday per 8.3. Empress of Asia:-Miss E. E. Alkin, Miss K. N. Ackert, Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Anthony, Mr. and Mrs. Paris-France's fortified "wall Ames, Miss 31. Anderson, Mr. of China," a supposedly impreg-L. Armstrong. Mr. G. E. S. Bos- nable barrier to separate her from tock, Mrs. W. E. Bremner, Mr. H. her neighbours to the East and D. Browne, Mr. J. Barhick, Miss Southeast, is slowly arising in the C. E. Bruce-Burge, Mr. D. Burdick, form of four foot thick steel and ¡Dr. D. G. Brete, Mr. J. A. Blanco. concreto pillboxes, unbreakable Mrs. Chin Lo Shi. Mr. Chi Chook gunshelters and bombproof am- Sang, Mr. Cheung Chang, Mr. W. inuation stores deep underground. | K. Chung, Mrs. M. G. Carvalho, Work was slowed up by the hard Miss A. M. Carvalho, Mr. T. C. Chow, Mr. Chow Ching Chuen, Col. winter but has been pushed on rapidly since good weather, and be fore the end of the year the first unit of the defence system will have been budget, which the Minister of completed at a cost of

"The 2,000,000 frames.

1930

Finance, M. Cheron will place on the desks of Parliament" during May will contain a second great credit, probably between 400,000,000 and 500,000,000-franes. As soon as the sum is fixed and voted, the General Stal of the Army will draw up a definite programme of building for 1930.

In building the great system of fortified defences along the German frontier, German materials have been used. These were furnished by the German Government under the Dawes Plan as payment in taal investment of money by kind and really represent no

ユビー

M. Cosgrave, Mr. and Mrs. T. Y. Chan, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Cob croft. Miss K. M. Coberoft, Mr. R.

Mrs. T. M. Chen and infant, Mrs. Couci, Mr. Chan Yik. Chue, Mrs. Chen and infant, Mrs. M. Chan,

C. Ched, Miss Chen, Mr. Chin Fook Hoi. Mrs. Chang Shee, Mr. J. M. Dalgarno. "Mr. W. J. Dusen. burg, Mr. J. W. Dusenbury, Mrs. T. Drew, Miss D. Drew. Miss A: W. Ericsson, Mrs. A. H. Ferguson and children, Mrs. W. S. Falis Mr. J. Fixture, Mr. F. F. Fairman, Mr. Fung Wai Kom, Mr. and Mrs. W. Faid," Mr. and Mrs. J. Fleming. and infant, Mr. J. H. Franks, Mr. Foo. Sau Che, Mr. Foo Bing Cho, Mr and Mrs. W. B. Gregg and son, Mr. A. Gewitch, Mr. H. Gild, Miss J. Guantere, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Hoang Zur. Mr. J. M. Heary, Mr. Griggs, Mrs. Heung She, Mr. Hoe

ren, Mr. C. Y. Ho. Mr. A. Heynes, Mr. Ho Chan Hin. Master T. Ha, Mr. J. Helary, rs. H. Stone Hull, Miss S. D. Hooper, Miss M. E. Hooper, Mr. Ho Lai Sang, Sister M. Hanover, Mr. and Mrs. J. A., Hodson, Miss N. A. Hodson, Mr.

The report.statës "that the total ance with Ordinance No. 10 of 1850 took three putts at the eleventh, and France. The work now is being and Mrs. D. Deathcote and child-

River steamers are measured for Local Certificates,

passenger accommodation is accord number of British river steamers The existing Hong Kong regulations sailing from Hong Kong at the first are far too brief to be of any real value and dificulty is experienced sitting of the Commission was 29. Of these, eight were trading to in applying Board of Trade Regula- Canton, 14 to West River ports and tions as these are not designed to Macao, and six were laid ip Dar cater for ships carrying large num ing the years 1997-8, no fewer thanbers of Asiatic passengers on short seven Marine Courts were held in runs. connection with the river steamers

Free Passengers.

LONDON, May 14. Walter Hagen returned to-day a sore of 6 in the first round. He was bunkered at the first hole, perfect golf until be dropped_a taking five, and went on to play stroke at the short eighth hole. He heled a five yarder at the four- teenth. He finished in a rainstormi with four perfect fours.

Golden (America). tore up his card.

LONDON, May 15. Lending Scores after the second round are:-

CHINESE GUNBOATS HERE.

TO HELP CANTON FORCES.:

centred around three of the greatest strongholds of the German frontier, North Metz and dividing Alsace from the Palatinate. All of the secondary defences still to be built will be based on these out- standing strongpoints.

At the same time, work is pro- and, of these, two were serious Free passengers as commission Leo. Diegel (U.S.A... 71-73-1sgressing on the defence of the casualties resulting in the sinking agents are principally carried in the Watrous (U.S.A)... 70-14-144| Alpine frontier with Italy where of ships. This compares with two smaller West River steamers with Abe. Mitchell (Britain), 71-74-143 much has already been done and Marine Courts held in connection the cognisance of the owners. The Geo. Duncan (Britain) 74-72-143 only the linking up of the strong with ocean-going steamets. In ad- majority of them act as touts for pas

holds remains to be completed. dition, eight summary convictions angers and cargo, while others aro against owners or masters were re-live-stock coolies, hawkers, etc. corded.

They pay: no fare and invariably The irregularities referred to in-carry a small amount of earge dicated that the standards of these (sometimes dutiable), for their own. ships and more particularly the account,

Provided that their number does smaller ships running to Wuchow and Kongmoon, might be inferior to not result in an excess of the num those usually obtaining in British ber of passengers allowed by the ihips and various peculiarities of ship's certificate and their activities this trade required investigation.

are profitable to the owners, the River Trade certificates are local, Commission are unable to recom- mend any effective method of re- according to the report, and their galating the carriage of such pas validity is limited to river steamers sengers, although it is considered plying in the waters and delta ad that, from an administrative point jacent to Hong Kong, They arest view, their elimination would be issued subject to local regulations desirable. made in 1913. The qualifications for obtaining either of these certificates are.. much inferior to those required for a foreign-going certificate as end

mate.

No "Tickets" for Engineers,

Embarkation and Loading. Passengers are embarked at any time the ship is alongside and no system is maintained in the majority

Two Chinese gunboats, the Hai Yung and the Hai Chow, arrived at Hong Kong yesterday afternoon en route to Canton. They are pected to sail again this morning.

ex-

further gunboats, the Yung Chi and Naoking has despatched two the Yung Kin, to augment the Canton forces. They are expected to arrive here this afternoon and to sail to-morrow.

Yesterday's arrivals were greeted with the usual gun salutes.

Jethmal, Mr. and Mrs. J. van der Jagt, Mr. and Mrs. Pan Jack- on and infant. Mr. G. S. Kwok, Shee and infant, Mr. and Mrs. H. Mr. and Mrs. Kellers, Mrs. Kong A. Kraijtaosch and family, Mr. K. S. Ewan.. Mr. and Mrs. Kac Ying Lessons of the Great War.

Pu, Mr. R. Kwok, Mr. Y. F. Kam, Despite the development of heavy Mr. H. H. Kelly, Mr. Ko Kwok artillery and aerial bombardment, Chin, Mr. Kwan Tai Po, Miss the French general staff appears to Leung Pui Chan, Mr. Leong Yar put much confidence in fortifica- Kwan, Mr. K. L. Lee, Mr. Leung tions, basing its judgment on the Shan, Mr. and Mrs. J. Ledbury. fact that the Verdun fortress was Mr. Lo Enn, Mr. Lee Lai Chee, Mr., never taken by the Germans al and Mrs. N. K. Lee, Mr. T. M. Ley. though the outer forts there were Mr. 1. M. Loo, Mr. and Mrs. J. pounded to pieces by gunfire. It L. Lock. Mr. Law Yan Chuen. was owing to the losses suffered by Mr. C. Lacerna, Mr. Lee Ging the Germans before the forts of Tteng Miss F. Lang, Miss M. Army arrived at the first battle of Ming, Mr. Lai Charm, Mr. La Namur and Liege that the Seventh Lang. Mias A. Law. Mr. Leong Lai

Pompallo was another of the old Lai Farg. Capt. J. H. Lowes, Mr. the Marne greatly weakened. Kai, Mr. Lam Kan Sheung, Mrs. ferts, almost obsolete at the start a Pak Yock, Mr. and Mrs. H. of the war, which was put in shape J. Monekton and family, Mr. E. by the French and held the Ger- M. Mitchell, Mr. A. MacGowan, mans off for two years. In those Mr. Mok Wing. Mrs J. M. Moore, forts, none of the bombproof Mr. E. M. Malorianker, Sir Alex shelters for the famous 75's was ander and Lady MacCormick, Miss shelters in the Fort of Vaux was Keown, Mr. Mok Hing, Mr. Ng pierced and only one of these M. MacCermick, Miss D. Mac- Even the Pak Kin, Hiss E. N. Naylaw, Mr. great 420 mm. shells of

Ng Man Young. Mr. Ng Kwok German's failed to dent them.

King, Dr. A. F. Oliveros. Mr. Pan From Dunkirk to Pontarlier.

Yock Tin, Rev. A. Patrick, Miss Basing their plans on such Part Ying, Mr. C. C. Quan, Mr. E. thoroughly

tested shelters, the F Richards, Mr. G. E. Robinson,. ly planned the great defence line das Mr. J. P. Runkett, Mr. M. T. which will extend from Dunkirk to' Rankin, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Suther Pontarlier, a distance of nearly 500 land, Mr. O. Steenstra, Mr. and miles. This fortification is purely Mrs W. R. Snow, Mr. A. L defensive and is intended to pro- Shields, Mr. N. Squire, Mrs. E. vide a frontier battlefield to keep Stoar, Mra Shen Yok Fong, Mrs. enemy troops from ever again. M. Sutton, Mrs H. . Sell, destroying the rich interior of Mrs. Sheum Sze and infant, Mrs. France.

A. E. Shuster, Mr. G. M. Toplin. France is not alone in fortify Ham, Mr. C. Tong, Miss P. Y. 3fiss M. G. Thomas, Mr. Teang Tin ing its frontiers, for Germany Tong. Master L. Tong, H.E. Mr. consorated the equivalent

and Mrs. Tong Shao Yi, Mr. Toni 23,600,000 francs in her current Chan, Mr. M. 31. Tackey, Mr. H. budget for the upkeep of fortifica A. Themplinson, Mies M. C. Til- tions, and Italy in her 1927-25 bury, Mr. W. Taylor, Mr. Tong L. budget had credits of 52,700,000 lire Suen, Mr. Tong Kin, Mr. Tim Fung for similar work. With the com-. pletion of the new frontier forti- Mr. Tsai Show Tate, Mr. J. W fications, many forts in the interior Vorner, Mrs. F. M. Vega, Mr. Woo will be declassed, and there is now

Stih Lur, Mr. Wong Horn Chi. Mr.

of river steamers but, with inade-nge, misfortune, or other causes Evidence as to the origin of, or quate pier accommodation and easy are compelled to accept whatever destroyed. by a mine.

access from sampans, supervision is necessity for, these certificates was difficult, passengers and cargo being terms may be offered them. embarked at the same time.

Difficulty is experienced in hand ing and stowing cargo under these

not obtainable, but is is apparent that there is no present or prospec; tive shortage of officers, and, should this eventuality arise, it is con-

sidered that the better qualified

conditions and

ships frequently

Masters in these circumstances are probably required to refund a considerable portion of the agreed salary and such a practice can be

the

officers with foreign going certi leave with passengers and cargo in attractive to an undesirable type of French General Staff has complete- Mr. J. D. Ramnani, Mr. J. Raman

ficates of any grade could more ably fill any deficiency.

It is noted that there are no cor- responding river trade certificates for engineers.

The commission recommend the abolition of River Trade Certificates without prejudice, however, to the present holders, of whom only three are likely to seek employment..

Evidence Not Unarizeus. Masters are frequently engaged on an agreement terminable at 24

and in the holds, discriminately on the main decks

master.

Suggested Solutions.

This could be obviated by the in troduction of the regulations rug of affairs is clearly no easy matter, To find a remedy for this state

gested in paragraph of this re- and, since neither, party can be part in Ordinance No. 10 of 1909, expected to co-operate, some form Table F, making the carriage of of coercion would appear to be passengers on the main deck con-accessary. ditional on the hatches being bat tened down and cargo only alloweded:- on the main ceck when properly secured.

#

Authority of Pilots.

Two pilots are generally carried hours notice and the Commissioners and are usually men who have ac are of the opinion that such casua quired some experience in piluting occupation does not always attract

They have. a good type of officer, and that the ships in the rivers.

lear of dismissal frequently restricts however, no other qualifications and are not sufficiently reliable to be any action which a master may regarded as officers-a position they consider necessary when the inter- ests of a ship are opposed to those have often been known to assume.

however,

that the evidence

Three possible lines were consider

(a) Legislation with regard to the engagement of masters (Ruled out as impracticable, vide 'para. 13). (b) Action by H.B.M. Consul- General, Canton (vide para.

34).

(e) The possibility of action by

the China

Coast Officers Guild, The last suggestion opens up large

48

a project before Parliament to de- class such famous old forts Nogent Abbesse at Rheims. Pompelle, Briment, Witz and

H

The Lord Chancellor has consent. Guildford Town Council, who de sire to submit further arguments in favour in Guild- favour of the retention zen, which the Surrey County Council has de- cided to transfer to Kingston-on-

of the owners. It may be noted, The extent of their authority de- questions outside the Commissions' penda upon the master and, whilst terms of reference. They neverthe "masters was not unanimous in con- offcial recognition to such of them in

it might be desirable to accord less consider that, were the guild better position to exercise its demning this practice.

The Hon Attorney-General was na are able to pilot a ship efficiently, influence, this particular difculty consulted with regard to the pos- the issue of a licence no pilot is could readily be overcome. sibility of introducing legislation to not practical for the following rea. It is considered that the further er to receive a deputation from the

supervision of ships and the detor- ensure the employment of mastersons on more reasonable terms but his The pilots are Chinese and are mined co-operation of Masters and opinion was unfavourable, mainly

employed almost entirely in far-officers themselves would eventual on the grounds. of interference with

eign waters. If licences are rely eliminats undesirable officers and the freedom of contract. The co quired the Chinese Maritime Cus establish the appointment of those operation of H.B.M. Cónsul-General, toms would appear to be the ap who would insist on equitable terms Canton, through the medium of the propriate authority for their issue. of employment. Canton Consular District Regala-

Unless the River Inspectorate More Inspection Necessary. tions, 1915 (amended if necessary)

were established it is difficult to The Commission are of the opin- would be of material assistance in know where a competent examiner encouraging owners to select suit- could be found to examine canditon, based on personal inspection dates in seamanship and d com steamer should be inspected immed- of river steamers, that every river able masters and we suggest this channel be further investigated.

prehensive knowledge of the iately prior to sailing. To give Agreements between the master rivers of the Canton delta.”.... and crew are referred to later, It is felt that this Commission effect to this proposal the Commis

sioners recommend the temporary cannot encroach upon the mari. time responsibilities of another Boarding Officers, one of whom appointment of two additional Power, whatever its opinion on should, if possible, have some ex- the subject may be."

perience as a Marine. Surveyor.--

General Conclusions,

No objection is seen to the con- tinued use of the form of agreement provided by the Merchant Shipping Act (usually known as the Articles) to include such terms us may be

It is thought that the nett cost of mutually agreed upon between the

The Commisioners are of the these appointments would not be Master and the crew. It is appar opinion that the irregularities which considerable and would at least eat that the Articles are generally exist in a certain class of river ensure incorrectly kept and that, owing to steamers are the direct result of the ships are ran in accordance with the prevalence of the system of sub-employment of unsuitable masters the best traditions of the Mercan- stitution, the names on the articles give little indication of the identity and there is no doubt but that, in tile Marine would not be penalised certain cases, the employment of by the unfair competition of other of the men actually on board.

auch masters is advantage to both badly found ships. parties.

Discharges.

To obviate this and to induce the It is apparent (though direct engagement of capable seamen it is evidence was, for obvious reasons, considered that discharges should difficult to obtain) that owners exist

that those owners whose

In conclusion, the Commissioners do not wish to imply that the con- ditions obtaining in all river steam- ors are open to criticism but the

be insisted on, should be continuous, who prefer a master who, whilst fact, that in some cases irregular- and should include a method of holding the qualifications required ities do exist, must be recognised. identification of the persons to whom by law, will countenance any irre The Commissioners have enden.

they are issued. This system is in gularity that increases the earnings voured to effect an improvement by force in India and has been adopted of the ship. At the same time suggesting the general application on their own initiative by a number masters are obtainable who, through of a standard such as might be ex-

(Continued on next Column). pected in any British ship. of the more prominent shipping

Thames.

T. Wa, Mrs. R. C. Wollerton, Master Wong Kai Sang, Mr. R.

PRESIDENT LINER SAILINGS

Weekly Trans-Pacific Service

To San Francisco and Los Angeles" To Seattle and Victoria

The Sunshine Belt vi

The Short, Straight Route Amatolulu

Fortnightly saliings on Tusidays

Pres. McKinley.Tu, May 11,6am. Pres. Grant......Th., June Pres. Cleveland..Tu., June 19 Pres. Pierce Tu, July 2

to America Fortnightly illugs on Tuesdays Pros, Jefferson. Ta, May 29 Pres. Lincoln,T,Jane 11 Pros, Maison-Ta., June 25 From. Jackson Tu, July 9

£120, £112 Special throught rates to Europe via

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Europe and New York Direct

ROUND THE WORLD

Formightir saling on Sunday via Manila, Straita, Colombo, Suez Canal, Alexandra Naples, Ghana, Marseilles, New York and Bolton,

**

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To Manila

Pres. Jefferson May 21,6p.m. Pres. Cleveland.June, 8, 6 p.m. Pres. Grant...May 25,6 p.m. Pres. Madison Jane, 1, 6pm. Fres. Lincoln...June, 4, 6pm. Pres. Pierce June, 22, 6 pm.

for Bookings. Passenger and Freight Information apply to

PEDDER BUILDING, Ground Floor,

Telephone Central 2477, 2478 and 795 Cable Address "Doliz" CANTON BRANCH-4, SBA K18 STREET.

22

:

Dollar Steamship Line

and

American Mail Line

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NEW YORK BERTH.

FOR NEW YORK & BOSTON via SUEZ.

"BOLTON CASTLE.”

Sails onfor about 30th May

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- TAKING CARGO ON THROUGH BILLS OF LADING TO GENOA, ALL ITALIAN, ADRIATIC, LEVANT, BLACK SEA AND DANUBE PORTS.

REDUCED PASSAGE RATES, BRINDISI. VENICE & TRIESTE LONDON

!

£72.10.0. £80.0.0.

NEXT SAILINGS." "OUTWARDS FOR SHANGHAI, YOKOHAMA, KOBE AND MOJI.

From Hong Kong. Sails hence enfor about 19th May Sails hence on/or about 23rd May Sails once on/or about 11th June Saile hence on/or about 20th Jans

6.8. "FIUME."*

S.S. "VENEZIA " 8.9. "NIPPON" 8.8. "TIMAVO"

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8.9. "ROSANDRA " 'M.V. "ROHOLO "

B.B. "FIUME" 8.S. VENEZIA”.

141

From Hong Kong. Sails on/or about 29th May

Sails on/or about 7th Jane Sails anfor about 18th June Sails on/or about 25th June

Mr. J. Weil, Mrs. L M. Wilkinson, Mr. H. Williams, Mr. Wong Che Ching, Mr. and Mrs. B. Wolf, Mr. K C. Wang, Mr. J. Wong, Mr. Wong Loo She, Miss A. Wong, Master H. Wong, Mr. Wong Sau Sam, Mrs. W. Wong, Mrs Yan Shen, Mr. Yu Pau Nam, Mr. Yuen Tse Ho, Mrs. Yip Shoe, Mr. C. Y. Yee, Mr. Yook Tack Wah, Mr. and NATAL LINE OF STEAMERS Mrs, Zang Tze Chean. Mr. and Mrs. Zung Tek Ches, Mr. and Mrs. Zurg Fung Hiu.

THE EAST ASIATIC CO., LTD.

COPENHAGEN,

The M.S. "AFRIKA"

loading on or about

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SAILING LIST.

BHANGHAL, STO.

CONFIKHEZ, 176. 12th June? 80th June

20th May

Optional Bills of Lading issued to United Kingdom Ports.

For further particulars, please apply to:-

JOHN MANNERS & CO. LTD.

Telephone O. 4072.

MERCANTILS BANK BUILDING.

Aguita,

[41

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