697621-1873-Harbour-Department-Annual-Returns- — Page 4

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 15тп MARCII, 1873.

REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.

28. Twenty-six vessels, measuring 7,856 tons, of which 17 are propelled by stean, aggregating 1.520 Horse Power, have been registered at this Office during the year.

29. Twenty-four vessels, measuring 7,644 tons, of which 13 are steamers with a total of 1,656 Horse Power, have had their Registers cancelled in this Registry for the reasons stated against their respective names in the proper Return.

MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

30. The hard labour prescribed for prisoners confined in Victoria Gaol is having a salutory effect on the number of cases brought to this Court. It is found that seamen do not so persistently refuse duty as heretofore, a few days' punishment being generally found sufficient to bring them to reason.

31. Complaints have been made during the year of the absence of any means to enforce order and diligence on Foreign ships. I need scarcely point out that the Consuls at this port have the matter completely in their own hands, and have only to exercise their authority on board to obviate all the inconveniences complained of.

EXAMINATIONS FOR THE Posts of Masters and MATES IN THE MERCANTILE

MARINE. (ORDINANCE No. 17. OF 1830.)

32. Of the 37 applicants for examination under this Ordinance, 31 candidates received their Certificates, whilst 6 failed in showing themselves qualified.

33. Much inconvenience and considerable insecurity arises from the employment of uncertificated Engineers on any of the steamers on this Coast. I should view with great satisfaction an Ordinance extending the present Examination Board at Hongkong to the examining into the qualifications of and granting Certificates to this class of officers.

MARINE COURTS (Ordinance No. 11 OF 1360.)

34. There have been six Courts held under the provisions of this Ordinance on four vessels propelled by steam and two sailing ships. The sailing ships and three steamers became total wrecks, whilst one steamer was ultimately got afloat. In three of these cases the Masters' Certificates were returned to them; two Masters had their Certificates suspended for nine months; and one Master's Certificate was suspended for six months.

SEAMEN.

35. 7,829 Seamen were legally discharged in this Colony, and 8,096 were shipped during the year. The number of Seamen in the port legally discharged is now very small, there being, on the 24th instant, only twenty. There is now no excuse for the destitution of even a single Seaman in the Colony. The indiscriminate charity which some persons persist in exercising towards destitutes merely serves to cherish and conserve an intolerable social nuisance.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

H. G. THOMSETT, r.n.,

Harbour Master, Fc.,

The Honourable CECIL C. SMITH,

Acting Colonial Secretary,

HONGKONG.