Sessional_Paper_1884-1885 — Page 208

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The

6. There is an increase of vessels under the British, German, and United States' flags. latter is due to a local American firm purchasing a number of European built vessels from a Chinese Company. There is consequently a falling off of this class of vessel under the Chinese flag, in fact, although the return shows the arrival of 33 vessels during the year, the Chinese flag before the end of the year ceased to be seen in these waters.

EMIGRATION.

7. 6,191 fewer emigrants left here in 1884 than in the previous year, the requirements of the Straits Settlements and Malay States not being so great as in 1883.

REGISTRY OF SHIPPING.

8. Thirteen vessels were registered, and seven vessels withdrawn from the Registry of this Port during the year.

MARINE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

9. Seventy-eight cases were tried during the year; refusal of duty, assault, and drunkenness on board ship being the chief offences.

EXAMINATIONS FOR THE POSTS OF MASTERS, MATES AND ENGINEERS, UNDER SECTION 15 OF ORDINANCE 8 OF 1879.

10. The following list will show the number of Candidates who passed, and of those who failed in obtaining Certificates of Competency.

Masters, First Mates,

Only Matės,

Second Mates,

RANK.

First Class Engineers,

Second Class Engineers,

PASSED.

FAILED.

21

2440

2

14

5

10

27

1

50

19

23

10

GO O

2

42

5

11. An Order in Council issued under the provisions of 32 and 33 Vict. Chap. 63, Section 10 came into force in this Colony on the 1st January 1884, making Certificates of Competency issued here equal to those issued in Great Britain, and the Colonies coming within the provisions of the same Imperial Act.

MARINE COURTS, UNDER SECTION 13 OF ORDINANCE 8 OF 1879.

12. The following Courts have been held during the year :-

1. On the 19th March, 1884,-Inquiry as to the explosion of the starboard boiler and the total destruction of the British Steam-ship Yot-Sai, Official No. 73,450 of Hongkong, while on a voyage from Hongkong to Macao, on the 24th February, 1884. The Master's (JOHN PARKINSON HOYLAND) Certificate of Competency was returned to him.

2. On the 15th July, 1884,-Inquiry as to the loss of the British Steam-ship Marlborough, Official No. 76,985 of Singapore, on a reef off Hainan Head (North extreme of the Island of Hainan) on the 12th June 1884. The Master's (MAX. KUNATH) Certificate of Competency was suspended for one year. Mr. KUNATH feeling dissatisfied with the result of the inquiry, the case was re-heard on the 27th August, and the Court reduced the suspension of the Certificate from twelve months to one of six months from the date of the last enquiry.

SEAMEN.

13. 9,253 Seamen of all Nationalities were shipped, and 10,153 were discharged in the year 1884. The excess of men discharged over men shipped is caused by some of the former being sent to England and Australia as distressed seamen, and others leaving the Colony without notifying their departure.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

The Honourable W. H. MARSH, C.M.G.,

&c.,

Colonial Secretary,

&c.,

&c.

H. G. THOMSETT, R.N., Harbour Muster, &c.