NAUTICAL EXAMINATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 138, 13 June 1893, Page 5

NAUTICAL EXAMINATIONS.

THE LOCAL EXAMINERS,

A deputation consisting of Sir Georga Grey, Messrs J. M. Shera, Jacksou Palmer, T. Thompson and Frank La wry, M.H.Jl.'s, and Ml1 M, Niccol, Mr Crowtber and Captain Tilly, waited on the Premier with rer'erenco to the question of the recent change in the system of examinations lor ehiprnasters' and mutes' seafaring certificates.

Sir George Grey explained that the deputation bad waited on the Premier with reference to the question of nautical examinations. They had, ho said, a splendid class of seamen, being reared up on tho Auckland eoaefc, in tho fleet of small vesbqlp trading along tho couat, and about tho only relic of tho old Provincial selfGovernment of the province waa tho system of local nautical examinations, which gavo seamen an opportunity of rising in their profession on the spot. tie asked tho Minister whother he would reconsider his decision to dispense with the services of the local examiners.

Tho Premier said that complaints had been raised concerning local examiners of masters and mates'acting as "coaches" for candidates for certificates. This, however, ib was only fair to say, did nob refer to Auckland. Then there was the questiou of expense, which ib waa ovidenb to the Government should bo reduced. The Government had decided to request the harbour-master at the Maaubau to conduct tho local exams. The travelling examiner in tho South waa on the spot to conduct examinations as soon aa nullified by the Collector of Customs thab candidates wore in waiting. A saving of £300 or £400 a yoar was ensured by the new arrangement. Tho Government fully recognised the necessity that masters of vesuola should ba fully qualified for their work, and also had in view the de&irability of unifor* mity of aea-going certificates all over tho colony. The papers for examination would be cubtniiited from » centre, so as to secure uniformity of merit in certificates. He v?aa glad to hear thab there was every confidence in the late local examiners at Auckland. If Captain Robortaon, tho Harbour-, master at the Manukau, had not time to attend to examinations, then the Government would, of courso, have additional arrangements. Ho (the Premier) had every desire to arrive at tho most satisfactory arrangement in tbe interest of the colony in tho matter, and he would go into the matter again carefully on hia return to Wellington. He was in favour of reducing the cost of examinations to candidates, He was nob in favour of having two examiners in Auckland instead of one.