SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S ACT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 171, 19 July 1907, Page 5

SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S ACT.

MASTERS OF'SMALL'SATLERSr"

Some of the provisions of. th<? Shipping and Seamen's Act appear to press hardly on masters of small sailing vessels; arid action is being taken to try and get alterations made. At the. present time,'•». scow master Or skipper of a 20 to. 25 ton schooner is not allowed to take charge' of vessels of 26 tons'. Another provision is that a master may be running a scow or" other sailing vessel, but Immediately air oil engine is put in the boat is then classed as a steamer-under the-hew regulations. The result is that the master who holds a service ticket is hot allowed'to take charge, because he has hot, passed" an examination as master of a" steamer. It is claimed for the scow thai all pvec the world a man who serves his time on. a sailing vessel is considered' competerii; to take charge of any vessel afloat, his certificate' being considered higher than any other. A telegram was forwarded yesterday to an Auckland member of Parliament pointing out'the possible hardships under the new regulations,, and today the following Teply was received: — "Have seen Hon. J. A. Millar with reference to service tickets and extension; o£ tonnage, also oil engine privilege. Favourable amendment early." .-■.,..;