OIL LAUNCHES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 54, 27 November 1907, Page 4

OIL LAUNCHES.

LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS AND LIGHTS.

NEW REGULATIONS,

■Some timb ago a sot of regulations wcro .drafted 'governing (under Statute) tho. fitt'ihgs and control of oil launches. This law has practically been a' dead, letter, evidently for tlift want of some proper official to administer it. This shortcoming lias been rcmoyed'in the appointment of Captain S. G. Stringer as Surveyor of Ships (Superintendent of the Mercantile Marino Office). Captain Stringer will make it his duty, to sec that the oil'launch regulations are observed, 'and tho following circular lias been issued to*certain' owners of launches:— - '' ~

"Office of Superintendent of Mercantile' •__ ■■.;■■■ ■' ?'. ■'Marine, Wellington. : " Sir, —With reference to the' equipments to , bo carried ■ by launches, I , have- to 'state for your information that oil launches, private of otherwise, must carry the life-bolts, buoys, lights, and'fog' signals' appliance required by the regulations, and I have there- , 'fore to request that you will be good enough to comply with these regulations' without. further delay. I may here' , state for your information that tho fog signal appliance means the Hudson Patent ' Acme * siren or electric bell. • • ■ ' ■'*' '■■ ■■ "I have the honour to be; sir,"your ■'••'. . obedient servant, • ■ . -.(••. ■."■■'■ ■'• : " V. : ''. .S v 0. STRINGER-, :.:,.'.'. , ~ (Surveyor of Ships.)' , ; This will mean a rather serious outlay for tho young jiien who own motor-launches in Wellington •Harbour and elsewhere, but,- it is stated that unless the owners are extra' cautious,' and carry 'gear that is, under ordinary circumstances, not used, the motor launch which breaks down in a heavy sea way near a lqe-shoro would be in a bad way, and such appliances as are to be provided in the regulations would certainly tend to prevent serious accident. The' regulations"'referred to provide that all oil-launches of over five tons register shall carry l a : 'certificated engineer. This at first sight seems a very drastic provision, but • owners of motor-launches may take heart'of grace. Captain Stringer , recently- visited the Mariborough Sounds to examine the motor-launches of that district, and-out of between (it) ■ and TO launches there were none over iive tons register, lie intends to mako an examination of tho Wellington launches within a few .days to see if the regulations are being complied with, and, if not, to insist that such shall be the caso. Ho will then ascertain the registered tonnage of tho craft plying in the harbour with a view to ascertaining if any. of them exceed' the .five tons register. Tho effect of these regulations will mean that no launches built or purchased . for pleasure will, exceed five tons register, as it would .never pay.:.to :bave to engage a certificated engineer to tend the. engines, whicli to amateurs is half the fun of motor-boat sailing. . ■ ' ' . .' . The action is said to bo tho outcome of several launcjius in the Mariborough Sounds plying for hire with a license (which costs £3 a year) without a .certificated engineer on board, and, what is still more serious, without life-saving appliances..

A motor-boat owner, who-was interviewed, said tilint most of , the boats in Wellington earriod lii'o-belts.'and made stnnc pretence at having a fog-signal, even if it , .was only a horn similar-to those attached to motor-cars. as none of them plied for hire, they did'not need a license, and several owners were of going in for a certificate as an .engineer,' more for love of the sport than f<?. , tlio , necessity of it, for no motor-boats that he know in Wellington registered- over .live tons' measurement. Our informant stated that he had hoard of a launch having been built-in Auckland-that went over, the mark,, , , but when it was pointed out that the boat would liavo to carry an engineer under ,tlic Government regulations, a piece was chopped off-her counter that brought her within the live-ton limit. There had been abuses of the regulations in the Sounds, and it was a good thing the Department was moving in the matter, as sooner or later something might,- under.the old style, havo easily happened that would have injured the growing interest that is being attached to motor-boats and the sport derived therefrom.

We - undorstand that the claim made by an English' lady against a local medical practitioner for damages for lircnch of promise of marriage is not yet settled (says a Dunodin exchange). A Supreme Court case may possibly come-on, but proceedings are being much delayed owing to the lady's solicitors having to send to. Britain for. her evidence. When" this'reaches Dunediii matters, may bo advanced another stage..

There is apparently plenty of work for carpenters in DiinecHn, records a local paper, as none had applied for the jobs offering in this trade in Invercnrgill. Labourers,, too. 'arc prettv fully employed just now. At all events, there are none'seeking employment in (.he country, judging by the fact Hint the.thirty wanted for race-cutting at Waikaia at 9s. a day have not yet been found.