SHIPPING ACT-A FINE POINT

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2132, 25 April 1914, Page 6

SHIPPING ACT-A FINE POINT

DUAL USE OF/LAUNOH. (Bj Teleemph.—Pr<vK> Asioclatlon.> ■ Auckland, April 24. Whether or not an oil launch can bo described as a 6teamship and as such come under the regulations, of the Shipping and Seamen Act was the subject of considerable argument before Mr I'razer, S.M., at tho Magistrate's Court to-day, when Matthew Carroll'was charged with having proceeded to'.sea -on a voyage from the port of Auckland without having a certificate of survey. Carroll is master and part owner of the registered fishing launch Hero. On a recent Sunday he took out' a party of friends on a fishing excursion to Waiheko, All that they paid 'him'was 15s. for benzine. Counsel contended that defendant's boat, being under 10 • tons,' and not carrying passengers for hire, was exempt from the provisions of the Act. The prosecution maintained that an oil launch did come under the provisions of tho Act. Defendant's boat, being a registered fishing boat, was oxempt from the life-saving regulations applicable, to boats plying for passenger hire. It was therefore against the spirit of the Act that the boat should be used as a .fishing boat all the week and as a pleasure boat on Sundays. If this was allowed tho company .might register a largo boat as a fishing vessel, use it as such for a few days cach week, and carry passengers on other days. _ , His Worship reserved his decision.