THE SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION,

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 97, 21 October 1895, Page 2

THE SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION,

Tlio .i;innal ir>ar ?:!»? of the Shipmaster--' \fMii"tM "* X<"V f'rrlMid wa* held iv fiO uficr .n 'Lj UVlo.ir j\-x T ,\ Pudding-i tins morning, tbu President (ilr. J l)utlne, M.H.K j in the cbair. Tho annual report stated that the membership now stood at 149— viz., 109 active, 4 honorary, and 36 professional honorary— an increase of 13 members during the year. Among the losses was Captain M'lntosh, who wab drowned in the wreck of tho s s. Wairarapa, and Mr. John Woodhouse, formerly second officer of *he s.s. Kotomahana, wh6 diod in August last. As regarded enquiries, much adverse oriticism had been made on the decision of the Court of Enquiry into the loss of the barque Thurso, and tho language used by tho presiding magistrate at Greymouth when delivering his decision. The Committee was of opinion that the language used was harsh in the oi» treme and quite uncalled for, but as the master was not a member of the Association the members of the committee thought they would be going boyond their jurisdiction in t iking up the case. It was a mistaken impression of membe-s t » Bupposo that if they got into trouble professionally the Association would only assist them to the extent of £10. If a member was thrown out of employment' and off pay through the loss of his vessel, he was entitled to £10, and also to have his coßts of Court and the reasonable cost of a solicitor paid. Furthermore, if it waa considered at a general meeting that a member had not had justice in a court of enquiry, they were empowered to use up the general fund, as well as the reserve fund, in supporting him. As regards shipping legis. lation, the Committee had succeeded in getting a reduction in pilots' license f«es, and also in getting an amending Act before Parliament enabling the Minister for Marino to reduce shipping and discharging feea paid by officers and men under tho Aot whioh came into force last January. In referring to tho coastal lighthouses and signal stations, Iho report stated that representations had been made to the Marine Department that the light on Somes' I Bland is inadequate to tbe requirements of the port ot Wellington, and it had beeu suggested that it 6hould be removed to Ward Island, or a more powerful light placed on the latter site and tbe Somes' Island light removed. Steps would probably be taken to give effeot to the suggestions as soon as the lighthouses .at Cape Palliser and the Kidnappers approach completion ; also to a suggestion made that a red sector should be shown from the new light on Cape Palliser showing a certain distance off the land. Ihe Cape Campbell lighthouse had been conneoted by telephone ; and it was the intention of the Committee to try and get the telephone extended to the Cape Palliser lighthonse, as the knowledge that a steamer had passed the Cape at a certain time would be of great benefit to the whole community. It had been promised that a sum would be placed on the Estimates for extending the telephone to Port Underwood, the work to be carried out during the current year. '1 his would be a great boon to the masters and crews of vessels who are compelled to ruu into the port for shelter. The financial position of the Association was satisfactory, the net income of the year being £320 2b 2d. The total working expenses were £121, and the total funds had increased from £741 to £880. The reserve fund was now £141. The benevolent fund stood at £80, after disbursing £40 to membars and members' widows dnring the year. During the three years thiß fund had been in operation £105 had been disbursed. The President, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, congratulated the Association on the increase of membershin, aud also on its improved financial position. He referred to the arduous nature of the duties of members of the Association, and expressed the opinion that the public owed them a debt of gratitude for the skill and oare with whioh they performed their work. There was too groat a disposition to blame shipmasters for any little mishap which occurred. The Association had done excellent work during the year, and fully justified its establishment. He spoko of the sympathy Bhown by the Minister of Marino to the Association in various ways, and expressed a hope that every opportunity would be given to the youth of the oolony to enter upon a seafaring life if they so wished. Captain Manning seoondod the motion. He considered that the Association had had a lucky year. He disapproved of the proposal to plaoe a light on Ward's Island, his opinion boing lbat it would be preferable to throw a light on to Barrett's Keef from Dorset Point. He regretted that the Minister of Marine had not carried out his promise to place a cage over the beaoon at Jackson's Head, aud that so mnoh money had been spent on surveying the boat pas* sage at Jackson's Head, seeing that the channel was not safe for vessels drawing more than lift. The motion was agreed to. The following officers wero re-eleoted: — Patron, His Excellonoy the Governor ; President, Mr. J. Duthie, M.H.R. ; Yioe-Presidenta, Captains Hart and Kennedy; Trustees, Captains Babot and H. Johnson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Captain Strang. Captains Crawford and Tinney and Mr. Gregory wera eleotod to fill vaoanoies on the committee. Captain Andrew having resigned the position of Seoretary to the Association at Auckland, Captain Wilßon was elected to sucoeed him.j On the motion of Captain Kennedy, seconded by Captain Campbell, £20 was voted to Captain Andrew, and it waa deoided to send him a letter expressing regret at the foot that through ill-health he had been compelled to resign. Captain Hart proposed that tho salary of the Auokland Seoretary should bo £20 a year. This was seconded by Captain Chambers, and agreed to. Captain Adams moved that tbe Committee Bhould take steps to obtain designs for a flag for the Association. Seconded by Mr. Worrall and agreed to. The Prosident undertook to provide a flag to fly over the Asßooiation's offioes. Captain Ewan proposed that the Association offer to aot as honorary agents for tho kindred associations in Groat Britain. The motion was seconded by Captain Downie and agreed to. Captain Manning proposed that the Seoret&ry be instructed to draw up a rule whioh will make the usual payment of £20 to the widow or legal representative of a deoeased member compulsory, not voluntary, as at present, and also to empower the Committee of Management to make suoh payment out of the Benevolent Fund. Captain Hart Seconded the motion, whioh was agreed to. The President pointed out that the matter would have to come up for ratification at tho next meeting. Captain Wills proposed a hearty vote of* thanks to the President, who, he said, had rendered valuable assistance to the Association. The motion was seconded by Captain Campbell, and carried by aoclamation. Captain Hart spoke of the zeal and energy with which Captain Strang had discharged tbe duties of Seoretary, and he moved that a cordial vote of thanks be given to that gentleman for his past servioes. Captain M'Lean seconded the motion, which was oarried. A vote of thanks to the representatives of the prees terminated the proceedings.