THE SHIPMASTERS’ ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5734, 1 November 1905, Page 3

THE SHIPMASTERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Tho fillccnth annual mooting of the; Shipma.ster.s’ Association ot Vow Zealand was held on -Monday last, at tl\o arsociatiou clu Vtooin, Johnston street. Tho president, Mr George Wil.-on, occupied tho uhair, and there was a large attendance of memheis, Tho arm ua I report showed treat there had been a substantial increase in tho inemltorship of tho association as eornpare-' with that of last year. The result of tho year’s working showed a credit balance to tho association’s general fund. Tho year’s expenses have heen fairly heavy, hut with the increased membership, tho association hi£d been enabled to hold its own, an?T J at Die same time to add a little to its general fund. The period under review’ has been a fairly fortunate one for the association with regards to immunity from accident, and tho expenses in this connection have boon comparatively alight. Tho Benevolent Fund had experienced few calls. Various matters of moment to tho association had beer dealt with during tho past twelve months. Approaches had been made to the various stea.m.ship companies and tho Harbour Boards of the colony, with v view to the bettor merit of wages and conditions to shipmasters in tho employ of these corporations. Tho result of those negotiations had only been, so far, partially satisfactory, Itnd it was the intention of tho aesociation to take such further steps as may ho necessary to insure recognition of its status. 'Hie matter of lie MoerakiHawk collision in Sydney harbour had exorcised tho minds of members to a considerable degree. After a careful j*Tii«al of the evidence, a stronglyworded petition was sent to the Governor of New South Wales, praying that Captain Crawshaw’s certificate bo restored with tho endorsement cancelled. A reply from tho Governor, that ho could do nothing, and did not consider Iho sentence excessive, had not altered the oninion of members that tho penalty of Captain Crawshaw’s error of .'judgment—six months’ (suspension of certificate, ami (he severe strictures passed upon him by tho Judge— was unnecessarily harsh and unjust. Tho Auckland and Westport Unions reported satisfactory progress, and tho president, in moving the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet (subject to auditors’ certificate), congratulated tho association on tho result of its past year’s work. Tho following office re were elected for tho ensuing year: President, Mr George Wilson; vice-presidents, Captains James Wills and W. I’. Collins; trustees, Captains I l '. J. Evans and EHarvoy; auditors, Messrs Badliam and Biss; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. W. Williams. Votes of thanks wore accorded to tho president and outgoing officers, tho branch secretaries, and the organising vecrotar,, Mr Williams. In returning thanks to tho members, Mr Wilson reminded them that the present was his seventh year of office os president.

Tho secretary, Mr Williams, thanked mom hors for the hearty support and 00-operatiou afforded him during tho year. A vote of thanks was accorded tho chairman.