MASTERS AND MATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 220, 17 September 1928, Page 3

MASTERS AND MATES

EXAMINATION SUCCESSES. During the past 12 months the total number of examinations held in New Zealand for certificates of competency as master and as mate, and for certifi-cate-holders who desired to have their certificates endorsed as having passed the voluntary examination in compass deviation, was 87. Fourteen of these examinations were for certificates for restricted limits ships. The proportion of passes to the total number of examinations held during the past five years, according to the annual report of the Alarine Department, shows 49£ per cent, in 1927-28, 3S£ per cent, in 1926-27, 34 per cent, in 1925-26, 46 per cent, in 1924-25, and 51 per cent, in 1923-24. The percentage of passes shows an improvement when compared with that of the previous year. The number of candidates who were successful in passing their examination at first attempt was 25, this number for last year being 18. Two candidates were successful in passing for the higher certificate —that of extra master —and four succeeded in passing the voluntary examination in compass deviation. .Examinations for a license as colonial pilot or in the voluntary examination in. signalling were not held, there being no applicants for these qualifications . Wellington continues to provide the greatest number of candidates for examination, the percentages of the total number held for each of the three ports being—Wellington 69 per cent., Auckland 22 per cent., and Lyttelton 9 per cent. These figures for 1926-27 were 59 per cent., 23 per cent., and 18 per cent., and for 1925-26, 52 per cent., 28 per cent., and 19| per cent, respectively. The department’s regulations relating to the examination of masters and mates have been revised so as to conform with those issued by the Board of Trade of Great Britain in 1927, thus ensuring that the examinations for foreign-going certificates conducted by this department are identical to those carried out by the Board of Trade. Examinations for all grades of certificates are held at Wellington monthly, and every three months at both Auckland and Lyttelton. During the year 70 deck officers passed the wireless signaller examination, making a total of 251 deck officers who have become so qualified since January 1, 1926, the date on which the regulations as to ships being provided with wireless telegraph installations came into force.