Nov. 24.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1327

and boilers, will not be asked. The examination will, in fact, be confined to what a Master of a steam-vessel may be called upon to perform in the case of the death, incapacity, or delinquency of the engineer.

142. Examiners are to be careful in their examinations to satisfy themselves that applicants really do know the names and uses of the various parts of engines and boilers, and their connecting pipes, valves, cocks, &c. Practical knowledge, as distinguished from theories, abstruse calculations, and book learning, is to be the test of the applicant’s fitness to have his Certificate indorsed.

143. The Examiner should arrange to conduct part of the examination in the engine-room of a steamship, unless from circumstances he finds it impossible to do so; and if an opportunity offer the applicant should be permitted, under the guidance of the Examiner, to start and stop the engine of some vessel which may have her steam up.

144. The Examiner, in sending in his report of examinations of Masters and Mates in steam, should state where the examination has been held.

145. Candidates will be required to give written answers to sixteen out of twenty questions taken from a book of Elementary Questions published for the Marine Department. These questions will be altered from time to time without notice. The twenty questions are not to be difficult, theoretical, or book questions, but are to be such as any man of ordinary capacity ought to answer who has any “practical knowledge of the use and working of the steam-engine.”

146. These questions, with the Candidate’s answers, should be sent to the Marine Department, with the reports, after each examination.

147. These answers will also assist in enabling the Marine Department to decide any question that may hereafter arise in cases where it is alleged that applicants have been improperly passed, or improperly rejected.

148. The Examiners will be careful that if any Candidate refers to any book, or paper, or memorandum, or obtains information from another Candidate during the examination, he will be treated as having failed, will forfeit his fee, and will not be allowed to be re-examined for a period of three months.

149. The Examiners will report in the case of failure the nature of the question or questions that decided the failure, or the point in the management of the engine in which the Candidate was deficient.

150. There is nothing in the Regulations requiring that applicants for the voluntary examination shall have served on board steamships; all that is required is that they shall have a “practical knowledge.” Examiners will, of course, not fail to appreciate the fact, when passing applicants, that practical knowledge is best gained in the engine-room; and the examination of an officer who does not produce official evidence of service in steamships, and of experience of engines, must necessarily be more searching than in the case of one who produces evidence of such service and experience.

Rules for the Examination of Masters for Steamships plying within restricted Limits.

151. General.—Candidates for examination must make a proper application on a form which will be supplied on application at any Customhouse. This application, accompanied with the necessary testimonials, must be lodged at the Customhouse for delivery to the Examiners. Certificates procured on false information will be cancelled.

152. All Candidates for Certificates must pass the examination in colours.

153. Master.—A Master of a steamer plying within restricted limits must be twenty-one years of age, and must have served at least one year at sea, or on board of a vessel plying within harbour limits. He must produce satisfactory testimonials of good conduct and sobriety. He must be able to read and write, and understand the first five rules of arithmetic. He must understand the rules of the road as regards both steamers and sailing vessels, their regulation lights, and fog and sound signals, International Code of Signals, harbour regulations, and the colonial bar and tidal signals.

154. Fees.—The fee to be paid by the applicants for examination is One Pound.

NOTE.—Time served in steamers plying within restricted limits does not count as service at sea for the purpose of obtaining a Certificate of Competency for a sea-going ship.

By Authority: GEO. DIDS BURY, Government Printer, Wellington