1218 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [No. 43

first-class certificates are expected to show their superiority by giving answers more complete than those of the other candidates.

Vivâ voce.

54. Having regard to the fact that when the verbal examination is held the candidate has already passed in arithmetic and—if a first-class candidate—in drawing, and has also—in the first and second classes—written answers to the elementary questions, the Examiners will deal with practical rather than theoretical questions in this division of the examination; and no candidate should be failed without having been well cross-questioned on the points for which failure takes place.

The elementary questions to be answered on Form Exn. 15B are good starting-points in vivâ voce examinations. With the candidates’ written answers before the Examiner, the same question can be put in a way requiring an answer in another form. Each question may be developed into several, according to the circumstances of the case—e.g.:—

(1.) What is made of? Of what parts does it consist?

(2.) What is its use?

(3.) What attention does it require at sea?

(4.) What attention does it require in port?

(5.) When does it become defective? What is it that principally goes wrong with it?

(6.) How is it repaired?

(7.) What alteration may prevent a recurrence of the defect?

It is considered of great importance that engineers presenting themselves for examination should have an extensive knowledge of the particulars of actual casualties which have occurred at sea, and be able to state how these might have been prevented, and how remedied. Sometimes an engineer presents himself who has had no personal experience of any defects, and who can tell nothing about casualties to machinery which have occurred in the experience of others. Such candidates should be closely questioned as to their knowledge of boiler- and engine-construction, and the repairs of same.

The management of engines and boilers at sea, the duties of the engineer on watch, the work to be done to the engines, boilers, and auxiliary machinery in port, and the periodical examinations of the working-parts, form part of the vivâ voce examination.

Reports. Exn. 15.

55. Reports of examinations on the Form Exn. 15, and the examination-papers, will be forwarded to the Principal Examiner of Engineers immediately the examinations are completed.

Notification of having passed will be given to successful candidates. Exn. 16.

56. If the candidate passes he will receive the Form Exn. 16, which authorises the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office to whom it is addressed by the Examiner to issue the certificate to the candidate, whose testimonials, &c., will be returned at the same time. It is therefore important that the port of destination of the certificate should be the same on both the Form Exn. 16 and the Form Exn. 3. If circumstances should make any alteration necessary, the Examiner should see that it is made in both forms, otherwise delay in the issue of the certificate may be caused.

FAILURE.

Re-examination in case of failure.

57. If the applicant for a first- or second-class certificate fails in practical knowledge he may not present himself for re-examination until he can produce proofs of three months’ further service at sea as an engineer from the date of failure. If he fails in arithmetic, elementary questions, or drawing only, he may come up again at any time. If a candidate for a third-class certificate fails to pass he may not present himself for re-examination until after the expiration of three months.

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RIVER ENGINEERS AND MARINE ENGINE-DRIVERS.

General.

58. Candidates for examination must make a proper application on Form Exn. 3, which will be supplied on application at any Customhouse or office of an Inspector of Machinery. This application, accompanied by the necessary testimonials and fee, must be forwarded to the Principal Examiner of Engineers at the office of the Chief Inspector of Machinery, Wellington, with an intimation of the place at which the candidate wishes to be examined.

Certificates of competency will be granted to those persons who pass the requisite examinations, and otherwise comply with the requisite conditions. For this purpose Examiners have been appointed, and arrangements have been made for holding the examinations at the following places and times, viz.:—

At Auckland, during the first week in January, May, and September.

At Wellington, during the first week in February, June, and October.

At Christchurch, during the first week in March, July, and November.

At Dunedin and at Invercargill, during the first week in April, August, and December.

The examination will commence on Monday in each case.

Provided that, in case of emergency, the Examiners may examine candidates at other than the prescribed periods.

Certificates procured on false information will be cancelled.

59. River Engineer.—An engineer of a steamer plying within restricted limits must be twenty-one years of age, and must have been employed about the machinery or boilers of a steamer, or in driving machinery and having charge of the boiler of a land-engine, for at least one year, or produce satisfactory proof of having served five years at the making and repairing of engines, and having been employed about the machinery or boilers of a steamer, or in driving machinery and having charge of the boiler of a land-engine, for at least six months. He must produce satisfactory testimonials of good conduct and sobriety.

(a.) He must be able to read and write, must understand the first five rules of arithmetic, and questions relating to the consumption of coal and stores, the capacity of bunkers, and must be able to calculate the pressure on the safety-valve.

(b.) He must understand the use of the salinometer and vacuum- and steam-gauges.

(c.) He must understand how to keep the boiler free from incrustation, and the method of regulating the density of the water in the boiler.

(d.) He must be able to state how a temporary repair could be effected in case of derangement of machinery or boiler.