Aug. 2.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3065

(c.) Colour-ignorance test (see Appendix A).

No candidate will be examined in the colour-vision test until he has passed the form-vision test, or in the colour-ignorance test until he has passed the colour-vision test. This rule must be observed whether the candidate has or has not on any previous occasion passed the sight-tests.

(iii.) Any person serving or intending to serve in the mercantile marine, if desirous of undergoing the form-vision, colour-vision, and colour-ignorance tests only, must make application to the Superintendent of a Mercantile Marine Office on the Form Exn. 2b, and must pay a fee of 2s. 6d.

This fee will be payable on each occasion upon which a candidate is examined in form-vision and colour tests.

(iv.) Candidates who fail to pass the form-vision test or colour-ignorance test can be re-examined at intervals of three months; but candidates who fail to pass the colour-vision test cannot be re-examined. It is open, however, to any candidate who has failed to pass the colour-vision test to appeal to the Marine Department, who may, if they think fit, remit the case to a special Examiner, or body of Examiners, for final decision.

(v.) The expenses of candidates who are examined by the special Examiner or body of Examiners, and are reported by them to have passed, will, under certain circumstances, be paid by the Marine Department, at a rate which will be notified to the candidate; but no payment whatever will be made towards the expenses of candidates who upon their own application are examined by the special Examiners, and are reported by them to have failed, unless the Marine Department consider that the particular circumstances of the case justify such payment. The special examinations will be held in Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton (or Christchurch), and Dunedin.

(vi.) When a candidate fails to pass the colour-vision test the Examiner will point out to him the conditions under which he can appeal. Appeals are to be made through the Examiner, and forwarded to the Marine Department, with the Examiner’s remarks.

(vii.) The fee paid for examination for a certificate of competency includes the fee of 2s. 6d. for examination in form-vision, colour-vision, and colour-ignorance; and if the candidate fails to pass those tests this fee will, with the exception of 2s. 6d., be returned to him.

(viii.) Only Examiners who have themselves passed the colour-vision test are to undertake these examinations.

(ix.) Whenever the holder of a certificate of competency fails to pass any of the three tests, there is reason to believe that he is from incompetency unfit to discharge his duties, and in the public interest the Marine Department may cause an inquiry to be held by a Court having jurisdiction to cancel or suspend such certificate; but, in the alternative, the Marine Department may accept the voluntary surrender of the certificate until such time as the applicant succeeds in passing the test in which he failed.

12. The standard in form-vision to be required of all candidates prior to the 1st January, 1914, except when they elect to take the higher standard, and thereafter in the case of candidates who already hold certificates of competency is as follows:—

If the candidate can read correctly five of the eight letters in the fifth line from the top of the sheet of letters he may be considered to have passed the test. If he cannot do so, his case should be submitted to the Principal Examiner of Masters and Mates.

Candidates may use both eyes or either eye when being tested for this standard, but the candidate should be tested with at least two sheets of letters, and the test should be conducted in other respects in accordance with the general instructions in Appendix A.

The colour-vision and colour-ignorance tests are the same for both standards.

13. On and after the 1st January, 1914, the standard of form-vision in the sight-tests shall be raised to that specified in Appendix A, subject to the condition that candidates who before the above date shall have obtained any certificate of competency as master or mate (foreign-going or home trade) shall have the option of undergoing the present tests, and shall not, in order to obtain certificates of higher grades, be required to pass the more severe test.

From the 1st March, 1910, it will be possible for any person serving or intending to serve in the mercantile marine to be examined with reference to the higher standard, and if he passes he may receive a certificate to that effect, or, if he holds a certificate of competency, the fact of his having passed the higher standard may be indorsed upon it.

The Examiners should in all cases point out to boys and others coming up for the sight-tests that unless they are in possession of a certificate of competency by the 1st January, 1914, they will after that date be required to pass the new standard of form-vision as laid down in Appendix A, whether they are coming up for a certificate of competency or for examination in the sight-tests only.

14. If during the progress of the examination the Examiner finds that a candidate is afflicted with deafness, with an impediment in his speech, or with some other physical or mental infirmity, and he is satisfied upon further investigation that the degree of deafness or of the impediment or other infirmity is such as to render the candidate incompetent to discharge the ordinary duties of a mate or master at sea, he should not allow the candidate to complete his examination, and should return his examination fee; but every case in which this action is taken must be reported to the Marine Department.

If the candidate subsequently produces a medical certificate to the effect that his hearing, speech, or physical or mental condition has improved or is normal, the Board will take into consideration the question of allowing the candidate to sit again for examination.

15. Foreigners being British subjects must prove to the satisfaction of the Examiners that they can speak and write the English language sufficiently well to perform the duties required of them on board a British vessel. (See par. 23.)

16. If the candidate passes he will receive a form (Form Exn. 16) authorising the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office to whom it is addressed to issue the certificate. The candidate’s testimonials and other papers will be returned to him with the certificate. It is therefore important that the port at which the certificate is to be issued should be the same on both the Form Exn. 16 and the Form Exn. 2. 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.

17. If after a candidate has passed the examination it is discovered on further investigation that his services are insufficient to entitle him to receive a certificate of the grade for which he has passed, the certificate will not