Aug. 2.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3081

graphs are not intended to include the time occupied by the viva voce part of the examination.

190. In the viva voce examination a reasonable time should be allowed for the candidate to give his answers. No assistance should be given or leading questions put.

191. It is anticipated that few candidates will require the whole of the time allowed for completing the examination in navigation, but ample time has been given, so that candidates may perform their work in a careful, clear, and legible manner, and to the entire satisfaction of the Examiners.

192. Candidates, after finishing the problems required in the various grades on the first day of examination, should proceed, until the end of that day, with such subjects as the definitions, chart, questions relating to cyclones, and compass-deviation.

193. The Sumner problem (Exn. 6c) must on no account be given out to any of the candidates on the first day of the examination, but should form the commencement of the candidates’ work on the second day. On the completion of this problem, if included in the lower-grade problems, the candidates for masters’ certificates should proceed with the problems (a), (b), (c) of the syllabus for that grade.

194. Degree of precision required in the solution of the problems:—

(a.) Candidates are expected to work out their answers to all problems where the answer required is a latitude, longitude, or distance within 1½′ of position from a correct result; in finding the ship’s position by Sumner’s method a margin of 2½′ will be allowed.

(b.) In such problems as the “amplitude” and “altazimuth,” where the bearing, deviations, &c., only are required, a margin of 3′ or 4′ from a correct result will be sufficiently accurate.

(c.) Candidates for ordinary certificates are not required to correct for second differences in taking out the quantities from the “Nautical Almanac”; and even candidates for extra certificates are only required to show that they are acquainted with the method of second differences by correcting the elements for same in the chronometer problem.

(d.) In solving the time-azimuth problems, an answer not exceeding half a degree from the exact result will be sufficiently near. But in all cases the actual latitude, declination, and time used, together with the exact bearing from the north or south as given in the tables, must be clearly shown by the candidate on his papers.

(e.) In computing the time at which a given star will be on the observer’s meridian, and the name of the stars near the meridian (sections b and e of par. 37), an approximation only is required, and it will be sufficiently precise if the candidate works throughout with the nearest minute of time. In computing the approximate meridian altitude of a star (section g), working throughout with the nearest minute of arc will also be sufficiently close.

(f.) In interpolating for the correct deviation to be applied in solving the chart questions, it will usually be sufficient if the candidate works throughout with the nearest degree of deviation taken from the deviation-card; and even in cases where the deviations may vary but little, the nearest half-degree used throughout will be sufficiently precise. It is not necessary that the candidate should waste his time in solving the course to odd minutes, as is sometimes done.

(g.) In calculating the correction to apply to soundings, the candidate is not required to work to the exact inch, as is sometimes done. It will be sufficient if he brings his answer within half a foot or so of a precise result.

It must be clearly understood, in reading the foregoing instructions as to the precision required, that they only apply when the work of the candidate is correct in principle.

195. A candidate will not be allowed to undergo examination twice in the same week, unless, under very special and urgent circumstances, the Marine Department sees fit to relax this rule. In that case a different set of problems should be given to the candidate.

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APPENDICES.

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APPENDIX A.

THE SIGHT-TESTS.

These tests must be conducted under the strict personal supervision of the Examiner. A careful record must be kept of all mistakes made by the candidate in the form-vision test, and on no account whatever must a candidate be allowed to make his selections in the colour-vision test during any temporary absence of the Examiner.

Each Examiner must keep a record of all candidates passed by him for reference when required.

1. FORM-VISION TEST.

(1.) The test for form-vision is the first test which the candidate is required to undergo, and until he has passed this test he cannot be allowed to proceed further with the examination. (See par. 11.)

(2.) The test to be used is the letter test on Snellen’s principle for all candidates.

The sets of tests which have been supplied to the Examiners consist of eight sheets of letters.

(3.) The chief object of the tests for form-vision is to show whether the candidate possesses eyesight of sufficient strength and acuity, or, in other words, they are means of discovering whether the candidate has good or bad sight.

They also afford a means of detecting whether a candidate is suffering from that form of colour-blindness which is caused by the excessive use of tobacco, and by illness or similar affections. All candidates who are suffering from colour-blindness arising from causes of that nature will be found to be incapable of passing the tests for form-vision.

(4.) Candidates will be tested with each eye separately, and they must not be allowed to use spectacles or glasses of any kind.

The set of tests is to be hung on the wall, in a good light, at a height of about 5 ft. or 6 ft. from the ground.

(5.) The candidate should be placed at a distance of exactly 16 ft. from the letter-test sheets, and exactly opposite them. The distance should be carefully measured, and never varied under any circumstances whatever.

One of the eight sheets of letters should then be exposed, and the candidate should be asked to read the letters, beginning at the top and going downwards. If he can read correctly nine of the twelve letters in the sixth line from the top and eight of the fifteen letters in the seventh line with one eye, and the whole of the eight letters in the fifth line with the other eye, 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.

(6.) All candidates must be tested with at least two sheets of letters—viz., one to each eye—and the order of the test-sheets must be varied with different candidates.