SEPT. 26.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3385

The examinations are in all respects similar to those passed by owners of pleasure-yachts to obtain the ordinary or extra certificates as master of their own yachts. These certificates of efficiency are purely honorary, and are not available under the Merchant Shipping Acts for use in any capacity whatever on board a ship which is required to carry a certified officer.

The name of each officer or candidate for a commission who may desire to be examined must first be submitted to the Board of Trade by the Commanding Officer of his division, together with the name of the port at which he wishes the examination to be held.

If the application is approved the candidate must attend personally at a mercantile marine office to fill up the form of application (Exn. 2) and pay the required fee.

Provisional Certificates.

91. Provisional certificates for foreign-going ships or for foreign-going steamships, according to the candidate’s qualifications, are granted on the conditions stated below to any officer of the mercantile marine who may require such a certificate to qualify him for appointment to or promotion in the Royal Naval Reserve. These certificates are only issued for Royal Naval Reserve purposes, and do not authorize the holders to go to sea as first mate or master.

92. Candidates for these certificates must apply at a mercantile marine office, fill up the form of application (Exn. 2), and pay the usual fee. They must produce their first or second mate’s certificates of competency and an authority from the Marine Department before they can be examined.

93. Provisional Certificates as First Mate. —Provisional certificates as first mate are granted to candidates who can prove that they have served five years at sea, and that during one year of this period they have served in a capacity not lower than fourth mate while holding a second mate’s certificate. They must pass the usual examination for first mate, and pay the usual fee. The provisional certificate is exchangeable for the full certificate as first mate, without further payment or examination, on production to the Marine Department of satisfactory proofs that the holder has served at sea not less than twelve months in a foreign-going vessel in a capacity not lower than fourth mate, and that during the whole of that period he has been in regular charge of a watch, and in possession of a full certificate of competency as second mate.

94. Provisional Certificates as Master. —Provisional certificates as master are granted to candidates who can prove not less than six and a half year’s service at sea, and who pass the usual examination for master and pay the usual fee. Of this service two and a half years must have been served in a capacity not lower than fourth mate of an ocean-going steamship, during the last twelve months of which the candidate must have been in possession of a full certificate as first mate. These certificates will be exchanged for the full certificate as master, without further payment or examination, on production to the Marine Department of satisfactory proofs that the holder has served at sea not less than two and a half years in a foreign-going vessel in charge of a watch in a capacity not lower than fourth mate, and that during twelve months of this period he has served as second mate while in possession of a full certificate of competency as first mate.

VOLUNTARY EXAMINATION IN COMPASS-DEVIATION.

95. Compass-deviation.—Any person holding a certificate of any grade in the foreign or home trade, or as master of his own pleasure-yacht, who wishes to pass a voluntary examination in compass-deviation, can at any time be examined upon filling up the usual form of application, and paying to the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine office the fee of £1. If the candidate passes the examination a note to that effect will be made upon his certificate.

VOLUNTARY EXAMINATION IN SIGNALLING.

96. Signalling.—The examination in signalling as prescribed for candidates for the extra master’s certificate is open as a voluntary examination to all officers holding, or who have passed for, or who are candidates for a certificate of competency of any grade.

If the candidate passes, the fact, with the date and place of passing, will be recorded upon his certificate of competency.