2964
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 67

whether of master, mate, or engineer, issued under the various Shipping and Seamen and Navigation Acts, as such certificates are required by the Marine Department either for endorsement or cancellation purposes. All such certificates must be described by the candidate in section (b) of his application form (Exn. 2).

9. Minimum Service.—It must be clearly understood that the amount of service prescribed by the regulations for each grade of certificate of competency is the absolute minimum that can be accepted, and unless a candidate is able to show at least the full amount he must in no case be allowed up for examination.

10. Age.—Should any doubt exist as to the age of a candidate he will be required to produce a certificate of birth or other evidence of age.

11. Sight Tests.—Every candidate for a certificate of competency must pass the prescribed sight tests before a certificate of competency of any grade can be issued to him.

12. First Aid to the Injured.—Every candidate for a certificate of any class or grade, other than a master of a river steamer and a master of a harbour or river sailing-ship, must submit a certificate to the effect that he has passed examination in first aid to the injured.

13. Lifeboatman, Certificate of Efficiency as.—Every candidate for a foreign-going or a home-trade certificate will be required to produce a valid Board of Trade or an equivalent certificate of efficiency as lifeboatman on every occasion on which he presents himself for examination for his first certificate of competency.

14. Wireless Qualifications for Home-trade Ships.—Every candidate for a home-trade certificate of competency will require to produce a valid certificate as “wireless signaller,” or a wireless certificate of a higher class than “wireless signaller,” on every occasion on which he presents himself for examination for his first certificate of competency. (See Appendix E, page 2998.)

15. Testimonials required.—In addition to the necessary certificates of discharge submitted for proof of sea service, a certificate of character must be produced in respect of any lengthy intervals or gap embraced by or subsequent to the period of qualifying service; and every candidate will be required to produce testimonials (to be submitted in duplicate) to character, including sobriety, and to experience and ability on board ship, for at least the twelve months of sea service immediately preceding the date of application to be examined, and without producing these no person will be examined. The duplicates of such testimonials will be retained by the Marine Department.

16. False Representation.—It is provided by section 32 of the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, that any person who makes, assists in making, or procures to be made any false representation for the purpose of procuring, either for himself or for any other person, a certificate of competency or service, or the grant of any such certificate, shall in respect of each offence be guilty of a crime the punishment for which is imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding £100.

17. Desertion and Gross Misconduct, Penalty for.—Candidates who have neglected to join their vessels after having signed articles, or who have deserted their vessels after having joined, or who have been found guilty of gross misconduct on board, will be required to produce satisfactory proofs of a period of two years’ subsequent service and good conduct at sea, unless the Marine Department, after having investigated the matter, should see fit to reduce such period.

18. Deafness and other Physical and Mental Disabilities.—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 fully discharge the ordinary duties of a mate or master at sea, he shall not allow the candidate to complete his examination, and the candidate shall have his examination fee returned to him; but every case in which this action is taken must be reported to the Marine Department.