SEPT. 30.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2991

has served for four (or three) years on the training-ship may be allowed up for examination for a certificate as first mate (ordinary) when he has served, whilst holding a certificate as second mate, for two years as junior bridge-keeping officer of the watch upon vessels of the company satisfying certain requirements. (See subpara. 4.)

The words “junior bridge-keeping officer” must be interpreted as meaning the junior of two bridge-keeping officers. Where three officers are on the bridge together the service of the third does not fall within the scope of these special regulations, and his service cannot be accepted as qualifying. All cases where cadets to whom these special regulations apply subsequently present themselves for examination for first mate or master must be referred to the Secretary of the Marine Department, so that their real position on board vessels of the company satisfying the requirements of this paragraph may be verified by reference to the official logs before they are accepted as eligible for examination.

3. Recognition of Service (a) as Senior Officer, and (b) as Senior of the Junior Officers, as qualifying for Examination for a Certificate as Master.—A candidate who has obtained a certificate as first mate in the above way may be allowed up for examination for a certificate as master (ordinary) when he has served for eighteen months, whilst holding the certificate as first mate, as a senior watch-keeping officer upon vessels of the company satisfying the same requirements. (See subpara. 4.)

If the candidate has served for eighteen months as senior of the junior officers—i.e., the officer next below the junior of the officers in full charge of the watch—whilst holding the certificate as first mate, he may be allowed up for examination for a certificate as master (ordinary) on the understanding that the certificate as master would not be issued to him until he had completed twelve months’ service as a senior watch-keeping officer, the service in both cases to be performed on vessels satisfying the same requirements. (See subpara. 4.)

4. Limits of Application of Subparas. 2 and 3.—The special regulations (paras. 2 and 3) in regard to the acceptance of service as qualifying for the examinations for certificates as first mate and master shall apply only when the service is performed in the specified capacities upon ocean-going steamers of not less than 8,000 tons gross, making an average speed of not less than 15 knots, and carrying a crew of not less than 130 men, including as least five deck officers besides the master.

5. Special Regulation applying only where a Candidate has served continuously with the same Company as Apprentice and Junior Officer.—A candidate who has served continuously in one company as apprentice and junior officer may be allowed to present himself for examination for a certificate as first mate on completion of the service described in para. 135 (2), provided that the whole of his service has been performed upon vessels of the class described in para. 135 (4); but if he passes the examination the certificate will not be issued to him until he produces proof of eight months’ sea service in full charge of a watch (see para. 116) in addition to the two years’ service as junior bridge watch-keeping officer described in para. 135 (2).

6. H.M. Royal Navy.—Officers of H.M. Royal Navy are at liberty to apply for certificates of service and to be examined for certificates of competency in the Mercantile marine, but the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have directed that the applications of officers on the Active List should be made through their commanding officers, and that the applications of officers on half-pay should be made to the Secretary of the Admiralty. (See para. 99.)

7. H.M. Royal Navy and Indian Marine Officers.—Officers of the Royal Navy or of the Royal Indian Marine who wish to be examined for certificates of competency in the mercantile marine will be required to prove the following service at sea; and if an officer wishes to obtain the ordinary certificate for foreign-going ships he must prove that at least twelve months of this required period was served under sail alone:—

a. For second mate: Four years.

b. Only mate: Five years.

c. First mate or master: The officer must prove that he has attained the rank of lieutenant in the Royal Navy, or in the Royal Indian Marine.