DEC. 15.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3785

If any person having been engaged as one of the above-mentioned officers goes to sea as such officer without being duly certificated, or if any person employs a person as an officer in contravention of this section without ascertaining that the person so serving is duly certificated, that person shall be liable for each offence to a fine not exceeding £50.

A certificate for a sailing-ship shall entitle the holder to serve in a steamship, or ship propelled by mechanical power other than steam, in the capacity mentioned in the certificate.

In any case not provided for in these regulations, the regulations made by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom, and for the time being in force, relative to the examination of masters and mates for certificates shall, to the extent to which they are applicable to the matter, be deemed to be embodied in these regulations, and shall be observed.

2. Certificates granted to Persons who pass Examinations.--Certificates of competency will be granted to those persons, being British subjects, who pass the requisite examination and otherwise comply with the requisite conditions. For this purpose Examiners have been appointed, and arrangements have been made for holding examinations.

3. Birth or Naturalization.--A British subject is one who is a British subject by birth or by naturalization in New Zealand.

4. How to apply.--Candidates for examination must fill up a form of application (form Exn. 2) at a Mercantile Marine Office. The form, properly filled in, together with the candidate's testimonials in duplicate, discharges, birth, first-aid and watch-keeping certificates, should be lodged with the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office for transmission to the Principal Examiner at least a week before the day of examination; and the candidate must conform to any regulations in this respect which may be laid down by the Marine Department. It is important that this procedure should be observed, as discharges and testimonials may have to be submitted to the Marine Department for verification.

The Examiner must be particularly careful to ascertain that any gaps in the candidate's service are properly accounted for, that his testimonials and discharges have been verified (where such has been necessary), and that he has conformed to the requirements of these regulations, before he is allowed to sit for examination. In the absence of any necessary verification the candidate must not be examined.

A candidate who has failed in his examination and desires to again sit for examination, provided examinations are to be held during the next succeeding week, and provided he is eligible to sit, may make immediate application for such in the manner required by this regulation, notwithstanding a lesser period than seven days may elapse before the date of examination.

5. Proof of Nationality.--Every candidate for a certificate of competency of any grade will be required to produce proof of nationality. Proof of British nationality will, in ordinary circumstances, involve the production of a birth certificate or of a certificate of naturalization. If an applicant for examination cannot produce such a certificate, he should be asked to furnish such documentary evidence of nationality, or of birth and nationality of parents, as he may be able to obtain : such a case should be referred to the Principal Examiner for consideration.

6. How to apply in Special Cases.--In cases where the services of a candidate require verification, or where he is in doubt whether his service complies with the regulations, and wishes to submit his case for special consideration, all certificates, discharges, testimonials, and watch-keeping certificates, together with the form of application (Exn. 2) properly filled in, should be submitted to the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office. If necessary the officer will, after seeing that all the required information is clearly set forth in the papers, forward them with his observations to the Principal Examiner, who will either deal with the case or transmit it to the Marine Department for decision.

7. Inquiries.--All other inquiries regarding examinations should be made and dealt with in the same way. The point on which information is sought should be clearly stated, and certificates, discharges, testimonials, &c., should always be forwarded when they are material to the inquiry.