Dec. 15.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3791

31. Sight Tests.—(a) Every candidate for a certificate of competency must pass the prescribed sight tests before a certificate can be issued to him. If circumstances render it necessary for him to proceed with the examination in navigation and seamanship before undergoing the sight tests, he should be informed that the examination in navigation and seamanship will be cancelled in the event of his failure to pass either of the sight tests.

Detailed information with regard to the conduct of the examination and the standards required is contained in Appendix G.

(b) Letter Test.—Every candidate for a certificate must pass the letter test. If he obtained a certificate of competency before 1st January, 1914, he will only be required to possess half normal vision, using both eyes together. Otherwise he must pass a higher standard—viz., normal vision, using both eyes or either eye separately.

A candidate who fails to pass the letter test may present himself for re-examination at intervals of three months.

(c) Lantern Test.—Every candidate must undergo the lantern test on every occasion on which he presents himself for examination for his first certificate of competency; but, if he then passes, he will not be required by the Marine Department to undergo the lantern test on any subsequent occasion.

Any holder of a certificate of competency being a candidate for examination for a certificate of a higher or of a different grade shall not be examined in the lantern test.

A candidate who fails to pass the lantern test shall not be re-examined within the Dominion without authority of the Principal Examiner.

(d) Special Examination: Referred Cases.—In some cases it may be necessary for the Examiner, on the instructions of the Principal Examiner, to refer a candidate for special examination at the same or at another port before a decision is given as to his passing or failure in the sight tests. No additional fee will be charged for the special examination in such a case, and the Marine Department will repay at a rate which will be notified to him the travelling-expenses necessarily incurred by the candidate in attending the special examination. A candidate who has been referred for special examination shall not be re-examined by the same Examiner.

(e) Special Examination: Appeal Cases.—A candidate who fails to pass the local lantern test may appeal for a special examination in Wellington on payment of a fee of two guineas, which will be returned to him in the event of his passing the special examination. The Marine Department will not make any payment whatever towards the expenses of a candidate who, upon his own application, is examined by the special Examiners, unless the candidate passes the special examination.

(f) When a candidate fails to pass the local lantern test, the Examiner will point out to him the conditions under which he can appeal. Appeals are to be made through the Examiner, and forwarded to the Principal Examiner with the Examiner’s remarks.

(g) Special Examination.—Candidates who are referred and candidates who on appeal from the result of the local test are granted a special examination are notified by the Principal Examiner of the place and time at which they should attend for special examination, and they shall inform the Principal Examiner whether of not they will be able to attend at that time. Any candidate who, after informing the Principal Examiner that he will attend, fails to appear at the place and time appointed, will be liable to have his examination postponed indefinitely, and also, if an appeal candidate, will forfeit the appeal fee of two guineas, and will be required to deposit a further fee of the same amount before further arrangements can be made for his special examination.

(h) Failure in Special Examination.—Where, during the course of a special examination, a candidate is found to have a permanent defect in his eyesight such as to render him unfit for a sea career, he will be finally rejected, and will not be allowed to be examined again in the sight tests on any future occasion. This, however, is subject to the proviso that, if the candidate is still dissatisfied, it will be open to him, if he so desires, to present himself for a second special examination on payment of a fee of six guineas, provided that he brings with him an approved friend to witness the examination. This second special examination will be entirely voluntary, and will form no part of the Marine Department’s examination for a certificate of competency, and the Department will not make any payment whatever towards the expenses incurred by such a candidate. However, the Department will give consideration to the result of such examination in determining whether a certificate shall be granted.

B