125

1.—9

provision to be made for it. In the case of a home-trade vessel where a seaman is sick for less than one month we could treat him under section 117, as he has never been away from the colony, and consequently could not be said to have been brought back. Deaths or accidents occurring at sea. Section 124, subsection (1). After "accident" (first line), add "incapacitating the seaman from work," &c. I think this is necessary, as there are many trivial accidents occurring on board ship not worth reporting or inquiring into, but when a seaman is incapacitated from his work through accident then this Act would meet the case. ' Official logs. Section 151, subsection (1). After "■ every ship," add " and in the case of home-trade ships of more than 20 tons register." By adding the above it would make the section more in unison with section 40, subsection (1). Logs to be delivered to Superintendents. Section 153, subsection (2). Would alter this to read as follows: " The master or owner of every home-trade ship shall, within twenty-one days after the termination of every agreement with the crew, deliver or transmit the official log-book to some Superintendent in the colony." By having the official log-book handed in with the agreement (as at present) insures the records being kept together of the various voyages made during the terms of agreement. Chief engineer to keep official log. Section 155,1 think, is unnecessary, as the engineer's ordinary log should meet all his requirements. I note there is no provision made in this section for the engineer's official log to be delivered to Superintendent at the termination of agreement; neither is there any authority given to the engineer to retain his official log for the benefit of the ship. Duties of Superintendent of Mercantile Marine. Section 156, subsection (2). "To provide means for securing the presence on board at the proper times of the seamen who are so engaged." This, I think, should be cut out, as it would prove very inconvenient to Superintendents to have to do this duty. I would suggest that this duty should fall on the master or owner engaging the seamen. The above suggestions and amendments to the Bill under consideration are respectfully submitted in accordance with a request from the Secretary of Marine and the Chairman of the Committee. Charles Fleming, Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, Dunedin.

Sir, — Marine Department, Wellington, 13th August, 1902. I have the honour, by direction of the Minister of Marine, to forward herewith copy of a letter which has been received from the Secretary to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, on the subject of claims on shipping companies for cargo short-landed and for pillages. The Committee may see its way to consider the letter in connection with section 297 of the Shipping and Seamen Bill now before it. I have, &c, George Allport, The Clerk, Shipping and Seamen Bill Committee, For Secretary. House of Bepresentatives, Wellington.

Sib, — Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin, sth August, 1902. I have the honour, by direction of my committee, to address you with reference to the matter of claims on shipping companies for cargo short-landed and for pillages. You are no doubt, aware that this subject has occasioned a great amount of correspondence between'the Chambers of Commerce, shipping companies, and importers for some time past. At the last meeting of my committee the matter was further considered, and a letter was received from a gentleman having some expert experience, containing suggestions to the following effect, viz. : That clauses might be added to the Shipping and Seamen Bill now before Parliament providing that the agents for all vessels not registered in the colony should be made the legal representatives of the master and owners of such vessels after the vessel has sailed from the port at which she has discharged, for the purpose of receiving and paying claims for short deliveries or pillages, and that such claims must be lodged within fourteen days after the vessel has sailed. That the agents should have the right to produce the vessel's receipts, and, if required, to get the persops signing such receipts to make statutory declarations that they are genuine and correct. That it should be made compulsory for any person who gives a receipt also to make the required declaration when called upon to do so, or to give oral evidence in Court. That if any agents are unable to make satisfactory arrangements with the captain or owners of the vessel to cover this responsibility, they might be allowed to give written notice to the Collector of Customs, who should refuse the vessel's clearance until the agents withdraw their notice in writing. It was further suggested that it might be provided that the Chamber of Commerce should have the power at any port to appoint a master