The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-04-14 00:00:00

ZIERCANTILZ MARINE SERVICE
ASSOCIATION.

.
A;NNTJA_L MEETING,--YESTEIItIAt '- . '
Theannual general meeting of the Ittmliers Slid associates
Ssf the Mercantile Marine Service Aseociation was held at their
rooms, Water-street, yesterday, • at neon, for' the purpose of
‘reetviiig.: the, report or the Council, filling up the yacencict
occasioned by the retirement of inembera of the. CAlibil,
receiving 7 the " accost/1M; for the past year, andAran'Atting the
general btisinest .of the Association. Mr. Rateii Brocklebank
presided; and amongst the other gentAelftela present averts:7,
Messrs. T. B. llorsfalli Ma', ; Capita:in "lends, R.N. (of H.M.S.
iltj'alc);- 'Captain .Wiltaans, '11.;.N.. ; Captain Eaton, R.N. ;•
Lieutenant Bouchier (t overtimes eniigration officer it this
pert);' Lieutenant 'Parkes (the marine surveyor of the Deck
1:10ra.); .Messri, S. Be' Graves;:Jimes Smith,. P. A. Cita, S.
Itathhone, Captahre'remsonby, Sproule, Ste:, Bses ' - ; • '
',.!.e eitAntmArr,'lri opening the reeeeditigt taici:'-gentles.
en) before
g P , . )
to'thanks
Proceeding to
,business,' rianst express my.
You for the,great htmOur I ft-el-yeu haVe done me in.C4lling
UPon fie. to. preside! Over .such ali influential and important
body bf gentlenien 'a
-141710 W see before me. I feel that lam
s"La'tequats to. --cat the position which yallile , placed sue in ;
ot at the same time I have upon
.various occasions received
Y Marks of your kindness; 'and so Much g' nerosltylor
"su nay short
daintriss;;" when'-'. I appeared before
.year, the% I 'am
.4,44L.E,_ Ittg..lo.u„„will Overlook my sb.ortcomings Alma this,occa-
ru:. -ear
before hear.) It is my duty-nosV, I believe, to bring
''',efere You the report of the procbedigs of the association for
tne last year; -andawill-cail-npon the secretary, if you. will
lloss' me, to read. the sepsis, after which I may offer to pia a
Sew
remark! uPon its different sections. . ... ,
Mr.
13N•14misi j.' Tsui:lsms then read the following
" • _ REPORT.
thy, . . ,
It is now the.duty a the'council„ at the close of this the
d year since- the formation of the association, to report
told
mehibers and- associates the' principal subjects which
e engaged its attention, and thia progress :Which has been
m in' the Premotionanci attainment of the objects for Which.
theirade institution-was established. :
MERCHANT SHIFTING itT. ' " The c
best is, 'Vial has had its attention steadily directed to the
AL,. means of pro Curing amendments in those portions of the
"matt ShtPtlig'-ant-letich, are - eonsid red to' affect. the
Lets 'ee 4nfa. irlY,.atad 'iniuriollsly. Unfortunately, the , disco-
ofonof Parliaraent.last session prevented the: Committee
the ',louse of Commons, then appointed to enquire into
a
the act, from taking evidence or making 'a report. This
en 'u n
sesio
~_ a'sbnilar committee has been appointed, and the
cil )ma, through its .qhairman, who was examined aii" a
witness• brought under its notice the fair claims. of the
ti'ervico to have, like other professions, some representa-
b°7 in; the- regulation and management of its' own affairs.
','' oas suggested that,that May be granted with advantage.
local
to the service and the public, by adding to the present
marine boards some nautical members, part to he
notabiated• by. the Board of Trade, and part- to be elected by
the Masters holding certificates,' and registered for the 1,14-.
Pose at the, ports where., the various local marine boards act...
ea" 'laetribliliaisSifor enquiring into the , causes of wrecks'and
the sualUes to British merchant ships, and upon' whose reports
Reard •of -Trade 'decides whether
-to 'cancel, suspend, or
return- the certificates of masters and officers, it has been
urged
hi L, are not suph, as ought to be entrusted with powers
NY
-e" reatlY, render them courts of -a most extended criminal
Jurisdiction. Where the penalties are So severe, the judgment
I.a°,_irreParable, .and where, as the fact is, every such inquiry
irea questioui which can be decided only by persons possess-
ee!,"'„itical knowledge and practical skill in 'seamanship, the.
~",c" considers that such queitiOns ought not to be, as they
-r left,th the decision: of one nautical asiessor.
, The
Present Practke ofinquiry and punishment is at variance.
t7gaitht:all other. criminal inves-
inaPmvestigationsi and with parallel , .
,e, tens into the causes of wrecks and :;casualties to yes-
'' er her Majesty's navy. The operation
Aand working' of
naval cour'
that tsp._ 4'6 abroad under the Merchant Shipping Act show .1
,onte 't"lailllTlay be readily established, which,.:combined to •
actor extent with the' local marine boards; would be More in'
~1.b.1 thee with the laWs relating' to the rest of her Majesty'a ..
the met'e Weil Would remove. the strange 'anomaly under .which
„lheltant service now suffers.' ..- '
theoliitineteeeai"-e___ f-eomeadequate • provision being made` for
men. °t:a; .'ee and supportsof old..worn-out and disabled seas.
The •erim - Tides in, the service, has also been pointedout,
creatioin --os :xd:f-the .ceuticil has, been to effect this by -.the
tvage,,..and-1: -mild arising from surplus fees and unclairrOd
' - 'la deduction of a per Centage 'from wages. It is
ogful.tieheavtite of thediffion difficulties which exist.,from the failure
puher late ftnsd.,:' and ',of , the okieetlons 'to a coin-, ,
etren..Ldeduction from wages.' 'lt entertains, however, a
by -.-i belief that if the: fund was managed as suggested
cleail,.lls,,-- eenncii, and its accounts: Periodieally ' and.
at „,. "lanifnecl„ aid exhibited, all classes would-cheerfully
hali-taesce in its collection.. Knowing .as the Council does the
any .H.ef sailetPi it is satisfied that a fund Cannot be 'raises:lLn_
clay mode which will cfnbra.oe all daises, while to no
(sisa; men is:it 'of more importance that wheat infirm and 1 '
he ea, Ilici' should, haie something better. than the Works
use to fall back npen • -
~The Council has suggested. 'various other alterations to. be
.1 Made .
with a view to - improve the discipline of the service.
The . , .
Y will be found &detail in the petition recently preientsel
to the (louse _
8 i - - of Commons Committee, and referred tq, the
irre,'ect Corrunittee_Merchant, Shipping. - Among *,:ise most
Portant of these suggestions the following m'ay, however, bewbe 'noticed. -' - • -
as it .I"tiggeated-that-the-polvers of
- ' 'naval courts abroad
--(Ad becxtetided; so that both.snester., and
that at . crews may tee"
~ each port of 'call there will be
si,,e,„ ..,,
si . s a court which earl decide
'''.4/ questions between
decisi
ta6m, ~nsto.d of as a t patsent,' the '
on having to remain over •
England.
ati"inltteis. also stigFested tb .....•
steps might tta be taken to obtain
sent threllautslialfrnie el. at- road, and of lights at sea. At pre-
causes of .e.i.sioodsnla';.sy nations dicer from our crim,'and are the
siderable ; be' - • aisaeteres. .. Xhe difficulties no doubt are con-
does not -fi.• .-. tb,e,buititts ;would be so great, that,the C.ouncil,
refuse s -4nk MansY qt the important maritime nations would,
„, .0 join in an international system .
' •' .
,- thelie,lnil all-the other suggestionawhich'the Council lis
-nada en behalf of the asgociation;
If carried relate to the service only.
_ _..., out, the CouneiChaS th
they will ,benetit e strongest conviction that-
serviceall tins
.Snd. that they will iniproVe- the
give it a position in
as a body, and' •
with Its nationalimport some ateordance
ance.

:6Ciiool, /FRIGATE " Owing to the. current .year. of Cth°: \''Scihlo.ol Frigate Conway
not terminating Until the let of. July;the tho Co'nnoil is unable to
b_efore the members any detaileii, report of the. yvorking• of
_Teanll3.. It is happY,-howe4er, to 'be able to mention that the
inn me has met, so far, with. the:Most perfect qucees At the
close of the firei half-year, there were .50 boys' btard,' and
the
Council bag much pleasure in referring the members and
nasociates to the' interesting report of the proceedings at the
tribution 'of :pritlys, in December. There arc now on board
111)Wards'o'r.;,;,,
= ivy boys, many: of whom are the childien of
members of the association, Or of deceased members of the
serv.
: . .
S.-Council 'feeling "e , that the association as a body, and
rY, individual :member An it, had-.reason to be proud of
„.:11ighOtnea hand. in the founding of such an institution, and
aceolibt of the- advantage ensured to the 'members; felt it: right to testify to the interest felt by the association in the
Success
of the ship, by giving to its funds a donation of £5O.
the The establishment of the ship has supplied a great want in
4erokittnt Service. It will do much to raise and elevate its
.be.ra.Cter and pogition;
,and the Council trusts .that every mem-
jt::2 do his best to make its 'merits known, and to promote
-ceess.
112g!he Council feels it right to express the obligations which
t association is Under .in connection with the school ship to
a e ige chair-min; 'Captain John Clint, both for the warm and
zri,te interest he has taken-in the scheme since its commence-
log
to And' for-the personal trouble which he
_took in journey-.
aining
at Deg
onpOrt, while the ship was fitting,
pred adot lase his exertions to have her rigged and sup-,
as his l t ht 'him Would 'be best for her
service.ong experience aug.
.sehnnf La"ne in the ertnitnitfee for the management;
et"S
‘of he rtl Y
P)lns been supplied-by the election of Capt..,Julkins of the
'ship. ia, British and North' American royal mail steam-

Jul-ercrFArs. FOR POLICE, 4c.
""Y last was presented,on behalf of the
as,ociat- memorial
that , I°rl to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, •nrging
syst:'ef's n of should be taken by the board to preVent, the,prcsent
l'°4rding-house keepers and others getting on board.'
"; '
rder-ti,,f-d.,;,tl,iver, and supplying the seamen with liquor, in
Y them to their houses.; and to arrange signals
:streati. ,R the Services of the police on board vessels in the
llave:betaTY°-de fur is happy to report that arrangements •
. • maor carrying out the latter suggestion. ••
••
14.
" Tile
.C°4llmr'bsi°ll- T°
SBA"
at the request of the
`eohinnittee haseil had-undei iti`notice,.
°II the, r establishing and maintaining a mission to seamen
th.„'-er;...6°Y, the Rrospeptus ott.hat committee, and, heartily
the .4
it every effort to improve the moral as well as
expraeoeial- •
con4ition of all the;classes service..; it has to
will a:Ris at"' ea eat hope that `all members of the association
Alropri.e6s of "—s'
Fiv such facilities as they can-in furthering thP
this g rOod wor
• • , •
•
t" An • t"•
• '• —LonnoN AISOCIATIOY..
the aux", -"ban was•receiiied by the.chalitnan. an,dosecretary
/qov._ -'ociation to bi'Present at a dinner in ndon,in
therrber, of the members, and friends. pf the association
have
-er circumstances the Council would gladly
asset:- prinCipal officers to attend and represent this
totti,?it°n, It felt„ however, that white the resolution of the
'0n5•441:24,, London, of the 23rd' of 1.858„ that they
with deglible -te cease correspondence and connection
that to--` l'iverPool Association;. was not withdrawn ; while
thosePersiited in Meddling with othersiaatters than
this ea—`eting the service, and while- all the efforts made by
aced Ptmell to prtimoti•fetonciliation Were so unavailing, no
"The in nld be attained,-by this association being repres..nted.
Ask t:vitation Was 'therefore declined. • The Couileil has to
tia: attention of members to the report of the proceedings
5,e34 11,tger7a..„,!i°n, and .nafticularlv lvto the speech of Air, Digby
"'ays strOngly advocated, as this Council has
addrthei.:efforts of the association in London being
interessed exClUsivelY to the affairs,. and • to. promote the
repress s. of-the great seafaring body which it was termed to
asso„4llt• In doing this, the Council is satisfied that the
it tio4,:ti°ir foi its labour ; -and until
sit a prevents the united action of the service, acts
t?_prog, ress, and impedinient to the efforts of

1.
.. . READING
AND
."W"R°".
• ' • Cl'eaSe
11:: ,T 4 Council is happy to report that a consisdizbtheemieidini
," eeen obtserved,S the number of mertibersu
Such books,
"cl news-room, its a placeof meeting and resort.
_or
item.
Papers, and tafeithatiOn'tat are' considered necessarY r
well as genera.' news
bers of the service, have been tireVided; aS,w
of the Admiralty,
o literature. The 'Lords : CommiSsione"
:e Board of Trade, Lloyd
oniiiergiciety, '
British and Foreign' ShiPping the Rer.l:al Aetron
.for the 'Register of
embers
's Committee
arid other • • • ' - ted for the me° fil
. ..._ scientific bodits. have.gf;kll .• ' ts 'Severa
eelneel orAimrT pii‘i.-4,. 4),,As.:i.pcirts, and' char :
the
nle"tba6S'ertlieASseeigti-0 ':h .hire also even donatiSma t°
library"' zucd,i,h , - a
rn
.y be mentioned the beautiful
414 of hart:esto "c the room& ; among:the latter.
ate of. specimens of telegra
Dille cables, of Messr. Newall and o°.i.
••• , I - atin5h....,...,'.', -• 11
" The,lbookil it.,
v-i-4.......a...atm AND OFFICER..
sirous , _
obtain appointinehts ,ett-,!r3l4•names' of members de, to
i., ate etrtered;are still found to be of great
use both to memuers and to shipowners. The Council is sorry
that wore hag not )le,,
road° of the book for officers—goOd
officefs are constantly ..
at'ed for-----and indeed it is a matter of
very Considerable regret to
lithe
Council that young ere
do
not, to a much larger extent, avail themselves of the privilege
•of being.enrolleti as ra,nabers- •To induce, them to do so, 'he'
subon has been- made very light. while the advantages
Which they will gain from using he rooms and assoeiating with
,f,las higher graded' the service roust be apparent to all.
...E.BEPM AND.t.SsOcIATF.B,, .
. ..'"' '''' .7
"At, this time !nit year the number of inerabers and associ-
ates was 871 ; there:are now ttpwards of rips°.
` :,
,r,
re ,
..., FINANCE.
h."easu 4 Ile
r financial, position nf the association; asp sheen in the
"'s statement, is most satisfactory.
a
"Although reared and detided Progiess haFiilieadp been
triad.. 'to the.asSt4ciation, members must not forget that iireat
t!rttr
has still ta be iindertaken,-Many disaPPointMents sus,
:°itb'ed. and many difficulties surnmunted,' before the objects
which it vies formed can ba:titt4ned.' and the serrice
flied and placed on'tlii Sante footing as other professions.
it With 1.4 .resources, at its command-,the, eotm9tl
.has done
that,mucli hai .yet to be
done belt.4ut,it feed most strOngly,
1,11`"t; that merribers-Must exert themselves, and Ahat new.
keanThtts must- bt.enrolled, so that the curr, lit expenditure
3,:,119t,
.89 nearly eqnal.,as it /lOW does the income, and that
fitZLY'sornething Should be laid past for the formation of a
slit' the interest-of which may-hereafter suffice for carrying
b%,1:1 114,;,Y of the object.. of the association, and will secure its
~ ~altenee:aa.one of the institutions of Liverpool.
raa,,jitql
ers rratiohe nal• impo rtanee of the Merchant navy gives the.
-.1 of t seiyioe ecni2e claim upost_the country, and the