The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-17 00:00:00

MERCANTILE MARINE LEGISLATION.

At the meeting of the Society of Arta held last
night (Admiral Sir E. BEIAMER in the chair), Captain
Tot gni, F.K. A.S., read a paper "On Mercantile Ma-
rine Legislation as affecting the number and efficiency of
British Seamen."

The LECTURER, who confined his attention exclusively
to the wants and complaints of seamen, entered minutely
into the grievances under which crews of merchant ships
were at present suffering, especially with regard to the
Merchant Seamen's Fund, their accommodation on board
ship, and the provisions which were supplied to them.
The conclusions at which he arrived were that the present
state of forecastles, bad quality or lime juice, and of some
ships' provisions, together with the threefold increase of
scurvy, showed that the letalone system had not worked
well in our mercantile marine, and in conclusion he recom-
mended the introduction of the following legislative changes:
—" 1. That government shall establish a pension fund and
life insurance adapted to the circumstances of seamen and
their families, in connexion with shipping offices, and join
on to them a benefit fund, the principal of which shall be
the sums which government has received, and is still re-
ceiving, as unclaimed effects of deceased seamen. Also,
that the act be so modified that the wages and effects of
deserters shall go to this fund. Also that government
will consider in what way they can discourage giving •
month's advance before starting, except as a payment
into the pension fund or life insurance. 2. That go-
vernment shall put a stop to scurvy in the mercan-
tile marine, by calling for and entering in the heading
of the ' articles' a new scale of provisions. 3.
That they shall increase the space given to seamen
to 15 certified superficial feet of deck, and not less than 90
cubic feet of air ; also that they shall require the forecastle
to be properly lighted, drained, ventilated and protected
from the sea, as well as from the gas which rises from
cargo. Safe glared lamps and oil or candle to be provided
for use ; and these rights of seamen to be entered in the
heading of the ' articles of agreement,' and a copy hung
in the forecastle. 4. That dock clerks be attached to ship-
ping offices, whose duty it shall be to visit ships on their
arrival, see that the crews get part of their pay, and,
if they wish, send them to thir homes, promising to
send the rest of their pay and papers after them. 5.
That shipping masters shall be empowered to order the
inspection of all ships' forecastles and provisions, or at
least those of any against which there is a reasonable
complaint. Again, that shipping masters abroad be em-
powered to make commanders ship another man imme-
diately in the place of the one discharged. Also that ves-
sels engaging crews to be discharged abroad shall be bound
to provide them another ship or pay their passage home.
6. That government be moved to provide for the admis-
sion of English boys into the mercantile marine, as a
means of national defence in case of war, as well as an
honest employment of her subjects, instead of allowing
them to be supplanted by foreigners.
Lastly, that government be asked to grant public lands
in our seaports for married sailors' homes, sailors' clubs
or institutes, and will encourage in every way the social
improvement of seamen, who suffer great temptations
and privations from the peculiar circumstances of their
profession."
There was no hope that the seamen could, by their un-
aided exertions, procure the necessary reforms, and be
therefore recommended that a committee of this society
should be formed to assist in obtaining them.
The paper was listened to with much attention, and at
its conclusion Captain Toynbee was warmly applauded.
It was followed by a somewhat lengthy discussion, in the
course of which many suggestions were made as to mea-
-1 sures which might be adopted for the improvement of the
condition of seamen, and most of the speaker, agreed that
in some, if not all the matters referred to by the lecturer
there existed a necessity for the interference of the legis-
lature.

The proceedings closed with the usual complimentary
votes to the lecturer and to the chairman.

GRAND CURLING MATH,—The Royal Caledo-
nian Curling Club's grand match of the North against the
South of the Forth took place on Tuesday on its pond at
Careebreck, situated near the line of the Scottish Central
Railway, and almost equi-distant from Stirling and Perth.
The scene which Citrereek presented, especially from an
adjoining eminence, when the play was at its height, was
one of the most picturesque and would have afforded an
admirable subject for the painter. The ice was by no
means what could be desired. The thaw in the early part
of last week had not completely melted the snow, and
more snow had apparently fallen after the frost had again
set in. Thus the surface of the pond, previous to its being
prepared for the curlers, could not be distinguished from
that of the adjoining fields ; and when, after much scrap-
ing and sweeping, rinks were formed, the ice had quite •
corduroy aspect. On the whole the match was a successful
one, and the members of the Royal Caledonian Curling
Club may justly congratulate themselves not only on that
account bat also that this year has not, like the two pre-
ceding, been barren of • grand match. Playing began on
the firing of • large gun at noon on the eminence alluded
to, and was concluded by a similar signal at 3 o'clock. The
result of the score was as follows :—North, 1,786 ; South
1,86.5 ; majority, 99.
CRYSTAL P./LACE. Own &flume° DAY.
WEDNGSDAY, JAN. IG.—Admissions on payment, 2,297;
ditto, by season tickets, 1,713. Total visitors, 4,010.