The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-11-01 00:00:00

nal plan

Several opinions were expressed, but the prevailing one
was, that the penalty for any deception in this respect ought
to be severe. A resolution was ultimately passed, recom-
mending that the penalty be not less than £5, and not more
than £lOO.

a gatemar

The 39th clause, giving power to the principal board to
make bye-laws, was read. In respect to the
in this clause, it was recommended to insert t
less than" before the sum named. Clauses 2 and 3 were
in explanation

.ords " no

Capt. CALLAN said they ought not to be under any other
control than that of the local board.

Mr. J. B. YATES said, if they endeavoured to strike out
that clause, the bill would not pass. It was necessary that
there should be some control to guard against partiality. He
had heard some about him speak of the bribery that would
probably be practised. (A voice : " Yes, it will be all bribery
together.") It was to guard against bribery that the general
board was to be established.
The CHAIRMAN said he thought this clause was done away
with by what passed on clause 34.
Mr. YATES—Then you will lose your bill.
Several persons—So much the better. _

The SE6RETARY was of opinion that much inconvenienci
would result if each Board of Excise was allowed to act in.
dependently of any other, each board might, perhaps, bi
competent to frame bye-laws for its own regulation ; but ur,
less one system of examination was adopted, persons desiring
certificates would apply to those boards where the examina.
tion was lightest, or where they could make most interest foi
themselves. By taking all their regulations from London
they would avoid the evil of having several different sets o
laws.
Captain MAbAULEY moved that the boards be electec
annually. This would do away with any fear of bribery o
partiality. _

Captain CHAMLEY seconded the resclutio,:, -:.:iich was
carried.

The clauses were then read with little comment, as they
related chiefly to the executive operation of the bill.
Captain MIDGLEY said—Mr. Chairman, I am one of the
few, I am sorry to say, one of the very few shipmasters who
have signed a memorial to the Board of Trade, in favour
of a legislative enactment for the examination of masters and
mates in the merchant service, and I did so from a sincere
conviction that such a measure would be not only advanta-
geous to the present class of shipmasters, but it would be
conferring a boon upon the rising generation, for it will
teach them that they can only hope for preferment by a long
course of sobriety, good conduct, and attention to the duties,
of their profession. I wish to speak of that highly respectable
and meritorous body of men (the mates in the merchant ser-
vice) with every possible respect ; but I appeal with con-
fidence to the gentlemen present to say if there is not a very
great difficulty in meeting with an officer who is fully com-
petent and qualified for !ais situation. But let it be under-
stood that whilst I advocate the great principle of the bill—
the necessity for passing an examination-1 am as much
opposed to various objectionable clauses contained in it as
any gentleman present. I contend, sir, that every shipmaster
should have a power of appeal from the decision of the
Board of Examiners—that he should derive a direct interest

from the payment of the fee, and that he should be examined
by his years. Indeed, the honourable promoter of this bill
has provided for this, by declaring that the Board of Exami-
ners shall consist of shipmasters only, and Captain Fitzroy,
in the strict spirit of candour and impartiality, has omitted
the very mention of " naval officers," to the best of my re-
collection, throughout this bill. I maintain, Mr. Chairman,
that this bill has been brought forward in a highly honoura-
ble and impartial manner; and I vould intreat and implore
my brother shipmasters to discuss the various clauses in a
cool, temperate, and business-like manner ; and it will be
well to remember that vituperation is not argument, neither
is abuse conviction. I think it but an act of justice that the
shipmaster should in all cases have a power of appeal. This
power, gentlemen, is conceded to the vilest criminal ; how
much more then is it necessary that a similar privilege
should be enjoyed by the shipmaster, whose peculiar avoca-
tion so frequently exposes him to the difficulties and dangers
of an intricate navigation. NA, ith regard to the fees, I confess
I have derived a hint from an anonymous correspondent of
the Shipping Gazette; and I would propose that masters
should pay an annual sum of one guinea, and mates half a
guinea, and after allowing a reasonable sum to be paid to
the examiners and their clerk, the surplus should be con-
verted into a fund for the benefit of their widows and children.
Permit me a word or two, Mr. Chairman, as to the clause
for qualification. I can see no reason why the master of a

I, in reply to. Mr. Holmes,
cs would be ready for use by
Authority Was given to the
lock and the Canning Dock
report was made that

—.per. of the telegraphs on Hilbre Island bad died, and
a successor was appointed. The Marine Surveyor reported,
that, on the morning of the 26th instant, the Barbara struck
I on the Great Burbo bank, but, with the aid rendered by the
a the pri- Magazine life-boat, the crew were rescued from their perilous
.. .

Sub-committee
Fohn Lancaster,
for wilful care-

at to be consumed by

receipt of dues at Runcorn for the last month 'was reported
to be £32 183., being an increase of About £7 over the re-
ceipt of the previous month. The sum of £295 was ordered
to be paid to the Watch Committee, on account of police-
named I men's wages. The Secretary reported that the Highway