The New York herald., 1870-01-14
4 BOARD OF WREGkERS FOR IHE PORT
OF NEW YORk.

A Dill hos been introduced in the United States
House Of Representatives, 10 facilitate the adjust
mentOf controversies between parties interested IN
maritime adventures and contracts In the port OF
New YORK and to establish board OF port wardens
Of which the following are the man features-
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House or Repre-
Bentatlves OF the United States OF America in Con-
gress assembled, That there shall be is hereby
established board OF wardens for tho port OF New
YORK, To be called and known rs the por; wardens
Of rho port OF New York. composed OF nine citizens
or the State OF New York, TO be selected aud ap-
pointed by se Secretary OF the Treasury, which
board shall exercise the powers and perform the
duties imposed and conferred by this act
SEQ 2 They shall keep once IN the city of
New York at whicn majority Of them aud their
public holidays excepted, ard they shall nave The
exclusive right TO perform all the duties OF port
wardens for the port Of New YORK specified IN this
SEQ. 3 II snal be the duty OF said board or some
one OF them on being notified and requested by any
OF the parties IN interest, 10 proceed IN person on
board Of any vessel Tor the purpose OF examining
the condition and siowage Of cargo and If there be
any goods damaged on board said vessel. they
shall ing uiro examine ana ascertain tbs cause
causes or such damage and make q memorandum
books OF the ouice ana IT. arter the arrival In port
OF any vessel the matches shall be first opened by
any person not port warden and the cargo, or any
part thereof shall come from on shipboard III a
damaged condition, these Facts shall be presumptive
evidence that such damage occ urred IN consequence
OF improper stowage or negligence on the part OF
the porsoas charge or the vessel and such default
shalt bo ohargeaDle TO the owner c0nsignee, master
or Other person IN interest as part owner or master
OF SAID vosselh each and all OF whom shall he
primarily liable for such damage; and tho
said board shall be exclusive surveyors Of
or damage or which shall be deemed un-
nt to proceed to sea, and shall examine tue condi-
ton OF the hull spars sails, rigging and all appur-
tenancee thereof and they may call TO their assist
ance one or more carpenters, Hlhmakers rlxgerS,
shpwrghts other skilled IN his profession
10 aid them IN their examination and survey, pro-
vlded that sucn person snail not be Interested
therein, and AL parties SO called shall be sworn, and
shall each be allowed fee OF five dollars, 10 be paid
by the person requiring said examination. The
said wardens snail specify what damage has oc-
curred and record in the books OF SAID Office full
and particular account Of all surveys h0ld on said
vessel They shall also be the Judges Of the
repairs necessary TO render said vessel again
as S Hs 'He 81 ea as a.o a Sa
elusive cOgnlzance or all matters relating 70 the
surveys OF vessels and their cargoes arriving at the
port OF New York IN dlstress, or damaged In sald
port OF New York, and shall be the Judges Of its
fitness TO be reshpped to is port OF destination,
whether It shall be sold Tor the benefit OF whom II
may concern. They shall also, If called upon so to
va s.ssfa 81 ~ .s 8: "a Rs s;Ss. & lgs
SEQ 4. It shall be the duty OF said board or
some Of them, on being notified and requested
30 to do BY any OF the parties in interest 10 proceed
In person 70 any warehouse, store or dwelling OF In
the public streets, or on the wharf and examine any
merchandise, vessels materials other property
sal0 to have been damaged on board Of any vessel,
and In Qulre, examine aud ascertain the cause or
causes OF such damage, and make memorandum
thereof and Of such property. and record In the
books OF said ONCE full and complete statement
thereof and 1t shall be the duty OF sad board when
requested, to furnish certificate OF any record
therein. upon their paying 70 SAID board the
regular fee for said certificate. All certin-
Gates issued shall be under the sea- OF
vice president and secretary, and said ceriincaie
shall bs evidence Of the existence and contents or
such record, and shall be presumptye evidence OF
th0 Of GAl0 contents in
United States. In all cases Of inquiries, examina-
tious and surveys relating tovessels and cargoes
beard thereof, specified IN THIS acl The said
board shall give notice TO all persons Interested
having charge OF the subject matter OF suc. IN
Qury, examination or survey, by advertisement III
at least two daily newspapers, printed and pub
lished In the city Of New York, OF tho pendency OF
such inquiry, examination or survey, and Of The
time and place OF completing the same the expense
whereof shall be added to and PAID with tue fec !or
making such inquiry. examination or survey.
6B0. 8. ltsha be the duty Of said board. or SOME
one OF the members thereof. to attend personally al
sales Of vessels when condemned, vessels materials
and goods In damaged stato which shall be sold At
public aucton IN the port Of New York BY reason o,
such damage for the benefit Of owners er under
writers or Tor account OF whom 1t may concern;
and It shsilspe the duty OF auOtoneers making such
sales 70 give due notice thereof to said board before
the sale, and all such sales shall be made by auc-
tioneers under the direction and by order OF
the wardens, for which service the said
wnrdens shall be entitled to receive a commission
Of one-haH Of one per centum on the gross amount
Of saes thereof. TO be paid TO said board OF war
dens on demand by The auctloneer making sucn
saie and such property shall be exempt from the
payment OF any tax or auction duties except sucn
rs are or may be imposed by act OF Congress-; and
It shall be the duty OF auctionccrs to make monthly
statements TO said board, specifying the total
amount OF each days sales made by them under
this act whicn statement shall be 1lod in said war
den's ONCE, and tho wardens, when required by the
owner or oOnSignee thereof, shall certify the cause
Of sQcp damage, the amount OF such sales and the
Ch9t80 on toe same, all OF which snail ue recorded
ID the books OF said once and the said board or