The Portland daily press., 1878-09-06
New England ship.Owners.

The first quarterly meeting of the New Eng
land Ship-owners' Association was held in the
Boston Board of Trade parlors Tuesday after
noon. The president, Mr. J. Henry Sears,
presided, and the full attendance of members
evinced lively interest in the objects of the
association. After the secretary, Mr. w. P.
Ellison, had read the records of the preceding
meeting, reports vera received from the vari-
GUS officers and committees Mr.. R. W. Lord,
the treasurer, reported $3.50 received for mem
bership fees Mr.. Pliny Nickerson, from the
committe on membership, reported 1873 men,
bers enrolled at the present time, and Mr.. j. E.
Burt reported from the committee on publica.
tons.
By vote of the previous meeting a committee
had been appointed by the president to visit
Washington to urge the passage of bill now
before Congress, which repeats the law requr-
ing three months extra wages to be paid to
seamen discharged abroad, allows crews to be
discharged at foreign ports, and requires the
government to pay fifty cents per day for the
board of seamen sent home by consuls, instead
Of ten dollars for the voyage, as at present;
also, bill amending the shipping commissioner
act, which transfers the appointing power from
the circuit judge to the Secretary of the Treas
ury, pays the commissioner salary instead of
fees, and reduces the charges paid ships one
half Mr.. ]. E. Burt reported from this COM
mittee that 30 action had been taken, because
it was impossible to bring these bills to vote
at the last session of Congress, but that they
expected them to be passed at the next session.
A communication from the New York Ship.
III Accoo iofs
the fact that the State of New York compels
the vessels Of other states to pay pilotage at
He'll Gate. contrary to provision of the Con-
stitution of the United States. 1t was voted
that members should give notice to consignees
of cargoes of their intention to hold their lien
for freight, and that the committee on pubica-
ton obtain for them a legal form of notice.
A committee, consisting Of Messrs Nathan
Crowel s. G. Blanchard, E. D. Baker. Arthur
Sewall and A. A. Strout of Portland, was ap-
pointed to confer with the board of under
writers with view to securing for the members
uniform policy with the present Objectionable
clauses omitted or modified. As among these
objectionable features the following were men,
toned by different members: Those prohibit
ing the use of Torres Straits, the loading of
grain in bulk, the selling of vessels before an
estimate of the cost of repairs has been sub
mtted to the underwriters and their consent
obtained, and the present custom of the under
writer's in regard to paying for missing vessels.
The committee was also instructed to ascertain
what action may be necessary because of re-
cent legal opinions, that policies on freight,
"on board or not on board" are illegal.
A letter from the American consul at Dublin,
establishing unjust and illegal rules in relation
to shipping in that port, was read, and it was
voted that vigorous protest be sent to the
proper authorities at Washington.
The committee on insurance was instructed
to decide what action the members should take
In relation to the York-Antwerp rules of geu-
eral average. and to consider the expediency of
estab lishing here the custom regarding general
average which prevails in Liverpool, where
consignees of cargo deposit in bank, subject to
check Of adjuster and owner of vessel, the
estimated contribution due from them before
the vessel begins to discharge.
Messrs. w. +. Humphrey, M. f. Pickering,
j. r. EllicOtt, j. S. Winslow of Portland and
Daniel Marcy of Portsmouth were appointed
committee to ascertain if any changes can be
made in the present form of deal charters, so
that freights may be paid in cash, instead of
one-third cash and two-thirds approved bills at
four months.
The secretary was instructed to obtain from
owners of tow-boats in San Francisco PROPOSE
tions for towing in that port the vessels of
members.