, 1882-05-27

tlaU charge IOf Wrapping, WHICH is all lu6
more difficult to explain, when we remem-
Der that most of the difficulties for a ship
master unacquainted with the port are
over just at the point where the pilot
comes on board to pilot the vessel out of
the channel, while in the harbour, if the
Warping should even be made under the
guidance Of the pilot, he has no response
bility, whereas in the case of vessels
making for the port, the pilot goes out at
times pretty far to sea to meet the vessel
and pilots her into the harbour and is
responsible quite up to her anchoring.
Now, as already stated, in the case of old
traders, no use whatever is made of the
pilot before the vessel reaches the outer
buoy, and no miscOnstructiOn of a reQuisi-
ton signed by such old traders is likely
to occur; hence the fee for assistance in
Warping is not and can not be exacted;
at all events it is left to his option but
when a new m is called on to sign the
requisition for the pilot from the outer
buoy, he naturally and generally SuppoSes
that he is entitled to a pilot from the
anchorage where his vessel then is; the
service is performed by the Governments
Pilot, and is q part Of his regular duty;
the necessary fee is one sanctioned by
the Government, and should accrue to the
Colonial Treasury.
The President said the matter seemed to
be one OF a more technical or nautical
nature, and not so easy for others than ex-
pertS to understand. He had understood
that vessels taking pilot from the moor
ingS pay besides pilotage Warping money;
other vessels who did not wish the pilot to
warp them, warped themselves to the place
where the vessel can make sail and paid
no Warping money but only piIot2ge. 1t
also Satuod That vessels III continual trade
here instead Of warping to the sailing
buoy generally got up by lacking, and for
that purpose made an agreement with til g
Pilot for which the vessels besides the
piIotage to the Public pay him privately
I or q dollars. Whether this be an old
custom, he was not at present prepared to
say, but the matter was one that might
also be brought under Investigation by a
Commission, which at the same time might
make such proposals for alterations in the
Harbour Regulations as might be to the
purpose. The list Pilot had called atten-
ton, or rather suggested, that the pilOtage
should not be charged according to the
draught OF the vessel, but according to the
tonnage, as large vessels have sometimes
less draught than smaller ones.
LIST Member Frederiksted's Country dis,
trict IFiemipg) was happy to hear of a
revision being intended Of the Harbour
Regulations. He had often heard it said
that vessels coming here for cargo, or
bringing cargoes for sale, have been pre-
vented by the extraordinary expenses and
charges here and in Westend.
list Member for ChriStiansted (Witldrd)
said after hearing the remarks from the
last Speaker, he was more than ever con-
WINGED that a revision Of the Regulations
would be of benefit. He (Willard) was
however in this case more in a position to
speak knowingly on the point at issue. The
last Speaker is mistaken there are no
charges in Westend for instance i'll fact
there is scarcely any port where a vessel
can get entrance and outlet cheaper. For
IS hours vessels can lie without being
charged anything, and can leave again.
The same is the case in Christiansted
with warping and pilotage. Still, this
does not go to sheW that the regulations
need no revision.
After a few more short remarks the
LIST discussion was closed the Draft of
with Money Bills passed to End
discussion.
AS it was late in the afternoon the
postponed the other case on
the Order of Day and closed the meeting.
The next meeting will be on Monday
10Th inst, Order of Day to be 2nd Discus.
sion on Draft of Budget for 1882 SO with
Money Bills, Amendments to be sent in
by Thursday II o'clock.
To the Editor of the St. Croir Avis.