The Belfast district, to comprise all ports and places on or near the coast of Ireland, lying north of 53 degrees north latitude; and the Cork district, to comprise all ports and places on or near the coast of Ireland, lying south of 53 degrees north latitude.

And be it enacted, that the meetings for the election of examiners and clerks for the respective districts of Aberdeen and Dundee, and Newcastle and Sunderland, shall take place at such one of those towns respectively in each district as the lords of the said committee of privy council shall from time to time (by notice to be advertised in the London Gazette) appoint, and who shall also in like manner appoint at which of the said places the respective boards for the two last-mentioned districts shall sit; and that all meetings for the election of examiners and clerks for the several other districts shall be held at the place from which the district takes its name.

Provided nevertheless, and be it enacted, that the number of the Boards of Examiners, and the number and boundaries of the districts for which they are to act, and the places at which they shall sit, may from time to time be altered and varied as may be deemed for the public advantage, at the discretion and by the authority of the lords of the said committee of privy council, provided that notice of any such alteration or variation be given by advertisement in the London, Dublin, and Edinburgh Gazettes.

Election of the Examiners.

And be it enacted, that in order to the election of the first examiners (other than the principal examiner aforesaid) and the first clerks to act in the execution of this act, the lords of the said committee of privy council shall cause to be notified to the Lord Mayor of London, and to the mayor or other chief magistrate of each of the other places where meetings for the election of examiners and clerks are, in pursuance of the provisions herein contained, to be held, that he is to proceed with all convenient speed to call a meeting for the election of three examiners and a clerk, such examiners to be duly qualified as hereinbefore mentioned; and in any case where a vacancy shall have occurred by death, resignation, or removal from office, in the office of examiner or clerk, of any of the said boards (other than the principal examiner aforesaid), the lords of the said committee of privy council shall cause it to be in like manner notified to the Lord Mayor, or mayor, or other chief magistrate aforesaid, of the place where the election for such examiner or clerk is to be held, that he is to proceed with all convenient speed to call a meeting for the election of an examiner or clerk (as the case may be), such examiner to be qualified as aforesaid.

And be it enacted, that the Lord Mayor of London, or the mayor or other chief magistrate of each such other place as aforesaid, on receiving such notification as aforesaid, shall and he is hereby required to call a meeting of the shipowners of the district, to be held at some convenient place in the city, town, or borough, at some convenient time, at an interval of not more than three weeks from his receiving such notification as aforesaid, and to be advertised by notice in one or more newspapers usually circulated in London, and also (where the election is for any other than the London district) in one or more provincial newspapers usually circulated in the place where such meeting is to be held, for the purpose of electing an examiner or examiners (duly qualified), or a clerk, or both, as the case may require, for the board of that district.

And be it enacted, that at such meetings the managing owners of all British vessels belonging to ports within the district, and being vessels trading over sea, of whatever burthen, or being coasting vessels of above fifty tons burthen, shall be entitled to attend, and that at such meetings every such managing owner shall have one vote for each vessel trading over sea of whatever burthen, and for each coasting vessel of above fifty tons burthen, of which he shall be the managing owner, and which shall belong to a port within the district, and

that such votes may be given personally or by proxy, such proxy being a person qualified to vote at such meeting in his own right.

And be it enacted, that at each such meeting the Lord Mayor, or mayor or other chief magistrate of the place, or some person to be appointed by him in his place, shall preside, and that the vote shall be given by show of hands, or by an open poll, if demanded.

And be it enacted, that if at any such meeting five persons at least shall not attend within one hour from the appointed time of meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned by the chairman to that day week, of which adjournment at least three days' notice shall be given, by advertisement in manner herein before provided, and so from time to time as occasion may require.

And be it enacted, that within five days after any election shall bave taken place, the Lord Mayor, or mayor, or other chief magistrate aforesaid, shall return the name or names of the person or persons elected to the lords of the said committee of privy council, who shall thereupon require the examination of such person or persons by the corporation of Trinity-house of Deptford Strond, and by the principal examiner.

And be it enacted, that every person elected in the office of clerk shall, before his appointment, give security for the due performance of his duties, by himself and two approved sureties (jointly and severally) to the amount of two hundred pounds.

Power to remove Examiners and Clerks.

And be it enacted, that upon its being certified to the lords of the said committee of privy council by the corporation of Trinity-house of Deptford Strond, assembled at a court, that the principal examiner or any other examiner, or any clerk appointed under the provisions of this act, is unworthy of continuing in such office, or is unable, by reason of ill-health or otherwise, to discharge satisfactorily the duties thereof, or ought for any other cause to be removed, it shall be lawful for the lords of the said committee of privy council to remove such person from his office, and thereupon another person duly qualified shall be appointed in his place, under the provisions hereinbefore contained.

Meetings of the Boards of Examiners.

And be it enacted, that each board of examiners shall meet for the examination of persons desirous to qualify for the office of master or chief mate of a merchant vessel, and for other the purposes herein specified, at least twice in each month, and as often besides as occasion shall require, and that at least forty-eight hours previous notice of such meeting shall be given to each examiner by the clerk under his hand, and that a meeting of any board shall at any time be called by the clerk upon the request of the chairman or of two other members of the board, upon such previous notice as aforesaid; and that every such meeting shall be held at some convenient place in the city, town or borough at which, under the provisions hereinbefore contained, the board is to sit, and that each such meeting shall be called a board of examiners, and that all the examiners of each board shall attend at each meeting of the board, unless prevented by illness or other urgent cause, but that two examiners shall form a quorum; and that the London board shall be attended by the secretary and clerk, or by the clerk, and that every meeting of any other board shall be attended by the clerk, and that the principal examiner shall preside at all meetings of the London board at which he shall be present; and that one of the other examiners of each board shall be appointed by the lords of the said committee of council to be the chairman of such board, and such chairman shall preside at all meetings of the board at which he shall be present in the absence of the principal examiner: Provided nevertheless, that the principal examiner shall, when his duties at the London board will permit, from time to time visit the several other boards, with a view to assimilate their proceedings

and to check irregularities, and that the principal examiner shall be chairman for the time being of any board of examiners at which he may be present; and, in case it shall be necessary, the principal examiner shall make a representation in writing to the chairman of any board of any matter requiring alteration in or with reference to the proceedings of such board: Provided, that in every such case the principal examiner do and he is hereby required to forward, within a week, a copy of such representation to the lords of the said committee of council.

And be it enacted, that if any examiner shall be absent from any meeting of the board of which he shall be a member for upwards of an hour after the time of meeting appointed during that sitting of the board, he shall forfeit and pay such sum (not exceeding five shillings for each hour) as shall be determined by the board, unless it shall be made to appear, at that or the next following meeting of the board, that, by reason of illness or some other urgent cause, he was prevented attending.

Duties of the Examiners, Secretary, &c.

And be it enacted, that it shall be the duty of each board of examiners to examine all persons who shall under the provisions hereinafter contained, be entitled to apply for, and shall apply for, certificates of qualification for the office of master or chief mate of a merchant vessel: and to grant to such of them as shall upon such examination appear to be properly qualified for the same, certificates of qualification, of the classes and descriptions hereinafter specified; and also to grant to such persons as shall appear to be entitled thereto certificates of exemption, according to the regulations hereinafter contained.

And be it enacted, that the clerk of the London board shall act under the directions of the secretary, subject to such regulations as shall be made by the board; and that it shall be the duty of the secretary and clerks to take and keep minutes of the proceedings of each meeting of the boards to which they are respectively attached, and to record the result of each examination, and to keep accounts of all fees, fines, and forfeitures incurred and paid, and of all other monies paid to the use of the board, and of all expenses, payments, and disbursements incurred and paid on account of the board.

Classes and Descriptions of Certificates, Qualification, &c.

And be it enacted, that the certificates of qualification shall be of two descriptions, those for masters and those for chief mates; and that a master's certificate shall entitle the party to whom it is granted to serve as master, and that a chief mate's certificate shall entitle the party to whom it is granted to serve as chief mate; and that there shall be three classes of certificates, of each of the aforesaid descriptions; (that is to say) first-class certificates, over-sea certificates, and coasting certificates; and that a first-class certificate shall entitle the party to whom it is granted, not only to the same privilege as an over-sea certificate of the same description, but shall be considered as a mark of special distinction; and that such first-class certificates shall be granted to such persons only as shall be found upon examination to possess superior professional attainments, and as shall apply for the same; and that an over-sea certificate shall entitle the party to whom it is granted to serve as master or chief mate (as the case may be) in over-sea voyages; and that a coasting certificate shall entitle the party to whom it is granted to serve as master or chief mate (as the case may be) in coasting voyages only; and that every such certificate shall be signed by all the examiners present at the examination of the party to whom it is granted, and shall be counter-signed by the clerk, and shall also bear the secretary's signature; and that such certificates respectively shall be according to the respective forms to be authorised by the aforesaid committee of privy council.

And be it enacted, that no person shall be entitled to apply for a master's certificate of qualification unless he shall be at least twenty-one years of age,

and shall have served at least two years as mate; or shall be qualified to hold a commision in the Royal Navy; and that no person shall be entitled to apply for a chief mate's first class or over-sea certificate of qualification unless he shall be at least nineteen years of age, and shall have been at least five years at sea; and that no person shall be entitled to apply for a chief mate's coasting certificate of qualification unless he shall be at least eighteen years of age, and shall have been at least three years at sea; and that before proceeding to the examination of any person applying for a certificate, the board shall be satisfied, by a certificate under the hand of a captain, master, owner, or officer, under whom he shall have lately served or otherwise, of the sobriety, integrity, and general good conduct of the party so applying.

And be it enacted, that every person intending to apply for a certificate of qualification shall give notice by letter, in his own hand-writing (addressed to the board or their clerk), of his desire to be examined, and no person shall be examined for a certificate of qualification until at least two days (exclusive of Sundays, Christmas-day, and Good Friday) after such letter shall have been received; and every such letter shall be preserved as a record, and for the better identification of the parties so applying.

Fees to be paid previous to Examination.

And be it enacted, that before any person who shall apply for any such certificate shall be examined by the board, he shall pay to the clerk of the board

In case he shall apply for a master's first-class certificate, the sum of four pounds.

In case he shall apply for a master's over-sea certificate, the sum of two pounds.

In case he shall apply for a master's coasting certificate, the sum of one pound.

In case he shall apply for a chief mate's first-class certificate, the sum of one pound.

In case he shall apply for a chief mate's over-sea certificate, the sum of ten shillings.

In case he shall apply for a chief mate's coasting certificate, the sum of five shillings.

Provided always, that in case any person who shall apply for one of the higher classes of certificates shall not, in the opinion of the board, show himself so qualified as to justify them in granting to him such certificate, but shall nevertheless appear sufficiently qualified for a certificate of a lower class, the board (if requested to do so) shall grant to him a certificate of such lower class.

Subjects and Nature of the Examination.

And be it enacted, that the subjects of examination for each description and class of certificates shall include so much of seamanship, navigation, and general professional knowledge, as the corporation of Trinity-house of Deptford Strond, with the approval of the lords of the said committee of privy council, shall from time to time direct; and that the nature and subjects of the examination shall, as far as may be, be made public.

Power to Revoke and Cancel Certificates in case of Misconduct..

And be it enacted, that upon a proper representation being made to the corporation of Trinity-house of Deptford Strond, that any person to whom a certificate of qualification shall have been granted under the provisions of this act has been guilty of gross misconduct, and is unworthy of being any longer employed as a master or chief mate (as the case may be), they shall take the charge against such party into consideration; and in case it should be proved to the satisfaction of the said corporation that the party accused has been guilty of

gross misconduct, and is unworthy of being any longer employed as a master or chief mate (as the case may be), they shall represent the same in writing, under the hand of their master or deputy-master, to the lords of the said committee of council, who shall thereupon (if they shall think fit) revoke and annul the certificate of qualification of such party.

Who Entitled to Certificates of Exemption.

And be it enacted, that every person who shall have been employed as master or chief mate of a British vessel (not being a coasting vessel of fifty tons burthen or under) for at least six calendar months previous to the time appointed for this act to come into operation, shall be entitled to a certificate of exemption; and every person who shall at the time last aforesaid be employed as master or mate in the merchant service at such a distance from Great Britain and Ireland that he shall have had no opportunity of obtaining a certificate of qualification or exemption, shall be altogether exempted from the operation of this act, until he shall have had a reasonable opportunity of obtaining a certificate of qualification or of exemption (as the case may require.)

And be it enacted, that upon application by any person claiming to be entitled to a certificate of exemption to any of the said boards for such certificate, the board shall take such application into consideration; and upon being satisfied that the person so applying has been employed as master or chief mate of a British vessel (not being a coasting vessel of fifty tons burthen or under) for at least six calendar months previous to the time appointed for this act to come into operation, shall grant to such person a certificate of exemption, and which shall be signed by all the members of the board present at the hearing of such application, and countersigned by the clerk, and shall also bear the signature of the secretary, and shall be according to the form to be authorised by the committee of privy council aforesaid, and for which a master shall pay ten shillings, and a mate two shillings and sixpence.

And be it enacted, that any person who, under the provisions herein contained, shall be entitled to, or may have obtained a certificate of exemption, shall nevertheless be at liberty, if he shall think fit (subject to the regulation herein before contained,) to apply for a certificate of qualification, in like manner as if he were not entitled to or had not obtained a certificate of exemption; and upon every such application being made, the proper fees shall be paid, and the usual examination shall be held, and all other the provisions herein contained shall apply in like manner as in the case of any other person so applying; and that any person so exempt as aforesaid, applying for a certificate of qualification, shall, if found duly qualified, be entitled to such certificate, in like manner as if he had not been entitled to or had not obtained a certificate of exemption; and the board to whom he shall so apply shall grant to him such certificate of qualification accordingly.

For renewing Damaged or Lost Certificates.

And be it enacted, that whenever any certificate of qualification or exemption shall have become obliterated or defaced, so that the same shall not be distinctly legible, the person to whom such certificate shall have been granted shall surrender and deliver up the same to a board of examiners, and shall thereupon be entitled to have a new certificate granted to him in lieu of the certificate so delivered up, upon payment of a sum equal to one-fifth of the sum paid in respect of the original certificate; and whenever any certificate of qualification or exemption shall be proved to the satisfaction of a board of examiners to have been lost or mislaid, the person to whom the same was granted shall be entitled to have a new certificate granted to him in lieu thereof, on payment of the like fee as last aforesaid: Provided always, that if any certificate which shall be proved or represented as last aforesaid to have been lost or mislaid shall afterwards be found, the same shall forthwith be delivered up to the board by whom the said certificate shall have been granted.