To the Editor of the Norra-Cuiva Dairy News."
Sin,—As the subject brought f ward by Captain Carmichael is of great interest to the maritime couimunity, and as the letter of Captain Carmichael in your issue of to-day touches on the malo features of the business, permit me to gi perience of the subject, which in my opinion is quite as important as the conservancy of the river; as it goes! without saying that no river, however well conserved, will ever be a safe and cheap waterway, if both irresponsible and ignorant shipmasters (by ignorant, I mean men ignorant of local knowledge and conditions) are allowed to run wild within these waters. It useless to labour the question still farther, as the danger is undeniable, and evidence of the fact is of daily occur rence. The Captain of H. M.S. Flora "could tale unfold " of his ship having two close shaves of being run down; so near was one that the crew were pi quarters and stood by wit mats on the night of the 10th.
It becomes, therefore, an absolute veomcity to devive some means by nts can be eradicated, 4. without materially spouses of the Port. L would, the.ctore, saggest for the consideration of the Chamber of Commerce and the other Port authorities the advisability of adopting some such measures as were found necessary in the Australian and other ports, and which in my experience are the best, short of compulsory pilotage, to insure that all floating property is under the control of competent men.
1st.—That all the existing masters of consting steamers belonging to the recognized lines trading on the coast of China be granted supernumerary licences to pilot their own ships within the pilotage waters of the Port.
2ad.—That all Chief Officers having served not less than one year in such capacity shall be eligible for examination before the Pilotage Board for such supernumerary licences.
To the Editor of the "Norta-Cuma Darcy News."
Sin,—The regulations suggested by apt. Brodhurst for the navigation of the pilotage waters of Shanghai are very good, and no doubt most coasting shipmasters would like to see them in force. But can Capt. Brodhurst tell tus how that, can be brought about mentions recognized coasters. Would not the Japanese Minister want the smallest as well as the largest steamers of his nationals recognized, and would not other nations claim recognition aa coasters after having made voyage on the coast The question ig more difficult than it at first sight appears. And the first step as a solution of the difficalty would be to increase the powers of the Harbour Authorities.
T am, ete...
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.