considerable attention to the state of our mercantile marine, and had accepted this office with a fixed determination to remedy, as far as legislation could do, the existing evils. To Mr. T. H. Farrer the country is greatly indebted for most of the measures which have since been passed in connection with our mercantile marine.[1]
Chief conditions of the Act of 1850.
Certificates of examination.
The first of these reform Acts, entitled, "An Act
for Improving the Condition of Masters, Mates, and
Seamen, and Maintaining Discipline in the Merchant
Service," received the Royal assent on the
14th August, 1850, and came into operation on the
1st January of the following year. This Act contains
124 clauses, and places under the Board of
Trade the general superintendence of matters relating
to the British mercantile marine, with power to
carry the Act into execution in all its details. This
valuable measure provides for the establishment of
local marine boards at the principal seaports in the
kingdom. These boards consist of from six to twelve
members, comprised of the Mayor or the stipendiary
magistrate resident in the district, of two to four
members nominated by the Board of Trade, the
remainder being elected by the shipowners resident
in the place. Two superior officers with various
subordinates were appointed to carry out the duties of
the marine board under the direction of its members.
The first and most important of these duties consisted
- ↑ Mr. Farrer's connection with the Board of Trade commenced in 1850, when he was employed by the late Lord Taunton, then Mr. Labouchere, to draw up a Merchant Shipping Bill; and he has ever since had important relations with that Board, more especially on all matters connected with the Mercantile Marine, first, as Secretary to that department, and now as permanent Chief Secretary to the Board.
