gi 
and there had been a Commission of inquiry held lately at 
the port of Hull, at which he had an opportunity lately of 
giving evidence on this point. A question was put to him 
as to the reason of going in boats for the purpose of 
carrying the fish under this system, and he explained that 
the fish were put into a small boat to be transferred to 
the steam vessel, which was the carrier to bring it to 
market. He was asked what was the intrinsic difference in 
danger between the two systems, and he replied that the dif- 
ference was between being on the deck of a vessel surrounded 
by the conditions of safety, and going into a small boat 
which did not possess those conditions. At the same time, 
if those who had to board the fish discriminated, and had 
power put into their hands to exercise their knowledge and 
judgement not to board the fish when the weather was un- 
favourable, there would not be such excessive risk ; but, as 
had been stated, some admirals and masters had the power 
to refuse to board fish when it ought not to be attempted ; 
but it was also perfectly true, as had been stated, that if 
they did not send it when the owners were expecting it, in 
many instances the men would lose their situations. Again, 
the masters of crews and admirals of the fleet, even with 
the limited power they had, had very great difficulty in 
exercising it, because although they might make signals 
not to board, fishermen were of that class that they were 
not subject to much restraint ; every man prided himself on 
being at liberty to do as he chose. A Bill had been passed 
called the Merchant Vessels and Shipping Boats Act, 1883, 
and he believed in that case the Legislature tried to make 
themselves acquainted with the requirements of the case, 
but whether they went sufficiently low down he would not 
say ; still the leading members of the trade had a fair 
‘opportunity of expressing their opinions upon it. This 
