INTRODUCTION. IX 



per ton for each light passed, the rates on over-sea voyages 

 being generally double those for coasting voyages ; but since 

 then they hare frequently been reduced, both in amount and 

 in incidence. Ships of the Navy and all lighthouse vessels 

 are, of course, exempt from such dues. On 1st April 

 1899, an alteration was made by which vessels were no 

 longer charged a rate per ton for each light passed, but a 

 rate per ton per voyage, and in some cases a rate per vessel ; 

 and a deduction was made when a number of similar 

 voyages took place during the year. Very recently, a 

 further reduction has been granted by an abatement of 

 twelve-and-a-half per cent, on the total. This, of course, 

 is all paid by the shipowners, who have long been, and 

 still are, discontented at being charged for light dues at 

 all, their contention being that all the expenditure necessary 

 for erecting and maintaining lighthouses and other sea marks 

 should be paid out of the Imperial taxation of the country. 

 They also now desire to be represented on the three Boards, 

 and have a share in the management. I, who have seen 

 half-a-century's administration by the Commissioners of 

 Northern Lighthouses, may be allowed to express an opinion 

 that it would be very difficult to construct a Board to do its 

 work better than the Northern Lighthouse Board. The 

 Commissioners require no eulogy from me; but I cannot 

 imagine any other body of men, be they scientific or un- 

 scientific, nautical or commercial, paid or unpaid and be 

 it noted that the Commissioners are all unpaid taking more 

 interest in their work, or devoting more time and attention 

 to it. The introduction of shipowners, who may have conflict- 

 ing interests to serve in the lighting of different parts of the 

 coast, might introduce an element of discord from which the 

 present Board, so far as I am aware, has always been exempt. 

 The staff of the Board consists of an Engineer and a 



