PROTECTION OF DEEP SEA FISHERIES. 435 



it or not. Now, boys (this indenture applies to boys not 

 apprenticed) and apprentices frequently aid in supporting 

 their parents, and their earnings, including any salvage 

 earned, are generally paid to their mothers or nearest 

 relations, which could not be done were the draft clauses, 

 and this indenture combined, to become law as proposed, 

 and would cause great hardship. Moreover it is not clear 

 how long the superintendent would hold the money of a 

 boy not apprenticed. It is true that by Order in Council, 

 proposed in clause 6, of the draft clauses, this would 

 only apply to certain ports as ordered, but when once in 

 force at any port no boy not apprenticed could go to sea 

 without entering into this agreement 



Clause 7 simply confirms the addition alluded to, as 

 made in Clause I of the indenture. 



Clause 8 compels the master to attend with the apprentice 

 at least every half year before the superintendent. It 

 would be difficult to find masters to undertake to attend 

 once in every half year during the continuance of the 

 apprenticeship before the superintendent, as here required. 

 Exception would have to be made in cases where the 

 master sailed in one vessel, and the apprentice in another, 

 as is sometimes the case, the two never being ashore at the 

 same time. This should be struck out, and the apprentice 

 given fully to understand that if all did not go on to his 

 satisfaction, he should appeal to the superintendent for his 

 interference, if necessary. 



Clause 9 fixes the period of probation at six months, and 

 then, if the superintendent thinks proper, he can refuse to 

 endorse or confirm the apprenticeship, which then becomes 

 void. This period of six months is too long ; owners would 

 be troubled with a lot of boys (who would make a regular 

 affair of it) whom they would have to keep and clothe for 



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