PROVISIONS FOR SAVING LIFE. NEW REGULATIONS. Wellington, December 18.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 430, 21 December 1889, Page 5

PROVISIONS FOR SAVING LI FE. NEW REGULATIONS. Wellington, December 18.

The Marine Department have had under consideration the question of boat accommodation carried by vessels, and have adopted new regulations, following closely those in force at Home. In 1887 a Select Committee of the Hcuse of Commons was established to inquire into boat and other life saving appliances carried by vessels. This Committee recommended the appointment of a representative committee, consisting of four ship owners, two ship builders, three persons practically acquainted with navigation, 3 A.B.'s,and 2 persons appointed by Lloyds to make rules which should, when promulgated by the Board of Trade, have the force of law. Accordingly in 1888 an Act was passed authorising the appointment of a committee, and this Committee's rules referred to therein will come into operation in the United Kingdom on 31sb ol March next. These rules provide for the carrying of boats according to scale, and should these boats not be sufficient to carry all on board, that additional accommodation shall be provided either by an inoi eased number of boats or by rafts, They also provide that there is to be a life belt for each person on board. These rules have been adopted in New Zealand and an order in Council will appear in to-morrow's " Gazette " that they shall come into force on the Ist September next, this date being fixed so as to allow time to owners of vessels to procure the necessary fittings.