REPORT ON THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

13

E.—No. 6.

44. Should a keeper so absent himself without leave he subjects himself to instant dismissal; but should he make all proper arrangements for the due exhibition of the light before leaving, and should he immediately report the fact of his absence, and his reasons for it, to the Marine Engineer, and should the reasons be considered, after inquiry, sufficiently weighty to justify or partially justify the keeper in so absenting himself without leave, and should the regular exhibition of the light have been in nowise interrupted, it shall bo optional to the Postmaster-General cither to remit the punishment entirely, or to inflict such lesser punishment as the degree of culpability of the keeper appears to require. 45. When there is but one lightkeeper he must never be absent at night, unless there is a properly qualified trained substitute to take his place ; and no leave of absence can be allowed in such a case, unless special permission is obtained, and arrangements made, as the absence of a sole keeper would place all the lighthouse stores at the mercy of a stranger. 46. When there are three lightkeepers, each will be allowed leave of absence for one week each half-year, the other two undertaking the whole duty in the interim ; such leave to be at stated times approved by the Marine Engineer. Under special circumstances the Marine Engineer may, on receipt of an application to that effect, permit either of the keepers to take one leave of two weeks' duration in one year, instead of two of one week each. 47. At island stations and such others as may require it, arrangements are made for the supply of provisions, &c, to the lightkeepers, by the nearest pilot-boat; but the keepers can only be attended by the pilot crew when they are not otherwise engaged. The boat will call at the station, or at the place appointed, for letters and orders for stores, about the middle of each month, and will take out the stores ordered and bring off the monthly return about the first of the month, as nearly as the pilot's other duties will permit. The lightkeepers must do everything in their power to assist the pilots thus serving them, so as to put them to as little inconvenience and to take up as little of their time as possible. 48. At each station where a boat service is provided, certain signals are to be arranged (and recorded in the journal), one being an " ordinary signal," meaning that the boat is w ranted as soon as possible or convenient, to take a letter, or for some such purpose, and another an " urgent signal," which shall mean that immediate communication is required for some urgent reason. No reason should be considered urgent, except very serious illness of some one at the lighthouse station, or the want of something absolutely necessary to the due exhibition of the light; and any keeper making use of the urgent signal without good cause, will render himself liable to dismissal, or such lesser punishment as the circumstances of the case may require. 49. Every visit of the attending boat is to be mentioned in the monthly report, at the proper date; and should the boat be specially called over for any purpose, either by the ordinary or the urgent signal, the reasons for such extra trip are to be given in detail. 50. The principal lightkeeper is to forward monthly to the Marine Engineer any accounts which may be due by the Government on account of the service of the station. He is to see that they are made out in exact accordance with the Treasury regulations for the time in force, and is to certify them in a proper manner. 51. The lightkeepers are required to be sober and industrious, cleanly in their persons and habits, and orderly in their families. Any flagrant immorality will subject them to immediate dismissal, without possibility of reinstatement. 52. The lightkeepers are directed to take care that no smuggled goods are harboured or concealed in any way in or about the lighthouse premises or grounds. 53. The lightkeepers must conduct themselves with civility to strangers, and show the premises at such hours as do not interfere with the proper discharge of their duties. The following rules are to be observed: — (a.) No stranger is to be admitted to the lightroom after sunset, nor while the lights are burning. (b.) Not more than three strangers are to have access to the lightroom at one time. (c.) No stranger is to be allowed to handle any part of the apparatus. (d.) No person in a state of intoxication is to be admitted to the lighthouse or premises on any pretext whatever. (c.) No money or other gratuity to be taken by lightkeepers from strangers visiting the station on pain of dismissal. (f.) Any irregularity or misconduct on the part of strangers visiting the station to be reported to the Marine Engineer. (g.) Previous to their being shown over the establishment all visitors are to be requested to write their names in a " A 7isitor's Book," which will be furnished to each station. 54. As great damage would arise to the lighting apparatus from parties crowding the lightroom and as pleasure excursions are occasionally made to the vicinity of lighthouses, the lightkeepers are to understand that, when more than twenty persons visit a station at one time, the lightroom and lighting apparatus are not to be open to inspection ; and when a considerable number (but less than twenty) - visit the station together, the rule that not more than three are to be admitted at once must be strictly adhered to. 55. It is recommended that the principal lightkeeper, or other principal officer at the respective lighthouses for the time being, shall, every Sunday, when there is no means of going to church, assemble his own family, and invite his assistants and their families to join him in reading the Church of England service Cor the day ; or, should the keepers not belong to the Church of England, in reading a portion of scripture and prayers from any religious work. 56. In the event of any neglect occurring in the performance of any part of the duties required from a lightkeeper, the offending party shall, jointly with the other lightkeeper or lightkeepers at the station, send immediate (i.e. by the first ordinary opportunity) notice of the circumstance to the Marine 4