Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - Mercantile Marine Offices - An article from the Nautical Magazine for 1876. . . .

A word, in conclusion, of advice to authorities may be useful. The Board of Trade has the general control of all things relating to the Mercantile Marine ; the Local Marine Boards at the principal ports, exercise a certain amount of surveillance ; at the rest of our home ports (about 100) collectors of Customs perform the requisiteduties. Now, we would just remind these authorities that the introduction of the shipping office was for the purpose of protecting the seaman from imposition ; to assist in meting out impartial justice between man and man, and for the purpose of facilitating the transaction of business generally. We are glad to perceive, of late years, that there is a growing tendency to grasp their ideas more firmly, and consequently, to develop them in the right direction.

It is not many decades since a Government officer was looked upon as a sort of an ogre, some thing to repel and be nervous in the presence of, but, since the extension of the postal and telegraph system, the genus is getting more numerous, and, hence, more familiar to us ; and, what is better, more courteous and convenient in his habits. With more convenient offices, more expert and intelligent officers, and some modifications in the details of the business, we have the firm hope that the Mercantile Marine office will develop into greater usefulness and popularity yet.

We now append a copy of the Cardiff “Abstract of Convictions and Prosecutions for the Year 1875", made to the magistrates, who, happily for the port, we are glad to learn, take a lively interest in the operations of the office.