British Whig (Kingston, ON), March 2, 1883

p.3 Steamboat Act - Messrs. G. Johnston and J. Gillies, of Kingston, representing the steamboat engineers, of Toronto, Montreal, Owen Sound, Sorel and other places, accompanied by Messrs. Kirkpatrick, Bergin and Rykert, M.P.s, waited upon the Minister of Marine and Fisheries at Ottawa to lay before him their views of the Steamboat Inspection Act of last session and ask for amendments. Mr. Johnston said that the fees for the renewal of certificates had been increased from $1 to $5, whereas Americans paid only 50 cents. Engineers holding First class certificates were exempt from paying any fees at all, and they enjoy more priveleges. Boats up to 150 tons gross tonnage, which did not carry passengers, were exempt from engaging a qualified engineer, but could employ whom they liked, whether competent or not, and there were lives on those boats which required just as much protection as on passenger boats. The Minister promised to give the matter his consideration.