British Whig (Kingston, ON), Feb. 21, 1884

p.1 Marine Examinations - A Kingstonian now in Toronto writes home about the marine examination. He says Collector Patton suffers from astheticism. "If we had such a tony collector in Kingston I should propose holding the examination in Thomas Moore's shop, provided there was not too much smoke to dim the color test." The Toronto marine monsters, numbering about 20, appeared on Tuesday at the Post Office, all eager for business. There were Captains from all parts, though the outsiders knew perfectly well that the Board met at all the chief ports in Ontario. The examination, the writer thinks, was a good excuse for the mariners to leave home and have a spin with the boys. The certificates are nice pieces of parchment, 6 x 10 inches. The color test is quite simple. The examiners have a globe over the gas in the hall, before which they held pieces of glass, red, white and green. They hold them up alternately, and quite rapidly. The first two days were occupied with the examination of the old fellows, and the Board are now putting the young men through. Over 200 were examined at Toronto.

p.3 Here & There - Capt. Harvey Brown, of Cape Vincent, an old N.T. Co. captain, will sail the propeller Walter B. Frost this year. Capt. Miller, her former captain, will be in command of one of the new steamers now building at Detroit for the same line.

Some sailors have come to the conclusion that the Act compelling them to pass an examination is a fraud. They say that incompetent men will be at the helm of many vessels next season.

Messrs. D. Murphy and S. Tyo will be examined for mate certificates on the 29th inst.

A Tame Meeting - A very tame meeting of the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation shareholders was held in Montreal on Tuesday. The old Board of Directors was re-elected, with the exception of Mr. John McDougall, who takes the place of Mr. Alex. Buntin.