395.—(1) Indentures of apprenticeship to the sea-fishing service, and agreements with boys under the age of sixteen years with respect to that service, shall be made before a superintendent and be in accordance with this Act, and every such indenture or agreement not so made shall be void.

(2) A superintendent, before allowing any such indenture or agreement to be completed, shall satisfy himself—

(a) that the indenture or agreement complies with all the requirements of this Part of this Act; and

(b) that the master with whom the indenture or agreement is made is a fit person for the purpose; and

(c) that the apprentice or boy is not under the age of thirteen years, and is of sufficient health and strength; and

(d) that the nearest relations of the apprentice or boy or his guardians assent, in the case of an apprentice, to the apprenticeship, and to the stipulations in the indenture of apprenticeship, and in the case of a boy, to the stipulations of the agreement;

and shall make and sign an endorsement that he is so satisfied on the indenture or agreement.

(3) Where there are no nearest relations or guardians, or where they cannot readily be found, or are not known, the superintendent shall act as guardian for the occasion, and state in his endorsement that he has so acted.

(4) The superintendent’s endorsement shall be admissible in evidence in manner provided by this Act.

(5) The indentures of apprenticeship and agreements shall be in such form, and contain such covenants, provisions, stipulations, endorsements, and certificates as are prescribed by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Board of Trade, and any directions given in the forms so prescribed shall be complied with.

(6) The indentures and agreements shall be executed in triplicate, one of which shall be kept by the master, one by the boy, and one by the superintendent before whom it is made.

(7) All such indentures and agreements made in conformity with this Part of this Act shall be exempt from stamp duty.