396.—(1) Where an indenture of apprenticeship to the sea-fishing service, or any agreement with a sea-fishing boy, has been made before a superintendent at a port, the superintendent for the time being at that port may, by proper legal proceeding taken in his own name, enforce on behalf of the apprentice or boy against the master any stipulations in that indenture or agreement.

(2) Where an apprentice or boy is taken to sea from any port under an indenture or agreement which is void, the superintendent at that port, or if there is none the superintendent at the nearest port, may, by proper legal proceedings taken in his own name, enforce, to such extent as he thinks just, on behalf of the apprentice or boy against the master any stipulation in the void indenture or agreement which is in favour of the apprentice or boy.

(3) Any sums recovered by a superintendent under this section may, so far as necessary, be applied by him in payment of the costs of recovering the same.