If in or in respect of any South African ship any offence within the meaning of this Act of desertion or absence without leave or against discipline is committed, or if any act of misconduct is committed for which the offender's agreement imposes a fine and for which it is intended to enforce the fine—
| (a) | an entry of the offence or act shall be made by the master in the official log-book, and signed by him and also by a ship's officer or one of the crew; |
| (b) | the offender, if still in the ship, shall, before the next subsequent arrival of the ship at any port, or, if the ship is at the time in port, before her departure therefrom, either be furnished by the master with a copy of the entry or have the same read over distinctly and audibly to him in one of the official languages selected by the offender, and he may thereupon make such reply thereto as he thinks fit; |
| (c) | a statement that a copy of the entry has been so furnished or, as the case may be, that the entry has been so read over, and of the offender's reply (if any) shall be entered and signed in manner aforesaid; |
| (d) | in any subsequent legal proceedings the entries required by this section shall, if practicable, be produced or proved, and in default of that production or proof the court hearing the case may in its discretion refuse to receive evidence of the offence or act of misconduct. |
