MASTER

One having authority; one who rules, directs, instructs, or superintends; a head or chief; an instructor; an employer. Applied to several judicial officers. See .infra. Master and servant. The relation of master and servant exists where one person, for pay or other valuable consideration, enters into the service of another and devotes to him his personal labor for an agreed period. Sweet. Master at common law. The title of officers of the English superior courts of common law appointed to record the proceedings of the court to which they belong; to superintend the issue of writs and the formal proceedings in an action; to receive and account for the fees charged on legal proceedings, and moneys paid into court. There are five to each court. They are appointed under St. 7 Wm. IV, and 1 Vict, c. 30, passed in 1837. Mozley & Whitley, Master in chancery. An officer of a court of chancery who acts as an assistant to the udge or chancellor. His office is to inquire nto such matters as may be referred to him by the court, examine causes, take testimony, take accounts, compute damages, etc., reporting his findings to the court in such shape that a decree may be made; also to take oaths and affidavits and acknowledgments of deeds. In modern practice, many of the functions of a master are performed by clerks, commissioners, auditors, and referees, and in some jurisdictions the office has been superseded. See Kimberly v. Arms, 129 U. S. 512, 9 Sup. Ct 355, 32 L. Ed. 764; Schuchardt v. People, 99 111. 501, 39 Am. Rep. 34. Master in lunacy. In English, law. The masters in lunacy are judicial officers appointed by the lord chancellor for the purpose of conducting inquiries into the state of mind of persons alleged to be lunatics. Such inquiries usually take place before a jury. 2 Steph. Comm. 511-513. Master of a ship. In maritime law. The commander of a merchant vessel, who has the chief charge of her government and navigation and the command of the crew, as well as the general care and control of the vessel and cargo, as the representative and confidential agent of the owner. He is commonly called the “captain.” See Martin v. Farnsworth,33 N. Y. Super. Ct 260; Hubbell v. Denison, 20 Wend.