H.—27

APPENDIX.

EEPOET BY CHIEF INSPECTOE OE MACHINEEY Inspection of Machinery Office, Sir, — Wellington, Ist August, 1881. I have the honor to submit my seventh report as Chief Inspector of Machinery, being that for the year ended the 31st March, 1881. I have much pleasure in being able to state that, although the number of boilers has considerably increased, no explosion has occurred during the year. There has been an increase of 100 boilers inspected, the number now being 1,250 ; of these, 82 were found defective in various parts, viz. : Furnaces out of shape, fractured and laminated plates, internal and external corrosion, groving and pitting, also feed apparatus, water-gauges, safety-valves, and blow-off cocks out of order; all these defects have been repaired to the satisfaction of the inspectors. In addition to the boilers, there have also been inspected 1,048 establishments of various kinds, in which either steam, water, wind, or gas is used as a motive-power, making the total number of inspections during the year 2,298. The number of accidents reported was ten, two of which proved fatal; the machinery in each case was securely fenced. These accidents were all of the class which is not preventable by inspection. The test steam-gauges imported, and the testers made in the colony, are of great service in ascertaining the condition and errors of steam-gauges in general. In many cases gauges have been condemned, and when possible tables have been supplied showing the correction to be supplied to each reading. All this is done free of charge. I attach tables showing the number of boilers inspected, also tables showing the amount of revenue and expenditure, during the past year. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Department, J Nancarrow, AYellington. Chief Inspector.

Statement showing the Number of Land Boilers Inspected during the Financial Year ended 31st March, 1881.

Return showing the Amount of Fees Collected under the Inspection of Machinery Acts during the Year ended 31st March, 1881. Name of District. Amount collected. £ Otago ... .. .. .. .. 665 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 473 Auckland .. ..526 Wellington .. ... .. ... 325 Marlborough ... ... .. .. 108 Taranaki .. .. .. ... 49 Nelson North .. ... ... 99 Nelson South .. .. .. .. 62 Westland ... .. .. ... ... .. 55 Hawke's Bay ... .. .. ... 105 £2,467

15

Number of Po: Boilers. •table Numbi 3r of Stal Boilers. nonary Name of District. Total. Under 5h.p. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h. p. Under 5h.p. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h.p. Otago Canterbury .. Auckland Wellington Marlborough Taranaki Nelson North Nelson South Wes tland Hawke's BayU 8 12 6 2 1 1 95 103 33 37 15 9 19 2 3 26 21 10 24 13 2 5 6 5 2 5 82 70 67 27 3 4 12 7 12 9 47 15 42 33 9 3 11 77 32 99 49 23 2 2 5 9 3 336 238 277 165 54 24 51 19 33 53 7 10 Totals 44 342 93 293 177 301 1,250