H.—ls.

eight, representing 19,503 tons, in the previous year. The total wrecks within the colony were eight, of 3,948 tons, as against ten, of 1,309 tons, in the previous year. The number of lives lost was twenty-eight, as against fourteen last year. Of these, twenty-five were within the colony— viz., twelve from the " Lizzie Bell," one from the " Oban," four from the " Whakapai," one from the " Eoyal Tar," and seven from the " Linda Weber " (all hands). Government Steamers. —The " Tutanekai" has been fully employed during the whole of the year. She has been engaged on the following work, viz. : Service in connection with the Eoyal visit and in connection with troops going to and returning from South Africa; carriage of railway material, sleepers, &c. ; and conveying oil and stores to lighthouses while the " Hinemoa " was undergoing repairs. During the Eoyal visit the "Hinemoa" was employed on service in connection with it; but, apart from this, she has been principally engaged in attending to the lighthouses, and overhauling and cleaning coastal and harbour buoys, and attending to beacons. She has aiso visited the depots for castaways at the southern islands and at the Kermandecs. In February last a contract was let to Messrs. G. Fraser and Sons (Limited), of Auckland, for additions, alterations, and repairs, which included a new deck, bulkhead, captain's bridge, chart-house, house for steam steering-gear, enlargement of after hatch, fitting new winch, and installing the electric light. An order has been sent to England for steam steering-gear and new windlass. I have, &c, Geoege Allpoet, for Secretary.

The Peincipal Examiner of Mastees and Mates to the Sbceetaey, Maeinb Depaktmbnt. Office of the Principal Examiner of Masters and Mates, Lambton Quay, Sic,— Wellington, 14th May, 1902. I have the honour to inform you that the examination of masters and mates has been carried out by the Examiners at the four principal ports in a satisfactory manner. I have been unable to visit the Examiners during the past year owing to the difficulty of getting any one to relieve Captain Smith (the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine and Examiner of Masters and Mates in Wellington), and I have myself conducted all the examinations in Wellington for some time past. The same practice has been continued as was formerly pursued, of using only the examination papers of my own setting, and the utmost care has been taken to insure perfect accuracy and freedom from misprints. On the night of the 19th to 20th August, the examination-room and my office (both of which were close together, over the Wairarapa Farmers' Association Buildings) were almost completelydestroyed by fire. Temporary rooms were at once obtained, and the examinations were continued without interruption in them for three months and a half, when, after repairs had been effected, we again occupied the old rooms. The Shipmasters' Society very kindly lent their deviascope to the Marine Department, until another one could be obtained from England, for which we accord .them hearty thanks. Other instruments, models, &c, have been replaced, new charts having been ordered from England. There has been a decrease this year in the number of candidates who have presented themselves for examination, and, as was the case last year, the number of failures have exceeded the number of those who have successfully passed their examinations ; a good percentage, however, of the successful ones have passed very creditably. The following mentioned have passed their respective examinations without making a single mistake in their papers: Mr. John Christian, second mate ; Messrs. Harry Williams, W. N. Dutton, and David Eeid, first mates; and Mr. Hugh McDermid Young, master ordinary for foreign-going certificates ; also, Messrs. J. E. Sorensen and Andrew Carter for H.T. mate. Mr. A. E. Maxwell, for foreign-going master, worked very correctly and neatly except in one paper, and holds the record for quickness in the completion of all his work.

I have, &c, Hakold S. Blackbuene, Principal Examiner of Masters and Mates. The Secretary, Marine Department.

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