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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

INSPECTION OF MACHINERY: ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR 1906-7.

Presented to both Houses af the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

The Hon. the Minister in Charge of the Inspection of Machinery Department to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,— Inspection of Machinery Department, Wellington, Ist Jane, 1907. I do myself the honour to transmit herewith, for Your Excellency's information, the report of the Inspection of Machinery Department of the colony for the financial year ended the 31st March, test- I have, &c, J. A. Millar, His Excellency the Minister in Charge of the Inspection of Right Hon. Lord Plunket, X.C.V.0., Machinery Department. Governor of New Zealand.

The Chief Inspector of Machinery to the Hon. the Minister in Charge of the Inspection of Machinery Department. Inspection of Machinery Department, Customhouse Buildings Wellington Sir,— Ist May, 1907. ' I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report on the operations of the Inspection of Machinery Department during the twelve months which ended on the 31st March, 1907. During the past year satisfactory progress has been made by the Department in all the branches of its work, and although at the end of the year there were still a number of boilers, machinery, and steamers overdue for inspection, yet I am glad to state that during the past year there has been more work accomplished by the Department than during any previous year. The work to be done in some of the country districts is often accomplished under very trying experiences, for the boilers and machinery now being erected in bush settlements are most difficult of access. The Inspectors have as far as possible tried to make their inspections at times suitable to the owners ; it has, however, been found impossible to do so in all cases without going twice over the same district. A convenient time to suit every industry and owner could not be arranged, as it would require a very large increase in the Department's staff to do so. New sawmilling industries are springing up along the extensions of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, and dairying and flax industries are being developed over all parts of New Zealand, more especially in the Auckland Provincial District, The gold-dredging industry is still being prosecuted with vigour in < Itago and Southland, and in some parts of Westland, and a large amount of machinery is employed on these dredges. During the year I have been able to visit the principal inspection districts and the district offices of this Department. The engineering trade generally has been depressed during the past year, and very little new workhas been carried out. A noticeable feature of the past year has been the great strides made by gas and oil engines as a motive power. The suction gas-producer has beet) installed at several factories in the colony during the year, with marked success. As there ar.e several designs on the market, this proves that these engines have now passed their experimental stages. By the use of these engines a great economy in power-production has been obtained. Their great advantages are that there are few mechanical parts to get out of order, and they requirejbut littlejattention. The cost of repairs and renewals is small, being principally in connection with the part exposed to continuous heat, such as the firebars and brick linings.

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