5

H.—lsa

Government Steamers. The following Government steamers have been surveyed during the year : namely, " Amokura," " Antrim," " Ben Lomond,"* " Ellen Ballance," " Hinemoa," " Janie *Seddon," " Lady Roberts," " Manurere,"f " Mountaineer,"* " Tutanekai," " Tawera "J ; total, 11. The Defence steamers " Janie Seddon " and " Lady Roberts " both received considerable overhauls at their surveys during the year. The s.s. " Tutanekai" had repairs made to both main and donkey boilers at this survey. The s.s. " Amokura," which vessel has now been converted into a training-ship for the colony, had a most complete overhaul. All parts of her machinery, boilers, hull, and fittings received a thorough inspection. All the main and auxiliary steam-pipes were tested by hydraulic pressure, and were repaired where required. This vessel's principal dimensions are : Length, 165 ft. ; breadth, 31 ft; depth, 20 ft. 4 in. She was built in 1889 by Messrs. Scott and Co., shipbuilders and engineers, Greenock, and is of 800 - 5 tons displacement. Her machinery is of the tripleexpansion type, with cylinders of 20 in., 30 in., 45 in. diameter, and a stroke of 2 ft. There are two main boilers, carrying a pressure of 145 lb. The indicated horse-power with natural draught is 720, and with forced draught 1,200. The vessel is of the composite construction. Additional Steamers and Vessels surveyed for the First Time. The following additions to steam-vessels and to vessels fitted with auxiliary power have been made during the year. These vessels have all been surveyed for the first time this year, and are thirty-six in number. The names of these steamers and vessels are : " Amokura," " Antelope,"§ " Arahura," "Ariel,"§ " Atoni," "Atua," "Bonnie Jean,"§ " Bravo,"§ " Britannia,"§ " Cobar," "Colleen,"§ "Dredge No. 350," " Endeavour,"§ " Perro,"§ " Gannet,"§ "Heather Bell,"§ "Kaituna,"§ " Karitane," " Kereru,"§ "Koi," "Loyalty," " Maheno," "Ngatiawa," " Rakiura,"§ " Rosetta,"§ " Rothesay," " Ruahine,"§ " Ruruhau,"§ " Swan," " Tahawai,"§ " Tere,"§ " Tuhara,"§ " Te Waipounamu,"§ " Wootton," " Never Despair." The sailing-vessels surveyed for the first time were the " Hazel Craig " (ship), " Wai-iti " (barque), " Ysabel " (ship). Amongst the finest of the steamers are the s.s. " Maheno," the s.s. " Arahura," and the s.s. " Ngatiawa." The former two belong to the Union Steamship Company, and the latter to the Northern Steamship Company. Sailing-ships. There were fifteen intercolonial sailing-vessels surveyed during the year. Considerable repairs were effected to some of them, including hull-repairs and renewals to spars, &c. Return No. 16 gives full particulars of these. The total fees received for these surveys amount to £84. Return No. 19 is a supplement to Return No. 19 of the last annual report, as it shows this year's additional boilers, and the class of certificated drivers required to be in charge of them ; also, the changes of ownership that have occurred in the boilers during the year, and the amended sizes of cylinders as now measured, together with the horse-power of these boilers. Returns. The details of the several returns accompanying this report, and numbered 1 to 19 inclusive, are as follows :— 1. Number and class of boilers inspected, and fees payable on these ; the machinery inspected, and the fees payable thereon ; and the classes and numbers of engine-drivers' certificates issued, and the fees payable therefor. .2. Return of defects found on inspection of boilers. 3. Return of notices given to repair boilers. 4. Return of notices given to fence dangerous parts of machinery. 5. Return of accidents which were not fatal. 6. Return of accidents which proved fatal. 7. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Names of all persons to whom land stationary, winding, locomotive, and traction certificates of competency and service have been granted during the year. 14. List of persons who were examined and passed for marine engineers' certificates of service and competency. 15. Return of steamers and oil-engined vessels surveyed during the year. 16. Return of sailing-vessels surveyed during the year. 17. Return of vessels surveyed for seaworthiness, &c, during the year. 18. Return showing sums earned or received and amount spent during the financial year for inspection of machinery, examination of engineers and engine-drivers, and survey of steamers and sailing-vessels. 19. Return showing the names of additional boilers and transfers which require to be in charge of certificated drivers. . I have, &c, Robert Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery, Chief Surveyor of Ships, and Chief Examiner of Marine Engineers and Land Engine-drivers. The Hon. the Minister in Charge of the Inspection of Machinery Department.

* Plying on Lake Wakatipu. f Plying on Lake Manapouri. { Plying on Lake Anau. § Oil-engined vessels.