H.—ls.

2

Proceedings have been taken by the Department, and fines imposed, for breaches of the law in the following cases in connection with seamen : viz., the master of the " Saucy Kate," the "Duco," the "Dorset," the " Wimmera," and the " Tutaea," for carrying seamen to sea without entering into an agreement with them; the master of the " Moana " (two masters on two different parts of voyage) and the master of the " Warrimoo," for going to sea with less men than the number required by the Act; the master of the " Rakiura," for discharging the whole crew on board instead of before the Superintendent, and for failing to send his expired articles of agreement to the Superintendent; J. Swindley, for using a discharge as a trimmer which did not belong to him. In one case a fireman was transferred from the s.s. " Tongariro " to the s.s. " Rimutaka " without being discharged from the former vessel in the presence of a Superintendent. The master of the former vessel was prosecuted for two breaches of the Act, one being for not discharging in the presence of the Superintendent, and the other for not giving the man a certificate of discharge. The Magistrate dismissed the first charge, holding that there had been merely a transfer, but convicted on the second charge. The Department appealed to the Supreme Court against the dismissal, and the appeal was allowed. The Magistrate then entered a conviction, but did not impose a fine. Masters, Mates, and Engineers. —The examination of candidates has been carried out in a satisfactory manner at the various ports. Appended is the report of the Principal Examiner of Masters and Mates. Candidates for extra masters' certificates are* now required to show practical proficiency in both the Morse and movable-semaphore methods of signalling, and this examination is open, as a voluntary examination, to officers holding masters' and mates' certificates, and to candidates for such certificates. Candidates for all grades of foreign-going and home-trade certificates are required to be conversant with the Morse and semaphore alphabets, and with the British Signal Manual, and they must also pass an examination in first -aid to the injured. Classes for instruction in first aid are arranged for by the local centres of St. John Ambulance Association, and the examinations are conducted under the auspices of the association. The Imperial Board of Trade has recently made some alterations in the rules for the examination of engineers, and it is proposed to alter the New Zealand rules in a similar manner. Captain W. Cumming, Harbourmaster at Gisborne, has been appointed an Examiner of Masters of riversteamers at that port. For certificates of competency 338 persons passed their examination, and 176 failed. Of those who passed, 233 were masters, mates, and engineers of sea-going ships, 55 were masters and engineers of steamships plying within restricted limits, 5 were masters of fishing-boats and cargo-vessels up to 25 tons register, 1 was master of fishing-boat under 5 tons register, 23 were engineers of sea-going ships propelled by oil-engines, and 21 were engineers of similar vessels plying within restricted limits. Tables showing the names of the persons who have received certificates, the classes and grades of the certificates, and the certificates of exemption from examination as third-class engineer, are appended. A list of all the New Zealand certificates which have been cancelled and withdrawn has been printed and circulated to the various shipping officers. The Regulations for the Examination of Masters and Mates have been amended as follows : — (a.) Allowing one and a half years' service as second mate of a coasting-vessel to qualify for examination for a home-trade master's certificate. (&.) Allowing service as master of cargo-boats under 25 tons while holding a certificate of competency for such boats, and allowing service as master in vessels while holding a service certificate to qualify for examination for a home-trade master's certificate of competency, (c.) Providing that candidates must pass in first aid to the injured. (d.) Providing for the recognition of training-ship service as qualifying for examination, (c.) Providing that candidates for restricted-limit certificates are not to be required to be conversant with the Morse and semaphore alphabets and with the British Signal Manual. Registration of Shipping. —Appended are returns showing the vessels registered in New Zealand and the number of men and boys employed in them. Survey of Ships. —During the year certificates have been granted to 289 steamers, 73 oilengine vessels, and 18 intercolonial sailing-vessels, as shown in the appended return. It is proposed to make provision in the Bill which is being prepared to amend the Shipping and Seamen Act to make the annual survey of sailing-vessels engaged in the coastal trade compulsory, as this is advisable in the interests of the safety of life and property. Until January last the whole of the annual survey of steamers and intercolonial sailing-vessels at Lyttelton was carried out by the Engineer Surveyor, but on the appointment of Captain Wilcox at the time mentioned arrangements were made for him to make the deck-surveys, as is done by the Nautical Surveyors at Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin. Most of the deck-survey work at Dunedin and Port Chalmers is now done by Captain Fraser, who has been appointed a Surveyor of Ships. Fees have been fixed for the survey of sailing-ships, for the measurement of ships, for surveying and defining load-lines, and for the inspection of berthing and sleeping accommodation of crew, and of lights and fog-signals. Two vessels alleged to be unseaworthy have been detained for survey. The reports of the surveyors having shown that repairs were necessary, they were executed before the vessels were released. Restricted Limits. —River and extended river limits have been defined for steamers and vessels propelled by other mechanical power than steam for the ports of Ngunguru and Timaru, river limits for Tairua Harbour and for that part of Stewart Island between Port William and Anglem Point, extended river limits for tugs at Wellington, and extended river limits for tugs, pilot-vessels, and dredges at the Bluff.