H.--15

The following table shows the number and horse-power of the new boilers and the districts to which they have gone : —

Gas-, Water-, and Electric-driven Machinery.—Lifts and Machinery Inspections. This class of machinery is probably growing more general than any other in the Dominion. With the increase of wages and the difficulty in getting suitable labour in the country districts the oil-engine is now being generally adopted by the farmer. He can make use of it anywhere, at any time, and for almost all his power purposes. It is an ideal power for him, and he has not been slow to adopt it. The use of electricity in large towns and the price of land increasing so enormously in the centres has forced owners of buildings to increase their height, and, to provide for the convenience of those employed in such buildings, the electric lift has been introduced. This class of lift is now fitted wherever the electric power can be reasonably procured, and such lifts run smoothly and well. The total number of machinery inspections made during the year was 9,030. Of this number, 1,400 were gas-engines, 3,755 oil-engines, 3,834 lifts and motors (which include water and electric motors), and 41 steam machinery. Fencing of Machinery. At all places where an Inspector pays a visit he has a good look around all machinery to see that there are no dangerous positions unprotected where an employee might meet with an accident. Examination of Land Engineers and Engine-drivers. Examination for electric winding-engine-drivers' certificates were held for the first time this year. Although electric power for such a purpose is not generally used at mines in the Dominion, there is no doubt that electricity is an ideal power for a winding-engine or for power purposes in a mine, as» it can be transmitted almost anywhere to a motor used for developing work or for pumping purposes. The book of regulations at present in use will most likely be reprinted during the incoming year. Examinations were held at the following places during the year : Auckland,* Blenheim, Christchurch,* Domett, Dunedin,* Gisborne,* Greymouth,* Hamilton,* Havelock, Hawera,* Invercargill,* Kaikoura, Karamea, Miller's Flat, Napier,* Nelson,* New Plymouth, Palmerston North,* Queenstown, I'imaru,* Waihi, Waitapu, Wanganui,* Wellington,* Westport, and Whangarei.* The examinations held were for extra first-class engineers, first-class engine-drivers, secondclass engine-drivers, winding-engine drivers (for both steam and electric power), and locomotive and traction engine-drivers. The total number who sat for these examinations was 741. Of this number, 546 passed and 195 failed. Reciprocal certificates were issued to applicants from other States as follows : Denmark, 1; New South Wales, 1; Queensland, 1; Straits Settlement, lj Tasmania, 4; Victoria, 2: total, 12. Examination of Electric Tram-drivers. Every candidate who applied and had the necessary qualifications was examined during the year. 143 candidates sat for examination. Of this number, 12 failed.

♦ Places at which examinations have been held more than once during the year.

10

. Local. Imported. Total. District. luckland ... Luckland South lawke's Bay A aranaki Vellington North Vellington . . larlborough lelson North Jelson South Veatland !anterbury !anterbury South )tago louthland ... Totals ... District. - T , Horse- VT , Horse- VT . HorseNumber ' power. Number. power Number. power 34 496J 21 794£ 55 1,291 30 460* I 11 • 94 41 554£ 18 192| 5 182 23 324f 27 384 5 253 32 637 14 152f 9 t 23 638^ 31 250| 6 268i 37 8 40" 1 7 9 47 3 32* 6 43 9 75£ 4 16 3 58* ! 7 74* 10 134* 11 255 21 389* 33 1041 14 64J 47 168* 8 34 8 f 3 3* , 16 97* 33 328 35 117" 68 445 24 224 12 147f 36 371J ... 277 2,850 147 2,783* 424 5,633* 2,783* 424 5,633*