H.—ls

7

Additional Steamers and, Auxiliary-powered Vessels surveyed for the First Time. There was a total of fifty-six vessels surveyed during the year and fitted with auxiliary power. This is a good sign for the shipping industry, notwithstanding the adverse conditions operating during the year. Sailing-vessels. There were eighty-five vessels surveyed during the year. Important, repairs made to sailingvessels include the following :— Ketch " Bee." —Repairs and renewals were made to this vessel. Schooner " Combine." —-Repairs and alterations have been made. Scow "Dandy." —The donkey-boiler which has been placed on board this vessel received a thorough overhaul. A new lum-leg has been fitted to it, and compensating-rings riveted around all sludge-holes. The boiler was tested by hydraulic pressure. It was found necessary to reduce the working-pressure owing to general waste. Cutter " Bewa." —As the result of a fire on board many parts of tho vessel wore found defective. Several new planks were fitted to the top-sides. The deck was all lifted and all liningboards wore removed. Thirty-five new timbers have been fitted, and tho hull has boon refastened, caulked, and sheathed with sheet copper. Other renewals include a- fi in. by 6 in. apron, chain plates and fastenings, steering-wheel gear and chains, bulwarks, anchor and cable, and all new equipment for the deck. Explosive Permits. There wore 166 permits issued at the Port of Wellington for the carriage of explosives on ships. Marine Engineers' Examinations. Examinations for certificates of competency were held at tho following places throughout the Dominion, viz. : Auckland,* Awanui, Blenheim, Christchurch,* Dunedin,* Gisborne,* Greymouth,* Hamilton,* Havelock, Hokianga, Invercargill,* Lyttelton, Matata, Mokau, Napier,* Nelson,* Opotiki, Palmerston North, Parenga, Tauranga. Te Kopuru,* Timaru,* Waihi,* Wanganui,* Wellington,* and Whangarei. Examinations were hold for the following grades during the year : First-class marine engineer, second-class marine engineer, third-class marine engineer, river engineer for steamvessels, first-class marine engineer for auxiliary-powered vessels, second-class marine engineer for auxiliary-powered vessels, and river engineer for auxiliary-powered vessels. The total number of those who presented themselves for tho above examinations was 292. Of this number thirtyseven failed to pass. The question as to tho recognition of the time spent by students training as engineers at, certain technical schools in the Dominion has been under consideration for some time. At tho request of the technical officers of tho Education Department I have been asked to visit several of the technical schools and to report on them. I have not completed this work yet. I can, however, bear testimony to the zeal of the students, and to the enthusiasm of the teachers whom I have had the pleasure of meeting. The work that is being done in the training of these boys is and must continue to bo of great value to them in all their after-life. Examinations of Land Engineers and, Land-engine Drivers. These examinations wore held at the principal centres throughout tho Dominion, and special examinations have also been held at many places to suit the convenience: of applicants. The full list of places where examinations were held is as follows : Alexandra. Auckland,* Plenheim, Carterton, Christchurch,* Collingwood, Dunedin,* Featherston, Gisborne,* Greymouth,* Hamilton,* Hawera, Invercargill,* Matata, Maungaturoto, Napior,* Nelson,* Otaki, Pahiatua, Palmerston North,* Paeroa, Papatowai, Puponga, Queenstown, Stratford, Taihape, Te Horo, Te Kopuru, Timaru,* Waihi, Wanganui,* Wellington,* and Whitianga. Tho examinations held wore for extra first-class engineers, first-class engine-drivers, secondclass engine-drivers, winding-engine drivers (both steam and electric power), locomotive and traction engine drivers, and fraction-engine drivers. Reciprocal certificates were issued to applicants from other States as follows: Queensland, 2; Tasmania, 5; Victoria, 4; Western Australia, 2: total, 13. Tho total number who sat for these examinations was 423. Of this number 108 failed. Examination of Electric-twin, Drivers. Examinations for this certificate were held at Christchurch,* Dunedin,* Invercargill,* Napier,* Wanganui,* and Wellington.* The numbers who sat for examination total seventyeight. Of this number seven failed. Board of Examiners. Tho Board of Examiners, consisting of the Chief Inspector of Machinery of the Marine and Inspection of Machinery Department, the Inspecting Engineer of the Mines Department, the Engineer-in-Chief and the Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Department, with Mr. J. G. Macpherson as secretary, sat in Wellington on nine days to issue certificates to candidates, and for other business with which the Board deals. Inspection, of Gas, Oil, Water, and Electric-driven Machinery, including Lifts. The number of inspections made of this class of machinery amount to 10,871. Gas-engines numbered 1,986, oil-engines 4,760, electric and other lifts and motors, including those driven by water-power, 4,115, steam machinery 10.

* Places at which examinations have been held more than oner,