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with the Board. The Board's request, it was found, was not for a comprehensive report, but for a reply to certain questions, to which answers were furnished as far as was practicable. The answering of a questionnaire prepared by a Harbour Board does not necessarily afford a Marine Engineer an opportunity of fully advising. The Board's position is unfortunate in that so much money has been expended in directions which would show full proportionate result only in a completed comprehensive scheme, and it has been particularly unfortunate in the quarrying operations which were to produce the stone for breakwater purposes. The scheme of works is one which can produce the full benefit only as a completed whole, and the Board's undertakings to the ratepayers apparently preclude their raising further moneys, at any rate until the position is better understood and the benefits of an overseas-ship harbourage appreciated. Napier.—Matters in Napier have been very unsettled, and as a result of petitions it was decided to set up a Royal Commission to go into the whole matter, and it is hoped that the findings of this Commission (which has a most comprehensive order of reference) will settle a number of matters which have been in doubt and the cause of dissention on the Board and in the district, and will bring about a better state of things. Waikawa Harbour. —A small wharf has been erected here for the convenience of the fishermen. Waikouaiti River Entrance. —A small training-wall has been built and wind-breaks erected across the sandspit at the entrance of this harbour. The work has been partly financed by the Government and partly by the local residents. Wharf and Shed, Ilui House, Whangape. —This work has been completed and handed over to the trustees. Havelock Wharf. —Fairly extensive repairs have been carried out to this wharf, the moneys being provided and the work carried out by the Department. Paihia Wharf. —The construction of this wharf on a new site near the Post-office was finished during the year. Horeke Launch-landing.—This launch-landing was undertaken and carried out during the year. Mangawai Wharf. —Alterations to this wharf, consisting of the dismantling of the old shed and the erection of a new shed, were completed during the year by the Otamatea County Council. General. A large number of applications have been received from local bodies and private individuals for the approval of works involving marine interests. Each of these has been investigated and, where desirable, approved. Among the various applications were the following : — Wharves.—Western Wharf, Freeman's Bay, Auckland ; Russell, Bay of Islands ; New Plymouth ; Tauranga Harbour ; Tihitai Bay, Manukau Harbour ; Weymouth Bay, Manukau Harbour ; Mangawhare, Northern Wairoa River ; Horeke ; West Quay, Napier ; Opunake ; Wade River, Auckland ; Matakaha. Miscellaneous Works.—Storage culvert and promenade, Takapuna. Wharf-sheds. —Hui House, Whangape Harbour. Boat Sheds and Landings. —Anikiwa, Queen Charlotte Sound ; Rawene, Hokianga River ; Jock's Point, Wairoa River ; Helensville, Kaipara Harbour ; Karehana Bay, Picton ; Wanganui River ; St. Mary's Bay, Auckland. Foreshore Licenses.—Little Passage, Coromandel; Koteonepoto Spit, Parengarenga Harbour ; Rawene, Hokianga River; Whangaparapara ; Narrows, Hokianga Harbour ; Great Barrier Island ; Rawene, Hokianga River ; Whangape Harbour, Hauraki Gulf; Kaiarara Stream, Great Barrier Island ; Anikiwa, Queen Charlotte Sound ; Terakohe, Golden Bay ; Kaihu Creek, Northern Wairoa ; Elaine Bay, Pelorus Sound ; Kaipipi Bay, Stewart Island ; Waipu ; Whangaruru ; Helena Bay ; Stony and Shag Bays, Coromandel; Kaipipi Bay, Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island ; Ruakaka River, Whangarei; Rawene, Hokianga, Wairoa River ; Branda Bay, Chaffer's Passage ; Waiheke Island ; Cowes Bay. Harbour-works.—Wellington Harbour, dredging ; Auckland Harbour ; Tokamatua, Akaroa Harbour ; Napier. Boatslips and Sheds.—Bluff Harbour ; Kaihu Creek ; Northern Wairoa River, Kaipara Harbour ; Tekipuri, Kaipara ; Kaipipi Bay, Paterson Inlet ; Helensville, Kaipara Harbour ; Russell, Bay of Islands. Timber Booms. —Ruakaka River, Whangarei. Reclamations. —Bayswater, Auckland ; Mussel Bay, Otago ; Auckland Harbour ; Whakatane. Bridges.—Avon River, Bridge (street), New Brighton ; Avon River, Seaview Road, New Brighton ; Wairau Bridge, Takapuna ; Kaitoke Stream, Great Barrier Island ; Tamaki River, Kawakawa Bay, Manakau. Dock.—Calliope Dock, Auckland. DEFENCE WORKS. Admiralty Naval Base and Fuel-oil Depot, Devonport. At the end of last year the two 5,000-ton fuel-oil tanks had been erected, and the necessary pumping plant was awaited from England. This plant, consisting of a three-throw pump and 40 h.p. motor, arrived during the period covered by this report, and was duly installed and put into service. The firefighting plant, consisting of two 15-ft.-diameter chemical storage tanks, a 30 h.p. electrically driven pump, and a steam boiler, has been installed and is ready for use. A 100 h.p. Diesel engine and 52 kw. generating set has been installed, with switchboard a stand-by set.