H.—ls.

New Zealand Nautical Almanac and Tide-tables. This publication for 1935 (33rd edition) was published, as usual, on the Ist November. It provides seamen and other parties with much necessary and useful information in addition to that for the various ports in the Dominion. The port information is corrected by the various Boards, and at the time of going to press is the latest available. New plans of Nelson, Mapua, Wellington wharves, and additional plans (Whangarei harbour and Opua wharf) have been included in this year's edition. Notices to Mariners. Information relative to changes in navigational aids and to the discovery of obstructions, wreckage, or other dangers to navigation, and general information necessary for the use of mariners was published, in the form of Notices to Mariners, of which fifty-one have been issued during the year. Arrangements have been made for the exhibition and inspection of notices received from the Admiralty, the Board of Trade, Australia, Tasmania, and Suva, at the offices of the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at all ports visited by overseas vessels, and for the inspection of notices received from America, India, and Japan at the Nautical Adviser's Office. Radio Beacons. Progress in the erection of the radio beacon on Baring Head has been somewhat delayed on account of the difficulty in obtaining compliance with our specifications, which are higher than usual owing to the proximity of the Wellington Radio Station. The installation of the experimental beacon at Tiri Tiri has also been delayed through some of the parts having to be manufactured in the United Kingdom. The beacon should, however, be in operation about the end of September. Arrangements are in train for the sending of D/F signals at four-hourly periods and two intermediate times from the radio stations on Stephens and Portland Islands, on request. These arrangements are being made to give ships some temporary service, and while such is far from being what the Department desires it is the best that can be arranged in the meantime. Certificates of Efficiency as Lifeboatmen. Arrangements have been made for the examination of seamen and the issue of Certificates of Efficiency as Lifeboatmen in accordance with the provisions of the International Conference for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1929, which, although not yet in force in the Dominion, applies to many of the vessels trading here. The examinations were held at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin, and the certificates issued by the Superintendents of Mercantile Marine. The shipping companies are required to provide the necessary lifeboat and gear, and are responsible for getting the men together at the time appointed for the examination. Since the examination was introduced, 758 certificates have been issued. Registration of Shipping. On the 31st December, 1934, there were on the Register of Vessels in the Dominion 55 sailingvessels of 4,789 tons register, 199 steamers of 87,478 tons register, and 242 motor-vessels of 9,092 tons register, as compared with 56 sailing-vessels of 4,809 tons register, 211 steamers of 97,847 tons register, and 249 motor-vessels of 8,939 tons register at the end of the previous year. The number of seamen employed on board was 3,063, as compared with 3,431 for the year 1933. Government Shipping Offices. In the Government Shipping Offices the administration of the Shipping and Seamen Act has been efficiently carried out. Appended is a statement showing the number of seamen engaged and discharged at the various ports during the year, and the fees received for such transactions. The total number engaged and discharged was 9,549 and 9,509 respectively, as compared with 9,613 and 9,519 respectively during the previous year. The transactions at the four main ports were as follows, the figures in parentheses being those of the previous year.

Engagement of Seamen. This service has been maintained. A record of seamen applying for work is kept for the purpose of filling vacancies.

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Port. I Engagements. Discharges. Pees. £ s. d. £ s. d. Auckland .. .. .. .. 2,720 (2,712) 2,854 (2,626) 514 18 0 (513 19 0) Wellington .. .. .. .. 4,332 (4,534) 4,367 (4,499) 774 17 0 (685 5 0) Lyttelton .. .. .. .. 516 (623) 513 (641) 82 2 0 (73 4 0) Dunedin .. .. .. .. 602 (395) 484 (397) 101 5 0 (74 4 0)