D.—l.

The prosecutions authorized were 66—that is, 3 more than last year ; this also constitutes a record, the previous highest being 64 in 1931. Prosecutions were authorized for the following : — Permitting unregistered persons to work .. .. .. .. .. 10 Failing to obtain a permit to do wiring .. .. .. .. 9 Salesmen doing wiring .. .. .. .. .. 8 Connecting wiring without permission .. .. .. .. .. 7 Failing to notify Supply Authority of intention to commence work .. .. 6 Connecting washing-machine to supply without permission .. .. 5 Failing to notify Supply Authority on completion of work .. .. 4 Domestic consumers doing wiring .. .. .. .. 3 Earthing a radio set to a gaspipe .. .. .. .. .. 2 Petrol-pump fitter removing a pump .. .. .. .. 2 Cabinet-maker doing wiring .. .. . . . . .. 1 Consumer failing to give notice .. .. .. •. •. 1 Failing to earth a washing-machine .. . . . . ~ 1 Failing to produce registration certificate for inspection .. .. .. 1 Failing to supply information .. .. .. . . .. .. 1 Installing radio set which did not comply with regulations .. . . .. 1 Obstructing an Inspector .. . . .. . . . . 1 Using an unearthed metal-covered switch . . . . . . 1 Working after name had been removed from register .. .. . . 1 Working after provisional license had expired .. .. . . 1 The examiners in the written part of the examination continue to call attention to unsatisfactory writing and sketching and to the carelessness displayed in simple addition and multiplication. This is not a question of secondary or technical education, but goes right back to the tuition in primary schools and indicates that the pupils have not taken the necessary interest in their work on the foundations of ordinary education. Regarding the more technical part of the examination, the examiners are of the opinion that the poor results are due to a lack of adequate preparation and poor knowledge of fundamentals. The examiners in the practical part report that the standard of workmanship shows an all-round i mprovement and is now of a reasonably good standard. Candidates, however, in a large number of cases secure very low marks for simple measurements, in spite of the fact that their attention is specially drawn to the need for keeping to the dimensions shown on the drawing. When fixing the earthingclip the enamel is not always carefully removed from the conduit and the clip properly tightened. Work on the flexible conduit showed considerable improvement, but the cutting of threads on the rigid conduit indicates that the dies require sharpening or renewing. More care is necessary to clean the ends of the conduits and to cut the nipples to the correct length. The removal of the coverings on the conductors is still not as good as it should be, although the last examination showed a decided improvement. Porcelain-clad connections were used for the first time at the September examination, and the results were very disappointing. Many candidates fail to connect the flexible conductors correctly in screw lamp-holders and three-pin plug-sockets. The live conductor in many cases was connected to the screwed part of the lamp-holder and to the neutral contact of the plug-socket. One examination included the. tying of insulated cables to insulators, and the examiners reported that very few of the candidates appeared to have had any instruction in this class of work. The joints, including the soldering, showed a decided improvement and were of a reasonably good standard. Candidates in. the practical part were permitted to continue working after the normal three hours, but marks were deducted for the excess time. The slower type of candidates were able to complete their work by this method, and thus secure additional marks The results of the examinations show that some of the candidates do not take advantage of the excellent training provided by the technical colleges and correspondence schools. There are signs of a definite lack of adequate technical training, and employers should insist that their apprentices, where possible, must attend a technical college, and that where this is not possible then a suitable correspondence course should be taken or the services of a private tutor be secured. Examinations for limited registration in connection with the wiring-up of radio-receiving sets have been held for several years, and an examination in connection with wiring work involved in the investigation of interference with radio reception was held during the year. It is proposed to institute examinations for other classes of limited registration. The Act provides that the only persons who may assist wiremen are apprentices, improvers, and university students. An improver is defined as " a person who, having completed an. apprenticeship to the electrical wiring trade, has sat for the wiremen's examination, but is not yet a registered wireman." A student is defined as " one attending the university and taking a prescribed course of electrical engineering." The meaning of " apprentice " has not so far been defined for the purposes of the Act, and it has been suggested that the term be explained and thus avoid the confusion which now appears to exist. Without a definition the ordinary meaning of " apprentice " applies —namely, a person bound by a contract of apprenticeship to a tradesman or artificer whereby the apprentice agrees to serve and the master agrees to teach him his trade. A contract of apprenticeship is usually a document, and in some cases these documents have to be registered. A number of persons who had passed the wiremen's examination found that they were not eligible for registration because they had not served an apprenticeship. The difference between a contract of apprenticeship and just working for a small wage is not always readily apparent, and a circular setting out particulars was delivered during the year to electrical contractors with a request that it be prominently displayed. It has been suggested

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