D—4

The following table shows the number of electrical fires reported compared with the previous year :

REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WIREMEN Examinations were held for electrical wiremen, electrical servicemen, radio servicemen, radio experimenters, and cinematograph-operators. The total number of candidates who sat these examinations was 2,197. Of this number, 1,396 sat the wiremen's examinations and 801 the servicemen's examinations. New registrations during the year totalled 531—300 electrical wiremen and 231 limited registrations. The number of registrations continues to show a steady progressive increase over previous years, and 300 electrical wiremen constitutes a record number of registrations for any one year. Twenty-six provisional licences were issued to persons arriving in New Zealand from Great Britain and Australia ; the greater proportion were issued to tradesmen assisted under the present immigration scheme. Following collaboration with the authorities concerned, the Registration Board agreed to grant limited registration to technicians and mechanicians employed by the Post and Telegraph Department and the Broadcasting Service. During the year further consideration was given to the proposed amendments to the Electrical Wiremen's Registration Act, and the draft proposals were circulated to interested parties for comment. PERSONNEL At the 31st March, 1948, a total of 4,666 employees were engaged on hydro-electric works. Of these, 2,253 were directly employed by this Department and the remaining 2,413 were on construction under the immediate control of the Public Works Department. The total under the control of the State Hydro-electric Department comprised 1,586 on operation and maintenance and 667 on construction. It is with deep regret that I have to report the death on Bth October, 1947, of Mr. Roy Gregor Mac Gibbon, District Electrical Engineer, Christchurch, after a prolonged illness. The post-war years are proving very difficult and place a heavy burden upon us all, while the present situation is a challenge which we must accept.

36

Year ended Year ended - - II 31st March, 31st March, 1948. 1947. Accessories , .. 2 Appliances 3 *2 Contact between aerial conductors 3 Contact between steel conduit and composition gas-pipe 3 Fittings i Fixed wiring (sub mains and sub circuits) 1 Flexible cables and cords 1 i Improper use of appliances (irons, radiators, urns, and 7 5 ovens left switched on) Rodents .. .. 4 2 Service mains 3 Substations .. .. 1 2 Switchboards (wiring behind and accessories oh) 12 9 Total .. 35 27