MARINE DEPARTMENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 66

MARINE DEPARTMENT.

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Marine Department, presented to Parliament last week, shows that in the examinations of masters, mates, and engineers, for certificates of competency 227 persons passed and 97 failed. Of those who nassed, 142 were masters, mates, and engineers of sear-going ships, 67 were masters and engineers of steamships plying within restricted limits, 12 were engineers of sea-going ships propelled by oil-engines, and 6 were engineers of similar vessels plying within restricted limits. The Board of Trade has made certain alterations in its regulations for the examination of masters and mates, and as New Zealand certificates are recognised in Great Britain and elsewhere, subject to the condition that the New Zealand regulations shall be similar to those of the Board of Trade, that body has asked the Marine Department to make the necessary alterations in the regulations in force in this colony, and this is being done. The department has been notified by the Marine Board of Victoria that it) has decided to recognise New Zealand river engineers’ certificates as being equal to the highest grade of enginedriyers’ certificate issued in Victoria—that is, as equal to a third-class enginedriver of a river and bay steamship under 100 nominal horse-power. The wrecks and casualties on the coasts of the colony during the year numbered 64, representing 32,536 tons, as compared with 58, of 16,200 tons, in the previous year. The total wrecks within the colony were 10, of 1182 tons, as compared with 9. of 3022 tons, in the previous year. The number of lives lost was eight, as compared with fourteen last year. Of these, six were within the colony—five in the Hoanga (near White Island) and one from the Surprise (south of the Manawatu river). PENCARROW HEAD. Shipmasters have petitioned that a low-level light should be erected at Pencarrow Head as a guide for the harbour entrance when the fog obscurea the present light, and the Wellington Harbour Boaird has offered to contribute towards the cost of the erection of such a light if the department will erect and maintain it. For ordinary coastal purposes the present light is sufficient; but, as it may be possible to move it to a site lower down the hill, where it would do equally well for a coastal light, and at the same time make a better harboua' mark in thick weather, the Marine Engineer will visit the lighthouse, and report as to the feasibility and cost of moving it lower down. The automatic fog-sgnal at Pencarrow has worked satisfactorily during the year.