NINTH REPORT OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1874.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, H-22

11.—22

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

NINTH REPORT OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1874.

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

Customs Department (Marine Branch), Sib, — Wellington, sth August, 1874. I do myself the honor to furnish the following report of this department for the year ended on the 30th June last: — Lighthouses. —The coastal lights throughout the colony have been maintained in good order during the year, and no complaints against the efficiency of any of them have reached the department. Only one instance during the year is known where a light became extinguished during the night. This occurred at the lighthouse at the entrance to Nelson Harbour, on the 27th'March, and was duly reported by the lightkeeper himself, in obedience to his printed instructions. The first time I visited Nelson after this occurrence, I inquired into the cause of it, and found that it had not arisen through any neglect on the part of the keeper. The light went out in consequence of an accident suddenly happening to a part of the pressure apparatus of the lamp, during the temporary absence of the keeper from the light-room. The light, I believe, was not extinguished for any length of time, as the keeper had a second lamp at hand, ready trimmed, which he lighted immediately he discovered the accident. There is only one keeper at this light, the same that had charge of it when it was taken over from the Provincial Government. Heretofore he has been able, with the assistance of his wife, to attend to the light satisfactorily, and I have therefore refrained from recommending any change which would lead to additional expense ; but the occurrence above referred to has led me to conclude that an assistant keeper should now be appointed, so as to place the Nelson light on the same footing as the other coastal lights of the colony, and I therefore recommend that this appointment be made with as little delay as possible, for, owing to the number of steamers that trade to Nelson, the consequence of allowing the light to go out, when one of these vessels was steaming down Blind Bay, in full confidence of being warned by the light of her near approach to the shore, might be most disastrous. There can be no doubt, that when a lighthouse is established, every possible precaution ought to be taken to ensure that the light shall be kept burning brightly every night, between sunset and sunrise, and no mere question of economy ought to interfere to prevent such precautions from being taken. One of the most obvious and necessary of these is, that every lighthouse should be provided with two keepers, for it is impossible that one man can keep awake and on the alert night after night, especially during the long winter nights, when vigilance is most required : sleep must, sooner or later, overcome him, and then an accident to the light, such as the one described above, may arise at any moment, causing it to be extinguished, and perhaps lead to shipwreck and serious loss of life. Attention was called, in last year's report, to the recommendations that had been made from time to time that a light at the entrance to Tory Channel should be provided. In compliance with these recommendations, you authorized it to be proceeded with without delay, and accordingly the site was surveyed, and the lantern and apparatus were ordered in December. Advices have been received from Messrs. Stevenson, of Edinburgh, the Engineers to the Northern Board of Lighthouses, through whom the order was sent, that contracts for their construction had been entered into. The "Luna" was placed at the disposal of the department in the middle of November last, for the purpose of fixing the site for this light, and also of determining where the light for Cape Foulwind should be placed. Mr. Blackett, the Marine Engineer, and Captain Johnson, readily decided on the position for the Tory Channel light, and the "Luna" then proceeded to Farewell Spit Lighthouse with stores, and thence to Westport, the distance from which place to Cape Foulwind is only about six miles. The road from Westport to Charleston passes about a mile and a quarter inland of the extremity of the cape. The cape is everywhere covered with dense bush, so that a track had to be cut from the road to reach the coast at the point where it is proposed to erect the lighthouse, as the spot could not be approached from "Westport by the beach, and a landing could not be effected from the sea, owing to the heavy swell and the rocky nature of the coast. On arriving at the end of the cape, an excellent site was fixed upon ; but it was found that it would be necessary to have an extensive clearing made. This was required also to provide for the light being seen up and down the coast. Arrangements were there--I—H. 22.

H.—22

2

fore made with Mr. Dobson, the District Engineer, to set a number of men to work on this clearing ; and on the return of the " Luna," by way of the West Coast, from the trip she made afterwards to Foveaux Strait, Captain Johnson found the clearing completed, and was enabled to take accurately all necessary bearings. The order for the apparatus was sent home i:i December ; and I expect very shortly to receive from Messrs. Stevenson a drawing showing the exact size of the lantern, when the construction of the tower will be at once proceeded with, so that it may, if possible, be ready to receive the lantern and apparatus immediately they reach the colony. I venture to trouble you with this detailed account of the steps which had to be taken in connection with the Cape Foulwind light, because similar steps will have to be taken before the erection of many of the projected lights can be proceeded with, and because I believe that a very common opinion with regard to lighthouses is, that all that has to be done is to send to England for a complete lighthouse apparatus, of the most approved and modern design, in order to get out exactly what is wanted ; but a very short experience shows how entirely erroneous this opinion is. Lighthouses) so ordered would, as a rule, be unnecessarily expensive, and would rarely be suited for the localities they were intended for. A notable instance of this is afforded by the Mana light, which was ordered early in 1863, for Cook Strait, before the site on which it was to be placed was fixed upon. The iron tower that was sent out was 48 feet high, when one less than half that height would have been more suitable; and the illuminating apparatus was made to show all round, when one with an apparatus to illuminate the arc to seaward of about 250° was all that was required. It will be seen, therefore, that it is indispensably necessary that the site of every lighthouse should be carefully examined and surveyed before the order for the apparatus can be prepared; and it is, moreover, necessary to ascertain that a practicable road to the selected site can be made from the nearest safe landing-place. In so me places, roads of considerable length, and over difficult ground, have to be made before the materials required can be conveyed to the site on which the lighthouse is to be erected; this, of course, greatly enhances the cost of the light. In the case of the lighthouse at Nugget Point, a road had to be mace for a considerable distance, at a cost of £719 10s. Lighting of Cook Strait. —The necessity for the erection of the Tory Channel light was urged on the ground that it would complete the lighting of the narrow part of Cook Strait. I felt constrained recently to represent to you that I thought that it would be unadvisable now to proceed with the erection of this light. The site was fixed upon by the late Marine Board, for the double object of marking the entrance to Tory Channel, and, in conjunction with the light on Mana, of facilitating the navigation of the Strait. The reports of the Board show that, whilst it regarded the Brothers as the most suitable site for a light for the purpose last named, on account of their prominent and central position and of their proximity to hidden dangers, yet, as the cost of erecting and maintaining a light on them would greatly exceed the means placed at the disposal of the Board, it decided upon recommending the adoption of the two lights named above, instead of a single light on the Brothers. The opinion of shipmasters who trade through the Strait is now, I believe, entirely in favour of a light on the Brothers ; and those best acquainted with the entrance to Tory Chanr.el strongly condemn the project of placing a light there, as they say that, owing to the strong tide and very narrow entrance, it would not be safe to enter at night, even with the assistance of a light; and that such a light would probably have the effect of luring vessels to destruction, rather than of assisting them to avoid the dangers by which the navigation of that locality is beset in dark and stormy weather. They maintain that on no account should the entrance be attempted except in the daylight. With a light on the Brothers, there would be no necessity either for the Tory Channel light or the one on Mana ; both could be placed on other parts of the coast. The one ordered for Tory Channel would probably answer very well for Cape Egmont, where a light is urgently required, and the Mana light could be placed on whichever of the Bites for new lights it would be found best suited for. If, from any cause, it should be found impracticable to place a light on the Brothers, then the character of the Mana light should at once be altered, to distinguish it from the fixed light at Pencarrow Head, which it is liable to be mistaken for, as was shown in the evidence given on the inquiry into the wreck of the " City of Newcastle " in November, 1872, and again in the recent case of the wreck of the " Cyrus." Manukau Heads Lighthouse. —The contract for the tower for this light and for the keeper's dwelling, at a cost of £2,421, was let on the 16th October. The designs were prepared by the Marine Engineer, and the whole of the work has been satisfactorily carried out under the directions of Mr. James Stewart, C.E., the resident engineer of the Public .Works Department in Auckland. Although not coming within the period to which this report relates, it will be convenient here to state that the Manukau Lighthouse is now complete in every particular, and. that it will be lighted up on the Ist of next month. It is a third order dioptric light, with a glass mirror, and is provided with lamps to burn paraffin, fitted with Captain Doty's patent burners. In a trial which was recently made, the light was found to burn with a clear white flame, and there is every reason to believe that this class of luminant will prove highly effective, and much more economical than that heretofore used, viz. colza oil. As soon as this paraffin lamp has been proved beyond doubt to be superior to the ordinary lamps in general use, steps should be taken to have all the lighthouses throughout the colony fitted with lamps of the same description, which, in addition to improving the light, would effect an annual saving of about £300 in the cost of oil, at the present rate of consumption. Napier Light. —At the same time that the Manukau light was ordered, a fourth order light was ordered by this department, at the request of the Provincial Government of Hawke's Bay, for Napier. This has been placed at the Napier Bluff, and being a harbour light wan paid for and will be maintained by the Provincial Grovernment. The cost of the lantern and apparatus) amounted to £411145. 7d. Neio Lights. —A sum of £35,000 was voted by the Legislature last Session for the erection of additional lights, which are urgently required for the safe navigation of various parts of the coast. The localities named for these lights were : Cape Maria Van Diemen, Moko Hinou Islands, Portland Island, Tory Channel, Cape Saunders, Western Entrance to Foveaux Strait, and Cape Foulwind. Captain Johnson, of this department, was despatched to the South by the " Luna " in February last, and was instructed to " examine the coast at Oamaru, Moeraki, Cape Saunders, and West Cape, for the purpose of fixing upon the moat suitable sites for the new lighthouses it was proposed to erect at or near those places,"

3

H.—22

This duty was performed by Captain Johnson in a very satisfactory and painstaking manner ; but from the fact of his being unable to reach some of the actual spots selected in Foveaux Strait, owing to rough weather, and to the difficulty of penetrating through the bush without having tracks cut (the time for doing which could not be spared), he was unable to furnish the detailed information required for the purpose of preparing designs for the various buildings required in connection with these lights. Mr. Blackett, unfortunately, was unable, on account of pressure of business in the Public Works Department, to accompany the expedition, so that it was not ascertained definitely whether the obtacles which prevented access to the sites referred, to were such as presented any great engineering difficulties or not. • As the efficient lighting of Foveaux Strait is acknowledged on all hands to be urgently required, I submit that the Marine Engineer should be sent there with as little delay as possible to complete the survey and examination of the sites selected by Captain Johnson; and, on his reaching that far, it would be advisable that he should proceed on to the Snares, for the purpose of carefully examining those islets and ascertaining the best position on them for a lighthouse, so as to put the department in possession of such reliable information as will enable it to form a correct estimate of the cost of erecting and maintaining a light on them; for I think there can be no doubt that, sooner or later, the authorities in the United Kingdom and in Australia must recognize the necessity of uniting with this colony in providing the funds for establishing this much needed light. Soon after the return of the " Luna " from the Southern trip, she was despatched to the North on a similar service. On this occasion the Marine Engineer, Captain Johnson, Mr. Wilson (who also accompanied Captain Johnson to the South), and myself, were on board. Fine weather was experienced throughout the trip, and full advantage was taken of it to carefully examine every point on the coast at which it was considered that a light was required; the exact heights and bearings being taken in every case, so that the department is now in possession of every requisite information to enable it to specify the height of tower and nature of the apparatus required for each of these lights, whenever it may be decided to proceed with their erection. The localities visited specially with reference to lighthouses, or other business connected with this department, were: Manakau Heads, Kaipara, Hokianga, Cape Maria Van Diemen, Three Kings, Cape Reinga, North Cape, Moko Hinou Islands, Hen and Chickens, Bream Head, Tauranga, East Cape Island, Poverty Bay, and Portland Island. Excellent sites for lights were found at Motu Opao, the small island off Cape Maria Van Diemen, North Cape Island, Moko Hinou Islands, and Portland Island; a description of each is given in the report which Captain Johnson addressed to you on the 10th June last. Steam Tender for Lighthouse Service. —I have already pointed out to you how necessary it will be for this department to be provided with a small steamer for attending to the lighthouses as soon as the proposed new lights are proceeded with. The "Luna" is now frequently not available just at the particular time when the lighthouses ought to be attended to ; and her trips on this service have almost invariably to be hurried over in order to free her by a particular date for some other duty ; the result is, that the lighthouses at a distance from Wellington cannot be visited and inspected as often as they should be. If inconvenience is now felt on this account, it must be obvious that this will be greatly increased when additional lighthouses are built, most of which will be on distant parts of the coast, remote from settlement, and which will, therefore, have to be visited more frequently by an officer of this department than is necessary in the case of lights near to the principal seaports, which are under the constant observation of the local authorities, who can report any irregularity coming under their observation. Lighthouse Dues. —The amount of dues collected during the past year amounted to £8,841 11s. 4d., being £1,996 Is. lid. in excess of the collections of the previous year; this is owing not alone to the increase in the number of ships that reached the colony last year, but also to the expansion and activity of the coasting trade. The cost of the maintenance of the coastal lighthouses in 1873-74 was £4,852 9s. 7d. It will be seen, on reference to the tables appended hereto, that this sum was less by £3,989 Is. 9d, than the amount collected for light dues; but when the projected lights are erected, the cost of maintenance will exceed the receipts; this, however, is not a matter for regret, for in a maritime colony, such as this is, any expenditure for the maintenance of lights that may have to bo provided for put of the general revenue, will bo repaid to the public indirectly, over and over again, by reductions in the rates of freight and insurance, which will certainly follow from the increased safety that will be afforded to shipping on our coasts by the establishment of a number of well-placed and effective lighthouses. Merchant Shipping Laws.—ln consequence of the important additions made last year to the Imperial Merchant Shipping laws, it became necessary, in order to preserve the harmony which has existed since the passing of " The Merchant Shipping Adoption Act, 1869," between the law in the United Kingdom and that in this colony on this important subject, to adopt several of the provisions of "The Imperial Merchant Shipping Act, 1873." A Bill has accordingly been prepared for this purpose, which, if it be passed by the Legislature, will place the laws of New Zealand, on all matters relative to masters and seamen, and to safety and prevention of accidents, on the same footing as those of the mother country. Among the provisions relating to seamen are two which are urgently required to place the law with regard to agreements with seamen on a more satisfactory footing than it is at present; —the one permits the owner or agent of home-trade ships to enter into time agreements with individual seamen to serve in any,one or more ships belonging to him, which agreements need not expire on the 30th of June or 31st of December; and the other permits seamen to enter into agreements, stating the maximum period of the voyage or engagement, and the places or parts of the world (if any) to which the voyage or engagement is not to extend, instead of requiring the nature and duration of the intended voyage to be defined, as provided by section 149 of " The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854." Examination of Masters, Mates, and Engineers. —The number of persons who have been examined during the year was 92. Of these, 57 passed and obtained certificates of competency of the several grades shown in the return relating to this subject appended hereto ; the largest number of examinations continues to be held in Auckland.

H.—22

4

Eeference was made in last year's report to difficulties that hal arisen with regard to the three years' domicile required of candidates for examination in this colony under the Board of Trade Eegulations ; and also to the special regulations which had been issued to meet the case of persons applying to be examined for certificates, who have not the requisite domicile qualification to entitle them to be examined for Board of Trade certificates. I enclose herein copies of letters that have passed between this department and the Board of Trade on this subject, from which it will be observed that these special regulations have been approved of by the Board of Trade, and that a more liberal interpretation will hereafter be given to the term " domicile," so that all difficulties in relation to the examination of candidates and the granting of certificates of competency in this colony have now been entirely removed. Wrecks and Casualties. —The number of wrecks and casualties that occurred on the coasts of the colony, during the year ending 30th June last, was no less than 58, of an aggregate tonnage of 7,703 tons, being 34 wrecks, of 4,282 tons, more than took place last year. Of these wrecks, 27, of 5,074 tons, were total, and 30, of 2,629 tons, were partial. Vessels that are known to have been recovered after being wrecked, although returned by the officer holding the inquiry as " Total," are placed under the head of " Partial." Under this heading are also placed all vessels which have suffered casualties, however slight. Twenty lives were lost; the number in the previous year was thirteen. Eight were lost in the "Flora Macdonald," on the Manukau bar; five in the "Cyrus" and two in the "Wellington," near Sinclair's Head; three in the " Agnes," between Waikato and Eaglan ; one in the "Eedcliff," in Allday Bay; and one washed overboard from the " Elizabeth," off Wellington Heads. Besides the wrecks above referred to, the return contains also particulars of casualties to four vessels which occurred beyond the limits of this colony, viz. the " Prince of Wales," 23 tons, totally wrecked at the island of Mangaia ; the "Lady Bowen," "Allahabad," and " Claud Hamilton," which suffered more or less damage at sea —the latter losing the master, through a sea carrying away the deck-house. Weather Reports. —The daily weather reports exhibited at the various telegraph offices throughout the colony having been found to be not entirely reliable, mainly, I understand, in consequence of the telegraph clerks being unable to spare sufficient time from their ord nary duties to make the requisite observations, and these reports being of great service to the seafaring community, you resolved to take steps for securing, as far as possible, thoroughly reliable information as to the state of the weather, from observations to bo made at all the coast stations by the Harbour Masters, leaving the few inland stations, as at present, in the hands of officers of the Telegraph Department; the information thus collected to be carefully recorded and studied, with a view of eventually establishing a system of storm signals such as are in use in the United Kingdom and other maritime countries. Captain Edwin was detailed to undertake this duty, and has been located in an office in the Custom House, to enable him to communicate without loss of time with the telegraph office, which is next door. The following stations are in direct communication with this central office, vis,., —Auckland, Manukau Heads, Thames, Coromandel, Taupo, Opunake, Castle Point, Wellingtoi], Hokitika, Westport, Bealey, Lyttelton, Timaru, Oamaru, Port Chalmers, Bluff, and Queenstow:i. I enclose herein a copy of a letter from Captain Edwin, reporting the progress that has already been made towards carrying out the design here referred to. Returns. —The usual returns and wreck chart will be found appended hereto. I have, &c, William Seed, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, Wellington. Secretary of Customs.

Mr. ~W. Seed to the Assistant Secbetaey, Marine Department, Board of Trade. Customs Department (Marine Branch), Sib,— ■Wellington, 12th March, 1874. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (M. 18549, 4th December, 1873), in replyto mine of the 30th September last, in which I pointed out certain difficulties that had arisen in regard to the three years' domicile qualification imposed by the 3oard of Trade on candidates for certificates of competency in this colony. In reply, I have been directed to thank you for the very full anil prompt explanation afforded by you on the points raised in my letter ; at the same time, I am to state that whilst this Department fully recognizes the necessity for due precautions being taken for preventing improper persons from obtaining certificates, yet, that a rigid adherence to the strict terms of the condition imposed by paragraph 5 of the Order in Council of 9th August, 1872, will frequently bear hardly on persons desiring to be examined for certificates of competency in this colony. A striking illustration of this is afforded in a recent case which is described in the copies of correspondence enclosed herein ; and I am to represent that the Government of this colony would esteem it a favour if the condition referred to could be relaxed, at any rate to the extent of allowing certificates to be granted to persona who have served continuously in ships trading to New Zealand for a period of, or for periods amounting to, at least three years immediately preceding their application to be examined, so as to place them in the same position as if they had served on board vessels rjgistered in New Zealand. This relaxation would meet the case of persons who take service in vessels which trade between this colony and the United Kingdom, and who naturally desire to pass their examination in the place where, from having the longest time in port, and from being able to live on shore with their friends, they have the greatest facilities for preparation and study. With regard to the last paragraph of your letter, in which yoi. point out that when the master or first mate of any British vessel arriving in this colony has frcm any cause been removed, her officers of lower grades can now bring the ship home, and that a certificate as master would not be necessary under the circumstances, 1 am to observe that this statement seems to be at variance with the paragraph on this subject in the " Second Memorandum" by the Board of Trade relating to colonial certificates. That paragraph states that —

5

H.—22

" Some enactment will be necessary in each colony availing itself of the Act to prevent British ships without certificated officers from trading to or from such colony, after a date to be fixed by the Government of such colony. The provisions of the Imperial Act applicable to British ships trading to or from the United Kingdom are contained in " The Merchant Shipping Act 1854," sections 136 and 161, and section 10 of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1862." The sections of " The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," here referred to, are in force, by adoption, in this colony (see " The Merchant Shipping Adoption Act, 1869," transmitted in my letter No. 358n, of 13th April, 1872), so that it would appear that the provisions which prevent foreign-going ships from going to sea without certificated masters are as binding in New Zealand as they are in the United Kingdom, and that, therefore, a vessel which reaches New Zealand, and loses her master, or either of her mates, from any cause, would not be entitled to clear for the return voyage without having a new certificated master or mate appointed. Indeed, this seems reasonable ; for obviously the same necessity must exist for certificated officers on the return voyage as on the outward voyage. If, however, there is some provision in the law supporting the view expressed in your letter, which has escaped attention in this colony, I should esteem it a favour if you would point it out, in order that all doubt on this important point may be cleared up. I have, &c, William Seed, Secretary of Customs. The Assistant Secretary, Marino Department, Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. " " \

Mr. W. Seed to the Registeae-Geneeal of Shipping and Seamen, London. Customs Department (Marine Branch), Sib,— Wellington, 27th September, 1873. I have the honor to forward the enclosed certificate of competency as first mate, No. 16, issued in favour of Thomas Moffatt, who passed the necessary examination at Dunedin, in this colony, on the 2nd of this month. As he sailed to London in the "J. N. Fleming" before the certificate could be forwarded to him, he requested that it might be sent to him, to the care of the RegistrarGeneral of Shipping, London. I also forward herewith his certificate as second mate, No. 96087. I have, &c, The Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, William Seed, 6, Adelaide Place, London Bridge. Secretary of Customs.

Registbab-Geneeal of Shipping and Seamen, London, to the Secbetabt of Customs, "Wellington Office of the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, Sib, — Adelaide Place, London Bridge, E.C., Ist December, 1873. With reference to your letter of the 27th September last, enclosing Imperial certificate as second mate, JN o. 96087, granted to Thomas Moffatt, in May, 1872; also a certificate as first mate, No. 16, granted to the same person, at New Zealand, in September last, but which was not issued, owing to Moffatt having sailed on his return voyage to London in the " James Nicol Fleming," of Glasgow, official No. 60442 : I herewith return the last-mentioned certificate, which I beg to acquaint you is not valid in this country, under paragraph 5 of the Order in Council dated 9th August, 1872, as Thomas Moffatt, the person to whom it was granted, had not been domiciled in New Zealand, or served in ships registered there, for a period of three years immediately preceding the application for the same. The name has been struck out of the list dated the 26th September, 1873, received by this mail. The Imperial certificate has been retained for delivery to Mr. Moffatt on his arrival in London. I am, &c, Edwabd Howe Coleman, The Secretary of Customs, Wellington, New Zealand. pro Eegistrar-General.

Mr. W. Seed to the Chief Haebotjb Mastee, Dunedin. Customs Department (Marine Branch), Sic, — Wellington, 24th February, 1874. Eeferring to the examination that was passed by Mr. T. Moffatt, of the ship " J. N. Fleming," in Dunedin, for first mate's certificate, I beg to inform you that the certificate which was granted to him has been returned to this office by the Registrar-General of Seamen, London, with the announcement that it is not valid in the United Kingdom, because Mr. Moffatt had not been domiciled in New Zealand, or served in ships registered here, for a period of three years immediately preceding the application for the certificate. "When that application was made, I was informed by the Collector at Dunedin that applicant had been all his time with Captain Logan, had shipped originally at Dunedin, and that his parents were resident there. I inferred from this that Mr. Moffatt really belonged to Dunedin, and that his domicile was unquestionable. I therefore had no hesitation in issuing a certificate to him after he had passed. As the boon granted by the Queen's Order in Council of the 9th August, 1872, which recognizes New Zealand certificates as of equal value with those issued in the United Kingdom, will be greatly diminished if the youths of this colony who ship under circumstances similar to those described above cannot pass their examinations, and obtain their certificates here, I purpose making further represen-

H.—22

6

tations on this subject to the Board of Trade, and I should be much obliged to you if you could furnish me with any additional particulars respecting Mr. Moffatt's service, as to where he was apprenticed, and whether or not this country can be properly regarded as his heme. I hava, &c., William Seed, W. Thomson, Esq., Chief Harbour Master, Dunedin. Secretary of Customs.

Chief Haeboub Mastee, Dunedin, to the Seceetaet of Customs, Wellington. Sic,— Harbour Office, Port Chalmers, 4th March, 1874. In reply to your communication of 24th ultimo, re Mr. Moffatt's service, &c, I have the honor to state that the family of which he is a member arrived here in 18G0, and reside in Dunedin still; that Thomas Moffatt attended the district schools, and afterwards the High School, from his arrival till May, 1866; then served as junior clerk in a Dunedin mercantile house for twenty-one months; and then went to sea in February, 1868, with Captain Logan, in the ship "William Davie," owned in Glasgow, and on arrival at that port was apprenticed either to Captain Logan or Patrick Henderson and Co., his parents cannot say which of the two. He has sailed with Captain Logan ever since, then in the " William Davie," now in the "J. N. Fleming." These vessels are regular traders here, and lie longer at this port than they do on the other side, so that Dunedin may be regarded as Mr. Moffatt's home. I have, &c, Wm. Thomson, The Secretary of Customs (Marine Branch), Wellington. Harbour Master.

Mr. T. Gbay to the Secbetaey of Customs. Colonial Certificates. Sic,— Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 18th May, 1874. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th March, in further reference to certain difficulties which have arisen in New Zealand in regard to three years' domicile qualification imposed by this Board on candidates for colonial certificates of competency, in which you give an instance of alleged hardship, and express a hope that the Board will be disposed to relax this condition, at least to the extent of allowing certificates to be granted to persons who have served continuously in ships trading to New Zealand for a period of, or for periods amounting to, three years immediately preceding their application to be examined. In reply, I am to inform you that there does not appear to be any need, in order to meet the cases to which you allude, to relax the regulations under which a man must either have been domiciled in New Zealand for three years, or have served on board vessels registered in the colony for that period. In the case of Mr. Moffatt, he was eligible for examination, as his domicile had been in New Zealand for three years, in the sense to which " domicile" can alone apply to seamen who are continually employed at sea; and the general cases to which you allude, where men have been longer in port in New Zealand, and spent more time with their friends there than in other places, a similar interpretation of the word domicile would apply. With regard to the remarks contained in the last paragraph of your letter, I am to st-atat, in the pointing out that when the master or first mate of any British vessel arriving in a British colony, had from any cause been removed, her officers of lower grades could bring the ship home, and that a certificate as master would not be necessary under the circumstances, this Board had overlooked the adoption of the 136 th section of " The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," by the Legislature of New Zealand, and they desire me to inform you that they approve of the Bpecial examinations in such cases to allow a lower officer of the ship to take command of the ship from New Zealand. I have, &c, The Secretary, Customs Department (Marine Branch), Thomas Geat. Wellington, New Zealand.

Commander E. A. Edwin to Mr. W. Seed. Sib, — Marine Department, Wellington, 11th August, 1874. In compliance with your request, I have now the honor to forward the following statement, showing the progress made with experimental system of weather reports, from the 28th of last April to the 30th June :— The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs having directed me to undertake this duty, and arrangements whereby I am now enabled to communicate direct with the Harbour Masters and other reporting officers having been completed, the necessary instructions were forwarded to them in the latter part of last April, and on the 28th of that month the first report was received from Lyttelton ; by the end of June reports were daily received from seventeen stations. As the instruments from which the observations are made are mostly aneroids, which are frequently found to have variable errors, a number of mercurial barometers have been ordered from England ; but as most of the observers would probably find a standard barometer difficult to read off, it has been decided to supply less expensive instruments. The duties of forecasting the weather were commenced during the second week in May, and although the instrumental errors are in some instances large, and are by no means accurately known, the experimental warnings forwarded have been in many instances correct.

H.—22

7

The Government, being desirous of affording the masters of all vessels as much assistance as possible in obtaining information as to the state of the weather, have carried into effect a plan by which short questions and answers upon this subject can be made available, the cost of both messages being defrayed by the sender, upon the principle of reply paid. The question is in all cases, " What weather have you?" The reply states the direction and force of the wind, movement of the barometer, and the state of the sea or bar. These messages are sent to the Harbour Master of the port from which it is desired to obtain the information, who forwards, in reply, the necessary particulars. I have, &c, E. A. Edwin, W. Seed, Esq., Secretary of Customs, "Wellington. Commander, E.N.

11.—22

8

RETURN of the Total Expenditure of the Marine Department for the Financial Year 1873-74.

RETURN showing Cost of Maintenance of the New Zealand Lighthouses during the Financial Year 1873-74.

RETURN showing the Quantity of Oil consumed at the New Zealand Lighthouses during the Financial Year 1873-74.

Vote 39. Item. Nature of Expenditure. Details o] 1 Expendituie. Total Amount Expended. Total Amount Voted' 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 to 19 20 I Officer in Charge Marine Engineer Inspector of Steamers and Nautical Assessor Inspector of Steamers and Engineer Surveyor ... Examiner of Masters and Mates Clerk Local Inspectors of Steamers ... Expenses under " Inquiry into Wrecks Act, 1869 " Lightkeepers' Salaries Repairs and Additions to Lighthouses, Tools, and other permanent Lighthouse Stores and Land Lighthouse Contingencies—payment of temporary Keepers, &c, &c. General Lighthouse Expenses, including Oil, &c. Liglitkeepers'Travelling Expenses Departmental Travelling Expenses Departmental Contingencies ... Charts Buoys and Beacons ... Salaries of Local Examiners of Masters and Mates £ a. d. £ s. d. 100 0 0 200 0 0 380 0 0 380 0 0 300 0 0 250 0 0 100 0 0 278 4 4 3,354 15 2 £ a. A. 100 0 0 200 0 0 380 0 0 380 0 0 300 0 0 250 0 0 250 0 0 100 0 0 3,690 0 0 276 9 5 291 15 2 929 9 10 9 6 0 332 19 0 143 7 2 25 0 4 20 4 0 157 3 3 2,185 14 2 3,000 0 O Totals... 7,528 13 8 8,650 0 0

Name of Lighthouse. Eepairs and Stores of a permanent nature. Oil and other Annual Supplies and Contingencies. Keeper's Salaries. Total Expenses for the Year. 'iri Tiri lanukau "arewcll Spit f elson tana Island 'encarrow Head Jape Campbell ... J-odley Head )airoa Head f ugget Point )og Island . £ s. d. 8 12 0 18 0 6 3 0 9 *176 17 4 6 2 2 15 17 5 34 17 3 £ s. d. 100 18 0 155 17 3 24 10 11 124 11 9 141 16 10 120 7 1 141 11 10 87 11 6 137 12 9 186 7 1 £ s. d. 341 8 6 14 3 4 440 0 0 180 0 0 330 0 0 340 0 0 319 3 4 350 0 0 320 0 0 310 0 0 410 0 0 £ b. d. 450 18 6 14 3 4 613 17 9 204 10 11 457 12 6 658 14 2 445 12 7 507 9 3 442 8 9 447 12 9 609 9 1 13 2 0 Totals ... 276 9 5 1,221 5 0 3,354 15 2 4,852 9 7 * Includes cost of land, £17:

Name of Lighthouse. Quantity of Oil consumed. Gallons. 'iri Tiri 'arewell Spit felson lana Island 'encarrow Head !apo Campbell ... kidley Head 'airoa Head fugget Point )og Island 421 437 110 549 609 427 499 367 588 603 Total for 1873-74 4,610 Total for 1872-73 4,887

9

11.—22

RETURN of the Amount received for Pilotage, Port Charges, &c. (being Provincial Revenue), at the various Ports of New Zealand, during the Financial Year 1873-74.

RETURN showing the Amount of Light Dues Collected during the Financial Year 1873-74.

Name of Province and Port. Amount Received for Pilotage. Amount Received for Port Dues, &c. Totals. Auckland— Auckland .., Onehunga ... Kaipara Thames Russell Mongonui ... Hokianga ... £ s. d. 1,329 12 6 83 19 4 288 18 10 £ s. d. 255 2 10 110 7 2 119 4 3 73 9 11 2 10 2 11 18 0 £ s. d. *1,584 15 4 194 6 G 408 3 1 73 9 11 35 16 6 23 18 0 • 138 8 0 33 6 4 12 0 0 138 8 6 Totals 1,886 5 6 572 12 4 2,458 17 10 Tabanaki— New Plymouth 46 7 0 30 13 3 77 0 3 Wellington— Wanganui ... Wellington 226 7 2 2,032 14 11 1,132' 1 9 226 7 2 3,164 16 8 Totals 2,259 2 1 1,132 1 9 3,391 3 10 Hawke's Bat— Napier 880 17 8 177 1 2 1,057 18 10 Nelson — Nelson 774 2 0 10 16 1 784 18 1 Westland— Hokitika 48 5 0 48 5 0 Canteebury— Ly ttelton ... Timaru 2,814 10 6 1,315 10 7 14 18 8 4,130 1 1 14 18 8 « Totals 2,814 10 6 1,330 9 3 4,144 19 9 Otago— Oamaru Dunedin Inveroargill Bluff Riverton 2,469"12 3 278 6 11 1,207 16 1 20 13 10 46 10 4 17 0 278 6 11 3,677 8 4 20 13 10 419 8 9 36 6 2 372 18 5 34 19 2 Totals 2,877 9 10 1,554 14 2 4,432 4 0 Totals, 1873-74 11,586 19 7 4,808 8 0 16,395 7 7 Totals, 1872-73 8,137 6 4 4,006 2 0 12,143 8 4 :nue

Port at which Collected. Amount. Auckland Onehunga ... Kaipara Tauranga Russell Mongonui ... Hokianga Whangarei ... New Plymouth Wanganui ... Wellington ... Napier Picton Havelock Kaikoura Nelson Westport Greymouth ... Hokitika Lyttclton Akaroa Timaru Oamaru Dunedin Tnvercargill ... Bluff Riverton £ s. d. 1,472 13 4 8 0 5 15 17 3 12 1 6 29 8 3 14 3 7 15 6 6 2 2 36 7 9 33 11 5 1,484 16 10 99 6 5 88 12 10 20 1 6 3 5 3 605 15 3 47 10 7 67 8 11 27 10 4 1,864 8 4 5 10 4 83 6 4 101 3 3 2,296 1 1 5 14 9 413 12 4 4 5 3 Total for 1873-71 £8,841 11 4 Total for 1872-73 £0,845 9 5 2—H. 22.

H.—22.

RETURN showing the Number of Masters and Mates examined, distinguishing the Number of Successful and Unsuccessful Candidates.

RETURN of Masters, Mates, and Engineers, to whom Certificates of Competency have been granted under "The Merchant Ships Officers Examination Act, 1870," during the Financial Year 1873-74.

10

Aucklam 'ellingtoi ►unedin Totals. Class Examined for. Passed. Failed. Total. Passed. Failed. Total. Pissed. Failed. Failed. Passed. Failed. Total. 'oreign-going Certificates [omc-trade Certificates 24 29 8 32 29 53 8 7 6 3 3 10 9 2 1 2 1 33 15 32 3 65 18 Totals 61 13 6 19 3 48 35 83

Names. Sank for which Certificate has beon granted. Class of Certificate. Date of Issue of Certificate. No. of Certificate. fohn Scouller* rames Matthew* ... Frederick Ohlson* Fohn Peter Oakes* rhomas Chrisp* ... Btugh Boss* iVilliam Lamb* ... iVilliam James Johnson* ... iVilliam Farquhar* loseph Ellis*t ... thomas Moffatt* ... Chomas John Pennal* SVilliam Solloway Lane* ... Fohn Charles Moller* Charles Spooner* ... FohnGibb Sdward Harvey ... lenneth McKenzie* Donald Hugh McKenzie* ... Henry Morton Frederick Jones* ... Jimon McKenzie* Fames Frederick Irving Fames Carey Jeuben Wells* ... ETenry Johnson Peter Devereux ... Charles Frederick Helander* roseph Murray* ... iVilliam Graham Alexander* Patrick McConville David John Jackson lenry Fisk lenry William Knight Gorman McKenzie fohn Christian Moller Hurdoch David Sutherland Frederick Melhuish Dicker... Jeorge Komeril ... Ufred Moss Jdward Nelson Fames Wills Donald Urquhart... Facob Wichman ... rhomas Swedo 5dward Stephenson Jeorgo Cliappell*... Phomas Thomson* rohn Sewell* rohn Coutts* fames Carlaw* tames Stewart* ... rohn Morton* lobert Johnson* ... Master ... First Mate Master ... Foreign Trade jj jj 16 July, 1873 16 July, 1873 14 August, 1873 26 August, 1873 26 August, 1873 26 August, 1873 11 Sept. 1873 11 Sept. 1873 11 Sept. 1873 23 Sept. 1873 23 Sept. 1873 26 November, 1873 7 November, 1873 19 December, 1873 3 January, 1874 9 January, 1874 9 January, 1874 6 February, 1874 26 February, 1874 26 January, 1874 27 January, 1874 30 January, 1874 30 January, 1874 26 February, 1874 19 March, 1874 27 March, 1874 2 April, 1874 28 April, 1874 28 April, 1874 15 June, 1874 16 July, 1873 16 July, 1873 31 July, 1873 25 August, 1873 7 November, 1873 7 November, 1873 26 November, 1873 26 November, 1873 27 January, 1874 30 January, 1874 19 March, 1874 21 March, 1874 28 April, 1874 28 April, 1874 28 April, 1874 1 May, 1874 16 July, 1873 16 July, 1873 22 August, 1873 30 Sept. 1873 1 May, 1874 29 October, 1873 27 January, 1874 27 January, 1874 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 5,010 5,011 5,012 5,013 5,014 5,015 5,016 5,017 5,018 5,019 5,020 5,021 5,022 5,023 5,024 5,025 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 jj jj >t •" >> jj First Mate Master ... jj )» jj jj jj jj ,, ... jj j> jj ■" H JJ ,, ... First Mate Master ... Second Mate Master ... JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ Only Mate JJ JJ JJ JJ )) ••• Master ,.. JJ JJ JJ JJ First Mate Master ... JJ JJ JJ JJ J> JJ )j ... JJ JJ »j ... Only Mate Master .., Only Mate jj JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ JJ jj ••• Master ... First Mate Master ... JJ JJ JJ JJ Home „ )> ■•• jj jj }> ■•■ j» sj jj ... jj jj jj jj jj jj jj » •■• jj jj jj •■• jj jj jj jj jj ••• jj jj II ... jj jj jj jj jj Mate Master ... Mate Engineer... jj jj jj jj Second Class jj • •• jj jj jj ••• jj jj First „ jj "■ jj • ■ • JJ JJ ji • ■• JJ JJ Second „ }) jj ••• » » * Issued under the provisions of similar Certificates granted by the Boam t Passed in steam. Cer Majesty's Order ii of Trade in the TJnitei Council of Oth Augui Kingdom. it, 1872, and have the si Line force as

11

11.—22

RETURN of Masters, Mates, and Engineers to whom Certificates of Service have been granted under "The Merchant Ships Officers Examination Act Amendment Act, 1871" during the Financial Year 1873-74.

Kame. Rank for which Certificate has been granted. Class of Certificate. Date of Issue of Certificate. No. of Certificate. Williams, Edward Stafford... Holmes, Thomas ... Payne, William Atkins Campbell, John Mason, John Brown, G-ilbcrt Bouman, Herman Jacobus ... Savage, Thomas ... Wilson, Isaac Mathieson, Duncan Stephens, James ... Smith, Neil Greenwood, Joseph Couch, Charles Weir, Archibald ... Williams, George ... Moore, John Munro, Alexander Taylor ... Trimmer, Henry ... Le Brun, John Botham, John Hughes, Thomas ... McLeod, Roderick Chapman, George Prowso ... Leslie, Peter Greig Tray to, George Henry Perkins, Edward ... Hedges, Frank Lawrenson, Herman Evans, Charles Tizard, Henry Hayes Martin, Alfred Wann, John Thomas Gibbs, Alexis George Butt, Richard Groombridge Palmer, William Henry Doble, Robert Lennon, Michael ... Nolan, James Berriman, Richard Quarterman, Edward Gadney Stewart, Duncan ... Stavers, William ... Gibbons, George Miltor Gibbons, George Miltor Smith, Richard Charles Rae, Daniel Munro, Alexander Colcman, Charles ... Evanson, John Bonncr, Charles ... Palmer, Abraham... Wilson, John Black, James Gathercole, William Lennan, Patrick Joseph Williams, William Lennan, Patrick Joseph Ross, John Lloydd, William ... Lloydd, William ... Rackstraw, Frank Henry ... Tiller, John William Jones, Thomas Glover, William ... Maule, Francis Clarkson, John Alfred Watts, William ... Bendall, William ... Games, John Allason, William ... Cook, John William McKay, Donald ... Ramaay, John Printz, George Sullivan, William... Bignell, George William Donovan, Andrew... Fairchild, John Westrup, John Lake, Edward Oatridge, William... Chambers, Alexander Stevens, James Kirkwood, David ... Murray, William ... Balme, Charles Hunter, Hugh Kirkhan, John Keith, Archibald ... Master ,, ■.. Foreign Trade ..' Home „ Foreign „ Home „ 1 July, 1873 24 July, 1873 25 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 29 July, 1873 8 August, 1873 8 August, 1873 8 August, 1873 20 August, 1873 22 August, 1873 22 August, 1873 22 August, . 1873 3 Sept. 1873 9 Sept. 1873 12 Sept. 1873 16 Sept. 1873 29 Sept. 1873 29 Sept. 1873 29 Sept. 1873 29 Sept. 1873 29 Sept. 1873 4 October, 1873 18 October, 1873 29 October, 1873 29 October, 1873 29 October, 1873 29 October, 1873 29 October, 1873 29 October, 1873 12 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 28 November, 1873 10 December, 1873 10 December, 1873 10 December, 1873 10 December, 1873 10 December, 1873 10 December, 1873 20 January, 1874 26 January, 1874 26 January, 1874 26 January, 1874 26 January, 1874 29 January, 1874 20 February, 1874 20 February, 1874 20 February, 1874 20 February, 1874 20 February, 1874 27 February, 1874 27 February, 1874 21 March, 1874 21 March, 1874 21 March, 1874 22 May, 1874 22 May, 1874 22 May, 1874 22 May, 1874 22 May, 1874 23 May, 1874 24 June, 1874 24 June, 1874 24 June, 1874 26 June, 1874 8 July, 1873 18 October, 1873 18 October, 1873 28 November, 1873 6 February, 1874 13 February, 1874 2,281 2,282 2,283 2,284 2,285 2,286 2,287 2,288 2,289 2,290 2,291 2,292 2,293 2,294 2,295 2,296 2,297 2,298 2,299 2,300 2,301 2,302 2,303 2,304 2,305 2,306 2,307 2,308 2,309 2,310 2,311 2,312 2,313 2,314 2,315 2,316 2,317 2,318 2,319 2,320 2,321 2,322 2,323 2,324 2,325 2,326 2,327 2,328 2,329 2,330 2,331 2,332 2,333 2,334 2,335 2,336 2,337 2,338 2,339 2>340 2,341 2-342 2,343 2,344 2-346 2'347 2'348 2>349 2'350 2'351 2'352 2'353 2>354 2'355 2'356 2'357 2'358 2'359 2'360 2'361 2'362 2'363 2'364 2'365 l'O21 l'O22 l'O23 l'O24 1,025 1,026 ,, ... ,, ,, ,, ... ,, ... Foreign „ Home „ ,, jj ,, ,, ,, ... Foreign ,, Home „ ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ••■ ,, ,, ,, •- ■ ,, Foreign „ Home „ Mate )» ... ,, ,, Foreign ,, Home ■ „ Foreign ,, Home „ Foreign „ JJ Master Mate Master ... a ■•• ,, ,, ... ,, ,, ••• Home „' Foreign ,, )i jj ••• Jj j, ,, ,, ... larbour & River Trade Homo Trade Foreign „ Home „ Foreign „ Home „ Foreign „ Home „ jj j» ... jj jj J> ••• Mate Master u ,, ,, ... j, ,, ,, ... jj ,, ,, ... Mate Master ,, ,, ... ,, ,, ... jj ,, ,, Foreign „ Mate ... Master ... Home „ jj ••■ ,, ,, ... jj ,, ,, ... j» ,, ,, j> ,, ,, ... jj ■•■ jj ••■ j, jj ... jj jj j, ... ,, ,j ... jj ... ,, ,, ••• » ••• jj „ ... j) ,, jj ... >j Mate Master Mate Master Foreign „ ,, jj ■•• jj ,, •>• Home „ jj ••• j, „ ••■ jj ••• jj jj jj ■•• jj j> ,, j, ••• jj ••• „ ,, jj j, jj ... )) |tl Foreign „ Home „ JJ •• ■ JJ • '* JJ ••• ,j ,, ... Mate Master ,, j, ••• j> ••■ ,, j, ••• Foreign „ Home „ jj jj ••• „ ,j •■• jj ,j jj ••• jj ••• ,, ,, ••• jj ••• j, jj •■• ji •*• a jj ••• Mate Master Engineer... j, jj ••♦ Foreign „ Home „ Second Class jj jj ■•■ jj • •• j, ... j » • ■_• ,, ... jj ••« ,, ... j>

TT 99

RETURN of Steam Vessels to which Certificates have been issued in New Zealand during the Financial Year 1873-74.

12

Name of Vessel. Tons Register. Horse Power of Engines, Nature of Propeller. Class of Certiilcate. Nature of Engines. Remarks. Bluo Nose Waipa Eclipse Kangiriri Waikato Enterprise No. 1 Enterprise No. 2 Gemini lady Bowen ... Royal Alfred ... LallaRookh ... Devonport Challenger Golden Crown... 42. 30 8 30 61 22 40 11 29 89 23 23 26 207 152 175 101 10 20 74 58 4 G5 5 14 12 33 416 298 286 261 184 103 260 83 67 44 174 39 28 18 10 24 43 27 46 47 50 126 118 108 13 79 25 34 35 32 60 111 101 165 24 48 26 38 13 24 21 30 56 89 86 59 125 30 30 8 30 14 14 32 7 34 60 14 12 30 140 60 45 35 7 10 30 20 4 40 8 8 12 15 120 90 70 80 50 45 120 30 30 24 45 10 10 10 6 25 30 32 15 30 25 30 60 70 12 60 8 15 30 20 30 70 25 50 60 30 60 40 10 12 55 25 40 60 25 18 36 Paddle River Non-condensing Screw Stern Wheel Paddle i) )j ii Steam Launch. ] n a a H II Extended Biver River Extended River Sea-goin# Extended Kivcr River Extended River >* jj Twin Screw Paddle »> Condensing n Non-condensing )> ii )» Sea-going ii Condensing jj Comerang Star of the South Pretty Jane Tarn O'Shanter Lily Eowena Takapuna La Buena Ventura Southern Cross Lily Una Bella Fairy Phojbe Taranaki Lady Bird Wellington Kangatira Manawatu Paterson Go-Ahead Storm Bird Napier St. Kilda Tongariro Osprey Pioneer Pioneer Halcyon Novelty Clyde Mullogh Gazelle Screw Paddle Twin Screw Screw Paddlo Screw )> jj n n jj >j M 3) JJ River Extended River Sea-goin River jj Sea-going River Extended River Sea-going >) >j Non-condensing m Condensing Non-condensing ii Condensing Non-condensing >i n Condensing j> » >» Steam Launch. Steam Launch. Steam Launch. Paddlo ii Twin Screw Screw j) jj Non-condensing jj ii Paddle jj Extended River River Condensing Screw )5 Non-condensing j> )» Twin Screw Paddle Extended River River Extended River River Extended 3iiiver »> Steam Launch. j) >> )J Screw )> >> n ii Condensing Moa Beautiful Star... Maori Geelong Effort Golden Ago Jane Jane Williams... Antrim Peninsula Lady of the Lake Samson Wallabi )> H Paddle n if Screw jj Sea-going ii »j River jj ti ?> >> ii Non-condensing ii n Paddle jj ii jj a H jj Sea-going ii d> Condensing Screw jj ii )> Wanganui Tuapeka Waipara Lioness Dispatch Result Stern Wheel Twin Screw Paddle River Sea-goir g Non-condensing Condensing .* jj i] M Twin Screw Paddle jj Extended IRiver Non-condensing Ino Titan Lady Barkly ... Wallace Charles Edward Ly ttelton Murray Kennedy ii » jj Sea-goir g Extended Kiver Sea-goir. g Condensing ii 3) n >j It Screw Twin Screw it ii H 1) jj »

13

H.—22

RETURN of General Exemption Certificates issued during the Financial Year 1873-74.

RETURN of the Amount Collected during the Financial Year 1873-74 as Fees under the Steam Navigation Act and the Merchant Ships Officers Examination Act, and for Sale of Charts, &c.

No. of Certificate. Names of Masters, to whom Certificates have been issued. Names of Vessels for which Certificates have been issued. Ports included on Certificate, 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 William Conway ... John William Carpenter Frank Moore Joseph Hughes William Christie Sinclair John Walter Garth Mathew Houston ... John Griffiths George Loverock ... James Brand Kennedy Ocean Wave... Victoria Comcrang Claud Hamilton Sea Bird Lizzy Grey ... Manawatu Surprise Charybdis Nelson, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, and Okarito. Auckland. Auckland. Auckland. Wellington. Hokitika, Greymouth, and Okarito. Hokitika, Greymouth, and Okarito. Wellington. Auckland. Russell, Auckland, Manukau, Kaipara, Tauranga, Lyttelton, Akaroa, Timaru, Mongonui, and New Plymouth. Dunedin. Auckland. Wellington. Lyttelton, Akaroa, Timaru, and Bluff. Lyttelton. Wellington and Lyttelton. Lyttelton, and Timaru. Dunedin. Wellington. Lyttelton. Wellington. Auckland. Lyttelton and Dunedin. Dunedin. Auckland and Mongonui. Lyttelton and Wellington. Auckland. Lyttelton. Lyttelton. Lyttelton. Auckland. Auckland and Wellington. Dunedin. Lyttelton. Lyttelton. Dunedin. Russell, Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttelton. Lyttelton. Russell, Auckland, New Plymouth, Manukau, Kaipara, and Lyttelton. Wellington. 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 David Cochrane Law James Brownell Charles Lloyd George Macdonald Brown ... John Mitchell Henry Moulton Edward Thomas Miles John Petersen William Bowden ... Henry Boon Powell Andrews William Rose Charles Joseph Campbell Robert Nieoll William Jackson ... George Greenwood... Roderick McLeod ... James Croket William S. Petrie ... James Taylor William Henry Palmer Georgo Walker Elliot Websdale ... John Maccy John Coleman John Blaney George Mundle Thomas Paterson ... John Bishop Queensland ... Princess Alico Rangatira Celestia Ellen Tasso Free Trader ... Pretty Jane ... Claud Hamilton Southern Cross Anne Melhuish Coronet Thomas and Henry Czarewitch ... LallaRookh ... Isabella Marmion Queensland ... Medora Silver Lining Pretty Jane ... Alarm Bobycito Carl Eleanor Wanganui Paterson Pakeha Thomas and Henry 232 Thomas Jarvis Result

Nature of Receipt. Amount Collected. £ b. d. ?ees under Steam Navigation Act and Merchant Ships Officers Examination Act ... Sale of Charts ... iale of Oil Casks, &c. ... 614 17 0 44 5 6 19 8 10 Total £678 11 4

H.—22.

RETURN of Wrecks on which Inquiries have been held under the Inquiry into Wrecks Act, or for which Casualty Returns have been received, between 1st July, 1873, and 30th June, 1874.

14

Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel, also Age and Class, when known. Eig. Register Tonnage. Number of i Crew. Passengers Nature of Cargo. Nature of Casualty. Number of Lives Lost. Place where Casualty took place. Wind. Finding of the Court of Inquiry. Name of Master. Force. 1873. July 18 " Excelsior," 13 years Schooner 92 6 4 Timber, Salt, Slates General Stranded ; partial loss Eocks off Flat Point '. E.N.E. Moderate Vessel ran too near Flat Point; probably compass affected by quantity of chain cable stowed nine or ten feet from it Loss occasioned by vessel standing in too close before being sufficiently to windward to enter the channel Loss occasioned by stress of weather. Master should have provided himself with proper chart Master censured for not taking the vessel through the passage himself. Mate also censured, as he did not exercise the vigilance necessary for such intricate navigation Vessel sprung a leak, pump broke down, and she had to be beached. Care should have been taken to see that spare pump was in working order Vessel drew too much water, for bar William Joiner. July 22 "Meteor," 9 years Schooner 43 4 Stranded; total loss Wanganui Bar, South Spit w. Gale Peter Lang. July 28 " Union," 24 years Brig 158 8 1 Ballast Stranded ; total loss Wangaroa Bay ... N.E. Whole gale Alexander McCallum. July 30 " Rangitoto," s.s., 15 years Schooner 448 33 Not known General Stranded; total loss Jackson Head, Cook Strait S.E. Light Hugh Mackie. July [31 " Canterbury," 18 years Schooner 38 Produce Stranded ; partial loss Kaikoura Peninsula S.W. Strong breeze John Grubb. Aug. 1 " Tawera," 10 years "Jane," s.s., 5 years " Trade Wind," 15 months Schooner 55 General Stranded; partial loss Stranded ; partial loss Capsized & foundered; partial loss Stranded; partial loss Bar Turanganui Eiver, Poverty Bay Orewa Eiver, near Auckland. Between Eangitoto and Wangaproa,in Hauraki Gulf Eastern side of entrance to Port Nicholson Lat. 35° 33' S., Lung. 160 = 1' is. Light Joseph Kennedy. William Adams. s.w. Aug. 1 Schooner 25 Vessel parted cable, and went ashore Aug. 20 Cutter 19 3 Flour and Sundries Sudden gust Heavy Vessel capsized by squall from unexpected quarter; no blame to master. Samuel Eichard Savoy. Aug. 21 " Anne Melhuish," 24 years Barque 344 11 Coal and Maize N.W. Fresh breeze, squally The master acted throughout in a seamanlike manner, and is free from blame, the accident being unavoidable Accident partly if not wholly due to bad stowage William Davidson. Aug. 24 " Lady Bowen " Barque 892 Wool, Cot-; ton, Copper & other Orei Wheat and Bran Coal, Timber, Coke Coal i Cargo damaged by shipping water in a gale N.N. VV. Strong gale | Joseph JWyuason. Aug. 26 " Jane Anderson," "} 5 years f "Emile," X 10 years J " Scotsman," 16 years Schooner 96 6 ! Fresh \ breeze 1 Heavy gale The collision was not attributable to any want of seamanship or neglect of any kind on the part of captain of "Jane Anderson " Vessel was unable to beat out, and the heavy sea caused cables to part. Wo blame attached to the master " Jane Anderson " came into collision with "Emile," by which "Emile" was disabled, and could not get to sea. Heavy seas caused cable to part, and vessel was thrown on the beach Cables parted by heavy seas; Master was justified in running the vessel on shore. Vessel was not supplied with sufficient quantity of cable Cables parted by heavy seas, and vessel was then run ashore. Master took every precaution to prevent accident HughPaterson. Brig 214 9 Collision; partial loss Oamaru Bay N.E. Joseph Pallant. Aug. 27 Brig 231 10 3 Stranded; total loss Oamaru Beach ... N.E. Charles Eogers. Aug. 27 " Emile," 10 years Brig 214 9 Coal, Timber, Coke Stranded; total loss Oamaru Beach ... East Storm Joseph Pallant. Aug. 27 " Duke of Edinburgh," 5 years )hree-masted Schooner 77 Ember Stranded; partial loss Timaru Beach N.E. Strong breeze James Dunn. "Fairy Queen," 10 years Brig 214 Coal, 12 tons Stranded; total loss Timaru Beach Strong breeze William Spence. .ug. 27 East

H.—22

15

Eetues of "Wrecks on which Inquiries have been held, &c. — continued. Date of Casualty. Name of Teasel, also Age and Class, when known. Big. Register Tonnage. Number of I Crew. Passengers Nature of Cargo. Nature of Casualty. dumber pf Lives Lost. Place where Casualty took place. o s W Wind. find. Force. Finding of the Court of Inquiry. Name of Master. 1873. Aug. 27 " Wanderer," 2 years Ketch 32 Wheat Stranded; partial loss Timaru Beach N.E. Moderate gale Cables parted by heavy seas ; having lost all anchors and being unable to beat out, was run ashore. Master used all precaution to prevent casualty. Vessel supplied with too little cable for an open roadstead No blame attached to master and crew at inquiry; but it is possible that the accident arose from an error of judgment on the part of the late master (who unfortunately lost his life by the accident), in not heaving to The master did everything necessary under the circumstances Vessel sprung a leak and was beached to save her. Master acted judiciously Master fully acquitted of all blame Chas. McLean. Sept. 7 " Claud Hamilton," 13 years Three-masted Schooner 530 35 30 General Deck-house washed overboard At sea, in lat. 40° T 8., long. 156° E. S.E. Gale William Rouse (drowned). W. C. Sinclair, at Inquiry. " Kestrel," 1 year " Lady of the Lake," s.8., 11 years " Oreti," 7 years " Ottawa," 8 years Ketch Total loss Gale Ferdinand Meller. Stephen Tall. Sept. 10 20 Ballast Port Underwood, Ocean Bay Timaru Beach S.E. Sept. 10 Schooner 60 8 Ballast Partial loss S.S.E. Gale Sept. 17 Schooner 66 G Flour Stranded; total loss Stranded; total loss Oamaru Beach ... Easterly N.N. W. Fresh breeze Strong breeze Charles William Bartlett. William Best. Sept. 22 Brigantine 222 9 2 Timber Stony River, New Plymouth Vessel ran on shore. Master stated that compasses were deranged by electricity. Court found that accident was not caused by wrongful act or default of master Opportunity to leave anchorage was neglected. Master's certificates as master and second mate suspended for six months Every effort possible under circumstances was apparently made by master Sept. 28 "Rose of Eden," 6 years Schooner 30 Timber Stranded; partial loss Ocean Bay, in Chaffer's Passage, entrance to Port Nicholson On reef, about 1 mile south of Settlement on Island of Mangaia, South Pacific Molyneux River, 1 mile above Coal Point Hokitika Bar s. Gale James Grieve. Oct. 7 " Prince of Wales," 11 years Cutter 23 14 General Merchandise Stranded; total loss Calm Robert Burr. Oct. 22 " Tuapeka," p.s. 10 years Potatoes, 21 tons Partial loss Force of current caused her to strike against snag John Paterson. 24 5 Oct. 24 "Bencleuch," 1 year " Speedwell," Schooner 66 5 Timber Stranded; partial loss Stranded ; partial loss Light No blame attached to master ... Daniel Henry. Oct. 29 Ketch 36 3 Curtis' Wharf, Grahamstown, Thames, Auckland N.W. Strong gale Accident caused by stress of weather and bad holding ground Frank Ohemines. Nov. 15 " Fiery Cross," ~\ 5 years t "Bonita," ( 6 months J " Maggie Robertson," 1 year Schooner 72 4 Coal -\ Gum and I Stores J Firewood Collision j partial loss Light breeze ( " Bonita" did not keep away soon \ enough. If wind had been strong, she 1 would have cleared " Fiery Cross " Vessel struck against piece of baulk timber, which knocked a hole into her and caused her to founder Fire caused by flaring-up or explosion of a kerosene lamp left unattended in mate's room Every effort made to save vessel. Accident caused by insufficient length of cable Thomas Short. Schooner 22 3 Off Point Rodney S.W. Henry Ngaru. Nov. 27 Schooner 16 2 Foundered; partial loss Off Chamberlain's Island, Hauraki Gulf Wharf, Bluff Harbour N.W. Moderate breeze David Skinner. Dec. 18 " Wanganui," s.s., 10 years Schooner 129 18 General Partial damage by fire Stranded ; total loss N.W. Fresh breeze Charles Fraser. Dec. 19 " Mary Brilliard," 8 years Cutter 14 3 Ballast Caroline Beach, Island of Ruapuke N.W. Strong gale James Adams.

11.—22.

16

Eettjrn of Wrecks m which Inquiries have been he] .d, &c. — continued. Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel, »lso Age and Class, ■when known. Rig. Register Tonnage. Nun ! nber of Nature of Passengers argo. Nature of Casualty. Number of Lives Lost. Place where Casualty took place. s Wind. Finding of the Court of Inquiry. Crew. Force. Name of Master. 1873. Doc. 20 Stranded ; total loss " Redcliff," 15 years Ketch 22 Grain AlldayBay N.N. E. Whole gale Master perhaps showed want of judgment in not leaving bay when he could, but he did not expect that the N.E. wind would attain its height before 11 a.m., as usual, by which time he would have been ready for sea again. Casualty first caused by N.E. gale and southerly current setting her on South Spit. The final cause being a heavy fresh that came down river and rendered all preparations to heave her off useless Vessel lost through wrongful act and default of Edmund Joseph Johnson, Master, Abram Forshaw, Mate, and Edward Heselton, Second Mate. Master and mate's certificates cancelled, and 9econd mate's suspended for two years Loss supposed to have been caused by some damage done to steering gear, which caused her to put back to Manakau, and that in running in over the bar, not being under the command of her helm, she broached-to and capsized. No blame seems attributable to master, owners, or William Halford. Dec. 20 " Aborigine," 6 years Brigantine 132 General Stranded ; total loss Hokitika River ... N.E. Strong gale James Levens. " Surat," 11 years, classed for 12 years at Liverpool Lloyds Ship 1,000 Stranded ; total loss Struck upon Chasland's Mistake, and subsequently beached in Catlin's Bay Fresh breeze Edmund Joseph Johnson. Dec. 31 37 270 General N.W. 1874. Feb. 2 "Flora Macdonald," 12 years Cutter 18 General Capsized and foundered; total loss I 8 (all hands) Manukau Bar S.W. Heavy squalls J. L. Kenny. "Allahabad," 9 years, Aa 1, Lloyds Lat. 36° 40' South, Long. 178° 20' West crew Masts cut away to save vessel which had been thrown on her beam ends by heavy sea Feb. 2 Ship 1,185 25 Coal Lost mizen mast, maintopmast, boats, &c. Collision ; partial loss s.s.w. Hurricane F. W. Crispin. Jjeb. 1 :: Bauntiess," \ I 2 years f " Challenger," s., ( 4 years J " Florence," 5 years Schooner Ti 1 1 at I time of collision 1 Ballast Between Breakwater and Queen Street Wharf, Auckland South Spit, at entrance to Hokitika River 3.8.E. Whole gale Collision caused through fault of both vessels [William Millar. Feb. 7 Schooner 26 Ballast W. D. HarFeb. 10 Schooner 55 5 General Stranded; partial loss S.W. Moderate Breeze Flood having come down the river, silted up the bar to the extent of four feet, which was not discernible from signal station or tug Accident caused by mismanagement of master whilst labouring under influence of liquor; first mate, Mr. Wise, and second mate, Mr.' Marsack, also blamed. Court considered that it had not power to suspend certificates, as the vessel was not seriously damaged. Nautical Assessor concurred in finding of Court relative to misconduct of officers, but not as to want of power of Court to suspend certificates Heavy sea striking tug caused her to lose her headway in breakers on bar, when current set vessel on to North Spit. No blame attributable to master greaves. Gilbert Brown. Mar. 1 " Anazi," 9 years, Al at Lloyds 16 years Barque 468 12 General Stranded; partial loss The Wade, Auckland Fresh W. H. Holman. 13 N.E. "Sarah and Mary," 10 years Slar. 5 Brigantine 154 Timber Stranded; partial loss Outer North Spit, entrance to Hokitika River S.W. Moderate Breeze H. Simpson. *

17

H.—22

Kettjbn of Wrecks m which Inquiries have been held, &c. — continued. Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel, also Age and Class, when known. Register Tonnage. Number of • Nature of Crew. Passengers Car S°Nature of Casualty. Number of Lives Lost. Place where Casualty took place. o a Wind. Finding of the Court of Inquiry. Name of Master. Kg. Force. f 1873. Mar. 6 " Mary Van Every," 11 years Schooner 41 4 Coal Total loss Bar, Clutha River N.E. Calm Caught on bar when in tow of steamer, line broke, and vessel drifted on to the rocks Accident unavoidable ; no blame to master and crew T. Dawson. b3 Mar. 7 b* " Randolph," 22 years Schooner 20 (not registered) 696 3 Firewood Capsized & foundered; total loss Stranded ; total loss Off Pilot Station, South Head, Port Lyttelton Two and a half miles to the eastward of Sinclair Head,Cook Strait S.W. Storm George Gray. Mar. 7 " Wellington," 20 years Ship 11 Ballast, 240 tons 2 S.E. Strong Breeze Master deficient in due care in navigation of his ship. Certificate suspended for six months. Mate censured for not keeping proper look-out. As master did his duty to the best of his ability, and was almost constantly at his post, and his fault was more an error of judgment than of culpable negligence, Court recommended that a chief mate's certificate be granted to him during period of suspension of his certificate as master Master careless in navigation of his vessel. His certificate suspended for twelve months. But as he endeavoured to do his duty, was always at his post sober and steady, Court recommended that first mate's certificate be granted to him during period of suspension of his certificate as master Wreck caused by master shortening sail instead of going about, and again, by lifting a second anchor ; if he had held on, the steamer could have gone to his assistance. If vessel had been provided with kedge and proper boats, she need not have been lost. Master's certificate suspended for six months Master free from blame ... ,., H. E. Hill. Mar. 7 "Cyrus," 6 years Barque 317 10 Ballast, 90 tons Stranded; total loss Two and a half miles to the eastward of Sinclair Head, Cook Strait S.E. Strong Breeze Powell Andrews. Mar. 9 " Silver Lining," 14 years Brig 219 10 Coal Stranded; total loss North Head Keef, Kakanui Bay Jas. Taylor. "MaidofOtago," 3£ years Bar of Waitara River, Taranaki. Duncan Bain. Mar. 15 Schooner 50 4 Timber Stranded; partial loss W.S. W. Moderate breeze Mar. 23 "Hercules," 30 years " Thames," 13 years Brigantine 139 7 Timber Stranded; partial loss Foundered; partial loss Pouto Point, Kaipara Harbour Kenepuru Sound, an arm of the Pelorus Sound Kaukapakapa Creek, Kaipara River, Auckland A reef about 400 yards from Mokomoko Jetty, New River S.S.W. Light breeze Loss caused by wind failing ... G-eorge Smith. April 3 April 18 Ketch Brig 23 263 2 10 General cargo and ballast Timber N.W. Squally Calm Vessel capsized in a sudden squall, no blame to master C. H. Smith. James Robinson. " Albion," 7 years Stranded; total loss An eddy tide set vessel on to a rock April 19 " Kate Brain," 3 months Brigantine 118 7 Railway sleepers Stranded; partial loss N.N. E. Moderate Pilot committed an error of judgment in not keeping the vessel further off from the reef. Everything possible was done to get her off. Vessels of her tonnage should be provided with a heavier kedge or a stream anchor, and should have at least two pumps Joseph Brain.

H.—22.

18

Return of Wrecks on which Inquiries have been held, &c. — continued. i Date of Casualty. Number of Wind. Name of Teasel, also Age and Class, when known. Big. Register Tonnage. I Crew. Passengers Nature of Cargo. Nature of Casualty. Number of Lives Lost. Place where Casualty took place. I Finding of the Court of Inquiry. Name of Master. Force. i i 1873. May 3 " Emulous," 9 years Brigantine 157 Flour, 48 tons Stranded; total loss Oamaru Beach ... Calm Vessel lost from neglect of master in not paying out sufficient chain to ride with. Vessels of this class should be much better found. Cables of insufficient length. Master's certificate suspended for six months Master had to slip in order to avoid being run down by " Emulous," when vessel was cast on shore by the sea Casualty occurred through vessel striking a sunken rock alleged not to be laid down in chart. No blame attributable to master Angus Mathieeon. g s 3 CD f p May 3 May 6 May 18 May 22 May 25 May 26 May 28 May 3 "Ocean Wave," 8 years Coal Stranded; total loss Oamaru Beach ... Calm Christopher Frederick Mann. Charles Baker. Schooner 118 2 May 6 "Fanny Kelly," 6 months Ketch 35 General Stranded; partial loss Hole in the Wall Passage, inside of Mercury Island, East Coast E. Moderate May 18 " Alert," 18 years Ketch 43 4 Sawn timber Abandoned; water-logged; partial loss Titirangi Bant, Guard's Bay Vessel being leaky was abandoned John King. S.S.E. May 22 " Pearl," 10 years Ketch 34 3 Coal Stranded ; partial loss Arrow Rock, western side of entrance to Nelson Harbour Off Pigeon Bay, 10 miles from Lyttelton South Head On the reef inside OmahaBay, Auckland South end of Barrett's Reef, entrance to Jfort Nicholson West Gentle breeze Casualty occurred by master attempting to bring vessel into harbour against the tide A sudden puff of wind capsized and she foundered Edward Nelson. May 25 " Emu," 24 years Ketch 27 2 Ballast Capsized; total loss S.W. Thomas Thompson. May 26 " Mary Thomson," 23 years Schooner 49 5 Ballast Stranded ; total loss S.by E. Heavy gale Vessel lost through stress of weather; no blame to master Martin John O'Connell. May 28 "Earl of South Esk," 16 years Barque 336 12 Coal, 478 tons S. Light breeze Vessel lost through error in judgment on part of master : 1st. In endeavouring to beat into harbour without a pilot; 2nd. In weighing his anchor before the southerly wind had fairly set in ; 3rd. When getting under way and seeing the wind baffling, he did not either make a stern board or let go his anchor again. Master censured for carelessness and want of caution, more particularly] in not having jib bent William Archibald Frodsham. Stranded ; total loss May 31 " Kate " p E. Joseph Barnard Tilley. Schooner 26 Grain, Oats, and Seed Stranded ; partial loss North Spit at entrance to Wanganui River Light May 31 "Agnes" Cutter 23 3 Timber Supposed stranded; total loss Stranded ; total loss Supposed 3 (all hands) About half - way between Waikato and Raglan Bar at the mouth of the Wairau River known Portions of wreck of vessel picked up between Waikato and Raglan Prank Brew. Not June 7 " Gem " Ketch 6 (Not registered) 33 2 Firewood and Pigs N.E. Strong Loss unavoidable; no blame attached to anybody Robert George Staveley. June 19 "Elizabeth" Ketch 3 Ballast Loss of life 1 Four miles from Wellington Heads South Spit, Greymouth Bar S.E. Man accidentally fell overboard William Short. June 22 " Waipara," s.s. Schooner 70 9 Coals Stranded; partial loss N.W. Strong breeze Early on the tide, not sufficient allowance made for sea and wind C. S. Bascand.