MARINE DEPARTMENT. (ANNUAL REPORT OF DEPARTMENT FOR 1886-87.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session II, H-04

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Sess. 11.—1887. NEW ZEALAND.

MARINE DEPARTMENT. (ANNUAL REPORT OF DEPARTMENT FOR 1886-87.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sib, — Marine Department, Wellington, 25th July, 1887. I do myself the honour to transmit herewith, for your Excellency's information, the report of the Marine Department of this colony for the financial year ended on the 31st March last. I have, &c, W. J. M. Labnach, Minister having charge of the Marine Department. His Excellency Sir W. F. Drummond Jervois, Gr.C.M.G., &c, Governor of New Zealand.

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Sess. 11.—1887. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sib, — Marine Department, Wellington, 17th May, 1887. I do myself the honour to submit the following report of this department for the year ended on the 31st March last:— Lighthouses.—No addition has been made to the number of coastal lighthouses, but leadinglights have been erected on the north and south sides of the entrance to Manukau Harbour to guide vessels over the bar. The lighthouses have been maintained in good order. The following accidents to the lights have been reported. At TaiaroaHead the light was blown out by a sudden gust of wind, but it was lighted again in a few seconds. At Tory Channel a glass broke and nearly extinguished the light on the 6th July last. At the Brothers the keeper on watch allowed the light to become stationary on two occasions : he was dismissed from the service as soon as the fact was reported. At French Pass the light on the beacon, which is kept burning day and night, was blown out on nine different occasions; but, with the exception of one night when the boat could not go off, it was always lighted again as soon as the tide would allow, and the whole time that the light was out after sunset, with the exception of the night above referred to, was under two hours. No complaints in respect of any of these accidents were received from mariners. Although the lighthouses and other buildings connected therewith are at present in good order, there are some that will soon require considerable repairs; this applies more particularly to the galvanized-iron roofing, which, in the case of lighthouse premises, is, owing to their proximity to the sea, liable to deterioration. It is probable that the boat-shed at French Pass will have to be shifted shortly, as the present site is likely to be covered by a slip. The repairs referred to in last year's report as having been carried out at Puysegur Point have had the effect of considerably strengthening the tower, which is now perfectly water-tight. The tower has during the past year been stayed with four galvanized wire-rope stays, which have added considerably to its stability. A wire-rope tramway has been erected by Captain Fairchild, of the s.s. " Hinemoa," at Cape Maria van Diemen, between the island on which the lighthouse is built and the main land. This tramway will enable the keepers to get their mails, fresh meat, &c, without incurring the risk of crossing the passage in a boat. During the year one assistant-keeper has resigned, one has been dismissed from the service, and the services of one have been dispensed with on the ground of ill-health, and he has been paid compensation for loss of office. A new set of instructions to light-keepers, based on the most recent instructions published by the Northern (Scottish) Board of Lighthouses, with such additions and alterations as were considered necessary to adapt them to the requirements of the New Zealand lighthouses, have been issued for the use and guidance of light-keepers. These regulations provide for the maintenance of a circulating library, a boon which, it is believed, is much appreciated by the light-keepers. Advantage was taken of the issue of these instructions to revise the scale of salaries paid, which now range from £80 a year, in the case of a probationer, to £150 in the case of a principal keeper of ten years' standing in that rank. Owing to the exigencies of the service the work of inspection has only been partially carried out during the past year. I need hardly impress upon you the great necessity that exists for a thorough periodical inspection of all lighthouses and lighthouse premises, both to see that the light-keepers are carrying out their duties properly, and that the apparatus, machinery, and buildings are kept in good order and proper repair. The large quantity of valuable property at lighthouses, without considering the very grave responsibility that rests on the department to see that the lights are properly exhibited, requires this to be done; and I trust that arrangements will be made in future to insure that the work of inspection shall be thoroughly carried out. Guvier Island. —The apparatus and lantern for this lighthouse have been received in the colony. The lamp is constructed to burn five concentric wicks, being the first of this description that has been imported into the colony. It is proposed to proceed with the erection of this lighthouse during August or September next. Kaikoitra. —A sum of money was voted for the survey of a site for a lighthouse at this place ; but, owing to a pressure of other work, nothing has yet been done in the matter.

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MAEINE DEPABTMENT. (ANNUAL REPORT OF DEPARTMENT FOR 1886-87.)

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Jackson's Head Beacon. —This beacon was practically completed by the end of the financial year. It consists of a solid tower of concrete, surmounted by a cage of wrought-iron, the top being 49ft. above high-water mark. The total cost of the concrete beacon was £2,488 11s. Id. The bad weather experienced during its construction added very considerably to the cost. Haeboues. —It having been decided by the Government that, in all cases where Harbour Boards are established, the Boards should be required to pay the cost of maintaining the harbour establishments, notice was given to all Boards who received contributions from or whose staff was paid by the Government that such payments would no longer be made. This notice affected the Wairoa, Hokitika, Eiverton, and Waimakariri Harbour Boards. The trade at Opunake, Tauranga, Picton, Catlin's Eiver, Fortrose, and Kaikoura not appearing to justify the continuance of the maintenance of harbour establishments, they have all been abolished. At Eussell arrangements have been made for the harbourmaster to act as Officer in Charge of Customs. Raipara. —A re-survey of the Galatea Channel and the channels and banks at the entrance to the Wairoa, Otamatea, Oruawharu, and Kaipara Eivers has been made by Lieutenant G. F. Smith, E.N., of this department; and a copy of the result of the survey has been sent to the Hydrographer to the Admiralty, in order that the existing charts of Kaipara may be corrected. Hokianga. —Material for the erection of a new signal-house was supplied by the department, and it was erected by the pilot staff. A new boat was also supplied to this station. Mokau Biver. —A further sum of £500 having been voted for continuing the snagging of this river, Mr. Perham and a working party were despatched there in January last; and the work, in so far as the vote lasted, was completed in a satisfactory manner shortly after the termination of the financial year. Mokihmui. —A sum of £100 was expended, under the direction of the Buller County Council, in improving the channel at this river. The work was nearly all completed during the previous financial year, but the money was not paid until the year in respect of which this report is written. Hokitika. —"When the harbour staff was taken over by the Harbour Board arrangements were made whereby the light should be maintained by the Government; but in the meantime arrangements were made for the Harbour Board to continue to maintain the light, the Government paying the Board £100 per annum for so doing. It is now proposed shortly to terminate this agreement, and to bring the charge of the light under the direct control of the department, by which a further saving will be effected. Wairau. —A sum of £200 was expended, under the direction of the Lower Wairau Eiver Board, in improving the navigation of this river. The work was nearly completed during the previous year. Collingwood. —A vote having been taken for the improvement of the channel to the coal-wharf at Eerntown, petty contracts were let under the direction of the officers of the Public Works Department, and the work has progressed favourably. Out of the £300 voted £100 had been paid at the end of the financial year. Akaroa. —A subscription having been raised for the establishment of a lifeboat at this port, a sum of £50 towards same was contributed out of the vote of this department. Orders in Council. —The following Orders in Council under the provisions of the Harbours Acts have been issued during the year : — April 16 : Approving plans of booms on Kaeo and Pupuke Eivers, Whangaroa. April 16 : Licensing Whangaroa Eafting Company to occupy foreshore, Kaeo and Pupuke Eivers, for booms. April 16 : Approving plans of wharf and tramway at Stewart's Bay, Kaiwaka Eiver. April 16: Licensing F. Mander and others to occupy foreshore, Stewart's Bay, Kaiwaka Eiver, for wharf. April 16 : Approving plans of bridge across Grey Eiver at Cobden. April 16 : Approving plans of wharf extension and cranes at Greymouth. April 16 : Vesting wharves at Mahurangi Heads, Matakana Sandspit, Upper Matakana, Puhoi, and Warkworth in Eodney County Council. May 12 : Approving plans of Hobson Street Wharf, Auckland. May 12 : Approving plans of concrete buttresses and rubble apron in front of Quay Street wall, Auckland. May 19 : Approving plans of extension of south breakwater, Greymouth. June 1 : Approving plans of further extension of Awhitu Wharf, Manukau. June 15 : Approving plans of bridge across Waihou Eiver, Hokianga. June 15 : Approving plans of breastwork in Iron Pot, Napier. June 15 : Approving plans of Mr. Sim's wharf, Kaiapoi. July 13 : Approving plans of Taruheru Footbridge, and authorising erection of same. July 20 : Declaring that Devonport Borough Council shall return member to Auckland Harbour Board in lieu of Devonport Eoad Board. July 27 : Approving plans of wharf, Wairoa South. July 27 : Licensing Eutland Turner to occupy foreshore, Wairoa Eiver South, for wharf. August 14 : Approving plans of wharf at Kohukohu. August 14 : Licensing Hokianga County Council to occupy foreshore at Kohukohu for wharf. August 14 : Approving construction of fifty railway-wagons for Westport Harbour Board. August 20 : Approving plans of dolphin for swinging vessels, Evans Bay, Wellington. August 20 : Approving siding at Brunner Eailway-station for Westport Colliery Company. September 1: Approving plans of wharf, Kaipara Eiver. September 1: Licensing Alfred Buckland to occupy foreshore, Kaipara Eiver, for wharf. September 14 : Approving plans of wharf, Motueka.

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September 14 : Licensing Waimea County Council to occupy foreshore, Motueka, for wharf. September 14 : Approving plans of new graving dock at Port Chalmers. ,■.,.-. 1 . September 14: Approving plans of breakwater and other works at Napier (antedated to Ist : Approving plans of rubble embankment Freeman's Bay, Auckland. October 19 : Approving plans of additions to Queen s Wharf Wellington. October 19- Approving plans of goods-shed on Greymouth Wharf. October 26 Approving plans of alteration in direction of North Breakwater Greymouth October 26 ! Approving of Thames Harbour Board licensing T. H. Crawford to use portion of foreshore for working tailings. , , November 4 : Approving plans of wharf m steamers basin, Dunedin. November 29 : Approving plans of Harbour Board's repamng-shed, Westport. November 29 : Approving plans of spar-booms, Wangamii Biver. December 14 : Approving plans of wharf, Limestone Island, Whangarei. Decembers': Lansing Butherfurd and Company to occupy foreshore, Limestone Island, m "Sbe?lt a l f p P rovin g plans of cargo wharf, New Plymouth Breakwater December 14 : Approving construction of railway from Buller to Cape Foulwmd. December 21 • Approving plans of Harbour Board bridge across Buller Biver. December 21 : Approving plans of portion of Coal Creek Training Bank, Greymouth. December 21: Approving , plans of extension of crib-work protection, the Spit, Napier. January 17 1887-Approving plans of Naval Artillery boatskids, Wellington. January 17: Approving construction by Greymouth Harbour Board of twelve goods trucks for Bran j n anu?rfl7 a rDeclaring that Waipawa and Patangata County Councils shall unite to elect two members of Napier Harbour Board. January 18 : Approving plans of boom, Tairua Eiver. , January 18: licensing Union Steam Saw Moulding, Sash, and Door Company, Limited, to occupy foreshore, Tairua Eiver, for boom. January 18 : Approving plans of cattle wharf, New Plymouth. 35 toTcupy foreshore, Wairoa Eiver, Kaipara, f ° r 24 : Approving of Greymouth Harbour Board procuring fifty coal wagons. March 15 : Approving plans of beacon on Eangitoto Eeef, Auckland. March 15 • Approving plans of wharf at entrance to Hillyer's Creek, Auckland. March 15 Approving plans of repairs and addition to Queen Street Wharf Auckland. March 30 :' Approving of Westport Harbour Board lighting wharves yard, &c with gas Notices to Mariners.-Yiitj-dee Notices to Mariners were issued during the year, of which twenty-one related to matters within the colony. The following is a list of them :— Hydra Bock.—Position of. Westport Harbour.—Light on half-tide wall discontinued. Auckland Harbour.—Position of rock, Hieh Channel. Timaru Harbour.—Position of wreck of ship '' Lyttelton (two notices). Picton Harbour.—Position of harbour light altered. Westport Harbour.—Bed light on western breakwater. George Sound.—Position of rocks. Greymouth Harbour.—White light on dredge. west end of half-tide wall, north side of Grey Eiver. Gisborne Harbour.—Eed beacon and light, Waikanae Beach. Greymouth Harbour.—Position of beacons altered. French Pass.—Position of wreck of s.s. " Lyttelton.' Wellington Harbour.—Position and character of Queen s Wharf lights altered. Manukau Harbour.—Leading lights exhibited. Tutukaka.—Sunken rock reported off. , , Greymouth Harbour.—Eed light on contractor s staging wharf extension. Wellington Harbour Entrance.—Position of wreck of " lvi. French Pass.—Bemoval of wreck-buoy, s.s. " Lyttelton. of Customs in the colony, and to the various marine authorities in Australasia &c. Light-dues.-The sum of £7,264 Bs. was collected as hght-dues 18s. less than was collected during the previous year. In addition, a sum of £1,479 Is Bd. was paid to the credit of lieht-dues by the Post and Telegraph Department in respect of light-dues remitted on steamers carryW English mails for three of the year; including the fourth quarter ?whh his since been paid) the total amount remitted amounted to £2,035 2s which would raise he total revenue from light-dues to £9,299 10s. The question of impos *Xs™££Z£2L vessels (which have been relieved from the payment of any since the Ist April, 1880) having been Considered by the Government, it was decided, by way of a beginning, to levy a due cjf Jd. per ton from the Ist April, 1887, and an Order in Council providing for this was issued The light-due imposed on coasting vessels prior to 1880 was Id. per ton at the principal and *a. per ton at the out V ° rta Government Vessels.-The "Hinemoa" has been employed on the general service of the Govern-

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ment, and has at various times carried a large quantity of cargo for other departments, more especially the Railway and Defence Departments. She also made one trip round the North Island lighthouses when the " Stella " was under repair. Her boilers being nearly worn out, materials for the construction of two cylindrical boilers with corrugated furnaces were imported from England. The plates are the best quality boiler-steel. A contract has been let to Messrs. W. Cable and Co. to make these boilers, at a cost of £858. The " Stella, , ' except when laid up for repairs, has been regularly employed in attending to lighthouses, buoys, &c, and has also carried out the quarterly mail service to the West Coast bays and sounds. She also made a trip to the Antipodes and Bounty Islands in March last. It was found that the provision depot that had been erected at the Bounty Islands had been carried away —probably by a very heavy sea, and only a few fragments of it were found ; owing to the inaccessibility of these islands, or rather rocks, and the impossibility of existing on them, it was determined not to re-establish the depot. The new boiler referred to in last report as having been contracted to be made by Messrs. Luke and Sons was satisfactorily completed by that firm, and a contract was subsequently let to Messrs. Cable and Co. to place the boiler in position and to execute sundry other repairs, &c, including a new donkey-boiler, new pistons fitted with Buckley's patent springs, cylinders re-bored, new bearings where required, new deck, &c. This contract was completed at the end of December. The new boiler is slightly larger than the old one, and is worked at a pressure of 801b. to the square inch. The increased pressure has resulted in a considerable saving of fuel, the same number of revolutions being obtained with a decreased consumption of coal, fully lcwt. less per hour being burnt. During the nine months and a half the " Stella " was running she steamed 16,340 miles, was 2,161 hours under steam, burnt 620 tons coal (nearly all native coal), landed 844 tons cargo, and carried 327 passengers. The schooner " Kekeno " was unfortunately wrecked at the Bluff on the 24th September last, and recommended by the Surveyors, Captains Tyson and Pengelly, to be sold. The wreck was, by your direction, handed over to the Bluff Naval Volunteers conditionally on their getting her off the rocks and repairing her, and holding her at service of Government on special occasions, and the vessel is now in their possession. The " Kekeno " had, prior to her wreck, made her usual trips to the Auckland and Campbell Islands in connection with the protection of the seal fisheries. Examination of Masters, Mates, and Engineers. —One hundred and fifty-two candidates passed their examination for certificates of competency, and 37 failed. Of those who passed, 107 were masters, mates, and engineers of sea-going vessels, and 45 masters and engineers of river steamers. Three candidates failed to pass the colour test. To one of these a certificate was issued with this fact noted on the face, this being provided by the regulations in cases where a candidate already held a certificate ; no certificates were issued to the others. Two candidates were reported to have been examined and passed in the colour test only. Only six new certificates of service were issued during the year, two being for the foreign trade, three for the home trade, and one as engineer. Belief of Distressed Seamen. —During the past year the sum of £22 3s. 6d. has been paid to the Board of Trade in respect of the expenses in connection with the relief of the crew of the " Eansom," wrecked at the Marshall Group on the 4th July, 1885, and £10 4s. 3d. in respect of the crew of the " Mazeppa," wrecked at the Caroline Group on the 13th July in the same year. A sum of £49 ss. 6d. has also been paid in the colonies in respect of the relief of the crew of the " Rapido," wrecked in Cambridge Gulf on the Ist October, 1886 : a further claim for £136 has been received, but payment thereof has been resisted, on the ground that the charges for passages are in excess of the scale authorised by the Board of Trade. In connection with the relief of the crew of the " Eapido," it appears to me that, in case of colonial vessels wrecked in the colonies, it would be sufficient if the relief of the crew terminated on arrival at one of the principal ports of any of the colonies, and that it is not necessary that they should be sent back to the colony to which the vessel belongs. It may often occur that the men really belong to or have been shipped in another colony. Wages and Effects of Deceased Seamen. —During the year the estates of 56 deceased seamen have been dealt with. £185 2s. lid. has been paid to relatives or creditors, and £200 9s. 3d. has been transferred to the Public Trustee, who was dealing with other property belonging to the estates. Survey of Steamers and Inspection of Machinery. —Certificates of survey under " The Shipping and Seamen's x\ct, 1877," have been issued to 185 steamers, of 30,649 aggregate tonnage and 10,059 horse-power, being two steamers less than were surveyed last year, but an increase in the tonnage of 970 tons, and 157 in the horse-power. One hundred and forty-eight certificates were issued to sea-going and the same number to river steamers. As anticipated in last year's report, the Board of Trade have recognised certificates of survey issued by this department to steamers trading between this colony and the United Kingdom and intermediate ports. This was done by Her Majesty's Order in Council of the 26th November last, which, with the accompanying despatch, was published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 3rd March last. This is a high testimony of, and speaks well for, the standard of the surveys made by the officers of this department. The annual reports of the Inspectors of Machinery are attached hereto. In December last Mr. J. Nancarrow, Chief Inspector of Machinery—a valued officer of the department —who was the first engineer surveyor appointed under the old Steam Navigation Act, retired on a pension. It has not been found necessary as yet to appoint a new Chief Inspector but an additional Inspector (Mr. W. M. Mowatt) was appointed, after applications had been publicly invited for the appointment. The surveys of steamers, hitherto done by Mr. Nancarrow, have been done by the local inspectors, assisted, when necessary; by a temporary transfer of an inspector from another place. At present there is one inspector stationed in Auckland, two in Wellington, one in Christchurch, and two in Dunedin. The districts of Nelson South (West Coast) and Westland have been detached from Christchurch,

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and are now worked from Wellington. Some other arrangements of the districts are in contemplation, with a view of carrying out the work in an efficient and economical manner. Wrecks and Casualties. —The accompanying table shows an analysis of the casualties reported. Those on the coast of the colony number 60, representing tonnage amounting to 11,417 tons, as against 65 casualties affecting 25,908 tons in the previous year. The number of total wrecks shows a considerable increase, being, within the colony, 22 of 2,676 tons as against 10 of 1,368 tons the previous year. There is also a large increase in the number of lives lost during the year, being 62 as against 36 the previous year; those lost in the colony being 45, as against 9 last year. This increase is accounted for by the unfortunate loss of life at the wreck of the s.s. " Taiaroa." Of the lives lost on or near the coasts of the colony, 30 were in the s.s. " Taiaroa," 5 in the " Pelican " (all hands), 6 in the " Cleopatra " (all hands), and 1 each from the s.s. " Eose Casey," s.s. " Arawata," " Waiapu," and "Mayflower." The number lost in the " Taiaroa " was never definitely ascertained, but thirty was the number reported to this department. Of those lost beyond the colony 10 were lost in the "Nauphante" (all hands), 3 from the "Yolande," and 1 each from the "Isabel," "Sybil," " May," and " Turakina." The attention of the Eoyal Humane Society of Australasia was drawn to the praiseworthy attempt made by Kairangi, a Kanaka, to rescue G. H. Trayte, the master of the " Sybil," who fell overboard from that vessel, and that society awarded him their silver medal. At the request of the Greymouth Harbour Board, a rocket-apparatus was procured through the Agent-General for that body; and at the same time a similar apparatus was obtained for this department, so that it might be ready for sale to any Harbour Board, or any other local body that might require it. Fishekies.— Oysters : During the year four Orders in Council were issued in respect of oysters —namely, one regulating the apparatus with which rock-oysters might be taken, it being understood that spades were used for this purpose, so destroying many of the smaller oysters; one extending the close season for rock-oysters in the Hauraki Gulf to the 31st March, 1889 (these beds have now been closed for two years; a considerable improvement in the growth of oysters has resulted, and it is anticipated that at the date above specified there will be a large quantity of oysters of marketable size fit to be taken); one extending the close season for mud-oysters at Waimea (Nelson) up to the 31st January, 1888, it having been reported that the oysters there were being rapidly exterminated; and one extending the close season for rock-oysters at Poverty Bay, in order to protect oysters that had been planted there. Proceedings were taken against several persons for taking oysters in the close season in Auckland, and penalties recovered. The exportation of rock-oysters being now prohibited, the question has been raised as to whether oysters grown on mangroves are included in that definition. The department contends that such oysters are the same kind as rock-oysters, and that the term " rock " is the name of the oyster, and that it does not necessarily follow that such oysters grow on rocks. Proceedings were taken in several cases, but were decided by the Magistrate against the views of the department. Some action should be taken in the matter, as such a state of affairs only leads to the improper taking of oysters, it being understood that a mangrove-oyster cannot be distinguished from a rockoyster after it is taken. Correspondence has taken place relative to an application for the exclusive right to take oysters on a bed said to be discovered by the applicant in the Auckland Provincial District, but the applicant has not as yet taken the formal steps required by "The Oyster Fisheries Act, 1866." It is interesting to note that the specimens of oyster forwarded have been declared by Dr. Hector to be a new variety of the mud-oyster found in the vicinity of Cook Strait, to which he has given the name of " Ostrea edulis, var. squamosa." Salt-water Fish. —An Order in Council was issued on the 26th October, 1886, defining a close season for mullet in the North Island; but, representations having been made to you on the matter, the Order in Council was cancelled, and a new one issued restricting the close season to a portion of the Kaipara waters. Eeturns are now received from light-keepers showing the number and kinds of fish caught at each station, the condition of their ovaries, and the contents of their stomachs. These, when tabulated, will prove useful in connection with ascertaining the breeding-time of the fish. The regulations provide that nets of less than sin. mesh are not to be used in Lake Ellesmere, Canterbury; proceedings were taken in several instances against persons for breaches of the regulations, and penalties were recovered. Lobsters.' —Inquiries have been made relative to the introduction of the lobster into this colony ; but, as far as can be ascertained at present, it is not likely that it could be successfully introduced. Herring. —The experiment relative to the introduction of herring-ova was not repeated last year, but it is proposed to make another attempt this season. Introduced Fish. —The administration of the Salmon and Trout Act has been transferred to this department, and regulations providing for fishing for trout, &c, have been issued. It would appear highly desirable that one set of regulations should, if possible, be made applicable to the whole colony. A consignment of whitefish-ova was received from America through the courtesy of Professor Spencer F. Baird, the United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. The ova arrived in good condition, and were at once forwarded some to Lake Eotoiti, in Nelson, some to the Otago Acclimatisation Society, and the greater portion to the Lakes Society, at Queenstown. Those sent to Queenstown were delivered there in about three days and a half after arrival at Auckland. The ova, however, did not hatch well. This may probably be accounted for by the temperature of the water, as they, perforce, arrive here in the middle of summer. The correspondence on the subject of the introduction of whitefish- and salmon-ova has been printed, and will be presented to Parliament.

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Salmon-ova. —Three shipments of salmon- and trout-ova were received during the year—namely, by the steamers " Kaikoura," " Doric," and " Tongariro." The ova shipped amounted to—Salmon— Scotch ... ... ... ... 610,000 Bhine ... ... ... ... ... 100,000 Trout and char— Salmo fontinalis ... ... ... 30,000 Alpine char ... ... ... ... 25,000 Lochleven trout ... ... ... ... 40,000 Bhine great lake trout ... ... ... 25,000 Bhine brook trout ... ... ... 25,000 Full particulars as to the condition of these ova, how distributed, &c, will be found in the correspondence referred to above. Following the lines laid down in last report, the major portion of these ova was sent to the Otago and Southland acclimatisation societies, and it was hoped that these societies would have arranged to have placed all the fry in one river, but it would appear that such arrangements have not as yet been made. The following is a statement of the cost of the various shipments received, including those received last year : — Whitefish, 1886 (arrived in bad condition, and were not £ s. d. £ s. d. carried beyond Wellington):— Expenses in America ... ... ... 23 1 3 Expenses in colony (distribution) ... ... 39610 62 8 1 Whitefish, 1887 :— Expenses in America ... ... ... ... 53 14 6 Attendance ... ... ... ... 500 Distribution in colony ... ... ... ... 48 811 107 3 5 Salmon-ova, 1886 :— Expenses in United Kingdom ... ... ... 142 0 5 Freight and attendance ... ... ... 84 710 Distribution in colony ... ... ... 39 7 8 265 15 11 Salmon- and Trout-ova, 1887 :— Expenses in United Kingdom ... ... ... 888 13 10 Freight and attendance ... ... ... 506 4 2 Distribution in colony ... .. ... 32 5 2 1,427 3 2 Seal Fisheries. —Prior to the wreck of the " Kekeno " she was engaged in making trips to the Auckland and Campbell Islands and West Coast Sounds in the interest of protecting these fisheries. After her wreck you arranged that the schooner " Awarua " should make atrip to the Auckland and Campbell Islands for this purpose. The owner of the vessel, Mr. Hatch, gave the use of her, and the Government paid all expenses in connection with the cruise. On the Ist June last the close season for seals was extended to the Ist June, 1887, when it will have lasted nearly six years. No positive information has been obtained as to whether any increase has taken place in the number of fur seals during this close season, but I think there can be little doubt that they have increased; but the number was reduced to so few from indiscriminate slaughter that it will necessarily be some time before any appreciable increase can be observed. I append extracts from Mr. Henry W. Elliott's monograph, "The Seal Islands of Alaska," a most interesting work, and Mr. J. A. Allan's " History of North American Pinnipeds," books published by the Government of the United States of America on the subject of the protection and value of the seal fisheries, and the number of seals that used to be procured in these waters : — " Possibilities for Protection. —The Falkland Islands offer natural conditions of protection by land far superior to those found on the Pribylov or Commander Groups. They have beautiful harbours, and they lie in the track of commerce —advantages which are not shared by our islands. At Desolation Island perhaps the difficulties are insuperable, on account of the great extent of coast which is practically inaccessible to men and nearly so to the seals; but the Falkland Islands might have been farmed out by the British Government at a trifling outlay and with exceeding good result, for millions upon millions of the fur seals could rest there to-day, as they did a hundred years ago, and be there to-morrow, as our seals do and are in Bering Sea. But the work is done. There is nothing down there now valuable enough to rouse the interest of any Government. Still, a beginning might be made, which possibly forty or fifty years hence would rehabilitate the scourged and desolated breeding-grounds of the South. Seas. We are selfish people, however, and look only to the present; and it is, without question, more than likely that, should any such proposition be brought before the British Parliament, it would be so ridiculed and exaggerated by demagogues and ignorant jesters as to cause its speedy suppression ; hence, in our opinion, it is not at all likely that the English Government, or any of the other Governments controlling these many islands of the southern ocean which we have named, will ever take a single step in the right direction as far as the encouragement of the fur seal to live and prosper in those regions is concerned. When we look at our northern waters we speedily recognise the fact that between North America and Europe, across the Atlantic and into the Arctic, there is not a single island or islet or stretch of coast that the fur seal could successfully struggle for existence on" (p. 7, "The Seal Islands of Alaska," by Henry W. Elliott. Washington, 1882.)

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" Commercial Importance of the Alaska Bookeries. —To recapitulate. With the exception of these islands of Bering Sea, there are none elsewhere in ths world of the slightest importance to-day. The vast breeding-grounds bordering on the Antarctic have been, by the united efforts of all nationalities—misguided, short-sighted, and greedy of gain—entirely depopulated. Only a few thousand unhappy stragglers are now to be seen throughout all that southern area, where millions once were found, and a small rookery, protected and fostered by the Government of a South American State, north and south of the mouth of the Eio de la Plata. When, therefore, we note the eagerness with which our civilization calls for sealskin fur, the fact that, in spite of fashion and its caprices, this fur is and always will be an article of intrinsic value and in demand, the thought at once occurs that the Government is exceedingly fortunate in having this great amphibious stockyard far up and away in the quiet seclusion of Bering Sea, from which it shall draw an everlasting revenue, and on which its wise regulations and its firm hand can continue the seals for ever " (p. 8, " The Seal Islands of Alaska," by Henry W. Elliott. Washington, 1882). " Destruction of tha Fur Seals for their Peltries. —Vancouver, at about this date (1800), reported the existence of large numbers of fur seals on the south-west coast of New Holland. Attention was at once turned to this new field, and in 1804 the brig ' Union,' of New York, Captain Isaac Pendleton, visited this part of the Australian coast, but not finding these animals there in satisfactory numbers, repaired to Border's Island, where he secured only part of a cargo (14,000 skins), owing to the lateness of the season. Later, 60,000 were obtained at Antipodes Island. About 1806 the American ship ' Catharine,' of New York (Captain H. Fanning), visited the Crozette Islands, where they landed, and found vast numbers of fur seals, but obtained their cargo from Prince Edward's Island, situated a few hundred miles south-east of the Cape of Good Hope, where other vessels, the same year, obtained full cargoes. ... So indiscriminate was the slaughter (at the South Shetland Islands) that whenever a seal reached the beach, of whatever denomination, it was immediately killed. Mr. Scott states, on the authority of Mr. Morris, an experienced sealer, that a like indiscriminate killing was carried on at Antipodes Island, off the Coast of New South Wales, from which island alone not less than 400,000 skins were obtained during the years 1814 and 1815. A single ship is said to have taken home 100,000, in bulk, which, through lack of care in curing, spoiled on the way, and on the arrival of the ship in London the skins were dug out of the hold and sold as manure ! " (pp. 229 and 230, " History of North American Pinnipeds; " by Joel Asaph Allen. Washington, 1880). When it is known that the revenue obtained from the seal fisheries of Alaska for 1881 was $317,395 (say, £79,448), the value of these fisheries is apparent. I therefore submit whether it would not be desirable to protect the seal fisheries of this colony and keep them closed until such time as the fur seals have again become numerous, and then lease them under most stringent conditions as to number, age, and sex of those to be killed. It is quite possible that in the course of not many years a very considerable revenue might be obtained from this source. Harbour Improvement Plans. —Only one Harbour Board—namely, Timaru—has forwarded a plan for publication this year. It is appended hereto. Bcturns.' —The usual report by the Marine Engineer on works carried out, Inspectors of Machinery's annual returns, and wreck chart are attached hereto, as is also a lighthouse-chart, showing the coastal and principal harbour lights in the colony. I have, &c, Lewis H. B. Wilson, The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G., For Secretary. Minister having charge of the Marine Department, &c.

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8

SUMMARY of Casualties to Shipping and Seamen reported to the Marine Department during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Casualties on or near the Coasts of the Colony. Casualties outside the Colony. Steamers. Sailing-vessels. Total within Colony. Stearaers. Sailing-vessels. Total outside Colony. of Casualties reported. Nature of Casualties. o 5 o o" «i 3_ o" tw 6 O II 3_ to «H O 3_ CD o if 3. 6 m o it 6 en o EH 6 ca 3 Strandings, — Total wrecks Partial loss Slight damage No damage 6 9 3 1 743 1,558 795 15 30 11 9 2 2 549 615 232 1,165 •• .. 17 18 5 3 1,292 2,173 1,027 1,180 5,672 30 •• •■ •• 1 l 299 150 •■ i i 299 150 ■■ 18 18 6 3 1,591 2,173 1,177 1,180 30 •• Total strandings 19 3,111 30 24 2,561 .. 43 30 I 2 449 2 449 45 6,121 30 Founderings, — Total loss ! ! i i I 1 59 1 1,111 I 2 1,170 1 365 10 1 365 10 3 1,535 10 Capsized, — Total loss ] I I 2 157 11 2 157 11 2 157 11 Scuttled and abandoned, — Total loss I I I I 1 31 1 31 1 31 Collisions, — Partial loss i I I I I I I 2 854 2 854 2 854 •• Miscellaneous, including damage to boilers, machinery, hull, yards, sails, &c. I 2 5 2,234 2,776 10,629 788 1 1,008 1,853 2,321 1 1,008 8 542 7 3,784 Total casualties to shipping .. Loss of life only 24 2 4,606 722 30 2 32 2 6,063 66 11 2 56 4 41 4 5 5 10 7 5 5 1,853 2,321 10 7 61 9 12,482 3,109 51 11 Total number of casualties reported ! 20 5,328 32 34 6,129 I 13 11,417 45 10 4,174 17 10 4,174 15,591 GO 17 70 62

9

H.—4

Return showing the Total Ordinary Expenditure of the Marine Department during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

2—H. 4.

Nature of Expenditure. Details. Totals. Grand Totals. :ead Office :— Secretary Chief Clerk .. 2 Clerks Marino Engineer Draftsman (7 months) Nautical Adviser £ s. d. 200 0 0 390 0 0 430 0 0 300 0 0 113 15 0 300 0 0 & s. d. 1,733 15 0 & s. d. 1,733 15 0 :abbours :— Manukau, — Salaries Contingencies Russell, — Salaries Contingencies Hokianga,— Salaries Contingencies Kaipara, — Salaries Survey of harbour Buoys Bepairs to telephone line Stores, coal for launch, and contingencies Opunake, — Salary Mokau, — Snagging river Rangitikei,— Cost of signalman visiting port Contingencies Foxton, — Salaries Contingencies Whangarei,— Contingencies 708 0 0 64 11 9 306 0 0 8 3 4 296 16 8 45 16 3 739 10 0 190 10 11 111 6 5 39 6 6 131 8 3 772 11 9 314 3 4 342 12 11 1,212 2 1 60 0 0 294 12 2 108 3 0 4 19 10 113 2 10 327 15 0 47 5 2 375 0 2 4 12 6 Tairua, — Contingencies Wairoa, — Salary Contingencies Wangawehi, — Maintenance of light 100 0 0 5 0 0 3 13 6 105 0 0 40 0 0 Tauranga,— Salaries Contingencies Wairau, — Salary Eemoval of snags, &c. Contingencies Picton, — Salaries Contingencies Havelock, — Salary Contingencies Nelson, — Salaries Contingencies Riwaka, — Salary Waitapu, — Salary Maintenance of leading lights Contingencies Collingwood,— Salary of light-keeper Improving channel to coal-mine Repairing crating, Aorere River Contingencies Karamea, — Signalman Contingencies Nile River, — Signalman Contingencies Mokihinui, — Improving channel Hokitika, — Salaries, maintenance of lighthouse, and contingencies Okarito, — Salary Contingencies 318 0 0 26 6 3 145 0 0 200 0 0 54 8 9 129 0 0 11 1 2 920 0 0 45 18 6 18 6 8 19 0 0 25 0 0 75 0 0 2 19 6 344 6 3 399 8 9 140 1 2 37 6 8 965 18 6 12 0 0 102 19 6 31 5 0 100 12 6 18 0 0 20 0 10 169 18 4 24 0 0 35 9 4 59 9 4 27 15 0 0 16 0 28 11 0 100 0 0 351 4 0 50 0 0 23 8 6 73 8 6 Carried forward 1,733 15 0 6,422 3 3

H.—4

10

Return showing the Total Ordinary Expenditure of the Marine Department, &c.— continued.

Nature of Expenditure. Details. Totals. Grand Totals. Brought forward Habboues— continued. Jackson's Bay,— Contingencies Okura Eiver, — Signalling vessels Catlin's River, — Salary .. .. .. ... Contingencies Fortrose, — Salary Contingencies Riverton, — Salary (six months) Akaroa, — Salary Contribution towards lifeboat Contingencies Waimakariri, — Subsidy to Harbour Board.. Kaikoura, — Salary Contingencies £ s. d. £ s, d. 6,422 3 3 17 0 18 0 0 £ s. d. 1,733 15 0 125 0 0 2 0 10 127 0 10 100 0 0 10 0 0 110 0 0 00 0 0 25 0 0 50 0 0 8 16 0 83 16 0 120 0 0 52 0 0 7 13 6 59 13 6 243 16 10 General harbour contingencies Lighthouses :— Salaries of keepers Keepers' travelling expenses Oil .. Stores and contingencies Pension of Mrs. Deck Lighthouse artificer " Stella," s.s., — New boiler and repairs Wages, stores, provisions, &c. 7,844 7 2 38 0 2 1,175 14 8 1,487 16 2 24 0 0 108 G 8 7,245 17 5 « 2,377 13 10 3,974 6 3 10,678 4 10 Lees amount earned by steamer 6,352 0 1 223 13 5 6,128 6 8 Belief of distressed seamen Inquiries into wrecks and casualties Survey of unseaworthy ships Departmental travelling expenses Charts Coastal buoys and beacons Life-saving apparatus S.s. " Awarua," searching for castaways Sundries Expenses under Fisheries Conservation Act 16,806 11 6 100 18 3 217 7 5 2 17 0 18 5 3 53 9 0 38 8 0 208 9 1 125 0 0 178 9 11 60 3 11 Inspection of Machinery and Survey of Steamers, — Salaries of Inspectors Travelling expenses Cost of collection of fees Contingencies 2,037 1 11 649 8 5 60 12 0 40 11 8 1,003 7 10 Examination of Masters and Mates, — Salaries .. .. ... Contingencies 2,787 14 0 2,787 14 0 575 0 0 23 3 6 Protection of Seal Fisheries, — Schooner " Kekeno," wages, stores, &c. Schooner " Awarua," wages, stores, &c. 598 3 6 598 3 6 363 6 8 337 30 11 Compassionate allowance to Mrs. Campbell " Hinemoa," s.s., — Wages, coal, stores, provisions, &c. Material for new boiler 700 17 7 700 17 7 148 0 0 7,487 3 9 1,088 14 9 Less amount earned by steamer 8,575 18 6 171 3 11 8,404 14 7 8,404 14 7 Introduction of fish-ova, — Whitefish Salmon and trout Herring 194 11 3 412 14 8 554 14 5 1,162 0 4 1,162 0 4 Less amount of credits 40,591 1 9 191 4 2 Total £40,399 17 7

H.—4.

11

Return showing the Amount of Pilotage, Port Charges, &c., collected during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return showing the Amount of Light-dues collected during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return showing the Cost of Erection of the New Zealand Coastal Lighthouses.

Return showing Expenditure on new Lighthouses, &c., out of Public Works Loan, during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return showing the Certificates of Service issued to Masters, Mates, and Engineers during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Name of Port. Pilotage. Port Charges, &c. Total. Auckland* Dnehunga Whangaroa Kaipara rhames* Russell £ s. d. 595 19 11 £ s. d. 2,068 7 7 133 1 3 3 1 11 2S1 15 9 61 12 4 £ s. d. 2,664 7 6 133 1 3 3 1 11 382 5 9 169 5 6 9 4 4 63 6 9 29 12 3 15 3 6 5 6 8 234 3 5 133 15 1 151 15 4 445 10 0 113 5 0 31 8 10 4,074 13 11 52 10 11 2,879 0 10 1,080 14 3 10 10 2 5,786 5 4 840 17 5 1,107 12 8 7,404 6 5 23 10 9 1,547 10 7 4 2 0 100 10 0 107 13 2 9 4 4 Mongonui Hokianga Whangarei Tauranga 3-isborne* Waitara* New Plymouth*' Wanganui* Poxton Patea* Wellington* .. Wairoa Napier* Nelson Hokitikaf Lyttelton* Timaru* Oamaru* Dunedin* Invercargill* .. Bluff* Eiverton* 24*14 3 63 6 9 4 18 0 15 3 6 5 6 8 91 11 8 99 18 1 82 18 6 445 10 0 113 5 0 20 12 7 744 8 7 49 2 8 2,101 7 0 1,080 14 3 10 10 2 3,308 10 5 142 11 9 33 17 0 68 16 10 4 16 3 3,330 5 4 3 8 3 777 13 10 507 11 0 3,993 8 6 6 10 0 741 10 7 4 2 0 2,477 14 11 840 17 5 540 1 8 3,410 17 11 17 0 9 806 0 0 Totals .. 114,310 19 4' 15,085 9 0| |29,396 8 4 Harbour Board revenue. t £5 18s. Gd. Harbour Board revenue.

Name of Lighthouse. Cost of Erection. Pencarrow Head Nelson .. .. Tiri Tiri Mana Island* Taiaroa Head Godley Head Dog Island Farewell Spit. Nugget Point Cape Campbell Manukau Head Cape Foulwind Brothers Portland Island Moeraki Centre Island Puysegur Point Cape Maria van Diemen Akaroa Head Cape Saunders Cape Egmontf Moko Hinou Waipapapa Point Ponui Passage J Kaipara Head French Pass Cost of telegraph cable to Tiri Tiri .. Miscellaneous and unallocated £ s. d. 6,422 0 4 2,824 8 9 5,747 7 2 5,513 0 1 4,923 14 11 4,705 16 4 10,480 12 8 6,139 11 8 6,597 3 7 5,619 2 6 4,975 2 4 6,955 9 1 6,241 0 0 6,554 14 5 4,288 13 2 5,785 19 0 9,958 19 5 7,028 14 8 7,150 6 5 6,066 6 3 3,353 17 11 8,186 5 0 5,969 18 11 5,571 8 0 1,427 17 5 1,085 19 6 1,322 2 2 Total .. £150,895 11 8 * Light discontinued; moved to Cape Egmont. 7 Cost of iron tower, lantern, and apparatus, which were romoved from Mana Island, is not included in this. t Built by Provincial Government of Auckland; cost not known in Marine Department.

Auckland Whangaroa .. Kaipara Thames Eussell Mongonui Poverty Bay .. New Plymouth Wanganui Wellington .. Napier Nelson Lytfcelton Timaru Oarnaru Dunedin Bluff £ s. d. 1,950 7 0 11 4 8 152 11 0 25 4 8 140 8 4 20 7 0 25 16 10 1 11 4 1 17 0 1,495 5 4 145 0 2 90 6 2 888 15 8 190 18 8 73 16 0 944 1 10 1,106 16 4 Total £7,264 8 0

Nature of Expenditure. Amount. Cuvier Island Lighthouse Jackson's Eeef Beacon Manukau Leading Lights £ s. d. 990 9 11 1,681 5 2 600 13 11 Total £3,272 9 0

Name of Person. Bank. Class of Certificate. Date of Issue. No. George Patrick Dower .. Andrew Cunningham Roderick Mclver John Donovan Alfred Faulkner Joseph Bradley Charles Quintin Pope William Akersten Charles Bonner McWilliam Job Austin .. Archibald Keith Master „ (renewal) „ (renewal) Mate (renewal) Home trade Foreign trade Home trade 6 April, 1886 13 „ 14 May, „ 3 Aug., „ 16 Oct., „ 16 „ 23 Nov., „ 9 Deo., „ 23 Mar., 1887 2 Sept., 1886 9 Oct., „ 2536 2537 2538 2539 2540 2541 2542 2543 2544 1044 1045 Master „ (renewal) Engineer „ (renewal) .. Foreign trade Second class

H.—4

12

Descriptive Return of New Zealand Coastal Lighthouses.

Return showing the Fees, &c., received under the Shipping and Seamen's Act, the Merchant Shipping Act, the Inspection of Machinery Act; and for Pilotage and Port Charges, and Sale of Charts, &c.

Return of Estates of Deceased Seamen received and administered in Pursuance of the Provisions of "The Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1877," during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Name of Lighthouse. Order of Apparatus. Description. Period of Revolving Light. Colour of Light. Tower built of Dwellings built of Date first lighted. Cape Maria van Diemen Moko Hinou TiriTiri.. 1st order dioptric 1st order dioptric 2nd Revolving Fixed Flashing Fixed 1' 10" White .. Eed, to show over Columbia Reef White White, with red arc over Flat Rock White and red White Red, to show over Bull Rock White Timber Timber 24 Mar., 1879 Stone Iron Timber 18 June, 1883 1 Jan., 1865 Ponui Passage i Portland Island •< I Penoarrow Head .. Capo Egmont Manukau Heads Kaipara Head Brothers .. J Cape Campbell Godley Head Akaroa Head Moeraki Taiaroa Head Cape Saunders Nugget Point Waipapapa Point .. Dog Island 5th 2nd 2nd order dioptric 2nd 3rd 2nd 2nd Revolving Fixed Flashing Fixed 30" 10" 10" Red, to show over Cook Rock White Timber Iron Timber Timber 29 July, 1871 10 Feb., 1878 1 Jan., 1859 1 Aug., 1881 1 Sept., 1874 1 Dec., 1884 24 Sept., 1877 2nd order dioptric 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 2nd 1st 2nd 1st order catadioptric 1st order dioptric Revolving Fixed Flashing Fixed V Timber Stone Timber Timber Stone Timber 1 Aug., 1870 1 April, 1865 1 Jan., 1880 22 April, 1878 2 Jan., 1865 1 Jan., 1880 i' July, 1870 1 Jan., 1884 1 Aug., 1865 10" Revolving Fixed Flashing Revolving 1' Red White Stone Timber Stone Timber Stone Stone Timber Stone Timber Stone io" 30" Centre Island Fixed White, with rod ares over inshore dangers White Timber Timber 1G Sept., 1878 Puysegur Point Cape Foulwind Farewell Spit 1st 2nd 2nd Flashing Revolving 10" 30" 1' 1 Mar., 1879 1 Sept., 1876 17 June, 1870 Nelson 4th Fixed White, with red are over Spit end White, with red are to mark limit of anchorage Red and white, with white light on beacon Iron 4 Aug., 1862 French Pass .. 1 6th 1 Oct., 1884

Nature of Beeoipts. Amount. Shipping and Seamen's Act, — Fees for shipping and discharge of seamen, and sale of forms .. Survey of steamers Examination of masters, mates, and engineers Light-dues Merchant Shipping Act Inspection of Machinery Act .. .. .. \\ Pilotage and port charges Sale of charts Sundry receipts under Harbours Acta .. .. .. Sundries £ s. d. 952 6 9 1,153 3 0 182 0 0 8,743 9 8 79 16 0 2,977 0 0 1,892 4 3 74 1 6 123 0 6 5 18 6 Total £16,183 0 2

Name of Seaman. Balance to credit of Estate on 31st March, 1880. Amount received. Amount paid. Balance to credit of Estate on 31st March, 1887. Vincent Croll larry Bridge 'homas West tobin Sydney Bing !harles Schultze .. i. G. Lloyd £ s. d. 18 8 19 0 2 12 3 13 2 6 0 4 9 £ s. d. 0 14 6 £ s. d. 2 3 2 19 0 2 12 3 13 2 G 4 10 0 £ s. d. 27 '6 9 18 8 10 22 15 6 18 8 10

13

■H.—4

Return of Estates of Deceased Seamen, &c. — continued.

Return of Steamers to which Certificates of Survey were issued in New Zealand during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Name of Seaman. Balance to credit of Estate on 31st March, 1886. Amount received. Amount paid. Balance to credit of Estate on 31st March, 1887. Charles C. A. Laker J. Johnson .. J. Logan Tom Fisher Peter Allen Richard Dukelow John Taylor R. B. Monkman J. Powell* Richard Spooner D. Hill R. Williamson Patrick McMillan Peter Hansen R. Harrison John McPhee E. S. Stratford G. McDonough .. R. Irvine R. Morrison R. Williams Thomas Delanoy Mrs. Brown (stewardess) .. R. Bathgate F. Gallichan* William Kellan .. W. Whybrow Peter Glencross* Alexander Morice William Barr Daniel Blackwood* Wilbort D. Nicoll T. Brown A. Ereckson T. Olson Christian Svensen Henry Walker Ernest Short J. Williams G. Smith D. Barclay G. Robinson G. Hayward Jeremiah Walsh Henry Rennie Lawrence Robinson Richard Rich Charles Engelke, alias Schultz John Hannaford Mathew Tweeney £ s. d. 6 18 6 £ s. d. 10 16' 2 14 0 1 0 0 0 18 0 0 18 0 1 38 4 22 0 11 52 2 8 7 7 6 2 18 8 3 9 4 2 11 4 28 19 3 2 11 4 2 11 4 2 11 4 5 17 4 3 6 0 3 6 0 2 11 4 2 11 4 1 16 8 19 4 19 4 3 13 4 2 4 0 2 0 4 0 18 8 27 0 0 5 13 2 182 9 9 12 0 0 5 4 0 4 6 8 4 6 8 11 9 0 10 7 4 3 8 3 13 0 0 9 0 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 5 16 10 10 3 8 20 0 7 17 16 5 3 3 1 2 10 4 2 9 7 £ s. d. 17 14 8 £ s. d. 14 0 10 0 0 18 0 0 18 0 1 18 4 22 0 11 52 2 8 7 7 6 2 18 8 3 9 4 2 11 4 28 19 3 2 11 4 2 11 4 2 li 4 4 15 0 12 4 3 6 0 3 6 0 2 ii 4 2 11 4 1 16 8 1 *9 4 19 4 3 13 4 2 4 0 2 *0 4 6 18 8 27 0 0 5 13 2 182 9 9 12 0 0 1 10 3 0 4 6 5 4 0 2 16 5 4 2 2 11 9 0 5 2 4 5 5 0 3 8 3 13 0 0 9 0 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 5 16 10 10 3 8 20 0 7 17 16 5 3 3 1 2 10 4 2 9 7 * Estate transferred to Public Trustee.

Name of Vessel. Tons Register. Horsepower of Engines. Nature of Engines. Nature of Propeller. Class of Certificate. Remarks. Lkaroa ilert doxandra Jplia .. aitrim .. lorere .. irawata α-gylo lUstralia 43 28 5 30 13 30 16 300 45 77 Compound Non-condensing Screw Extended river River 73 34 35 44 623 129 260 Compound Paddle '.'. Screw Paaaio Screw Extended river Sea-going New launch. New dredge. New vessel. First survey i: colony. Tug. uwarua iwhina .. Salolutha ieautiful Star Sella .. Sen Lomond Sirkenhead Slack Diamond .. iooium.. 100 5 84 146 12 33 55 9 14 80 50 50 30 12 15 16 20 12 Non-condensing Condensing Non-condensing Paddle Screw Stern-wheel .. Screw River Sea-going Extended river River Late "J an Williams." Paddle Compound Screw Extended river Wrecked.

H.—4.

Return of Steamers to which Certificates of Survey were issued, &c. — continued.

14

Name of Vessel. Tons Register. I Horsepower of Nature of Engines. Engines. Nature of Propeller. Class of Certificate. Kemarks. Britannia Calliope Canterbury Charles Edward .. Chelmsford Clansman Colleen Coromandel Delta Devonport Diamond of the Avon Dispatch Douglas.. Durham Eagle Echo Effort Elsie Enterprise Explorer Fairy Pin gal Gairloch Gleaner Glenelg Go-Ahead Grafton Hannah Mokau .. Hauraki Hauroto Hawea Herald .. Hokianga Huia Huia Ida Invereargill Iona Iona Iron Age 108 11 140 70 33G 33 67 60 24 38 55 53 138 Gl 171 32 22 187 8 156 129 297 35 59 1,276 462 356 40 7 24 60 24 98 18 25 30 12 10 40 30 30 70 3 12 8 32 40 15 13 85 8 75 45 123 15 18 253 160 85 7 25 6 10 50 45 65 30 8 90 20 40 22 8 70 50 15 30 20 120 80 40 4 18 15 10 10 4 25 80 60 80 55 25 300 40 15 8 60 530 40 3 25 25 25 18 18 ' 18 9 100 120 92 160 Non-condensing Compound Condensing .. Compound Non-condensing Condensing Compound Condensing Compound Condensing Non-condensing Condensing Compound Non-condensing Compound Paddle Twin-screw Paddle .'! Screw Paddle Screw Paddle Screw Paddle Screw Paddle Screw River Extended river • Sca-gomg River Extended river River Sea-going River Extended river Sea-going Extended river Launch. New vessel. Launch. Tug. New vessel. Launch. Twin-screw Screw Sea-going River Sea-going New launch. Twin-screw Screw Wrecked. Non-condensing Compound Non-condensing River Sea-going River Launch. "'JO 12 123 61 159 36 25 496 75 93 57 27 286 138 39 132 28 5 301 41 4 39 44 10 20 Launch. Compound Non-condensing Compound Condensing Non-condensing Compound Stern-wheel .. Screw Paddle Screw Sea-going River Sea-going River Extended river Sea-going Jane Janet Nicol Jane Douglas Kahu Kakanui Katikati Xawatiri Kennedy Kina Kiwi Kopuru Koputai Koranui Kotuku .. Ija Buona Ventura Lady Barkly Lalla Eookh Lilie Lily Little George Lyttelton Lyttelton Macgregor Mahinapua Maitai Mana Manapouri Manawatu Manukau Maori Maori Mararoa Matau .. Matuku Minnie Casey Moa Mountaineer Murray Nautilus (yacht).. Neptune Noko No. 121.. No. 222 .. Ohau Oniapore 86 39 163 205 163 51 1,020 112 45 17 118 1,248 50 Condensing Compound Non-condensing Compound Non- condensin g Compound Non-condensing Condensing Compound Twin-screw Screw Paddle Screw Three screws .. Screw Paddle Twin-screw Screw Paddle Screw Twin-screw Screw Extended river Sea-going River Sea-going River Sea-going Extended river River Sea-going River Sea-going New vessel. Tug. Launch. Wrecked. Launch. Wrecked. Tug. River Sea-going New vessel. Non-condensing River Extended river Sea-going New vessel. Condensing Non-condensing Stern-wheel .. Screw River 43 110 66 78 32 44 15 394 502 411 352 Compound Condensing Compound Condensing Compound New launch. Paddle Screw Sea-going River Sea-going Extended river Sea-going River New launch. Non-condensing Compound Twin-screw Launch. New dredge. Dredge. Sea-going Screw //

H.—4.

Return of Steamers to which Certificates of Survey were issued, &c.— continued.

15

Name of Vessel. Tons. Register. Horsepower of Engines. Nature of Engines. Nature of Propeller. Class of Certificate/ Remarks. Orawaiti Oreti Paiaka Patiki Pearl Pelham Penguin Peninsula Phoenix Piako Pioton Pioneer Planet .. Plucky .. Progress Rangiriri Result Result Result .. Reynolds Rosamond Rose Casey Rosina .. Rotornahana Rotomaliana Rotorua Ruby Scotchman Sea Gull Shag Sir Donald Snark Southern Cross .. Spray Staffa St. Kilda Stormbird Tainui Tainui .. Takapuna Tarn O'Shanter .. Tamsui Tangihua Tarawera 283 138 10 37 9 228 442 31 10 7 5 13 29 200 30 13 'is 462 99 21 864 139 576 32 30 120 43 10 22 7 68 180 18 4 6 8 5 8 40 SO 30 10 4 14 14 90 40 14 450 45 172 14 10 3 27 12 6 50 3 25 ' 45 40 22 8 20 12 160 15 250 92 5 250 14 270 3 10 16 25 70 55 10 18 400' 28 22 40 14 20 265 20 13 292 16 90 15 16 8 10 256 30 25 70 25 20 80 60 12 Compound Non-condensing Compound Non-condensing Compound Non-condensing Compound Non-condensing Compound Condensing Compound Screw Paddle Screw Paddle Screw Stern-wheel .. Paddle Screw Sea-going River Extended river Sea-gcing River Extended river River Extended river Sea-going River Extended river River Extended river River Sea-going Extended river Wrecked. Late " Mold." Launch. Tug. Hopper-dredge. Launch. Launch. First survey in colony. Sea-going Non-condensing Extended river River Launch. 31 29 Condensing Non-condensing Compound Won- condensing Condensing Extended river River Sea-going River Sea-going Wrecked. Launch. 139 40 174 137 41 Launch. Compound Non-condensing Paddle '.'. Screw Paddle Screw River Extended river River Extended river Sea-going River Sea-going m 57 22 919 20 1,269 408 Compound Non-condensing Compound Launch. Left the colony. Taupo .. • .. Tay Te Anau Te Aroha Tekapo Terrier Terror Te Wae Theodore Timaru Titan Tongariro Torea Triumph Tuhua Tui Victoria Vivid Waihi .. Waihora Waikato Waipara Wairarapa Wairoa Waitaki Waitara Waitoa Waiwera Waiwera Wakatipu Wakatu Wallabi Wareatea Waverley Weka Wellington Westland Zephyr 1,028 50 1,544 Non-condensing Compound Non-condensing Compound Non-condensing River Sea-going River Sea-going River New launch. Paddle ! '. Screw Launch. 35 279 21 39 9 1,797 Twin-screw Paddle Screw Paddle Dredge. Compound Condensing Non-condensing Compound Sea-going Extended river Tug. Screw 55 93 16 63 1,269 61 70 1,023 48 228 11 27 Non-condensing Compound Non-condensing Stern-wheel .. Screw Paddle Screw Sea-going River Sea-going River Extended river Sea-going Wrecked. Compound Non-condensing Paddle \ \ Twin-screw Screw River Sea-going Compound Condensing Compound Non-condensing Extended river Sea-going River Twin-screw .. Screw Launch. 6 1,157 75 101 288" 76 53 279 35 Compound Compound Condensing Compound Extended river Sea-going Sea-going Twin-screw Screw Condensing Non-condensing Paddle Screw River Tug. Launch.

H.—4.

Return of Masters, Mates, and Engineers to whom Certificates of Competency were issued during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

16

Name of Person. Hank. Class of Certificate. Date of Issue. No. lollin Francis Post ?rank Wilson Arbon Uexander Craig -homas Albert Ocford ienry Thomas Evans 3ugh Treacy William Neagle .. ' ohn Sinclair Stuart 5mest Warner Cleveland .. lenry Charles Ross William Smith Hutcheson William Campbell Ubert Molkin Andresen 3-eorge Urquhart Thomson Frederick William Joslin .. Jrantham Gace .. Hired Morton lenry Thomas Rawnsley .. 3harles Watchlin.. )avid Spence "ohn Duncan McDougall .. Robert Bulloch Walter Smith ilatthew Irvine jharles Gustaf Hollmen .. "ohn Robertson Frederick Payne Gallwey .. William James Enright 3-eorge Alfred Lobb William Stevens Alexander Perry .. Thomas Charles William Anceil "ohn Harrison Cullen lenry Hamilton Johnston lenry Lewis Walter Cracroft jewis Frederick Drew "ohn William Watkins William Francis Stewart .. Andrew Anderson Walter Francis Norbury .. 3-eorge Alfred Sparks Robert Little Stephen ?rank Wilson Phomas James Chaplin Lrthur Myrvin Raymond .. 3-eorge Martin Ufred Phillips William Palmer Collins Thomas William Groves .. iobert Girling Thomas Mahon .. Robert Henry Offord Jeorge Herbert Keyworth .. Patrick Classon William Allison Bowie Robert McQuillan ilurdoch McRae William James Rawlingson rlenry William Wigmore .. William Muir Archibald Brown William Burton .. rohn Rolph rohn Oscar Berg .. rohn Anthony Wilson ?liilip Escott Frederick John Beach rohn Oscar Berg lenry Hayes ?rancis Clarence Taylor .. l"ohn Hansen 5manuel Octavius Hoist .. William Hugh Ward Daniel George Gilbertson .. Casman Arthur Gibbons .. Sdward Quinlan rohn McPhee !)le Paulsen Saymond Burns William Bourke .. Sdwin John Booth Fohn George Gilbertson* .. Henry Mansfield .. ]hnrles Thompson Second Mate Master Ordinary .. Only Mate Master Ordinary .. Second Mate Only Mate Master Ordinary .. First Mate Master Ordinary .. First Mate Master Ordin ry .. First Mate Second Mate First Mate Master Ordinary .. Second Mate First Mate Master Ordinary .. Second Mate Master Ordinary .. First Mate Second Mate First Mate Master Ordinary .. Only Mate Master Ordinary .. Second Mate Master Ordinary .. Second Mate First Mate Master Ordinary .. Foreign trade „ (renewal) 1 April, 1886 .. 1 „ „ •• 15 „ „ .. 15 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 6 May, „ .. 6 „ „ .. 21 .„ ,, .. 31 „ „ .. 31 „ „ .. 2 June, „ .. 4 „ „ .. 15 „ „ .. 16 „ „ .. 28 „ „ .. 1 July, ,, ■ ■ 1 „ „ •• 15 „ „ .. 17 „ „ .. 19 „ „ .. 19 „ „ .. 28 „ „ .. 3 Aug., „ .. 3 „ „ .. 3 „ „ .. 14 „ „ .. 25 „ „ .. 31 „ „ .. 31 „ „ .. 18 Sept., „ .. 22 5 Oct., "„ .. 5 „ „ .. 12 „ „ .. 12 „ „ .. 18 „ „ .. 18 „ „ .. 4 Nov., „ .. 4 „ „ .. 23 „ „ .. 25 „ „ .. 29 „ „ .. 7 Dec, „ .. 9 „ ■„ ■• 18 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 30 „ 30 „ „ .. 11 Jan., 1887.. 11 „ ,i ■■ 14 „ „ .. 17 „ „ .. 5 Feb., „ .. 5 „ „ .. 8 „ „ .. 17 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 22 „ „ '.. 3 March, „ .. 3 „ „ .. 9 „ . „ •• 18 „ „ .. 18 „ „ .-. 18 „ „ .. 13 April, 1886 .. 6 May, „ .. 11 „ „ •■ 25 „ „ .. 31 „ „ .. 26 July, „ .. 16 Aug., „ .. 25 6 Sept., "„ '.'. 13 „ „ .. 18 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 12 Oct., „ .. 18 „ „ .. 21 „ „ .. 1 Nov., „ .. 18 „ „ .. 3 Dec, „ .. 478 479 480 481 482 483 350 414 438 484 485 466 365 486 298 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 345 494 318 457 495 496 497 498 400 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 340 236 506 507 508 385 509 510 511 512 513 514 386 387 268 515 516 118 517 518 519 520 521 321 522 523 524 525 5,293 5,294 5,295 5,296 5,297 5,298 5,299 5,300 5,213 5,301 5,302 5,303 5,304 5,305 5,306 5,240 5,307 5,308 First Mate Master Ordinary .. First Mate Second Mate Master Ordinary .. First Mate Second Mate Master Ordinary .. Only Mate Second Mate First Mate Second Mate Master Ordinary .. Only Mate Second Mate Mate" Home trade (renewal) Home trade Master Mate „ (renewal) Master Mate Master Mate * Failed in colours.

17

H.—4

3—H. 4.

Return of Masters, Mates, and Engineers to whom Certificates of Competency were issued, &c.— continued.

Name of Person. Bank. Class of Certificate. Date of Issue. No. Herbert William Farrington George Dobson John Oscar Berg Edward Charles Windsor Edward Graham Neil Campbell Henry Marett William Field Porter James Charles Braid John McKenzie Thorvald Krogh Charles Grant Thomas McClatchey Edwin John Booth Eichard Ker Sinclaire John Herbert Davies Herbert William Farringfcon John Frederick Matthew Waldon .. George Adams Henry James Hansen James George Wilson Edward Quinlan Murdoch Stuart Samuel Johnson Samuel Dalrymple Peter Grant William Westwood James Brown Alexander Reid Douglas John Griffiths David Bett Hood John Stevenson Chapman Duncan Cargil Paton Thomas Scott Samuel McDowall John McGregor John Wishart William Marshall Millar Donald Stalker Cecil Harry Grundy Croll James Felix Pleasents John James Cormack Giles William Johnson James Ewing John McDiarmid Charles Loyel Biby John Stevenson Chapman Thomas Carter Thomas McCune Adam Gall James John Jack.. Henry Steen Herbert Smith William Henry Sykes John Eae Cornelius Stubbs William Skepper John Brown Thomas Child Benjamin Williams Thomas Latham Thomas Moir William White Francis Johnston Edwin John Booth Henry Creasey William Faithful.. .. ■ .. William Frederick Eankin Joseph Harden William Albert Andrew James George Wilson Henry Joseph Eees Adolphus John Park Mate Master Mate Master 1st Glass Engineer 2nd Class Engineer 1st Class Engineer 2nd Class Engineer 1st Class Engineer 2nd Class Engineer Home trade „ (renewal) Home trade Eiver trade Foreign trade „ (renewal) 9 Dec, 1886 . 11 Jan., 1887 . 9 Feb., „ . 22 „ „ .. 25 „ „ .. 23 March, „ .. 18 May, 1886 .. 28 July, „ .. 6 Aug., „ .. 18 Sept., „ .. 30 „ „ .. 18 Oct., „ .. 21 „ „ .. 21 „ 12 Nov., „ .. 23 „ „ .. 9 Dec, „ .. 20 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 21 Jan., 1887 .. 8 Feb., „ .. 11 „ „ ■• 17 „ „ .. 3 April, 1886 .. 16 „ „ .. 19 „ „ .. 6 May „ .. I* „ „ •■ 21 „ ,, .. 4 June, „ .. 19 „ „ .. 5 July, „ .. 10 „ „ .. 20 Aug., „ .. 31 „ „ .. 20 Sept., , .. INov., „ .. 26 „ „ .. 26 „ „ .. 3 Dec, „ .. 24 „ „ .. 30 „ „ .. 7 Jan., 1887.. 17 „ „ .. 27 „ „ .. 1 Feb., „ .. 5 March, „ .. 13 April, 1886 .. 15 „ „ .. 19 „ „ ■■ 19 „ „ .. 29 „ „ .. 29 „ „ .. 27 July, „ .. 10 Aug., „ .. 16 „ „ .. 16 „ „ .. 10 Sept., „ .. 18 „ „ .. 9 Oct., „ .. 14 „ „ .. 18 „ „ .. 4 Nov., „ .. 20 „ „ .. 3 Dec, „ .. 18 „ „ .. 14 Jan., 1887 .. 25 „ „ .. 31 „ „ .. 31 „ „ .. 1 Feb., „ .. 11 „ » •• 29 March, „ .. 5,309 5,310 5,311 5,177 5,312 5,313 3,124 3,125 3,126 3,127 3,128 3,129 3,130 3,131 3,132 3,133 3,134 3,135 3,136 3,137 3,138 3,139 3,140 121 152 153 110 154 104 155 156 100 119 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 106 165 112 166 122 167 1,503 1,504 1,505 1,506 1,507 1,508 1,509 1,510 1,511 1,512 1,513 1,514 1,515 1,516 1,517 1,518 1,519 1,520 1,521 1,522 1,523 1,524 1,525 1,526 1,527 1,528 1st Class Engineer 2nd Class Engineer 1st Class Engineer 2nd Class Engineer 1st Class Engineer „ (renewal) Engineer „ (renewal) Eiver trade

EL—4.

Return showing the Number of Masters, Mates, and Engineers examined during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887, distinguishing the Number of Successful and Unsuccessful Candidates.

Return showing the Cost of Maintenance of the New Zealand Lighthouses, and the Quantity of Oil consumed at each, during the Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

18

Auckland. We] llington. 'ttelti >n. Duned: in. Othi sr Places. Total: Class of Certificate. id .d ° o rl £ a 5 c≤ d o h B Ph rd a 3 fn B o c3 Ph o [ i T3 CD w Cβ p< '3 ft 73 "o EH Ph h En fd rrj s I Ph h 3 H Foreign - going masters and mates Home-trade masters and mates River-steamer masters Sea-going engineers River-steamer engineers 13 8 21 15 7 22 15 4 19 22 4 26 65 23 88 7 7 4 3 11 10 10 3 8 7 1 2 11 3 10 7 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 3 2 10 1 1 1 1 2 11 1 4 6 4 6 22 19 20 26 7 3 .3 1 29 22 23 27 12 12 1 i *4 Totals 15 54 43 10 53 6 27 35 G 41 14 11 152 37 189 39 21

Oil. Name of Lighthouse. Salaries. Gallons consumed. Value. Stores and Contingencies. Totals. Dape Maria van Diemon .. Moko Hinou firi Tiri Bean Rock Ponui Passage Portland Island.. Napier Bluff Pencarrow Head riomes Island Dape Egmont Manukau Head Manukau South Head leading lights* Manukau North Head leading lights* !Caipara Heads Brothers rory Channel !3ape Campbell 3-odley Head ikaroa Head Moeraki raiaroa Head .. I!ape Saunders NTugget Point vVaipapapa Point .. ... Dog Island Centre Island Puysegur Point jape Foulwind .. ?arewell Spit kelson .. .. .. .. ■ ?rench Pass £ s. d. 359 3 4 380 5 4 248 6 8 150 0 0 160 0 0 300 0 0 36 0 0 255 0 0 150 3 4 300 0 0 270 0 0 848 838 515 80 78 644 £ s. d. 63 12 0 62 17 0 38 12 6 8 6 8 5 17 0 48 6 0 17 18 0 03 6 0 15 9 0 37 16 0 88 12 6 3 12 0 5 12 6 39 16 6 51 0 0 13 2 6 45 0 0 37 19 0 46 10 0 38 2 0 41 0 6 36 16 6 72 12 0 37 16 0 61 11 6 64 14 6 63 18 0 39 15 0 37 5 6 17 5 0 9 6 0 £ s. d. 82 11 4 37 11 11 35 12 8 20 1 9 3 6 9 51 0 11 £ s. d. 505 6 8 480 14 3 322 11 10 178 8 5 169 3 9 459 6 11 53 18 0 347 7 10 182 4 7 376 14 10 373 14 5 3 12 0 96 1 11 374 9 1 592 15 2 109 0 11 382 1 11 326 3 2 337 0 8 323 15 2 377 8 6 331 12 1 384 16 8 363 13 0 497 3 4 468 18 1 731 11 1 373 18 9 422 2 10 302 5 0 247 10 2 73 6 8 250 0 0 405 1 10 90 0 0 266 3 4 260 0 0 260 0 0 260 0 0 287 10 0 200 0 0 254 3 4 280 0 0 355 16 8 350 0 0 357 10 0 280 0 0 335 16 8 280 0 0 210 0 0 Gas 844 206 504 515 48 75 531 680 175 600 506 620 508 547 491 968 504 821 863 852 530 497 230 124 29 1 10 16 12 3 38 18 10 65 1 11 17 2 9 84 12 7 76 13 4 5 18 5 70 18 7 28 4 2 30 10 8 25 13 2 48 18 0 34 15 7 58 1 4 45 17 0 79 15 2 54 3 7 310 3 If 54 3 9 49 0 8 5 0 0 28 4 2 Totals 7,844 7 2 15,242 1,163 7 8 1,487 16 2 10,495 11 0 *Lij ;ht November, 1886. t £199 14s. 3d. was for repairs.

H.—4.

RETURN of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping reported to the Marine Department, from the 1st April, 1886, to the 31st March, 1887.

19

If Number of Xature of Number Wind. Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel, also Age and Class. nig. Place "where Casualty o'ccurred. Decision of Court of Inquiry, &e. Name of Master. £ = Passeng Sers. Cargo. Casualty. Lives lost. Direction. Force. 1888. Unknown Naupliante, 30 Barque.. ! 365 10 years 365 10 Ballast.. Supposed foun- ! dered; total loss General; Stranded; slight island damage produce Goal .. Stranded ; parj tial loss Svmposed 10; all hands On voyage from Amoy to Manila ! Vessel left Amo}', bound to Manila, on the Simon Saunders. 27th December, 1865, and has not since been hoard of Breeze.. Vessel touched-reef through mate, who was in George Henry charge, allowing her to get too close in Trayte. March 31 Sybil, 6J years Schooner 150 7 150 Aitutald, Cook Group.. N.E. 31 Kawafciri, B.S., 3 I Schooner : 2S6 17 years 286 17 Bar of Bailer River 1 Casualty caused through insufficient water on John Metcalf. bar. Vessel struck on something hard, supposed to be propeller of s.s. " Grafton," lost some time previously Strong After the wind increased to a smart gale from George Urquhart ! gale S.E. at 5 p.m., the master ought to have Thomson. hauled out at least another point, as the current, wind and sea on the weather bow. As he did not alter his course he iccurately. He ought to have taken cross bearings at Cape Campbell to have ;ee how the ship was steered, and the reason given by him for not having done i want of knowledge of his own duties and responsibilities. He ought also to itever to prevent a full-powered steamer being driven by wind and sea bodily and he was ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry. Court recommended that ie end of two years, provided he has been at sea as mate continuously in the April 11 Taiaroa, s.s., 11 Schooner ; 228 29 years 29 14 or j General Stranded; total 15 loss 30 Waipapa Point, East S.E. Coast. Middle Island April 22 J I ! I I land was obscured by mist. He should have placed a leadsman i: ascertained the position of his ve so — namely, that he thought it s have known whether there was i to leeward broadside on to a bea< Governor should grant him a ma interim Rose Casey, s.s., Schooner 99 10 7 years I ! I I must have known that he was neai [n the chains until the weather cle 3ssel; and his admission that he d sufficient to have given the course tc a distress-signal gun and Holmes lig >ch 100 miles from the port he wa: ite's certificate, and that a master's ,r a lee sh eared or 1 aid not at o the offic( [gilts on b< is bound t 3 certificat I I lore, with thick weather, adverse < he had ascertained his position t i any time look at the compass to £ er in charge of the watch —shows < oard. He never did anything whs to. His certificate w 7 as cancelled, ;e should be reissued to him at tl 15 General Loss of life only 1 Off Mahurangi Reef, on E.N.E. voyage from Auckland to Waiwera and Mahurangi Dagmar Rocks, Catlin's N.E. River Tua Motu, Poverty Bay Fresh A passenger named Samuel Keys was pitched William Somerbreeze overboard by a sudden lurch of the vessel in ville. a heavy sea, and was drowned 22 28 Janet Ramsay, Schooner 41 4 15 years Taupo, s.s., 2 Brig'ntine 408 23 years 41 408 4 23 Ballast.. Stranded; partial loss 7 General Stranded; slight damage 7 Light .. Casualty caused through wind suddenly falling Richard Norman Master not guilty of negligence, but he erred Dugald McColl. in thinking vessel was more to eastward than she actually was, and also in taking the light he saw as that of a vessel at anchor Strong A coal-trimmer named R. Dakelow, while William Li Hie breeze engaged over the side of the vessel clearing Cromarty. the ash-spout, fell into the water, and was drowned Case of rockets exploded in saloon whilst being Charles Herbert moved by the cabin-boy Lovett. May 5 Arawata, s.s.,10 Schooner 623 43 yrs., Al Lloyd's 623 43 . 4 Coal .. Loss of life only 1 Off Moko Hinou Islands, W. on voyage from Russell to Auckland 8 19 Norman Mac- Barque.. 834 19 leod, 10 years, 100 Al Lloyd's Gem, 12 years Schooner 29 3 834 29 19 Wool, tal- Fire ; damage, low, and £70 grain Sand and Stranded ; parshingle tial loss Off Lyttelton Heads, near Port Levy Rocks • Rock about three-quar- N. ters of a mile off S.W. end of Motu Ihi, Auckland Harbour Tory Shoal, Kaipara W. Harbour Error in judgment on part of master in not Frank Harnden. keeping further out 20 Defiance, 6 yrs. Brig'ntine 199 r 8 Timber .. Stranded; slight damage t Vessel was run further to leeward in wearing John Mackay. ship than master anticipated 199 - 8

H.—4

20

RETURN of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping reported to the Marine Department, &c.— continued.

Nm iber of iture of Number 'ind. Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel, also Age and Class. Place where Casualty occurred. Decision of Court of Inquiry, &c. Name of Master. •i s •assengers. Casualty. Lives Lost. Direction. Cargo. Force. 1886. :ay 21 Star of the Mersey, 23 years Brig .. 255 Timber Stranded; total loss About half-way between town and breakwater, New Plymouth Wave Point, Haulashore Island, Nelson Harbour entrance w. Strong gale Vessel sprung a leak, and ran to New Plymouth for shelter, and there went ashore John Christian. 28 Elsie, s.s., 2 years Cutter .. 15 6 General Stranded; no damage S.W. Light .. Casualty caused by incapacity of master owing to effects of drink. Certificate suspended for three months ; and he was ordered to pay costs of inquiry Loss of vessel mainly attributable to master of " Graf ton " while towing " Lyttelton." He was never able to get either his own vessel or the "Lyttelton" under proper control. Pilot committed grave error in judgment in not having starboard anchor shackled on to cable before lifting port anchor, and in not ascertaining with some degree of certainty whether the " Lyttelton " was forging ahead when he let go the port anchor when the steamer east the vessel adrift. The harbour authorities should not have permitted the harbour tug and harbourmaster to be absent from the port when a large vessel like the " Lyttelton" was ready for sea. Master of "Grafton," H. E. Hill, ordered to pay costs of inquiry The second mate, Wilbert D. Nicoll, was washed overboard by a heavy sea, and never seen again John Johnston. Lyttelton, 8yrs., 100 Al Lloyd's Ship .. Frozen meat & wool Foundered; total loss Three-quarters of a mile N. by W. from end of breakwater, Timara Harbour N.W. Light air Herbert Wild Boorman. June 12 1111 30 * 13 Isabel, G years Waiapu, 2 years Barque.. Schooner 350 General I Colonial produce Loss of life only Loss of life only South Atlantic Ocean, on voyage from New York to Dunedin, sixty days out Off White Island, on voyage from Gisborne to Auckland S.W. Gale .. Gale .. . 24 supposed 16 Pelican, 12 years Schooner Gl 69 Timber Capsized; total loss 1 Supposed 5; all hands Supposed Cook Strait, on voyage from Kaipara to Lyttelton S.E. Gale .. Weather becoming bad it was found necessary to reduce sail, and while stowing outer-jib a seaman, William Barr, was washed overboard and drowned Vessel supposed to have capsized during violent squalls on night of 24th June. She was found bottom up on beach about a mile west of mouth of Waitotara River on 28th June Vessel went ashore through cables parting .. John Nicolas. John Devitt. „ 25 Ruby, 17 years Schooner Maize and wood Coal .. Stranded; total loss Stranded; vessel strained ; trifling loss Stranded; partial loss Awanui, near Opotiki, N.-E. Coast of N.Z. North Beach, Buller River W. Heavy gale Squally W r illiam Davies. 36 3 „ 28 Wareatea, s.s., 2 years Schooner 288 18 I S.W. Heavy sea struck vessel, and drove her on to the north beach A. S. Ewan. July 3 Wallabi, s.s., 23 years Schooner 101 12 1 Coal .. About half-mile north of mouth of Grey River, west coast of N.Z. Point Poponga, Manukau Harbour E. Fresh breeze Succession of heavy seas rendered vessel unmanageable, and drove her on to the beach James Leys. 5 Herald, s.s., 2 years, 100 Al Lloyd's Schooner 356 9 Coal .. Stranded; partial loss S.W. Vessel was coming up harbour with flood- tide, and when off Poponga she was taken apparently by an eddy, and driven on to point Samuel Richard Savory. 21

21

H.—4

. 13 Mary Wadley, 12 years Schooner 159 Potatoes Loss of mainmast Ten miles off Portland Island, light bearing N.N.W. Simmer Bar Beacon Rock, near Lyttelton s. Fresh .. Casualty caused through faulty condition of mast Gideon Widerstrom. , 13 Volunteer, 20 years Schooner 22 Ballast.. Stranded; total loss s.w. Light breeze Vessel lost steerage-way and drifted on rock through wind falling light and breakers striking vessel Casualty caused through wind falling light and becoming baffling Peter Hagland. 21 25 Alpha, 10J years Ketch .. Schooner 24 122 C h a ff, oats, and general Coal Stranded; total loss Quarter of a mile from mouth of Waikawa River Half a mile west of Turanganui River, Poverty Bay Whakatane Bar w. Light .. G. Salemin. Aratapu, 8 years Stranded ; no damage S.S.E. Moderate gale Casualty caused through cable parting, from defective link Henry D. Bower. „ 26 Hannah Mokau, s.s., 8 years Sybil, 7 years .. Schooner 35 7 General Stranded; total loss Loss of life only Loss of life only S.E. Casualty caused by vessel striking the bar and damaging her machinery Master, who was lying on deck, fell overboard, and was drowned Charles Anderson, master and part owner, fell overboard whilst steering, owing to tiller breaking short off, and was not seen afterwards Casualty caused through master mistaking land in thick weather Casualty caused through losing tide by waiting for a steamer to come in Nicholson Wood. 28 August 6 Mayflower, not registered Schooner Cutter .. 150 5 8 2 2 Island produce Firewood 1 1 Off Island of Manahiki In Whangapoua Passage, on voyage from Little Barrier Island to Auckland Parapara Beach, Golden Bay Eastern Spit, entrance to Napier Inner Harbour Howell's Rock, off Lookout Point, Bluff Harbour N.E. N. Light .. George Henry Trayte. Charles Anderson. 6 Elizabeth, 20 Ketch .. General Stranded; very slight damage Stranded; partial loss Gale .. John Edward Westrupp. Colin Campbell. 33 3 7 years Dunedin, 2Gyrs. Schooner 66 Ballast.. N.W. Light .. 9 Pelham, s.s., 21 Schooner 238 Coal .. Stranded; total loss E. Fresh .. The master, having only been to the port once, and being without a.pilot-exemption certificate, was wrong in attempting to enter the harbour before daylight without a pilot. When vessel got in six fathoms of water master was in default in not keeping her out at once. Master's certificate suspended for three months, and he was ordered to pay costs of inquiry Vessel ran on to reef through weather being foggy Christen Eriksen Greagor. 21 years „ 17 Stranded; slight damage South side of Whangapoua Heads Rose Casey, s.s., 7£ years Schooner 99 9 General; N.Z. produce Ballast.. Calm, foggy William Somerville. „ 19 Gipsy, 25 years Ketch .. 13 Stranded; total loss North-west bay in Le Bon's Bay, Banks Peninsula Lat. 33° S., long. 25° 50' W., South Atlantic E. Gale Gale caused vessel to drag her anchors and go ashore George Weaver. 20 Himalaya, 23 years Barque.. 1008 23 43 General Fire on board; partial loss Fair .. Vessel and cargo damaged by fire (supposed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion of coal in lower hold), and by water in extinguishing same Vessel went ashore through master mistaking a buoy, weather being hazy A flood in the river had caused the bar to shoal, which w r as not known to the master or harbourmaster Casualty caused by force of the gale William Paterson. 21 Lizzie Guy, 13 years Tui, s.s., 11 yrs. Brig'ntine Ballast.. Stranded ; partial loss Stranded; partial loss Wairohia Point, Hokianga River Bar of Manawatu River S. Gale .. James Stevens. 85 6 „ 24 Schooner 55 II 5 General Calm .. Charles Pope. „ 25 Huon Belle, 22 years Ketch .. -12 Sawn timber Loss of mast, sails, rigging, &c, and part of deck cargo Two miles S.E. of Cape Saunders s.w. Gale .. John Carruthers, ' 3

11.—4

22

RETURN of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping reported to the Marine Department, &c.— continued.

Date of Casualty. Name of Vessel, also Age and Class. Big. ■I a SB Num ier of Nature of Number Lives Lost. Place where Casualty occurred. Wind. Decision of Court of Inquiry, &c. Same of Master. o Passon-i gors. I Cargo. Casualty. Direction. Force. 1886. Aug. 25 Day's Bay, 4J years Cutter .. 19 Ballast.. Stranded; total loss Reef at N.W. end of Ward Island, Port Nicholson West entrance, Foveaux Strait S.E. GaJe .. Vessel caught by gale |when too close inshore to get away Andrew McGregor. 25 Victoria, 26 yrs. Barque.. 305 Timber.. Damage to bulwarks and two boats stove in Stranded; partial loss Capsized and stranded; total loss Gale .. Casualty caused by force of gale .. John Simmins. Sept. 12 Start Cutter .. 27 3 Shingle Chamberlin's Island, Hauraki Gulf NearWaikokopn, Mahia, Hawke's Bay ■ N.E. Gale .. Casualty caused through anchors coming home Peter Brown. 21 Cleopatra, 19 years Schooner 83 6 Timber.. 6 (allh'nds) Gale .. Vessel discovered bottom up, completely wreckecl, on rocks. Supposed to have capsized at sea during heavy gale, and all hands lost Casualty caused through man at the wheel going to sleep, and leaving vessel to take her own course Vessel was running into port for shelter in the darkness, and master did not take soundings to verify his position Chain parted, and vessel went ashore Charles Heilemeyer. 23 Ruby, s.s., 10 years Schooner 32 G eneral Stranded; partial loss North end of Rangitoto Island, Hauraki Gulf Calm .. Michael Lennon. 24 Maid of Otago, 16 years Schooner 50 G eneral Stranded; total loss Howell'sRocks, Starling Point, Bluff Harbour S.E. Fresh breeze John Eraser. 24 Kekeno, 7 years Schooner 37 Ballast.. Stranded; partial loss Midway between Bluff Wharf and Starling Point, Bluff Harbour Beef Barrels, entrance to French Pass S.S.E. Moderate breeze James Brown Greig. 30 Lyttelton, s.s., 27 years Schooner 86 11 1 Coal Stranded; total loss S.E. Light .. Wreck did not appear to have been caused by want of care or seamanship on the part of the master or other officer Casualty caused through wind suddenly falling George Forbes. 30 Clyde, 18 years Ketch .. 41 3 Ballast.. Stranded; total loss Scuttled, abandoned; total loss Stranded; total loss Stranded; total loss Central Island, entrance to Croixelles Harbour Port Macquarrie, New South Wales N.E. Light .. Peter Curran. Sovereign of the Seas, 20 years Ketch .. 31 2 1 Stores .. Master and accomplice ran away with vessel, after committing a murder on the Great Barrier Island, New Zealand Strong tide set vessel on to rocks John Cafirey. Oct. 1 Rapido Barque.. 299 51 General Cambridge Gulf, Western Australia North end of reef at Cape Campbell A. L. Edgar. 2 Jannett, 17 yrs. Ketch .. 41 4 Timber.. S.E. Fresh breeze Loss of vessel caused hy carelessness of master. Court suspended his certificate for three months, and ordered him to pay costs of inquiry Master mistook a fire lighted by Natives for a light usually burnt at night in Mr. Field's house when a steamer is expected to call, and approached the land without sufficient caution. His certificate was suspended for one month, and ho was ordered to pay costs of inquiry Casualty caused by reckless navigation of master. Master's certificate was cancelled, and he was ordered to pay costs of inquiry John Oscar Berg. Schooner General Stranded; partial loss South-east end of Long Point, Kapiti Island, Cook Strait N.W. Breeze .. James William Grant Fraser. 23 Jane Douglas, s.s., 11 years 75 13 Tui, s.s., 11 yrs. Stranded; total loss Reef about quarter of a mile north of Pencarrow Head Lighthouse, Port Nicholson Charles Quintin Pope. Nov. 1 Schooner 55 12 General N.N.E. Gale

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23

tr // 3 6 7 May, 17 years.. Barquen- 237 tine Australian Maid, Schooner 17 32 years Hauraki, s.s., Schooner 59 12J years Turakina, 8 yrs. Ship .. 1189 237 17 59 2 .. General 10 .. General General 2 10 Loss of life only Stranded; partial loss Stranded; partial loss Loss of life only 1 Lat. 10° 20' S., long. 138° 10' E. BoulderBank,Croixelles N.W. Harbour, Blind Bay Rockhalf mile off shore, N.W. about 4J miles south of Otumutua Point, Provincial District of Taranaki 1 Lat. 46° 38' 8., long. W. 141° 31' E. N.W. N.W. An O.S. named Ernest Short accidentally fell George Robb. overboard and was drowned Gale .. Casualty caused by being caught in heavy gale William Paul. while vessel in helpless position on beach Strong The chief officer, John Cooper, was guilty of Edward John breeze error in judgment in keeping vessel too close Harvey, inshore. Court suspended his certificate for one month, and ordered him to pay costs of inquiry Strong .. An A.B. named John Sullivan, while engaged Robert Power. in stowing the jib, fell overboard and was drowned Fresh Court found casualty caused by want of care- Henry Edward breeze ful seamanship on part of Captain Hill when Hill ilaek to a great degree at a dangerous stage of the passage of the bar, to stop ie was ordered to pay costs of inquiry. ;, 1877," His Excellency the Governor directed that Captain Hill's certificate 17 „ ' 29 Mawhera, s.s., 3 Schooner 340 years crossing the bar in tow of th or even to reverse the engim Note. —In exercise of should be reissued and retui Kawatiri, s.s., 3 I Schooner I 285 j 26 19 General Stranded; partial loss •as a necessary ii '. Master's cert ipon him by sec North beach, entrance E. to Port of Greyrnouth tat of prudence, when the tow-line became i ificate was suspended for three months, and 1 stion 246 of " The Shipping and Seamen's Ad le.tug, holding that it i es of the steamer in to , the powers conferred :ned to him. 18 I 4 1 General 17 1887. Jan. 5 ec. 7 years Yolande, 3J yrs. Barquen- 395 tine Omapere, s.s., Schooner 352 5 years Barquentine Schooner 395 11 Coal Stranded; partial loss Loss of life only Collision ; partial loss Rangitoto Island, Cook I N.W. Strait On voyage from Newcastle, N.S.W., to Auckland, lat. 30° 35' S., long. 162° 29' E. E.S.E. I Master displayed gross neglect of duty in ! John Metcalfe. not being on deck from Jackson's Head to | Stephens Island, the navigation being dangerous, and the distance only 23 miles. Chief Officer Henry Abbott guilty of gross care- | lessness in not calling master when thick j weather came on, in not slowing the engines, j and in not taking any precaution to ascertain the distance run. certificate sus- j pended for one month, and chief officer's for three months, each to pay half the costs of the inquiry. j Gale .. Whilst stowing the jib it burst in hauling Theodoro Thos. down, and the downhaul carried away. Watts. Five men were sent out on to the boom to haul it down and stow it. While engaged in the work a heavy sea carried three of them off, and they were lost I Collision occasioned by want of due caution on Richard Smith. I part of master of dredge in not sufficiently reducing his speed, and in not keeping closer Light 4 to starboard side of channel, and by master of Omapere in not reducing speed earlier. Each master ordered to pay half costs of James Stewart. I inquiry Light .. When coming down channel vessel touched on Theodore VWilwhat is supposed to be ballast patch, where liam.Haultain. she remained fast for some time, partially filled with water Light and Thick weather prevented land being seen until Charles Beeching unsteady it was too late to avoid the casualty Moderate Screw shaft broke in the stern tube.. .. George Allman. Gale Theodoro Thos. Watts. Richard Smith. 352 26 None .. iIn narrows between Goat and Quarantine Islands, Otago Harbour 5 Dredge No. 222, .. 502 5 years Maria Virginia Brig'nfcine 283 Collision ; partial loss Stranded; partial loss N.E. Light -| James Stewart. 502 IS None .. N. Light .. « . 17 Brig'nfcine 283 5 Coal .. Whangarei River Theodore ",William.Haultain. 25 Inglewood, 11 Barque.. 1043 years Penguin, s.s., Schooner 442 23 years Norman Me- Barque.. 834 Leod, 10 years Barque .. Ballast.. Stranded; no damage Propeller-shaft broken Collision with wharf; partial loss Reef off Mayhew Island, Kapiti, Cook Strait At sea, off Cape Campbell Alongside Timaru wharf, inside breakwater N. Light and unsteady Moderate Charles Beeching 1043 31 27 Schooner 442 General N.N.W. George Allman. Feb. 5 Barque.. 834 19 Wool and tallow N.W. Gale .. Heavy gale caused damage alongside wharf .. Chas. H. Lovett. Gale Chas.' H. Lovett.

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RETURN of Wrecks and Casualties to Shipping reported to the Marine Department, &c.—continued.

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Date of Name of Vessel, Casualty. Age a^ s ° CIass . Big. n Number of Nature of Number Place where Casualty occurred. Wind. I Cargo. Casualty. Lives Lost. Decision of Court of Inquiry, &c. Name of Master. Passengers. Direction. Force. 1887. 'eb. 5 Awarua, s.s., 3 years, 100 Al Lloyd's Midge, 33 years Schooner 100 Ballast.. Collision with wharf ; partial loss Stranded; total loss Alongside wharf, Bluff Harbour Heavy gale caused vessel to be considerably damaged alongside wharf N. ■ Gale .. Albert Tyson. 6 Cutter .. 17 Timber.. Outermost point of Boulder Bank, entrance to Nelson Earbour Inside bar of Opotiki River Waikaka Beach, Waiapu, near Gisborne About 25 miles N.N.W. of Cape Farewell N.E. Strong breeze Charles McLean. Casualty caused through master not keeping leading lights in line Chelmsford, s.s., 1 year Mercury, 1C yrs. Schooner General Stranded; partial loss Stranded; partial loss Foundered ; total loss Variable Light .. Vessel struck when entering river John Cowper. 8 70 <J 10 „ 12 Cutter .. 30 3 Timber.. S. Vessel dragged her anchors and went ashore.. Anders Pedorson. . 28 Hauraki, s.s., 13 years Schooner 59 10 Coal .. N.W. Fresh .. Vessel foundered through having sprung a leak, the cause of which there was no evidence to show Vessel went ashore owing to some of her gear giving way and disabling one of the men Edward John Harvey. ifarch 17 Wangarei, 21 years Cutter .. 31 Ballast.. Stranded; total loss Between Flat Island and Great Barrier, Hauraki Gulf W. to S.W. Peter Peterson.

NEW ZEALAND LIGHTHOUSE CHART at GENERAL COAST LIGHTS and PRINCIPAL HARBOUR LIGHTS Comiled by the MARLAE DEPARTMENT

NEW ZEALAND WRECK CHART

TIMARU HARBOUR, PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY, N.Z. GENERAL CHART OF TIMARU AND ADJOINING COAST, SHEWING WORKS COMPLETED 31st MARCH, 1887.

POET OF TIMAEU.

The Port of Tirnaru, which is the natural outlet of the largo and fertile district of South Canterbury - ) whose export business in a few years will equal that of any port in New Zealand, is situated at a slight projection of the coast-line at tho southwest extremity of the Ninety-Mile Beach, south of Banks Peninsula. The town of Timaru stands near the sea-shore, partly on a rise. The lighthouse and flagstaff (only 40ft apart) are on a cliff towards the north end of the town, in latitude 44° 23' S., longitude 171° 17' 20" B. The breakwater, which is now2,looft. long, andis rapidly being pushed seawards, extends from the beach in a N.E. by N. direction, and will be seen when viewed from the sea to be in a line with tho flagstaff. The coast-line from Banks Peninsula to Timaru is low, and cannot be seen in thick weather or by night until close in with the breakers, while southwards of the Town of Timaru the cliffs are from 30ft. to 50ft. high. This is a sure guide to Timaru, viz., low shingle beach northward, moderately high cliffs and headlands to the southward. If the weather is clear, the high mountain range will be seen behind Timaru long before the coast-line has risen. Burkes Pass, a remarkable gorge, almost directly behind Timaru, is a good landmark, showing a distinct gaj}, and should be steered for on a course W.S.W. magnetic; the cliffs above mentioned will prevent any mistake. Directions.— Vessels bound for Timaru, after rounding Banks Peninsula, should steer S.W. by W. southerly unless the wind be strong from E.S.E., which causes an inset, when it is necessary to keep three-quarters of a point more southerly. The shore from the end of the breakwater to Patiti Point, a long mile, S.S.E., is fronted by sand and shoal patches, with outlying reefs of rocks and kelp, always breaking, the reef extending nearly two-thirds of a mile direct to seaward from Patiti Point, and one and a half miles to the south-east from the breakwater at Timaru. The reef off Patiti Point runs out a quarter of a mile farther than is marked on the charts, and should have a wide berth. From Patiti Point southward the coast is again formed of low cliffs, fronted by a shingle beach, and extends thirty miles in a south direction to Waitangi (chart, Waitaki) Eiver, with several small streams intervening. A high mountain range, 3,500 ft. (the Hunter Hills), approach within a few miles of the coast, between Timaru and Waitaki Eiver.

\ The Timaru lighthouse is 30ft. high ;it is built of wood and painted white. The light is a fixed white light of the fifth order, dioptric, and shows a green sector of 45° (four points) from W. to S.W., magnetic, as viewed from seaward. It stands 85ft. above the sea-level, and, allowing 15ft. for the height of the observer's eye, should be visible in clear weather at a distance of fourteen nautical miles. The GREEN" LIGHT is intended as a guide to vessels approaching Timaru during the night. Masters of vessels are particularly cautioned that on nearing the port, and while lying at anchor, they must not lose sight of the green light; also, that while under way, the lead-line should always be kept going. Two red lights, 10ft. apart, are exhibited from the outer end of the breakwater, when weather permits, and show all round to seawards. The accommodation for shipping under the shelter of the breakwater is now very considerable, and is being rapidly increased as the work extends. Moorings are laid down, to which several vessels can be well secured, moored head and stern. There are besides about 1500 ft. available wharfage for berthing vessels. The depth of water is from 10ft. to 23ft. at low-water spring-tides, and vessels drawing up to 19ft. are discharged and loaded with great facility, as the railway runs the whole length of the wharf, and steam cranes are always available. In order to give despatch to sailing-vessels the Harbour Board maintains a powerful tug, of 56 h.p. nominal. The towage rates have been made exceedingly liberal, to induce masters of vessels to avail themselves to the utmost of the services oi the tug. Signals. —The New Zealand General Signals are used. It has been notified by the Harbourmaster that vessels frequenting the port should be provided with at least one extra heavy anchor and strong cable, and that vessels of large tonnage, say 800 tons register and over, must not anchor in less than seven fathoms of water, the flagstaff bearing W.S.W. Vessels of less tonnage may anchor closer in on the same bearing, but not within a mile and a half of the breakwater, and in no case must approach the breakwater or moorings without permission, in consequence of the rapid extension of the harbour works. On the plan are marked the best anchorages for all classes of vessels, also the bearings from the lighthouse. High water, full and change, at 3h. SOrnin.; spring tides, rise and fall, 6ft. 6in.

Shipping inwards at Port of Timaru— Year 1884 ... ... 282 vessels ... ... 63,133 tons register. „ 1885 ... ... 332 „ ... ... 90,109 „ 1886 ... ... 363 „ ... ... 98,756 Principal Exports, year 1886— Wool ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 22,646 bales. Wheat 39,388 sacks. Oats ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 91,513 „ Flour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 138,093 „ Bran and sharps ... ... ... ... ... 73,572 „ Potatoes ... ... ... ... ... ... 9,890 ~ Chaff ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9,656 „ Frozen mutton ' ... ... ... ... ... 33,032 carcases. Kevenue from Wharfage and Harbour Charges— Year £ s . d. 1879 241 0 6 1880 1,791 6 3 1881 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,926 11 9 1882 4,963 16 1 1883 6,356 7 2 1884 ... 6,323 1 8 1885 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8,626 0 6 1886 9,972 18 8 The harbour district includes the Counties of Geraldine and Mackenzie, and the following Hidings of the Waimate County, namely, Pareora, Otaio, Makikihi, Deep Creek, and part of Waihao, the Borough of Timaru, and the Town Districts of Geraldine, Temuka, and Arowhenua. The area of the district is 2,718,800 acres. Its rateable value under Government assessment is £6,664,000. Population, 24,000. The Harbour Board has a right of rating over the property in the harbour district in the event of its revenue being insufficient to meet the interest on money borrowed for harbour works. There has up to the present time been no need to levy any rates, the revenue being sufficient for all purposes. J. H. SUTTEE, Timaru, 31st March, 1887. Chairman, Timaru Harbour Board.

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APPENDIX.

ANNUAL EEPOET ON LIGHTHOUSE WOEKS, ETC., BY THE MAEINE ENGINEEE.

The Maeine Engineee to the Secbetaey, Marine Department. g IK Marine Department, 31st March, 1887. I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Hon. the Minister having charge of the Marine Department, the annual report on works executed for new lighthouses, and on other works during the year. Guvier Island.— The lantern and lighting-apparatus for this lighthouse has been received in New Zealand. I was on the point of starting from Wellington for Cuvier Island to lay off the reserve for the lighthouse and the sites for the tower and dwelling-houses, &c, when I received an order to proceed south to Oamaru, to inspect and report on the damage to the breakwater at that place, and since that time no favourable opportunity has occurred to visit Cuvier Island. Bemoval of Snags from the Mokau Biver.—A further sum of £500 having been voted for this work, a party was despatched about the end of December to continue the work reported on last year. The work is going on favourably, and will probably be finished, as far as the funds will allow, about the end of April. Jackson's Head Beacon.— This work is practically finished, and the working-party are expected to return in a few days. The beacon consists of a solid tower of concrete, well bonded, about 40ft. high above high-water level, with a diameter of 17ft. at the base and lift, at the top. This is surmounted by a stout handrailing of wrought-iron, and by a central staff 12ft. high, on which is a " cage " of wrought-iron sft. in diameter. The masters of vessels trading coastwise speak highly of the efficacy of the structure as a beacon to guide them safely through the channel between it and the mainland of Jackson's Head. Toi-tois Harbour. —As instructed, I visited this harbour in January, and spent some days inspecting the Eiver Mataura and the entrance to it at the Heads. A special report on this inspection will be forwarded to you in a few days. Bluff Harbour, Mid-channel Bock.— After inspecting the Toitois Harbour I _ proceeded to the Bluff, for the purpose of examining the Mid-channel Bock, as directed. On this subject you will also receive a special report. I have, &c, John Blackett, The Secretary, Marine Department. Marine Engineer.

INSPECTION OF MACHINEEY.

Return showing the Number of Land Boilers inspected during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

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Number of PortabL Boilers. Number if Stationa: :y Boilers. To ;al. Name of District. Under 5 h.p. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h.p. Under 5 h.p. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h.p. Boilers. Fees. Itago ianterbury... aickland Vellington ... larlborough 'aranaki felson North lelson South lawke's Bay 19 26 18 3 4 128 166 43 24 17 4 24 2 19 11 5 23 37 2 6 6 2 6 159 92 103 21 6 3 18 8 14 52 24 29 50 10 L3 15 1 18 126 60 119 92 19 11 12 13 28 495 373 335 227 58 37 78 26 89 £ 836 648 605 527 124 85 115 53 171 3 "i Totals 77 427 98 424 212 480 1,718 3,164

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ANNUAL EEPOETS ON WOEK DONE.

The Inspector of Machineey, Auckland, to the Secbetaey, Marine Department. Sic, — Auckland, 13th April, 1887. I have the honour to forward you the annual report on the boilers and machinery inspected in the Auckland District for the year ended the 31st March, 1887. During the above period 335 boiler and 11 machinery inspections have been made, making a total of 346 land inspections. Seventeen new boilers have been brought into use, 10 of which were imported from Great Britain, and 7 manufactured in this colony; 41 have been repaired, 45 have changed owners, and about 130 are laid up at present—for the most part due to the great depression of trade. It is satisfactory that there are no accidents with boilers to report; and also that many owners are realising the fact that it is more economical to keep a boiler in good working order than to allow it to get into a defective state, and have extensive repairs to effect. I regret having accidents with machinery to report, one of which terminated fatally. The appended return gives the number and description of the boilers and machinery inspected, fees payable, defects found in boilers and fittings, notices to repair boilers and protect dangerous parts of machinery, and accidents to life and limb in this district. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Department. W. J. Jobson.

Return showing the Number and Description of the Boilers, &c., inspected and Fees payable in the Auckland District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Defects found in Boilers and Fittings in the Auckland District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Number. Nature of Boiler. Under 5 h.p. 5 to 10 Over 10 h.p. h.p. Fees. Kemarks. Portable boilers ... Stationary boilers Portable boilers ... Stationary boilers Locomotive boilers 7 16 96 2 3 5 38 24 2 6) 77} 17) 42 £ s. d. 175 0 0 j Employed at 35 establish- ( ments; fees at £5 each. 419 0 0 (Charged for at per horse- ( power of each boiler. % Machinery inspections, 11 at £1 each 11 0 0 Total for year 121 72 142 605 0 0

Description. Dangerous. Ordinary. Total. ?urnace-flues and fire-boxes out of shape ... 31istered fractured Pitted and grooved ... . corrosion, internal Corrosion, external Defective tubes Defective stays vTan-holes requiring strengthening l"oints sprung ... 1 2 3 4 (3 1 3 11 4 5 3 2 3 4 6 2 5 11 4 5 3 2 Total defects in boilers 3 42 45 Defective fittings— Safety-valves. Feed-valves ... Pressure-gauges Water-gauges and test-cocks Spring-balances Blow-off cocks and pipes Steam-pipes ... Fusible plugs in furnaces and fire-boxes ... )missions— Boilers without test-cocks 2 1 3 8 1 1 3 2 1 3 8 2 1 1 3 1 1 Gross total ... 64 G7

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Return of Notices given to fence Dangerous Parts of Machinery in the Auckland District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Accidents to Life and Limb which have occurred in connection with Land Boilers and Machinery in the Auckland District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

late of Notices. Description of Machinery. Parts required to be fenced. 1886. April 9 May 17 May 18 May 18 May 24 May 28 June 3 June 9 July 7 July 29 Aug. 8 Aug. 16 Nov. 2 Nov. 4 Nov. 8 Nov. 24 Nov. 26 Dec. 28 Brewery ... Pumping and winding Butter-box factory ... Hydraulic lift Saw-mill ... "Winding ... Hydraulic lift Freezing-works Saw-mill ... Tannery ... Flour-mill Saw-mill ... Saw-mill ... Furniture factory ... Saw-mill ... Quartz-crushing Pumping ... Saw-mill ... Engine fly-wheel. Engine crank and connecting-rod. Engine fly-wheel. Safety-catch and hood fitted. Belt of planing machine,-and fly-wheel of breaking-down saw. Spur- and pinion-wheels. Safety-catch and hood to be fitted. Engine fly-wheel. Circular-saw spindle. Belts of bark-mill, scouring machine, and rolling machine. Shaft and belt of porcelain rollers. Belt of planing machine. Connecting-rods of breaking-down saw. Goose-saw. Engine-cranks and connecting-rod coupling on main shaft. Wheel on wiper-shaft. Pump-beam and engine-crank and connecting-rod. Two belts of planing machine, and connecting-rod of breakingdown saw. 1887. Jan. 20 Saw-mill ... Goose-saw, two belts of planing machine, and engine flywheel. Belt of pug-mill. Jan. 25 Feb. 6 Feb. 22 Mar. 7 Mar. 18 Brickworks and pottery Hydraulic lift Firewood-cutting ... Chaff-cutting Saw-mill ... Safety-catch and hood to be fitted. Engine fly-wheel. Belt of chaff-cutter. Two fly-wheels of breaking-down saw, belt of circular saw, and emery-wheel. Pair wheels on shearing machine. Safety-catch and hood to be fitted. Mar. 23 Mar. 30 Lead works Steam lift ...

;ame and Address oJ Owner. Description of Machinery. Name of Person injured. Nature of Accident. Fatal or not. Cause of Accident, ana Eemarks. Coulthard Bros., Papakura Saw-mill William McClennan, aged 14 years Head and arm crashed, 18th D ecember, 1886 Fatal During a temporary stoppage of the breaking-down saw, the deceased, unknown to any one, appears to have gone into the saw-pit. The man in charge of the saw started it. It is supposed the deceased was reaching over the saw-frame at the time, as his head and arm got crushed between it and the timber-carriage. He died shortly after from the effects of the injuries received. The duty of deceased was to keep the mill clear of sawdust. The manager cautioned him against going into the saw-pit, there being a long-handled rake provided for drawing out the sawdust. At the inquest a verdict of Accidental death was returned. It appears that, while throwing oS the belt from the engine fly-wheel while in motion, he got entangled with the belt and one of his legs broken. He was manager of the mill, and ought to have known that engines are generally stopped for this purpose. John Ross and Co., Mercer Saw-mill John Ross Leg broken,19th December Not ..

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Return of Machinery inspected in the Auckland District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Notices given to repair Boilers in the Auckland District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

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Description of Machinery. a © in CD Description of Machinery. & CO ■+3 e> Assaying Brickworks Block and pump works ... Bone-mills Boiling-down Bakeries Breweries Boat-building Coach factory ... Chair factory Cartridge factory Cheese factories... Chemical manure works ... Cordial works Confectionery ... Cement works ... Coffee-mills Chaff-cutting Dredging Dock ... Flour-mills Flock-mill Fellmongeries ... Firewood-cutting Fire-engine Gasworks Hauling Hoisting Ironworks and foundries ... Joineries 1 3 1 4 2 1 11 . 1 1 1 1 9 1 4 2 1 2 19 1 1 7 1 2 16 1 3 5 11 16 3 Lifts or elevators Laundries Leadworks Mortar-mills ... Maize-mills Meat-canning factories ... Oil, soap, and candle works Oil-springs Pumping and winding ... Phormium-dressing Printing Potteries Pile-driving Quartz-crushing Eefrigerating works Eopeworks Eoad roller Saw-mills Sash and door factories... Ship-building ... Stone-breaking Sausage-machines Sugarworks Soapworks Threshing machines Tanneries Vinegar factory Wool-dumping Waterworks ... 8 1 1 1 9 3 3 1 2 18 2 3 4 2 2 2 1 1 35 3 2 1 5 1 3 10 4 1 2 2 i i

Date of Notice. Description of Boiler. Nature of Eepairs ordered. 1886. April 16 April 17 May 3 May 8 Cornish ... Portable ... Cylindrical Cornish Patch fitted to the shell at blow-off. Lower parts of the fire-box repaired. Three seams pared and caulked. Half-plate in bottom renewed, and strengthening-ring fitted to man-hole. Strengthening-ring fitted to man-hole. Strengthening-ring fitted to man-hole. Two sludge-holes enlarged, and new doors fitted. Eepairs effected to flange of furnace-flue. Eepairs effected to flange of furnace-flue. Eepairs effected to flange of furnace-flue. Eepairs effected to flange of furnace-flue. Three stays fitted to crown of furnace. Crown of fire-box repaired. Patch in fire-box renewed. One plate in bottom renewed. Eivetted patch fitted to the bottom. End of fire-box repaired. Defective part in mud-receiver cut out, and rivetted patch fitted. Defective part of vertical flue renewed. Patch fitted to corner of fire-box. Mange of vertical flue renewed. Top tube-plate renewed. Top of the fire-box repaired. Two stays in fire-box renewed. Defective parts in bottom of fire-box cut out and renewed. May 8 May 8 May 9 May 10 May 10 May 10 May 10 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 19 July 21 July 24 July 26 Cornish ... Cornish ... Longitudinal tubular Lancashire Lancashire Lancashire Lancashire Vertical flue Portable ... Locomotive Cornish Longitudinal tubular Longitudinal tubular Longitudinal tubular Aug. 3 Aug. 17 Aug. 20 Sept. 6 Sept. 10 Oct. 20 Oct. 23 Vertical flue Portable ... Vertical flue Vertical tubular Portable ... Portable ... Portable ...

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Return of Notices given to repair Boilers in the Auckland District— continued.

The Inspector of Machinery, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Marine Department. Sir, Office of Inspector of Machinery, Wellington, 20th May, 1887. I have the honour to forward for your information my annual report on the boilers and machinery in the Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson North, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay Districts for the year ended 31st March, 1887. The number of boilers inspected during the above period was 489. Twenty-three new ones have been put to work, 14 of which have been constructed in the colony, and 9 imported; 3 have been laid up as unfit for work, 27 have extended certificates, 20 were still to inspect at the end of the year, and 37 are idle. This gives a total of 573 workable boilers in the district. No accidents have occurred to or with boilers. I regret, however, having to report three accidents which have occurred in connection with machinery, two of them unfortunately of a fatal nature. The first accident occurred to a young man who had his right arm severely injured in the cog-wheels of a carding engine, which he was working with the wheel guard removed. The next, a fatal accident, occurred to an engineer while erecting a new clay-crushing plant. No one observed the accident take place ; but, as he had got some grease for the cogs a few minutes before, it is thought that he was applying it to the wheels while in motion, and some part of his clothing was caught between the cogs, dragging his arm in as far as the shoulder, the shock to the system causing death in a few hours. A second fatal accident occurred from the breaking of a hydraulic-lift chain and the failure of the safety-catch to stop the descent of the cage on which the man was riding at the time. The injury received must have caused instant death. This lift was unknown to me until after the accident, the owners only then giving notice that they had one in their possession. I may state hero that the hydraulic lifts in Wellington are not constructed to carry passengers, and notices cautioning the employes against using them as such are posted on the greater number of them. The workmen, however, regardless of the danger, still persist in riding on them rather than walking up the stair. Mr. Blackwood has inspected 58 boilers in the Marlborough District and 46 in the Wellington District. Mr. Mowatt has inspected 48 boilers in the Wellington District since his appointment in January last. Appended are returns showing the class, horse-power, number of boilers inspected, the fees payable for inspections, the number of written notices given to fence dangerous parts of machinery, the number of notices given to repair boilers, and the number and description of machinery inspected in each district; also return of accidents to life and limb. lam unable to give full information as regards the number of verbal notices given to fence machinery or do small repairs to boilers, all the data having been destroyed in the fire at the Post Office buildings. I have, &c, H. A. McGregor, The Secretary, Marine Department. Inspector of Machinery.

Date of Notice. Description o£ Boiler. iure o: .epairs on Lerei 1886. Nov. 7 ... Nov. 7 ... Nov. 16 ... Nov. 23 ... Nov. 25 ...' Dec. 2 ... Dec. 2 ... Dec. 11 ... Dec. 20 ... Dec. 31 ... 1887. Jan. 3 ... Feb. 4 ... Feb. 8 ... Mar. 4 ... Mar. 12 ... Mar. 16 ... Mar. 18 ... Portable ... Longitudinal tubular Longitudinal tubular Cornish ... Vertical tubular Longitudinal tubular Longitudinal tubular Vertical flue Longitudinal tubular Locomotive Patch fitted to top of fire-box. One stay to be renewed. Two additional stays to be fitted to ends, and two stays in ends renewed. Patch fitted to bottom at blow-off. Patch fitted to vertical flue. Dog-stay fitted to crown of furnace. Crown of furnace repaired, and twenty tubes renewed. Patch fitted to furnace. Three tubes renewed; others caulked. Tubes renewed, and general overhaul. Vertical tubular Vertical flue Longitudinal tubular Portable ... Vertical flue Longitudinal tubular Portable ... One-half of the tubes renewed ; others shortened and refixed. Four stays fitted to crown of furnace and top of boiler. Patch in furnace to be renewed. Lower part of fire-box repaired. Sludge-hole enlarged, and new door fitted. Lower parts of the fire-box repaired. Two stays in fire-box to be renewed.

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Return of Notices given to repair Boilers in the Wellington District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Notices given to fence Dangerous Parts of Machinery in the Wellington District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

District, and Date of Notice. Description of Boiler. Nature of Eepairs. Wellington— 1886. April 19 April 22 Multitubular Portable ... New plate in the front part of the bottom. All the tube-ends in the fire-box to be expanded and fitted with verrels. Five new screw-stays in each side of fire-box. May 8 Portable ... Nelson Noeth — Aug. 6 Multitubular The knees on the sides of the boiler to be re-rivetted, and six extra bolts in flange of dome. Plates to be fitted round the mud-hole openings of the fire-box, and new doors fitted. Aug. 12 Portable ... Tabanaki— Oct. 7 Cornish ... The front angle-iron of the boiler-shell to be chipped and caulked round the lower edge. A new lumleg to be fitted. Oct. 10 Vertical ... Hawke's Bay— 1887. Feb. 26 Mar. 8 Cornish ... Portable ... An angle-iron ring to be fitted round the flue. A set of new tubes to be fitted, and two longitudinal stays. Three new dog-stays to be fitted on crown of fire-box. The landing round the bottom of fire-box to be chipped and caulked. Mar. 10 Mar. 14 Portable ... Portable ...

District, and Date of Notice. Description of Machinery. Parts required to be fenced. Vellington— 1886. April 16 April 16 April 17 Bush saw-mill Bush saw-mill Bush saw-mill The fly-wheel of engine, and main driving-belt. The driving-belts of circular and vertical saw. Main driving-belt between the engine and platform of vertical saw. A hand-rail to be erected round the engine. May 1 Bush saw-mill Ielson Noeth — Aug. 14 Aug. 21 Chaff-cutting Flour-mill A new feed-pump to be fitted on the engine. The gearing of the stone to be fenced round, and the end of the counter-shaft boxed in. 'aeanaki — Oct. 9 Sash and door factory The driving-belts of the planing machine to be boxed in. The tail-rod of engine-piston to be boxed in. Oct. 18 Bush saw-mill Lotkb's Bay— 1887. Mar. 9 Mar. 11 Bush saw-mill Bush saw-mill Counter-shafting and pulleys. Main driving-belt from engine to counter-shaft, and driving-belts of circular saws. Counter-shaft and driving pulleys. Main driving-belts of circular saws. The fly-wheel of engine, counter-shaft pulleys, and driving-belts of circular and vertical saws. Mar. 11 Mar. 11 Mar. 12 Bush saw-mill Bush saw-mill Bush saw-mill

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Return of Machinery inspected in the Wellington District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Accidents to Life and Limb which have occurred in connection with Machinery in the Wellington District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

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r ellington Mar: [boroi igh. Nelson North. irana: :i. Hav ke's •yDescription of Machinery. o -a an o& CQ U o is a xa a-g to is a o xS -g 0Q i CQ ra 02 is S o3 O 03 u o3 |S Total DO Phormium-dressing Printing Flour-mills Saw-mills Sash and door factories Foundries Quartz-crushing Threshing machines Soap and candle works .. Cordial factories Boiling-down establishments Brick-making machines Biscuit factories Chaff-cutting machines Breweries Drain-pipe machines Hoisting machinery Dredging machine Pumping machinery Coffee- and spice-mills .. Tanneries Wool-dumping Ice machine Sausage machines Tobacco-cutting Traction-engines Gasworks Mortar-mills Machine shops Meat-preserving works .. Locomotives Freezing machines Hydraulic lifts* Wool-scouring machines Electric-light machines Turneries Woollen-mills Hauling machinery 2 10 26 6 6 16 3 3 14 6 4 6 9 5 13 1 3 2 1 4 *5 2 1 11 1 1 i2 i 5 1 1 i i 2 *2 1 4 25 4 2 1 6 1 1 1 1 5 4 1 1 *2 2 *4 2 'i 1 8 2 1 *2 *5 i *7 3 1 1 2 14 4 2 1 2 2 '2 *2 3 *4 1 1 1 4 1 *2 20 6 9 33 108 18 12 2 36 5 7 26 9 5 14 18 6 26 1 1 1 6 7 1 6 1 7 4 3 2 7 17 4 18 6 4 3 1 1 i 4 1 1 1 1 l i *4 2 1 i 2 1 2 'i 12 2 i l 'i 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 is i 'i i 2 1 1 Totals 169 1 22 K 46 i 4 69 I 9 34 4 1 54 22 441 * £4 fees margi id for new lifts.

Name and Address of Owner. Description of Machinery. Name of Person injured. Nature of Accident. Fatal or not. Cause of Accident, and Bemarks. 'he Wellington Woollen Factory Carding engine .. Ralph Ramsden, aged 18 years Muscle of the upper part of the right arm severely lacerated Not .. The cause of the accident wag working the machine without its wheel-guard. There was no necessity for the removal of this protection, even to oil the machine. This accident occurred while the machinery was being erected. No one saw the accident take place ; but Mr. Robertson stated before his death that no one was to blame but himself. This accident occurred from the breaking of the chain of a hydraulic lift, and failure of the safety-catch to stop the descent of the cage on which the man was riding at the time. The failure of the safety-catch was mainly due to the yielding of the guides when pressed outwards by the catches. Stronger guides have been fitted, as also a new chain. lerbert Hill, Brick Yard, Wellington Clay-crushing machine John Robertson, aged 49 years The right arm seriously crushed, and ribs broken Fatal '. Hayman and Co., Merchants, Wellington Hydraulic lift .. William Kitchin Injury to the back and head Fatal

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Return showing the Number of Land Boilers inspected in the Wellington District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

The Inspector of Machinery, Canteebuey Disteict, to the Chief Inspbctob of Machineey. Sib,— Christchurch, 14th April, 1887. I have the honour to forward annual report of boilers and machinery I have inspected in the Canterbury District during the financial year ending the 31st March, 1887 ; also return of boilers and machinery in Nelson South District which remained at the close of last financial year where I was then engaged inspecting. The Canterbury District has been more thoroughly inspected this year, although there are some parts not reached owing to not having sufficient time to do so ; but, now Westland and Nelson South have been taken from my district, I shall be able to do Canterbury thoroughly. I am sorry to have so many accidents to report, but cannot see how such as these can be prevented. At the Coroner's inquest in the fatal case the jury returned a verdict of Accidental death. Should any further information or particulars be required, I shall be happy to supply them. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. Geoege Ceoll.

Return showing the Number of Land Boilers inspected in the Canterbury and Nelson South Districts during the Financial Year ending the 31st March, 1887.

Return showing Fees payable for the Inspection of Boilers and Machinery in the Canterbury and Nelson South Districts during the Financial Year ending the 31st March, 1887.

Number of PortabI Boilers. Number if Stationaj •y Boilers. Toi ial. Name of District. Under 5 h.p. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h.p. Under 5 h.p. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h.p. Boilers. Fees. Wellington 1 " Marlboroughf Nelson North Taranaki} ... Hawke's Bay§ 3 4 3 24 17 24 4 19 37 2 6 6 6 21 6 18 3 14 50 10 1.5 13 18 92 19 12 11 28 227 58 78 37 89 £ 527 124 115 85 171 4 Totals 14 ) 88 57 02 106 162 489 1,022 * In the above return, thirty-nine boilers over t In the above return, five of the boilers over 1 J In the above return, six of the boilers over li § In the above return, sixteen of the boilers ov 10 h.p. are included in seventeen : 10 h.p. are included in two maxim0 h.p. are included in three maxin 'er 10 h.p. are included in five max maximum am fees, mm fees, imurn foes :ees.

Portable. itationary. Name of District. Total. Under 5 h.p. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h.p. Under 5 h.p. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h.p. ianterbury ... Felson South 26 166 2 5 2 1)2 8 24 1 60 13 373 26 Totals 26 168 100 25 73 399

Name of District. Fees payable in respect of Boilers. Fees payable in respect of Machinery. Total. lanterbury lelson South £ 647 53 s. d. 0 0 0 0 £ 1 s. d. 0 0 £ s. d. 648 0 0 53 0 0 Totals 700 0 0 1 0 0 701 0 0 Note, .—There are 16 maximum fi ies, including 44 boilers.

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Return of Machinery inspected in the Canterbury District during the Financial Year ending the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Notices given to repair Boilers in the Canterbury District during the Financial Year ending the 31st March, 1887.

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Description of Machinery. Steam and Water. Description of Machinery. Steam and Water. Water. Steam. Water. Steam. Asphalte works Baths Boiling-down ... Butchers' Breweries Bone-mills Cabinetmaking and woodturning Cheese and butter factories Chemical works Cordial-making and confectioners' 1 1 7 '20 11 3 7 2 2 5 2 12 24 Q O 1 1 3 2 1 8 1 Flour-mills Flock-mill Flax-mills Foundries and ironworkers' Freezing works. Gasworks Landing service Linseed oil and fibre works Meat-preserving Pottery and brick works... Printing Pumping Eope works Stone-sawing and -breaking Saw-mills Soapworks Threshing [Traction-engines] * Tannery Tramway-engines Woollen-mills ... Wool-pressing ... Wool-washing ... 9 1 4 23 2 2 1 1 2 5 1 4 1 2 29 5 122 [37] 1 6 3 3 2 Cooperage Cranes and winches Chaff-cutting ... Coffee and chicory works Concrete-mixing Colliery Coach-building... Dock and slip ... Electric light ... Firewood-sawing Fire-engine 1 * Thirty-sevi m tractii in-engim are included in " Threshing."

Date. Description of Boiler. Notice. Repairs ordered. "" 1886. 21 ... "une 29 ... "une 14 ... uly 12 ... uly 13 ... >LUg. 14 ... ing. 24 ... Sept. 16 ... Sept. 22 ... )ct. 4 ... )ct. 20 ... Portable Cornish Vertical Tram-engine Tram-engine Vertical Vertical Portable Tram-engine Cornish Portable Verbal ... Verbal Written ... Verbal Verbal ... Verbal ... Verbal ... Written ... Verbal Verbal ... Verbal ... Cut out crack and rivet on patch in fire-box. Becaulk seam on bottom of shell in flue. New uptake and sludge-doors repaired. Enlarge patches in furnace, and renew stays. Enlarge patches in furnace, and renew stays. New crown-plate and tubes. New fire-box, and foundation-ring raised. New set of tubes. Take out fire-box and properly repair. Three stays in domes (two boilers). Large-headed rivets in furnace-mouth covering cracks, and reduced pressure to 401b. New end-plate and tubes (since out of use). Expand and re-ferrule tubes, also clean boiler thoroughly. New pressure-gauge. Eenew top row of fire-box stays, also new tubes. )ct. 27 ... 16 ... Tubular Portable Verbal Written ... 25 ... )ec. 23 ... 1887. an. 10 ... an. 28 ... an. 29 ... Portable Portable Verbal ... Written ... Tubular Portable' Cornish Verbal ... Verbal ... Written ... Cut out cracked plate, and renew plate. Eenew top row of fire-box stays. Properly chip and recaulk seam over fire (two boilers); also renew rivets, leaking at present. New fire-box and uptake, also pressure-gauge. Eenew six tubes. New pressure-gauge. New pressure-gauge. Eenew stays and washers. Four more stays and washers. New crown-plate and three new stays. reb. 18 ... feb. 24 ... i'eb. 24 ... feb. 25 ... £ar. 16 ... £ar. 18 ... ilar. 16 ... Vertical Portable Portable Portable Vat Vat Vat Verbal Written ... Verbal ... Verbal ... Written ... Written ... Verbal ...

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Return of Defects found on the Inspection of Boilers and Fittings in the Canterbury District during the Financial Year ending the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Notices given to fence Dangerous Parts of Machinery in the Canterbury District during the Financial Year ended 31st March, 1887.

Return of Machinery inspected in the Nelson South District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Defects found on the Inspection of Boilers in the Nelson South District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Description of Defects. Dangerous. Ordinary. Total. Bulge in fire-box caused by dirt Crown of boiler getting thin Crown of fire-box down Cracks in uptake ... Cracks in fire-box Cracks in crown-plate between tubes Cracks in plate over fire Collapse of uptake Fire-box stays wasted or broken Grooving at neck of uptake Leakage at seams over fire (Cornish) Plates wasted from leakage at doors Patches in fire-box Pressure-gauges bad Thin in fire-box Tops of domes require staying Tubes getting thin in smoke-box Vat-stays and crown-plates wasted ... Vat-ends not sufficiently stayed 1 3 2 1 3 2 2 6 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 7 4 5 2 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 5 i i l 1 3 2 7 3 4 2 3 1 1 "2 1 Total ... 14 38 52

Date of Notice. Description of Machinery. Notice. Parts required to be fenced. 1886. May 21 Woollen-mills Verbal Small gearing and belts of carding machines; fly-wheel of engine; pulley of wool-washing machine. Fly-wheel of gas-engine and pumps. Pump-gearing and lying shaft. Small gearing and belts of carding machines. July 9 Aug. 10 Dec. 29 1887. Mar. 10 Hydraulic lift Brick-machinery Woollen-mills Verbal Written Written Oatmeal-mill Verbal Erst driving-belt in engine-room, and one small driving-belt.

Description of Machinery. Steam. Steam and Water. Water. Steam and Wind. Brewery Colliery Cranes and winches Ironworker ... Pumping Quartz-crushing Saw-mills Winding 1 1 5 1 1 3 6 3

Description of Defects. Dangerous. Ordinary. Total. internal corrosion from using bad feed-water Lamination in plate Leakage in fire-box, and inside of boiler dirty Leakage in bottom of boiler 2 2 1 1 '1 1 1 i Total

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Return of Accidents to Boilers and Machinery reported as having occurred in the Canterbury District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Accidents to Life and Limb which have occurred in connection with Boilers and Machinery in the Canterbury District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Date of Accident. Owner's Name and Address. Nature and Cause of Accident. 1886. Lprll 21 John Coe, Ellesmere (portable engine) Eeported leaking in fire-box. Found two cracks in plates, and water-spaces solid with dirt. Had plates cut out, patches screwed on with countersunk screws, and stayed as before. Eeported leaking in furnace. Found ring-seam over fire leaking, caused by boiler being too stiff. Had rivets removed; found plate sound, so re-rivetted and recaulked. Recommended new tube with " Adamson" ring and " Galloway " tubes. Eeported leaking on top. Found top-plate had cracked between tubes, caused by the unequal expansion and contraction of boiler and tubes. Had plate, tubes, and stays renewed. Eeported explosion. Found boiler thrown out of carriage, and copper fire-box ripped and torn from stays, caused by over-pressure. Boiler was tested on 13th July to 1751b. hydraulic pressure, and on the 14th July to 1001b. steam by my standard gauge ; safety-valves set to blow off freely at that pressure. There was no one near the boiler at time of explosion. Eeported leaking in bottom. Found a crack in plate, caused by accumulation of scale and dirt. Had a piece cut out, and patch fitted. Eeported No. 2 boiler leaking in furnace—cause, the same as No. 1; so treated it in the same way. uig. 10 Borough Council, Lyttelton (Cornish boiler No. 1) Lug. 14 Aulsebrook and Co., Christchurch (vertical tubular) ?ov. 22 Tramway Company, Christchurch 1887. an. 10 Thomas York, Woolston (tubular boiler) an. 29 Borough Council, Lyttelton

Name ana Address of Owner. Description of Machinery. Name of Person injured. Nature and Date of Accident. Fatal or not. Cause of Accident, and Remarks. lightband, Allan, and Co., Woolston Tannery John McManus (aged 26 years) Neck broken (14th May, 1886) Fatal John McManus was engaged removing skins. The weather being wet he had tied a sack over his shoulders with a piece of rope round hia neck; a gust of wind caused the sack to fly up and catch on a revolving shaft overhead, and, as the rope did not part, he was wound up and his neck broken. — Baker, whilst working between two machines spinning fibre, stretched his right hand over the revolving bobbin to another boy who was working there, when a loop in the fibre caught his finger and cut it off. — O'Sullivan, in feeding fibre into a machine, tried to mend broken fibre without first stopping the machine; had his hand drawn into feed-rollers. Instructions are to stop machine. Both the above accidents occurred the same day. — Blackburn was engaged raising steam and preparing for starting machinery. He opened stop-valve on boiler suddenly, and without opening engine stop-valves and drains, causing pipe to break. [ale and Throp, Christchurch Eopeworks — Baker (aged 15 years) Part of finger on right hand off (8th July, 1886) Not [ale and Throp, Christchurch Ropeworks — O'Sullivan (aged 15 years) Lost greater portion of right hand (8th July, 1886) Not 'reezing Works, Belfast Eefrigerating .. — Blackburn (age not given) Scalded slightly (28th October, 1886) Not

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The Inspector of Machineey, Otago Disteict, to the Chief Inspector of Machinery. Sir, — Office of Inspector of Machinery, Dunedin, 29th April, 1887. I have the honour to forward unto you the annual report of inspection of boilers and machinery in the Otago District during the financial year ended the 31st March, 1887, contained in the accompanying tables. In forwarding this report unto you I am sorry to state that the trade depression has been very severe down in this district during the past year; consequently a great part of the machinery has been working only a part of the time, the greatest part of the saw-mills working what is termed single-handed. Withal a considerable number of portable engines have been imported, as per table. The locally-made boilers have been required principally for boiling-down, and also for dairy factories. This is the only branch of business which has made any progress during the year, the number of dairy factories in this district now amounting to thirteen. A new industry has been added here in the shape of rolling-mills, and the conversion of iron into steel, which will be available for castings up to two tons. Defects found in Boilers : There has been nothing unusual; wasting, either external or internal, always going on less or more in a number of boilers. The accident reported to the Cornish boiler, although of a very serious nature, was fortunately unattended with injury to any one employed. The other one was not of such a serious nature, the only damage done being to put out the fire. Notices to repair Boilers : In some cases of course the tear-and-wear has been going on for a number of years, there being only three cases where repairs have been rendered necessary through fractured or sprung plates. Notices to remove Dangerous Parts of Machinery : There were only two cases, and these were circular saws, one being cracked for a distance of lOin., the other 14in. from the centre. Notices to fence Dangerous Parts of Machinery : There were six cases. Eeturn of Accidents to Life and Limb : I am very much pleased to be able to report that I have received no notice of any accident to life or limb throughout this district during the past year. This is the first time since the Inspection of Machinery Act came into force that I have been able to forward a table clear of accidents. The total number of boiler inspections made during the year amounted to 495; hydraulic lifts, 60 ; elevators, 6 ; water flour-mills, 4 : making a total of 565 inspections. Of that number, Mr. Blackwood inspected—boilers, 126 ; hydraulic lifts, 52 ; elevaters, 6 ; water-wheels, 4 : total, 188. I may state that, in the matter of fitting catches on these lifts, there is a considerable difficulty in the way in finding a catch that will meet all requirements. There is only one so far that is reliable, all the rest tried having proved failures ; but this one, unfortunately, blocks up two sides on the floors, which means stopping the work ; but possibly this may be overcome in a short time. I have, &c, The Chief Inspector of Machinery, Wellington. Alexander Crawford.

Return of Notices given to repair Boilers in the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Date of Notice. Description of Boiler. Nature of Bepairs ordered. 1886. April 27 ... Steam digester Safety-valve to be fitted, and also steam-pressure gauge; also two 3in. x 3in. x fin. angle-irons rivetted on each end, with two ljin. stays attached with T ends. Bolted patch on shell where boiler has been in contact with brickwork; size of patch, 4ft. x 18in. Three circular seams in tube to be re-rivetted and caulked halfway round; ends of Galloway tubes caulked; and halfcircle of angle-iron 3in. x 3in. x fin. put round first crownplate, and properly secured thereto. Laminated plate over firepiece cut out about 18in. x 12in., and patch rivetted over. Patch to be rivetted in furnace as directed. New front end-plate to be renewed, extending down to crossJuly 6. ... Cornish July 12 ... Cornish ... July 20 ... Longitudinal tubular July 20 ... July 20 ... Cornish ... Cornish ... Aug. 9 ... Aug. 9 ... Sept. 7 ... Sept. 29 ... Longitudinal tubular Steam digester Vertical ... Portable ... seam. Mud-hole door of 7in. x 5 in. or thereby to be put in front end of boiler ; also new water-gauge cocks. Pressure-gauge to be fitted on. Two mud-hole doors to be patched over about 18in. x 12in. Cylinder to be rejointed, and bolts made tight in crank-shaft bracket. Nov. 15 ... 1887. Feb. 26 ... Mar. 24 ... Locomotive New crown to be put in fire-box. Steam digester Portable ... Steam-pressure gauge to be fitted on. Steam-pressure gauge to be got.

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Return of Machinery inspected in the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Fees payable for the Inspection of Boilers and Machinery in the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

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Description of Machinery. Steam. Steam and Water. Description of Machinery. Steam. Steam and Water. Aerated water Agricultural-implement shops Bath Bakeries Barbed-wire factory Boiling-down ... Bone-mills Brass shop Breweries Brick and tile works Beehive factories Building yard... Cabinet-making Cement works Chaff-cutting ... Chemical works Cocoa factory... Cooking Collieries Corn-crushers Concrete-mixer Copper and brass works Coffee and spice works Confectionery Cranes Creosote works Dairy factories Dredges, gold Dredges Dyeworks Elevators* Engine-shops Engine-shops and foundries Floating dock Forge Foundries Fellmongeries Flour-millst ... Flock-mills ... Fish-preserving Fire-grate and range works Firewood-cutting Fire-engine Fruit-preserving Gasworks 1 4 1 3 1 11 O O l 9 6 2 1 4 1 20 1 1 2 9 2 1 2 2 2 21 1 13 1 4 1 2 5 6 1 1 3 5 9 3 1 4 2 1 2 2 Graving-dock Hoists Hydraulic lifts | Hedge-knife maker Joineries Lapidary Laundries Locomotives ... Lathmaker ... Lead-pipe works Machine shops Oil-mill, linseed Parchment works Paper-mills ... Potteries Pipe works, clay Prin tin g-papers Pumping water Quartz-mills ... Refrigerating works Road roller ... Ropeworks ... Rolling-mills Sausage-skins Sausage-machines Saw-mills Slip, patent ... Soapworks Soap and candle works Sheep-dip works Standard works Stone-crushers Stone-dressing Stone-cutting Tanneries Tramway cable Traction-engines Threshing machines ... Turnery, wood Venetian blinds Wool-pressing Woollen factories Woodware factories Woodworking 1 19 1 2 1 3 7 1 2 4 1 1 1 2 2 4 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 5 34 1 2 3 2 4 8 1 3 4 2 2 90 4 1 5 4 3 4 60J "i 1 ' 3 * Also 4 driven by gas. Also 4 [riven by water. { By water only.

Name of District, &c. Fees payable in respect Fees payable in respect of of Boilers. Machinery. Total. 'tago— Portable Stationary Machinery £ s. d. 294 0 0 521 0 0 £ s. d. 21 0 0 1 £ 836 s. d. 0 0

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Return showing the Number of Land Boilers inspected in the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Defects found on the Inspection of Boilers and Fittings in the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Accidents to Boilers and Machinery reported as having occurred in the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of Notices given to fence Dangerous Parts of Machinery in the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Number of Portabli Boilers. Number if Stationai Boilers. Name of District. 5 h.p. and 5 to 10 under. h.p. Total. Over 10 h.p. 5 h.p. and under. 5 to 10 h.p. Over 10 h.p. Otago 19 128 11 159 52 126 495

Description. Dangerous Ordinary. Total. ?low-off cocks Joiler (Cornish) tube corroded ... bottoms of shells leaking —setting Sottoms of shells leaking over fire lorrosion, internal 'orrosion, external Mgesters, steam, corrosion ''ire-box, crown of locomotive, cracked 'urnace, crown (Cornish) sprung rauges, pressure Gauges, water lud-hole, plate wasted, leakage 'late over fire cracked 'late over fire sprung at seam ... 'late over fire, accumulation of scale 'late over fire laminated icrewed stays of fire-box corroded ?ubes leaky ... \ibes worn out—corrosion renewed iafety-valves in bad order 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 2 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 5 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 i "2 1 i i 2 2 i

Date of Accident. Name and Address of Owners. Nature and Cause of Accident. 2th July, 1886 City Corporation of Dunedin Crown of furnace partly down, and circular seams sprung and leaking over fire (Cornish boiler) ; cause, shortness of water. Circular longitudinal tubular boiler fired externally, plate over fire cracked through accumulation of sediment. 10th October, 1886 Mataura Paper-mills Company

Date of Notice. Class of Machinery. Parts requiring to be fenced. 1886. May 14 Flour-mill Belt of smutting machine and upright driving-shaft to be boxed over. Upright driving-shaft to be boxed over. Mitre-wheels on lower deck to be boxed over. Upright driving-shaft to be boxed over. Wheel and pinion of break-rolls to be covered over. Fly-wheel to be boarded over. May 17 May 19 May 27 July 24 Sept. 28 Flour-mill Gold dredger Flour-mill Biscuit-machine Seed-dressing machine

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Return of Notices given to remove Dangerous Parts of Machinery in the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Return of New Boilers, locally made and imported, introduced into the Otago District during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1887.

Boilers which have been in use and which have changed hands during the year, 43.

Summaey of Inspections. Number of inspections of boilers ... ... ... ... ... 495 Number of inspections of hydraulic lifts ... ... ... ... 60 Number of inspections of elevators ... ... ... ... ... 6 Number of inspections of water-power engines ... ... ... 4 Number of machines inspected ... ... ... ... ... 497 Number of defects found on inspection of boilers and fittings ... ... 32 Number of accidents to boilers and machinery reported ... ... 2 Number of notices given to repair boilers ... ... ... ... 13 Number of notices given to remove dangerous parts of machinery ... 2 Number of notices given to fence dangerous parts of machinery ... ... 6 Number of accidents to life and limb ... ... ... ... Nil

[Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, nil; printing (1,575 copies), £42 Bs. 6d.]

By Authority: Geokge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB7.

Date of Notice. Description of Machinery. Nature of Machinery to be removed. 1886. 'ov. 29 ... Saw-mill ... 1887. [ar. 7 ... Saw-mill ... ... Breaking-down circular saw—cracked 10in. at centre. ... Breaking-down circular saw—cracked 14in. at centre.

Descriptio: of Boilers. Where made. Totals. Cornish. Tubular. Tubulous. Vertical. Portable. Steam Digesters. Locally British America, United States 1 1 12 "3 1 2 4 21 10 26 26 3