H.—lsa

2

Government Boilers. The boilers and machinery at the various asylums and other Government institutions have all been inspected during the year. A specification for a new boiler and engine for the Prisons Department, to be used in Wellington, was drawn up by the Department, and the tender for its manufacture was let in Wellington. The plant has since been completed and is working satisfactorily. Defects in Boilers and Fittings. A large number of defects were discovered both in boilers and their fittings. A full description of these is attached in the returns numbered 2 and 3. Many of them may be regarded as being very dangerous, and no doubt would have caused serious accidents if allowed to continue without repairs and alterations. New Boilers. The total number of new boilers added to our books during the year is 555, with a total of 7,495-horse power. Of this number 319 were imported, and the remaining 236 were made in the colony. Amongst the largest installations are boilers at the power-stations at Dunedin and Wellington. The former are of the water-tube pattern, the latter of the Lancashire type. Lifts, Gas- and Water-driven Machinery. Two hundred and four hydraulic lifts, 81 driven by gas, steam, and electricity, 134 gas and hydraulic hoists and motors, 290 water-driven machinery, 779 gas-engines, 274 oil-engines, making a total of 1,762, were inspected during the year, being an increase of 378 over last year. A large amount of guarding was done in connection with the new machinery to make it safe. Fencing of Machinery. The usual amount of work connected with this has been done, and a return of the notices given, both verbal and written, is appended in the return numbered 4. Examination of Engine-drivers. The examinations have been conducted all over New Zealand, and have been held at the most central places to suit candidates. These examinations have grown in numbers to such an extent as to take up pretty well the whole time of two Inspectors, and add greatly to the clerical work of the office. The number this year far exceeds those of the previous year. The desire of those who have possessed the second-class certificates for the required time to qualify for the higher examination, and who have come up since, is very commendable, showing as it does the desire of selfimprovement. The examinations have been held at the following places during the year: Alexandra South, Auckland,* Blenheim, Christchurch,* Cromwell, Dannevirke, Dunedin,* Poxton, Gisborne, Greymouth,* Hokitika, Invercargill,* Lawrence, Motueka, Napier, Nelson,* Otaki, Pahiatua, Palmerston North,* Petone, Picton, Beefton, Boxburgh, Stratford, Takaka, Timaru,* Wairoa, Wanganui,* Wellington,* and Westport.* Accidents. I regret to record several accidents to persons connected with machinery. A detailed account of these is set out in Tables Nos. 5 and 6. Districts and Inspectors. A new district office was opened at Wanganui, which has proved a saving of much time and expense, and of great service to the Taranaki and Wanganui Districts. Mr. S. Dalrymple was promoted from the Auckland District to take charge of the Wanganui office, and Mr. W. R. Douglas from the Wellington District to Auckland. Mr. George McGregor, who had been an Inspector of Machinery for two years and three months, retired from the Service for a better appointment on the 10th October, 1903 ; Mr. Alexander McVicar, who had been an Inspector of Machinery for nearly seven years, retired on the 20th February, 1904, to better his position ; and Mr. Henry Alexander McGregor, after twenty-nine years' service, retired on the 31st March, 1904, with three months' leave of absence. Mr. McGregor during the whole of this long period performed his various duties in a highly satisfactory manner, and gained the esteem of all those with whom he came in contact. Mr. P. Grant was appointed a temporary Inspector of Machinery on the 26th May, 1903, for six months, to assist in the Wellington District, and in the following November he was appointed permanently. Mr. C. W. R. Suisted was appointed an Inspector of Machinery, to assist in the Wellington District, on the 4th January, 1904. Owing to the ever-increasing work at the Port of Napier and the large amount of machinery to be inspected on land in the Napier District, I think a district office should be opened there in the near future. Numbers of inquiries have been made for examinations for engine-drivers to be held in this district, but it has been quite an impossibility to meet all. If an Inspector were permanently placed in the district, he could meet these applicants at once. Any expense incurred in connection with the office would be more than met in the saving of time and expenses in travelling from Wellington every time an Inspector is wanted in Napier District.

* Places at which more than one examination was held during the year.