H.—l6a.

5

Government Steameks. The Government steamers surveyed this year include the s.s. "Amokura," s.s. "Antrim," s.s. "Ben Lomond," Defence launches "A," "L," and " W," s.s. " Hinemoa," o.e.v. " Irini," s.s. " Janie Seddon," s.s. "Lady Roberts," s.s. " Manurere," s.s. "Mountaineer," o.e.v. " Patiti," o.e.v. " Reremoana," s.s. " Tawera," and s.s. " Tutanekai," a total of 16. The three new oil-engine launches for the Defence Department were inspected during the whole time of construction by the Surveyors of this Department. The one for Auckland Harbour and the one for Lyttelton Harbour were built in Auckland, and the larger boat for Wellington Harbour was built in Wellington. The hulls of all the vessels are of the best kauri, and the machinery for all the vessels was imported from Great Britain. The trials for speed were run to the satisfaction of the Surveyors, and the vessels have now been in commission for some time. Additional Steamers and Vessels Surveyed for the First Time. The following steamers and auxiliary-powered vessels, numbering thirty, have been added to our lists during the year, and surveyed for the first time. Their names are —" Defiance,"* "Dorset," "Excelsior," " Kaiaia,"* " Kaitangata," " Kina,"* " Koromiko," "Lena,"* "Mahurangi," " Maitai," " Matariki," " Mawhera," " Nellie Mason,"* "Ngaheve," "Pahiki,"* "Portare,"* " Regulus," "Rio Loge,"* "Tβ Awhina," " Tui,"* " Tuirangi," " Tukua,"* "Waihora," "Wairau," " Waitemata," " Waterlily,"* " Zingara," and the Defence launches "A,"* " L,"* and " W."* The sailing-vessels surveyed for the first time were the schooners " Advance," " Era I," and " Whangaroa," the ship " Dartford," the barquentines " lima " and ' Selwyn Craig," the ketch " Kereru," and the barques " Manurewa " and " Senorita." Sailing-ships. During the year nineteen sailing-vessels were surveyed. Return No. 1G gives full particulars of these surveys. The total fees received for these amount to £99. Districts and Inspectors. A new district office has been opened in Palmerston North, which has already proved of great convenience to that district. Mr. William Cullen, who had been attached to the Head Office staff since his appointment, was promoted to take charge of the new district. Mr. William J. Crawford, who had been attached to the Auckland Office for some time, was transferred to Otago. Two new appointments have been made during the year: Mr. Peter Mackenzie, who took Mr. Cullen's place in Wellington, and Mr. W. G. Bell, who has taken Mr. Crawford's place in Auckland. I regret to have to record the death of Mr. Alexander Ramsay, Inspector of Machinery and Surveyor of Ships, who had been in the Department since the 14th April, 1904. He had been stationed in Otago ever since his appointment. He proved himself most reliable, painstaking, and conscientious, and the Department has lost one of its most capable officers. In tli# near future new centres should be made in Westland and in the Kaipara districts. In both of these districts there is now quite a sufficient number of boilers to inspect and steamers to survey to keep an Inspector and Surveyor well employed. Returns. The following are the returns in detail, numbered from I to 19 : — 1. Number and class of boilers inspected, and fees payable thereon; the machinery inspected, and the fees payable; and the classes and numbers of engine-drivers' certificates issued. and the fees payable therefor. 2 Return of defects found on inspection of boilers. 3. Return of notices given to repair boilers. 4. Return of notices given to fence dangerous parts of machinery. 5. Return of accidents which were not fatal. 6. Return of accidents which proved fatal. 7. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Names of all persons to whom land stationary, winding, and locomotive and traction certificates of competency and service have been granted during the year. 14. List of persons who were examined and passed for marine engineers' certificates of competency. 15. Return of steamers and oil-engined vessels surveyed during the year. 16. Return of sailing-vessels surveyed during the year. 17. Return of vessels surveyed for seaworthiness, &c, during the year. 18. Return showing sums earned or received and amount spent during the financial year for inspection of machinery, examination of engineers and engine-drivers, and survey of steamers and sailing-vessels. 19. Return showing the names of owners of additional boilers and transfers which require to be in charge of certificated engine-drivers. I have, &c, Robert Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery, Chief Surveyor of Ships, and Chief Examiner of Marine Engineers and Land Engine-drivers. The Hon. the Minister in Charge of the Inspection of Machinery Department.

* Oil-engine vessels.