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No. 16.—Return of Sailing-vessels surveyed during the Financial Year ended the 31st March, 1909, with Particulars of Tonnage, &c.

Tne "Advance," "Dartford," "Era I," "lima," "Kereru," "Manurewa," " Selwyn Craig," " Senorita," and " Whangaroa " have been surveyed (or the first time. The " Advance " is an oil-engine vessel, having her engines sealed up. The " Kereru" was an oil-engine vessel formerly, but the engines have been taken out of the vessel.

No. 17. —Return of Vessels surveyed for Seaworthiness, &c., from the 1st April, 1908, to the 31st March, 1909.

Tons Measurement. Name ol Vessel. Gross. Register. Description. Times surveyed. Advance Dartford Era I Ganymede .. Hazel Craig .. lima James Craig Jessie Craig .. Jessie Niool .. Joseph Craig' Kereru Laira Louisa Craig Manurewa .. 47-67 1,327 26-29 583-55 495 36 1,274 19-93 568-6 467 318 646 634 92-89 694 99-77 458-3 682 327 617-6 486 324 131-9 148-5 Sohooner Ship Schooner Barquentine Barque Barquentine Barque 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 670-9 680 92-89 751 123-7 492-4 710 371 678-1 Sohooner Barque Ketch Barque Rona Selwyn Craig Senorita Whangaroa .. Yaabel 350 142-9 148-5 Barquentine Barque Schooner Total 19

Date of Survey. Name of Vessel. Where surveyed. Nature of Casualty, &c. 1908. .pril 1 S.a. Blenheim. Wellington On the voyage from Blenheim to Wellington, on the 24th March, this vessel grounded on the Wairau Bar, remaining fast until the 29th at 3 p.m. She came off by means of her engines. The straining of the vessel whilst on the bar caused the main steam-pipe to develop a crack at the neck of the flange next to the stop-valve. On arrival at Wellington the pipe was taken ashore for repairs. The flange was shifted back beyond the fracture, and brazed. The pipe after repairs was tested by hydraulic pressure to double the working-pressure before being put into position on board. This vessel was on a voyage from Dunedin to Invercargill on the 12th March, and at 6.45 p.m. on the same date she grounded on a mud-bank in the New River estuary. The weather being thick at the time, the master was unable to pick up the beacons. She remained aground until 7 p.m. on the 13th March, when she came off with the assistance of her kedge-anchors and her own engines. After 35 tons of cargo was discharged a survey was made of the vessel, when it was found she had sustained no damage. Whilst on a voyage from Melbourne to Kaipara, and when beating down the West Channel, Port Phillip, Melbourne, on the 10th March, this vessel took the ground. The weather was fine and the sea smooth at the time, and she was successfully floated off on the 12th March by the aid of her kedge-anchors. On arrival at Auckland, 125 tons of ballast shingle was removed from the holds, and the limbers cleaned out. A survey was made on the 5th April, when the vessel was found to be perfectly seaworthy. On the 6th April, as this vessel was proceeding on a voyage from Motueka to Wellington, and when near the French Pass, the main steam-pipe of the port engine cracked close to the neck of the flange, owing perhaps to the straining of the vessel in bad weather. When the crack was discovered the steam was shut off, and a covering-gland fitted over the defect. After this was done the vessel proceeded on her voyage to Wellington under reduced steam-pressure. On arrival, the pipe was taken ashore, and the defective part cut out and the flange rebrazed. The pipe was then tested, before being put on board, by hydraulic pressure to double the working-pressure. This vessel was on a voyage from Gisborne to Auckland on the 12th April, when she lost one blade off her propeller; the propeller was a solid-cast one, and the blades were found to be weak at the root. A new propeller was fitted. The shaft was in good order. .pril 2 „ Rakiura Wellington .pril 5 Louisa 0 r a i g (barque) Auckland S.s. Tasman Wellington .pril 8 .pril 13 ., Squall Auckland