9

H.—ls

Salmon.

Three years have elapsed since the last shipment of Atlantic salmon-ova was obtained from England, but it is yet too soon for the fish to return from the sea, and therefore it cannot be said whether the attempt to introduce them has been successful. The Department is of opinion that another shipment should be procured, as our experience with the quinnat salmon proved that success could only be ensured by liberating the fry from several shipments of ova. The question of obtaining another shipment might, however, stand over until the receipt of Professor Prince's report on the fisheries. Last season 251,000 quinnat ova were collected in the tributaries of the Waitaki River, of which 150,000 were hatched at the Department's salmonhatchery at Kokatahi and liberated in the tributaries of the Hokitika Kiver, 25,000 were sent to Tasmania, 45,000 were liberated at Hakataramea, and the fry from 20,000 were kept in the ponds at Hakataramea. Several thousand were hatched out at Taupapa for the fresh-water aquarium and the Auckland Exhibition, and the balance represented the deaths. The following fish were liberated from the Hakataramea Salmon-station in October, 1913 : Quinnat salmon —three years old, 64; two years old, 882; one year old, 17,020; fry, 45,000: Rhine salmon, four and a half years old, 20 : Atlantic salmon, four and a half years old, 20. This left in the ponds—Quinnat salmon, two years old, 80; one year old, 800; fry, 20,000. Prosecutions. There were twenty-three persons proceeded against for offences in connection with fish and oysters. In each case a conviction was recorded. Inspection of Machinery Department. The Public Service Commissioner having decided to amalgamate the Inspection of Machinery Department with the Marine Department, the amalgamation has been made. It took effect as from the Ist April last. The Inspection of Machinery report for last year is attached. I have, <$re, The Hon. the Minister of Marine, Wellington. Geokoe Ai.lport, Secretary.

The Chief Inspector op Machinery, to the Secretary of the Marine and Inspection of Machinery Department. Sir, — Customhouse Building, Wellington, 9th April, 1914. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report on the operations and work of the Inspectors of Machinery during the twelve months which ended on the 31st March, 1914. Boilers inspected. Every district in New Zealand has been visited by the Inspectors. Machinery in the North Island is being installed at a much more rapid rate than elsewhere, and nearly every district officer in the North Island is asking for assistance to cope with the increase in their respective districts. It will be imperative in the near future to appoint additional men to assist. Hitherto I have been able to send some of the local Inspectors from Wellington, but it will be impossible to do this next year, as the work in and around Wellington and its district demands their united efforts to cope with it. There has been no friction with owners of boilers throughout the year, and a good year's work has been accomplished. 7,036 boilers were inspected. All the machinery in motion at the works in which these boilers were in use was also examined. Boilers. Of the 7,036 boilers inspected, 424 were new, and examined for the first time. Drawings of these boilers have been received, and the design of the boilers and sufficiency of the scantlings have been thoroughly examined in each case. Government Boilers and Machinery. The following Government boilers and machinery were inspected during the year : 135 boilers, 18 lifts, 32 oil-egines, 9 gas-engines, 49 electric motors, 5 Peltons, and 3 turbines: total, 251. The whole of the machinery driven by these motors, &c, was examined, not only for defects but for fencing Defective Boileri> and Fittings. Defects numbering 966 were discovered in boilers and their fittings at inspections during the year. Of this number, 31 were very dangerous. New Boilers. During the year 424 new boilers were installed in the Dominion, with a total horse-power of 5.633 J. There does not appear to be any need for a firm to import a boiler unless it is one of a type that cannot well be made in the Dominion. Most of the New Zealand firms have good and up-to-date machinery, controlled by experienced workmen who are able to build a boiler in firstclass style.

2—H. 15,