FL—22

14

Authorization of New Explosives. No explosives have been authorized during the year, but several explosives are uudei examination, and will be authorized early in the new year. Manufacture. The undermentioned factories were licensed for the manufacture of explosives^— (1.) Sabulite (New Zealand) Limited, at Waikumete, for the manufacture of " sabulite." (2.) H. F. Bickerton, at Wainoni Park, Christchurrh, for the manufacture of fireworks. Importation. The following exjilosives were imported during the year : — lb. Gelignite ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,198,000 Dynamite ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 65,400 Quarry monobel ... ... ... ... ... ... 50,000 Blasting-gelatine ... ... ... ... ... ... 23,000 " Permitted " explosives ... ... ... ... ... 15,500 Atlas " Straight, " dynamites ... ... ... ... ... 21,000 Dupont carbonite ... ... ... ... ... ... 50,000 Atlas gelatinous explosives ... ... ... ... ... 25,300* Atlas large-grain powder ... ... ... ... ... 14,950* Blasting-powder (grain) ... ... ... ... ... 299,975 (pellets) ... ... ... ... ... 205,375 ~ (sporting) ... ... ... ... ... 2,550 2,107,050 Detonators ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,558,000 Fireworks (approximately) ... ... ... ...packages 1,600 All the above explosives passed the necessary tests. Storage. The number of magazines licensed during the period was 148, being a considerable increase on the previous year; but it has not yet been possible to do more than license most of the larger magazines. The licensing of the smaller magazines at mines and quarries will probably have to be held over until after the war. Government magazines remain the same as last year—viz., three—at Wellington, Grey mouth, and Dunedin. As extremely adverse reports have been made on the two latter magazines by the Public Works Engineers, instructions have been given to commence the erection of the new buildings at both Greymouth and Dunedin early in the new year. Packing and Conveyance. Fxception was taken to the packing of several shipments of nitro-conipouiid explosives imported from South Africa, and on communication with the firm concerned (he matter was remedied. The number of licenses to carry explosives issued during the year was 263, but for reasons given in the first paragraph of this report the issue of licenses was practically held in abeyance for several months, so that it is expected that the coming year should show a decided increase in the number of licenses issued. Condemned Explosives. With the exception of small lots of explosives condemned for various reasons during the inspection of magazines and registered premises, no explosives have been condemned during the period. Sale. The conditions under which explosives are sold show a decided improvement as a result of the year's work. In all 635 licenses to sell explosives were issued, as against 213 last year, and approved methods of storage have been adopted in all cases where an inspection has been made. Accidents. No serious accidents occurred under the conditions to which the Act applies, but several mining accidents were investigated during the period to ascertain if faulty explosives had been used, but in no case could the accident be traced to this cause. Legal Proceedings. Various irregularities came under the notice of the Inspectors during visits of inspection, but no prosecutions have taken place during the year, it, being considered sufficient under the circumstances to warn the offenders.

* Subsequently exported to Australia.