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Inspector P. J. Healy, who in 1916 joined up with the Royal Navy as Engineer Lieutenant, returned to New Zealand during the year and took up his duties in Head Office. Inspector J. H. Knowlcs, of Wanganui District, was lost at sea with all hands on the " Aurora " while on his way to Great Britain to join H.M. Navy. The late Mr. Knowlcs was an obliging and courteous officer to all he came in contact with. The late Inspectors Buckland and Pyke, of Invercargill and Palmerston North respectively, passed away during the year from the influenza epidemic. The former officer was at Trentham Military Camp at the time of his death and had completed his training for active, service, abroad. Both officers were widely respected. Messrs. A. E. Macindoe, W. Carson, J. Cable, and W. F. Mclntyre were appointed Inspectors of Machinery at Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston North, and Invercargill respectively, to fill the vacancies. A district office should be opened in the near future at New Plymouth. This district is growing rapidly, and should have an Inspector permanently stationed there. The appointment of the officer for North Auckland last year, with his office at Whangarei, has given great satisfaction. This Inspector has been able to overtake a great deal of the arrears of work that could not have been done with that district attached to the, main Auckland District. I have, &c, Robert Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery, Chief Surveyor of Ships, Chief Examiner of Marine Engineers, Land Engineers, Stationary-engine Drivers, and Electrictram Drivers. The Secretary, Marine and Inspection of Machinery Department, Wellington.

The Marine Engineer to the Secretary, Marine Department. Sir,— Wellington, 22nd July, 1919. I have the honour to report as follows upon the various works dealt with during the year ended 31st March, 1919 :— Rangaunu Bay : Wharehia Point Wharf. — A report has been prepared on proposals for the erection of a wharf here. Whangaroa. —Report has been prepared on proposed reclamation at Pupuke. Bay of Islands : Paihia Wharf. —Plans have been prepared for a new structure ; work will proceed during coming fine season. Ruakaka River. —Logs have been removed from this river. Whangateau Harbour. —Plans and estimates have been prepared for construction of a .rubble masonry extension. Northern Wairoa River. —Proposal to erectaa new wharf at Maumai has been adversely reported upon. Kaipara. —A report prepared on further encroachment by the river. Flat Rock Beacon. —An automatic acetylene light on Flat Rock, off Kawau Island, has been erected. Mahurangi River. —A report has been furnished on dredging operations here. Wade River. —The turning-basin has been dredged and trees removed. Arkle's Bay Wharf. —A report has been prepared on damage sustained by floods. Tiritiri Lighthouse. —Two keepers' old cottages have been dismantled and new ones erected in their stead. Sundry roading and fencing have been completed. D'Vrville Rock Beacon. —The foundations of the old beacon having been destroyed, it was found to be too expensive to erect new ones. Surveys for the purpose of locating the most favourable position for a buoy to replace the beacon have been completed. Takapuna Wharf. —A report has been prepared on the condition of this wharf. Waitakaruru Zfflwd?i»<7.~--Leading-]ights have been erected. Repairs to landing and breastwork have been effected. Tauranga Harbour Entrance. —A report has been prepared on the necessity of erecting a flashlight at North Rock. Waikato River. —Good progress was made in clearing rocks at Tamahere. Raglan. —To Akau Wharf has been completed. Tolaga Bay. —A. report has been prepared on suitable site for erection of a wharf. Wairoa. —Reports prepared on alternative schemes of (a) restoration of training-walls, or (b) forming a harbour at Waikokopu. Mokau River. —Work of snagging the river is in hand. Wailcare River.- --Reports and estimates prepared for erection of a training-wall. Waingongoro Beach. —A report has been supplied on erosion of coast-line due to removal of shingle from the beach.