7

H.-15,

Schooner "Alert." —The keel of this vessel was reinforced with two sister keelsons, 30ft. by 14 in. by 8 in., each bolted through the keel and the bottom. Stringers, 4 in. by 4 in., were fitted on top of the existing stringers to strengthen them, and new 9 in. by 2 in. lining was fitted fore and aft. The centre-board casing was caulked on each side, and the bottom sheathing was repaired. The top of the uptake of the donkey-boiler was built up by autogenous welding and re-riveted. Repairs were made to the anchors, and all defective steering-chain was renewed. A new bowsprit has been fitted, and the running-gear has been renewed. The hatch-landings have been increased in width to comply with the new regulations. Schooner " Greyhound." —On the after quarter, port side, twelve strakes of hull-planking, thirteen top timbers, eight deck-beams, and all the lining from the mainmast to the stern were renewed. The poop decking and beams have been renewed throughout. The cabin and the engine-room have also been renewed. The hull was caulked and coppered where required. Repairs were made to the rudder and to the steering-gear. One hundred fathoms of new £ stud chain cable and a stream-anchor were placed on board. Sailing-vessel " Manurewa." —The principal repairs at the survey were made to this vessel's cargo-working gear. A bulge was found in the side of the firebox of the donkey-boiler. Four screwed stays, 1 in. in diameter, Lowmoor iron, were fitted through the bulge. The winch was overhauled, and new piston-rings, new ends to piston-rods, new drag-link, and new keys to the clutches were fitted. The perishable provisions in the lifeboat were renewed. Schooner "Progress." —This vessel was formerly a steam bucket dredge. She has now been converted into a three-masted schooner. Plans and specifications of the alterations were submitted and approved before the work was commenced. All the dredging machinery and propelling machinery, boiler, winches, and machinery of all descriptions were dismantled and removed from the ship, which was gutted from end to end. The hull was scaled, chipped, and broomed inside and out, and coated with anti-corrosive paint.' The wells, hoppers, and fore and aft watertight divisions were cut out, and new frames, reverse frames, and floors were fitted in way of the well and hoppers. A 14 in. by 7 in. by fin. beam keelson was fitted, also i. in. to yj in. keel-plate. The side keelson-angles were opened up and {j. in. intercostal plates fitted, extending as far forward and aft as practicable. The wells were plated to the original shell-plating with -f s in. plates. Two hatchways were cut in the deck, and each side of the hatchways was bracketed in lieu of pillars. The main deck has been plated and wood-sheathed all over; the old bulwarks forward and aft were stripped to the deck, and a new forecastle and poop have been built of steel for the accommodation of the officers and crew. The vessel was receiled and sparred from end to end. New masts, spars, and rigging of approved dimensions were fitted. A steam cargo-winch and a donkey-boiler were installed on board. The propeller-aperture has been closed up and new bilge-pumps fitted. Schooner " Waiti." —This vessel has. been practically rebuilt. The bottom has been renewed and almost the whole of the decks. Several new deck-beams have been fitted, and braced with heavy iron knees. New keelsons, deadwood, bulwarks, and stanchions, and a new taffrail, have also been fitted. Sailing-vessel " Zingara." —This vessel was converted from a steamship to a sailing-vessel some years ago, and this is her first survey as a sailing-vessel. New fore and main masts have been fitted, also new main and fore sails. A new manhole compensating-ring and also a new safety-valve have been fitted to the donkey-boiler. Two rows of screwed stays, 1 in. diameter, have been fitted through the shell and firebox side plates. The boiler was then tested to double the working steam-pressure. Registration of Shipping. On the 31st December last there were on the register in the Dominion 174 sailing-vessels, of 22,216 tons register, and 382 steamers, of 64,943 tons register. At the end of the previous year there were 178 sailing-vessels, of 23,158 tons, and 379 steamers, of 65,388 tons. The number of seamen and boys employed on board was 3,292, as compared with 3,395 at the end of 1918. Certificates of Survey. Certificates have been granted to 314 steamers, 464 oil-engine vessels, and 59 sailing-vessels, as compared with 286 steamers, 476 oil-engine vessels, and 61 sailing-vessels in the previous year. Attached is a return of the vessels to which certificates have been issued. Breaches of the Shipping and Seamen Acts. Nine convictions were recorded during the year in prosecutions for breaches of the Shipping and Seamen Acts. Examination of Marine Engineers. Examinations for certificates of competency as marine engineers were held at the following places throughout the Dominion during the year : Auckland,* Wellington,* Christchurch,* Dunedin,* Invercargill,* Hamilton,* Greymouth,* Timaru,* Napier,* Nelson,* Queenstown, Hokianga, Russell,* Picton,* Te Kopuru,* Wanganui,* Havelock,* Kawhia, Mangonui, Pembroke, Awanui, Whangarei,* Whakatane, Thames, Gisborne,* Oparau, Tauranga,* Te Puke, Opotiki, Portage, and New Plymouth. The total number of applicants who sat for examination amounted to 323. Of this number 278 passed their examinations, and forty-five failed.

* Places at which examinations have been held more than once during the year,