H.—ls

10

" With regard to meteonological work in the exposition of the climate, the collation of statistics has gone along steadily year after year, but publication awaits a vote and final examination whenever it is decided to complete the records for the means, <&c. Such a contingency as a fire destroying our papers at the present time would be a calamity; but if the statistics were published the damage would not be so complete or irremediable. " Last year I reported that war conditions had caused increasing difficulties for many of our observers throughout the Dominion, and now, added to this, is a rapid change in ownership of stations, causing us to lose the services of rainfall observers in places where 1 valuable standards have been established through long and reliable records. In many instances the newcomers do not appreciate the value of rainfall observations either to their own locality or to the Dominion at large, and, as the services are entirely voluntary, they do not wish to continue these regular daily observations. " The shortage of paper lias also had rather serious effects. The withdrawing of the names of the observers from the published reports has lessened the sense of personal responsibility and interest. Shortage of forms, and requiring the rainfall reporters to write for the necessary and regular supplies, have in some instances been the cause of serious breaks in the continuity of our records. More liberal and progressive methods must be adopted in making these periodic supplies, and if, unfortunately, form and envelope are lost or mislaid, there should be no difficulty in supplying another set. Moreover, a small payment might be made for observations, which are often of the utmost importance to engineering, agriculture, forestry, fas., in a young country like this. ' The British and International Conferences —reports upon which have already been furnished—were chiefly concerned with technical matters; but one important resolution concerned the registration of ships, and recommended legislation to the effect that each country should insist upon its shipping being equipped with proper meteorological instruments, and some provision made for recording and reporting weather conditions. " Meteorological instruments used in the war were obtained in great quantities by representatives of other countries, but there was neither sufficient money nor authority to accept instruments in place of one or more of the hundred aeroplanes offered to this Dominion. We have not obtained supplies for several years, and it is hoped that the market may shortly recover in such a way that we may be able to obtain what is needed, particularly if aviation adds to the work and responsibilities of this office. " My assistant, Mr. B. V. Pemberton, F.R.Met.Soc, carried on the work satisfactorily during my brief and hurried visit to the Old Country." Fisheries. A very valuable and comprehensive report by Mr. L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, also one by the Chairman of the Portobello Fish-hatchery Board on the working of the hatchery, for the year, are appended. Thirty-eight convictions were recorded during the year in prosecutions for breaches of the Fisheries Act. Report of Work done under the Inspection of Machinery Act. The Engineer Surveyors of Ships and Examiners of Marine Engineers appointed under the Shipping and Seamen Act also act as Inspectors of Machinery, Examiners of Extra First-class Engineers, Examiners of Engine-drivers both stationary and locomotive, also Examiners of Winding-engine Drivers for Collieries under the Inspection of Machinery Act, and also examine tramway drivers under the Tramways Act. New Boilers inspected. This year there has been an increase of about 50 per cent, in the number of new boilers inspected. Most of the larger boilers have been made locally. The numbers of portable and traction boilers imported from abroad are still considerably below those of the pre-war period. During the construction of a large multitubular boiler in Southland an inspection of the shellplates was made in order that a note could be taken of the brands on the plates. The brands, however, turned out to be quite contradictory and misleading. The plates were reported to have been tested, but satisfactory.evidence of this could not be produced immediately. The interested parties were involved in considerable expense in cabling for the particulars. Importers and boilermakcrs would be well advised to procure certificates duly signed by the testing Surveyor for all material to be used in boiler-construction. The material in nearly all cases is examined by the Department's Inspectors and the brands checked with the certificates before the material is worked into the boiler. I shall be glad if facilities are given at the engineering-works for doing this. A large number of steam-pressure apparatus continues to be made of cast iron. In many cases the thickness of this material is far from being satisfactory. The surfaces are often flat, and without stays or ribs to support surfaces carrying pressure. Cast iron is now generally of much better quality than it used to be, but it is still looked upon with suspicion for large surfaces or high steam-pressures. Very often no information can be obtained by the Department of any tests. Manufacturers should note that particulars as to the quality of cast iron are as necessary as for wrought material. The tensile strength of good cast iron should not be less than 10 tons per square inch. The Department is always desirous of making full allowance for good material, but unless satisfactory evidence of the quality of the material can be produced either by documents or test-pieces the material can only be taken as of average quality.