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Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND

MARINE DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE), 1922-23.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

My Lord,— Marine Department, Wellington, 29th June, 1923. I do myself the honour to transmit herewith, for Your Excellency's information, the report of the Marine Department of the Dominion for the financial year ended the 3lst March last. I have, &c, G. Jas. Anderson, Minister of Marine. His Excellency Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., Governor-General of New Zealand.

REPORT. The Secretary, Marine Department, to the Hon. the Minister of Marine. Sir, — Marine Department, Wellington, 22nd June, 1923. I have the honour to make the following report on the work of this Department during the year ended the 31st March last : — Administration. Early in the year I was appointed to the position of Permanent Head of the Department, which comprises the following Branches :- (1.) Mercantile Marine. (2.) Lighthouses, Harbours, and Government Steamers. (3.) Inspection of Machinery. (4.) Fisheries. (5.) Meteorological. During last session an amendment to the Shipping and Seamen Act was introduced and passed. Subsequently it received Royal Assent, and is now in operation. One of its principal provisions was to revise various shipping-fees for services performed by the Department, and it is expected that the effect of these will be reflected in the 1923-24 accounts of the Department. A Harbours Amendment Bill was also introduced and passed, and is now in operation. This provided for a number of matters recommended by the Harbours Association and others. During the progress of the year it became apparent that many matters of legislation awaited attention, of which the following are the principal:— (I.) Shipping and Seamen Act and Amendments : A complete revision and consolidation of this is urgently required. So far, however, time has not permitted of this being undertaken. Some urgent matters concerning the examination of engineers and the carriage by sea of His Majesty's mails are being considered in connection with this year's legislation programme,