H.—ls.

were held were : Extra first-class stationary engineer, first-class engine-driver, second-class enginedriver, steam winding-engine driver, electric winding-engine driver, locomotive-engine driver, tractionengine driver, locomotive and traction-engine driver, and electric-tram driver. The total number of candidates examined was 345. Of this number 238 were successful and 107 failed in their examinations. 275 certificates were issued, which includes 238 to successful candidates in their examinations, the remainder being replacements and issues under the provisions of sections 53, 59, and 62 of the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1928. Prosecutions. During the year proceedings for offences under the various statutes administered by the Department were instituted'in 38 cases. Prosecutions under each Act were as follows: Shipping and Seamen Act, 2 ; Harbours Act, 1 ; Fisheries Act, 24 ; Inspection of Machinery Act, 11. Fisheries. The report of the Chief Inspector of Fisheries, which is appended, deals exhaustively with the operations of this Division during the year. The sale of rock oysters for the 1934 season showed a fairly substantial increase on sales of the previous season, the number of sacks marketed being 5,267, and the proceeds of sales £5,925 7s. 5d., as compared with 4,717 and £5,336 19s. 3d. The quality of the oysters was, on the whole, most satisfactory, very few complaints being received. Whaling. Legislation to give effect to the International Whaling Convention signed at Geneva in 1931 has been drafted for introduction into Parliament during the present session. The general principles of the Convention are in the direction of conservation of the species and regulation of the industry, and the most important provisions are as follows : — (1) The taking of right whales, immature whales, and female whales accompanied by calves is prohibited under heavy penalty. . . (2) Whaling ships and factories for treating whales must be licensed by the administrative authority of whose flag the ship flies, or in which the factory is situated. In addition, any country which is a party to the Convention may require a separate license to be taken out by any ship of whatever nationality, which proposes to whale in the territorial waters of that country. (3) Provision is made for proper utilization of the whole of the carcass. (4) Proper records, for scientific and general investigational purposes, of all whales taken and/or treated must be kept by each whaling ship and factory, and sent to the licensing authority for transmission to a central bureau. (5) Provision is made for the appointment of Inspectors, who are to be empowered to enter any whaling ship or factory, or travel in any such ship, to ensure that all legal requirements and provisions are complied with. . . One of the first steps in the matter of conservation has been the restriction of the coming season in the Antarctic waters to a period from Ist December, 1935, to 15th March,l936. This restriction has been decided upon in view of definite evidence which has been received by the Imperial and Norwegian Governments of depletion of the species in these waters With respect to the local whaling-stations, that in Tory Channel took 52 whales during the 1934 season giving a yield of 260 tons of oil, as compared with 41, with a yield of 205 tons, during the previous season' The station at Whangamumu did not operate during the season. The market for oil has, both in the matter of demand and prices, shown some improvement, which it is hoped will continue. I have, &c., L. B. Campbell, Secretary.

REPORT ON FISHERIES. I have the honour to submit the following report on fisheries for the year ended 31st March, 1934 Returns received from local inspectors of fisheries have been collected for the compilation of the appended tables—namely, Table I, showing the number of fishing-vessels and the number of fishermen and others engaged in the industry at each port; Table 11, showing the various kinds of fish caught and approximately the total quantities of fish and shell-fish landed at the principal fishing ports ; Table lla showing approximately the quantities of the different kinds of fish landed at certain ports for which 'these details were obtainable ; Table 111, showing the number of sacks and value of oysters obtained during the year 1934 ; Table IV, showing the products of the whaling industry ; and Table Y showing the quantities of fish and shell-fish products imported and exported during the year (see pages 29 to 34). I regret that it is again necessary to add that, owing to the defects of the system under which the information is collected, arising from lack of departmental staff, the returns upon which Tables I, 11, and lla are based do not afford the statistical data that are required for the most satisfactory representation and elucidation of the fishery conditions.

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