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1942. NEW ZEALAND.

MARINE DEPARTMENT. ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1941-42.

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

Marine Department, Wellington, 29th June, 1942. Your Excellency,— ? I do myself the honour to transmit for Your Excellency's information the report of the Marine Department for the financial year ended the 31st March last. I have, &c., R. Semple, His Excellency the Governor-General of the Minister of Marine. Dominion of New Zealand.

REPORT.

The Secretary, Marine Department, to the Hon. the Minister of Marine. SiEj— Marine Department, Wellington, '29th May, 1942. I have the honour to submit the annual report on the activities of the Marine Department for the year ended 31st March, 1942. War conditions continue to impose much extra work on the Department, much of which, for security reasons, cannot be outlined in this report. Conditions in the shipping world have been what might be termed " spasmodic," and the necessity for a quick turn-round in these waters has developed a system of centralization for loading purposes. Financially this may in the long-run have an adverse effect on Harbour Boards, particularly at the minor ports. Amenities at light stations are continually being improved, and navigational aids, such as radio beacons and automatic lights, are being progressively installed as it becomes possible to obtain the necessary plant and. equipment from the United Kingdom. Harbours. The Department has continued to examine and report upon the financial and engineering sections of applications by Harbour Boards for loans and, in addition, has directly administered the ports of Westport, Little Wanganui, Kaipara, and Picton. At Picton, Kaipara, and Little Wanganui our staff provide facilities' for shipping, launch inspection, &c., also act as.Collectors of Customs when necessary. At Westport dredging operations were hampered by the consistently unfavourable conditions but when operation was possible the two dredges were worked to the limit. Lighthouses. General repairs and maintenance, also improvements to amenities, have been given effect to at various stations throughout the year. The transfer of the G.s.s. " Matai "to other duties necessitated fresh arrangements for transport of stores and mails, but with the co-operation of the members of the staff at the stations these difficulties were overcome with a minimum of inconvenience to the personnel. Nautical. The adjustment of compasses has received the careful administration of the Department. The demand for Admiralty charts has naturally assumed greater proportion, and it has been necessary to photostat copies of charts to meet the emergency conditions. Masters of vessels have expressed appreciation of the services rendered by this section of .the Department.

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