H.—ls.

New Zealand Standards. The Department was again represented on the Executive Committee, the Mechanical Engineering Divisional Committee, and the Fire-extinguishing Sub-committee of the New Zealand Standards Institute, and meetings were attended throughout the year. A number of draft specifications and war emergency specifications were examined and written comments furnished. Examinations of Land Engineers, Engine-drivers and Electric-tram Drivers. These examinations were held during the year at the various offices of the Inspectors of Machinery at the regular intervals provided for in the regulations. The total number of candidates examined was 578, of which 474 were successful. Examination of Marine Engineers. During the year 166 candidates were examined for Marine Engineer's Certificates of Competency at the various centres throughout the Dominion. Of these, 51 candidates were examined for Firstand Second-class Certificates of Imperial Validity and 46 candidates for Third-class and Coastal Motor Certificates of New Zealand validity. The 51 candidates for Imperial certificates were examined under the new system ; of these, 24 passed for certificates, 17 partially passed, and 10 failed in the examinations. Candidates for certificates of New Zealand validity : 34 candidates were examined for Thirdclass, 24 passed for Certificates, and 10 failed in the examination. Eleven candidates were examined for Second-class and one candidate for First-class Coastal Motor Certificates. All passed. The summary for First-, Second-, and Third-class Examinations : 61-8 per cent, passed for certificates and 38-2 per cent, partly passed or failed. The remaining 69 candidates were examined for River Engineer and Restricted-limits P.V.O.S. Certificates of Competency ; of these, 61 passed for oil-vessels plying within restricted limits and 8 passed for steam-vessels plying within restricted limits. Prosecutions. Prosecutions instituted under various statutes of the Department during the year amounted to 24 cases, comprising Fisheries Act, 16 ; Inspection of Machinery Act, 5 ; Shipping and Seamen Act, 2 ; and Harbours Act, 1. Fisheries. An abridged report on the working of the Fisheries Branch of the Department follows hereon. I have, &c., L. B. Campbell, Secretary. REPORTS ON FISHERIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942. Departures from the normal or the average of previous years, in the conditions which form the subject-matter and in the form of this report, will require no explanation. The industry has inevitably been affected by certain emergency measures in some cases, as well as by difficulties with regard to man-power, material, and transport, and departmental activities have also been limited by the same factors. The following statement gives the estimated total quantity and value of the principal classes of fishery products for the year : — Value. Quantity. £ Wet fish .. .. .. .. .. 326,863 cwt. 458,393 Whitebait .. .. .. .. .. 4,826 cwt. 26,825 Oysters — Dredged .. .. .. .. .. 74,751 sacks 55,928 Rock .. .. .. .. .. 5,939 sacks 8,908 Mussels .. .. .. .. 20,449 sacks 7, i 11 Crayfish .. .. .. .. .. 12,226 cwt. 17,077 Toheroa (canned products) .. .. .. 166,8961b. 11,233 Whale products — Oil .. ~ .. ... .. ,51# tons 15,480 Bone-dust .. . . .. . . . . 15 tons 45 Quinnat salmon (taken by selling licensees) — Netted fish.. .. .. .. .. 1,502 lb. \ Angled fish.. . . . . . . . . 3,848 lb. J Total values .. .. .. .. .. £601,334 The returns indicate an increase in the total value of all fishery products, the grand total for last year being £577,133. With regard to landings of wet fish the quantity has decreased by 1,731 cwt., or 0-5 per cent., while the value has risen by £18,085, an increase of 4-T per cent. The landings of dredge-oysters from Foveaux Strait increased by 8,578 sacks, or 13 per cent., with a rise in value of £8,082 (16-9 per cent.). The quantity of rock oysters marketed has increased by 157 sacks (471 bushels), or 2-7 per cent., with 12 per cent, increase in value. The commercial landings of mussels have increased by 13 per cent., from 18,088 sacks to 20,449 sacks, their total value being 11-9 per

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