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from the resultant saving in cost, the efficiency and expediency of our ship-repair operations have been favourably commented on by the Ministry of War Transport, London, particularly in regard to a vessel which required five refrigerated holds completely retimbered and reinsulated. The rehabilitation of New Zealand seamen from ports all over the world and the provision of comforts in New Zealand ports for British seamen have been features of the year's activities. The Department's thanks are due to the Seamen's Union, the Seamen's Institute, the British Sailors' Society, the Catholic Seamen's Institute, and other such organizations for assistance and co-operation in this regard. Lighthouses The restrictions on navigational aids have been somewhat reduced during the year to the advantage of coastal shipping. No new feature has been introduced, but access roads have been given attention and amenities improved as far as possible in line with the Department's policy. Automatic lights were re-exhibited during the year at Honeycomb, North Cape, St. Anne's Point, Gable End, Matakaoa, and Pearl Island. The light at Oamaru South Head was electrified, also the two leading lights in Tory Channel and the light at Waipapapa Point. Tribute has previously been paid to the splendid war work displayed by our lightkeepers, and the past year has required no less exacting co-operation and attention to duty. The most important works carried out during the year were as follows : — Cape Reinga. —Construction of 30,000-gallon water-reservoir with pump. Cape Brett. —Improvements and repairs to dwellings, including hot-water service. Kaipara Head. —Alteration to automatic light. Cuvier Island. —General repairs and improvements to buildings, including hot-water service. Manukau South Head.—Removal and re-erection of tower. Portland Island. —Modernization of dwellings, including hot-water service, construction of two 10,000-gallon water-tanks, and improvements to access road. Castlepoint.—Construction of wind-break fence and repairs to track to tower. Baring Head. —Road maintenance arranged with County Council ; septic tank and drainage system installed at cottages. French Pass. —General repairs to dwellings and provision of hot-water service. Stephens Island.—Repairs to tram track and emergency landing erected. Cape Campbell.—Erection of garage for truck and office building. Kahurangi Point.—Electrification of this light is in progress. Godley Head. —Electrification is in hand. Akaroa. —General repairs and renovations and installation of fuel tanks. Waipapapa Point. —Construction of two 20,000-gallon water-tanks ; electrification completed. Dog Island.—Provision of 10,000-gallon water-tank and general repairs. Puysegur Point.—Provision of 30,000-gallon reservoir and pump, installation of revolving lens and standby generator. Nautical The demand for Admiralty charts has again been abnormal, owing, no doubt, to additional shipping in the Pacific area. The supply of charts has been limited to those required for purely navigational purposes. The forty-third edition of the " New Zealand Nautical Almanac " was published, as usual, in two parts. Here again the demand during the year was abnormal, but navigational orders were met in all cases. Notices to mariners giving information to all seafarers were again published and distributed throughout the year. Our shipping officers in main ports, and Customs officers acting as agents for the Department in smaller ports, have again rendered excellent service to shipping generally by the expeditious provision of personnel, the arranging of return to home ports of members of ships' crews, and the provision of subsistence or medical treatment to British seamen awaiting return. Government has also recently approved the issue of the 1939-43 star to those members of the Mercantile Marine who have served at least six months in the home or overseas trade and have made at least one voyage during that period beyond New Zealand coastal waters. At the time of going to press arrangements for issue of the ribbon were in train. War-risk gratuity payable to all members of the Mercantile Marine on New Zealand articles has been credited to National Savings Accounts of the individual seamen, thus ensuring payment of the total amount of gratuity to all eligible seamen at the end of the war or at such stage that they are obliged to give up a seafaring profession'. Engagement of Seamen This service has been maintained. A record of seamen applying for work is kept for the purpose of filling vacancies. Sick and Injured Seamen The total amount paid by shipowners to sick and injured seamen, under the provisions of the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, and amendments, was £11,606 10s. 4d., as against £15,064 Is. 2d. for the previous year, a decrease of £3,457 10s. lOd. Registration of Shipping On the 31st December, 1944, there were on the register of vessels in the Dominion 45 sailing-vessels of 3,553 net tons register, 127 steamers of 61,900 net tons register, and 280 motor-vessels of 18,652 net tons register, as compared with 45 sailing-vessels of 3,553 net tons register, 130 steamers of 62,264 net tons register, and 280 motor-vessels of 18,342 net tons register at the end of the previous year. The number of seamen employed on board was 2,308, as compared with 2,506 for the year 1943.

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