H—ls

The twelve Fairmiles, anti-submarine patrol vessels built in New Zealand during the war period, have been sold to various purchasers. Most of them are being converted into private motor-yachts ; others are being converted into vessels suitable for the carriage of passengers for hire.. One Fairmile, severely damaged by collision with the " Tamahine," is unlikely to be fit for further useful service. Another wartime-built Naval vessel, the magnetic minesweeper " Tawhai," has been converted into a trawler and sold to UNRRA. She has made the voyage of delivery from Auckland to Shanghai under her own steam and will be employed in the China coast fishing industry. In addition, eight 45 ft. and three 75 ft. motor-propelled tugs originally built in New Zealand for the United States Forces have been completed and transported aboard a British steamer to Shanghai to the account of UNRRA. Another war-built 75 ft. tug has been taken over by the Marine Department for service in Westport Harbour, and the necessary alterations are proceeding to fit her for the special requirements of her future service. Demands by many ships, both New Zealand and overseas, for dry-dock accommodation continue to be sustained, especially for the dry docks of Wellington and Auckland, and the allocations, as in the war years, have been controlled in Wellington by the Central Docking Committee. This system of central allocation proves to be worthy of retention. The outstanding shipping casualty requiring extensive repairs in dry dock is the trans-Tasman liner, " Wanganella." This vessel was docked at Wellington early in the year following her salvage from Barret Reef and a detailed survey of the underwater damage to the hull structure has been made. The vessel will be redocked when the necessary steel plates and sections are delivered to enable permanent repairs to be effected. This work will constitute the largest single ship-repair work ever carried out in a New Zealand dry dock. An unusual repair was carried out during the year under the supervision of the Marine Department at Port Chalmers on behalf of the United States Navy on the Antarctic Expeditionary ship " Merrick " by the construction and fitting of a large jury rudder to replace the original rudder lost in the south polar seas. The new temporary rudder was designed to enable the ship to reach a United States Pacific port for permanent repairs. With the removal of ocean war hazards it has been practicable to withdraw many of the special wartime precautions to protect ships' crews and their ships from the worst results of enemy action at sea. In particular, most of the special wartime life-saving-appliance and fire-extinguishing-appliance requirements, &c., have been relaxed. But certain wartime safety requirements which experience has shown are of value in war and peace alike are being retained permanently. Studies are now proceeding in all maritime countries whereby the lessons of the war at sea may be adapted to promote a higher standard of safety of life at sea for all time. INSPECTION OF MACHINERY Steam Boilers, Air-receivers, and other Unfired Pressure Vessels The following statement sets out the number of inspections made during the year ended 31st March, 1947, of fired boilers, air-receivers, and other unfired pressure vessels (Group "A"), with the corresponding figures for 1945-46 shown also : 1946=47. 1945-46. Fired boilers .. .. .. .. .. 4>593 4,551 Air-receivers .. .. .. .. .. 4,154 4,003 Other unfired pressure vessels .. .. .. 6,905 6,207 Total inspections in Group "A" .. 15,652 14,761

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