H.—ls.

13 imported from England, and 1 from America. The latter, I may state, is cast iron, with a large amount of heating-surface and small water-space, compared with the size of it, which cause a rapid evaporation of the water and extra attention. Boilers of this description are generally small, and used by people in a small way of business, who cannot afford to have a competent person to attend to them. The great risk attending a case of this description convinces me the time has arrived when restrictions should be put on boilers of this class when intended for steaming purposes. The machinery inspections that have been charged for during the year consist of one waterpower quartz-crushing battery and one steam threshing machine. I have given sixteen written and several verbal notices to fence and guard machinery, which, I may state, have been complied with. I have two accidents to report: John McNamara, employed by Union Sash and Door Company, working a circular-saw. It appears he took a chip of wood to clear away the sawdust from the saw, when his left hand came in contact with it and was taken off at the wrist. He ought to have used the staff that was kept in a convenient place for the purpose. Thomas Horton, in the employ of the Mercury Bay Saw-mill Company, working a circular-saw. It appears he got on the sawtrench for the purpose of removing a belt, when he slipped and fell, coming in contact with the saw, when both feet were taken off above the ankle. I may state the manager's instructions were to stop any machine before attempting to adjust any part of it. Accidents with circular-saws will occur when people working them are thoughtless, and persist in running unnecessary risk. I have, &c, The Chief Inspector of Machinery, Wellington. Wm. J. Jobson.

The Inspector of Machinery, Wellington, to the Secretary, Marine Department. Sir, — Office of Inspector of Machinery, Wellington, 19th May, 1883. In submitting my report for the year ended 31st March, 1883, I am glad to have very little in the way of accidents to report; only one case, that of a lad who had his fingers crushed in the rollers of a biscuit-machine, and caused entirely by his own folly in showing some of his fellowworklads how near he could put his fingers to the rollers without being caught by them. There have been no serious accidents to boilers or machinery, but I have had notice given of two instances in which boilers were allowed to run short of water and required repairs owing to the plates having got hot. In each case the man causing the damage was at once discharged. The number of boilers in my districts last year was 382, this year the number is 411, being an increase of 29 for the year. The number of inspections made last year were 360, this year .the number is 401, being an increase of 41 for the year, which leaves 30 boilers uninspected. From the results of the last three months' experience of the new method of collecting fees, I am inclined to think that I shall be able to inspect all the boilers in my district before the end of the current year. Attached are returns showing the number of notices of repairs, and the number of notices given to fence dangerous parts of machinery. There is also a return containing the particulars of the accident already mentioned. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. H. A. McGREaOE.

Return showing the Number of Notices given to Repair Boilers.

Repairs of a slight nature have been done to sixteen boilers during the year, but, as the work was done while I was on the spot, notices were not required.

23

Date of Notice. Class of Boiler and Machinery. Description of Eepairs. 23rd May, 1st June, 17th July, 7th August, 7th August, 1882 >, >, ,, Stationary, Cornish, at bush saw-mills Portable, at bush sawmills Stationary, Cornish, at bush saw-mills Stationary, multitubular, sash and door factory Stationary (Field's patent), at sash and door factory Portable, cutting firewood A laminated plate in the bottom of the shell, 5 feet from the front, to be removed, and new plate fitted. The shell of firebox to have plates fitted over the corroded parts, and new openings cut for mud-holes. A plate to be rivetted over the part where the blow-off cock has been attached, and the cock refitted. The old plate to be cut out on each side of the cross seam where the rivets are affected, and a patch rivetted over. The top of the boiler is getting thin, and will require six stays, 1 inch diameter, fitted from furnace-crown to top of shell. The shell of the firebox will require a patch fitted to carry three of the screw-stays directly under the barrel of the boiler. One of the longitudinal stays will require to be renewed, as it shows a crack near the front of firebox. The firebox of the boiler has never been properly stayed, and will require fourteen new screw-stays fitted in front of firebox. 16th August, >» 18th August, ,t Portable, at flour-mill *=#; Locomotive ■■■a.