H.—lsa

2

The machinery attached to these boilers was all inspected at the same time that the boiler-inspeo-tions were made. Government Boilers. The boilers and machinery at the Government institutions throughout the colony have been inspected. Defects op Boilers and Fittings. The number of defects found during the year in connection with boilers and their fittings total 848. Table No. 2 sets out the nature of these defects, and these clearly show the necessity for boilerinspection. Numbers of these defects, if not attended to and remedied, would soon lead to results disastrous both to life and property. New Boilers. The total number of new boilers added to our books during the year is 486, with a total horsepower of 7,588|. Of this number 186 were made in the colony and 300 imported. The following table shows the numbers, the horse-powers, and the districts to which they have

Gas- and Water-driven Machinery and Lifts and Machinery-inspections. During the year 786 gas-engines and 344 oil-engines were inspected. The number of lifts examined was 350. The number of hoists and motors examined was 208. The number of water-motors examined was 273. Special inspections were made of machinery, and 809 certificates issued for the same. This makes a grand total of 2,770 inspections of machinery. Fencing of Machinery. This work has been well attended to, and the details in full of the work specified by the Inspectors to be done are attached in Table No. 4. Examination of Engine-drivers. These examinations have been held all over the colony. As far as possible every application for special place and time of examination has been met, sometimes at great inconvenience to the Examiner. The total number of candidates this year was 1,060. A detailed list of candidates who passed their examination appears in Returns No. 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, and 15. The examinations have been held at the following places during the year : Alexandra South, Auckland*, Blenheim, Christchurch,* Cromwell, Dannevirke, Denniston, Dunedin,* Foxton, Gisborne,* Gore, Greymouth,* Greytown North, Hokitika, Invercargill,* Manakau, Masterton,* Napier,* Nelson,* Otakeho, Palmerston North, Rahotu, Reefton,* Riversdale, Roxburgh, Takaka, Timaru,* Wanganui,* Wellington,* Westport.* Accidents. I regret to have to report several accidents to persons working in connection with running machinery. Returns Nos. 5 and 6 give the particulars. Districts and Inspectors. Mr. Hood was promoted from the Auckland District to take charge of the Nelson office. Mr. Grant, who had been in the Wellington District, was transferred to the Auckland District. A new office has been opened at Napier, the shipping work at this port having increased very much of late years. The Gisborne District has been attached to the Napier District. Mr. Sharp was transferred from Otago to take charge of the Napier District in April last year. Mr. Ramsay was appointed an Inspector last year, and filled the vacancy in the Otago District caused by the transfer of Mr. Sharp to Napier. Mr. Cullen was appointed an Inspector last year to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. H. A. McGregor in Wellington.

* Places at whioh more than one examination was held during the year.

Coloi ial. Imported. Total. District. Horse-N-fce, . SS; Number. Number. power. power. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough Nelson North Nelson South Westland Canterbury Timarull Otago ff{ Southland 49 13 7 58 3 3 3 11 18 918| 181 89 9331 56 30 21 98 347 70 12 10 94 4 2 4 8 23 20 18 [v35 1,222J 194 391 1,548 125 131 180 94 520 263 121J 344 119 25 17 152^1 t\ 7 19 41 20_ 36.^: 38 2,141 375 128i ■ 181 43J 201 192 867 263 319J 396 18 3 198 52 I ■! 186 2,924 300 4,664| 486 7,588f