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Gas-, Water-, and Electric-driven Machinery, Lifts, and Machinery Inspections. The total number of inspections made during the year of this class of machinery was 6,702. The number of gas-engines inspected was 1,413, of oil-engines 2,283, of lifts and motors (which include water and electric motors) 2,962. and also 44 steam-machinery inspections. Fencing of Machinery. A good deal of guarding of machinery has been done to lesson the risk to those who work at or near it. Return No. 4 gives full particulars of the guarding done. Examination of Land Engineers and Engine-drivers. These examinations have been held at the stated times and places as set out in the printed regulations. In order to save candidates time and expense special examinations were held in other centres when the Inspectors were making inspections in the country districts. The places at which examinations were held were —Auckland,* Blenheim,* Christchurch,* Gisborne,* Greymouth,* Hamilton,* Hawera, Invercargill,* Kaponga, Kowiti, Manakau, Mangarakau, Masterton, Napier,* Nelson,* New Plymouth, Oamaru, Palmerston North,* Patea, Puponga, Shannon, Timaru,* Waitara, Wanganui,* and Wellington.* For the extra, first-class engineers' certificate II sat, 6 of whom passed; 110 sat for the first-class engine-drivers' certificate, 44 of whom passed; 243 sat for the second-class engine-drivers' certificate, and 160 passed; 243 sat for the locomotive and traction engine drivers' certificate, and 193 of these passed; 14 sat for the winding-engine drivers' certificate, of whom 11 passed. The total number of candidates who sat for examination was 621. Reciprocal certificates were issued to applicants who held certificates from other States as follows : New South Wales, 1; Queensland, 1; Tasmania, 1; Transvaal, 1; Western Australia, 1 : total, 5. Returns Nos. 7 to 13 give full particulars of those who passed these examinations, together with the different grades and classes of examination. Examination of Electric-tram Drivers. For the first time in New Zealand examinations were held during the year to test the qualifications of the drivers of electric-tram cars. The engineers connected with the different tramway systems assisted the Department materially in placing cars at the disposal of the examiners when required so that the drivers' knowledge could be put to a practical test. Circular instructions were issued from the Head Office with respect to the examinations, and a large number of questions suitable for the testing of the driver's knowledge in matters connected with his duties as a motorman were sent to each examiner at centres where the examinations were held. Regulations governing the conduct of these examinations were gazetted on the 20th July, 1911. Examinations were held at Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Wanganui, and Wellington. 148 candidates presented themselves for examination. These examinations will now be held periodically. A service certificate was issued to each person who, not later than the 24th December, 1911, applied for one and produced evidence to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners that he was, for a period of not less than one year at any time before the passing of the Tramways Amendment Act, 1910, employed as a motorman and had not been subsequentlydismissed for misconduct. Returns Nos. 14 and 15 give full particulars of those to whom service certificates were issued and those who passed the examination for competency certificates. Tin; Board of Examiners. The Board sat for the conduct of business connected with examinations, &c, on nine occasions. An addition was made to the Board by appointing Mr. E. Parry, B.Sc, A.M.1.C.E., M.1.E.E., Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Department, as a member when dealing with electrictram drivers' certificates. The date of his appointment was the 6th August, 1911. Accidents. A number of accidents have been reported to the Department to those who have been working in connection with machinery in motion. A large number of the accidents have been in the woodworking industries. Nearly all the machines run at a high speed, and those who work them are liable to accident unless they exercise great care. In nearly every case the fingers are affected. A great deal of attention has been given to the protection of this and other classes of machinery in motion, but such protection, without due care by the employee, does not eliminate all the danger. No boiler accident with loss of life or injury to any attendant has been recorded during the year, and the high standard and rigid methods adopted by the officers of the Department in making their inspections must tend to lessen the risks with boilers which are now used at very high pressures. The owners do not place any obstacles in the way of an Inspector carrying out his duties, and they materially assist the Department by getting their plants clean and cool for the Inspector's visit. Returns Nos. 5 and 6 give full particulars of each reported accident. Postal and Police Departments. The Police and Postal Departments have rendered signal service to this Department in many ways. The number of certificates that are issued to machinery-owners through the Postal Depart-

* Plaoes at which examinations have been held more than once during the year.