H.—ls.

Examinations of Land Engineers, Engine-drivers, and Electric-tram Drivers. These examinations were held at the various offices of the Inspectors of Machinery throughout the Dominion on the dates prescribed in the regulations. In addition, a few examinations were held at other times at the request of candidates who would have been seriously inconvenienced had they been required to await the scheduled date of examination. These special examinations can be held only when they do not upset the arrangements made by an Inspector in connection with his field work. The full list of places where the examinations were held is shown in an appended return, as also is the number of candidates examined at each place. The classes of certificates for which examinations were held were — Extra First-class Stationary Engineer. First-class Engine-driver. Second-class Engine-driver. Steam-winding-engine Driver. Electric-winding-engine Driver. Locomotive-engine Driver. Traction-engine Driver. Locomotive and Traction Engine Driver. Electric-tram Driver. The total number of candidates examined was 408. Of this number 274 were successful, and 134 failed in their examinations. Three hundred and eight certificates were issued, which includes 274 to successful candidates in their examinations, the remainder being replacements and issues under the provisions of sections 53, 59, and 62 of the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1928. The percentage of failures in the examinations for first-class engine-drivers appears to be greater than usual. The figures given represent numbers of examinations. The total number of examinations held was 63, but the total number of candidates was 40 only. Of this number, 16 candidates passed and 24 failed ; twelve of the failures made more than one attempt to pass the examination. Marine Engineers' Examinations. In the course of the year, 172 candidates were examined for Marine Engineers' Certificates of Competency at the various centres throughout the Dominion. Of these, eighty-four candidates were examined for Third-class, Second-class, and First-class Ordinary and Motor Certificates, all of Imperial validity ; of the fifty-nine third-class candidates who presented themselves for examination, forty were successful and nineteen were unsuccessful: of the ten second-class ordinary motor and motor endorsement candidates examined, five were successful and five unsuccessful; of the fifteen candidates examined for first-class ordinary, motor, and motor endorsement, ten were successful and five unsuccessful in the examination. Of the first-class candidates above-mentioned, four sat for ordinary certificates, three of whom were successful, four for motor certificate, of whom one was successful, and seven for motor endorsement, of whom six were successful. Of the second-class candidates four sat for ordinary certificate, one passing and three failing ; five for motor certificates, three passing and two failing ; and one, who was successful, for motor endorsement. Of the ten successful candidates for first-class examination, seven passed at the first attempt and three at the second attempt. Of the five successful candidates for second-class examination, four passed at the first attempt and one at the third attempt. Of the forty successful candidates for third-class examination, twenty-one passed at the first attempt, sixteen at the second attempt, and three at the third attempt, the summary for third-, second-, and first-class examinations, being 65-5 per cent, passes and 34-5 per cent, failures, which represent an increase of 16 per cent, successful candidates over the previous year. The remaining eighty-eight candidates were examined for certificates of competency which are valid in New Zealand only. Of these, fifty —thirty-five of whom were successful —were examined for sea-going vessels propelled by some motive-power other than steam ; thirty-three, thirty of whom were successful, for service in vessels propelled by some motive-power other than steam plying within restricted limits ; five, two of whom were successful, for steam-driven vessels plying within restricted limits. The examinations for first-class, second-class, ordinary and motor certificates, and those for third-class certificates are held at the four main centres only. Examinations for certificates of competency which are valid in New Zealand only are held at fifteen centres throughout the Dominion. Prosecutions. During the year proceedings for offences under the various statutes administered by the Department were instituted in sixty-two cases. Prosecutions under each Act were as follows: Shipping and Seamen Act, 1 ; Harbours Act, 5 ; Fisheries Act, 45 ; Inspection of Machinery Act, 11. Fisheries. The report of the Chief Inspector of Fisheries, which is appended, deals exhaustively with the operations of this Division during the year. The sale of rock oysters showed a substantial decrease for the season, for the reason set out in the Chief Inspector's report; the number of sacks marketed was 3,037, and the proceeds of sales £3,762 6s. Bd., as compared with 5,267 and £5,925 7s. sd. for the previous season. The quality of the oysters was generally most satisfactory.

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