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made until immediately after the publication of the " Almanac," hence the necessity for applying a correction to the times given in this year's edition, but in future editionsthe times given will be in the newly adopted Standard Time —i.e., twelve hours ahead, of Greenwich Mean Time. Radio Beacons The programme of establishing radio beacons had to be curtailed owing to the war, but perhaps this may be a temporary advantage, as the extraordinary development of radio aids to navigation has made it advisable to delay the resumption of activities, until full information is available as to the most suitable type of apparatus for the Dominion's requirements. The Government of Great Britain decided to call a conference for the purpose of" considering radar and other radio navigational aids. Representatives from the majority of countries throughout the world were invited, the New Zealand delegatesbeing Dr. E. Marsden, of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department, and Captain W. Whiteford, Nautical Adviser to this Department. While abroad the Nautical Adviser will visit Trinity House and several of the large seaports for the purpose of inspecting navigational aids. Training for Sea This is a matter which is being carefully considered by the Department, and it ishoped that as a result of several conferences attended by interested parties that finality will be reached in the near future. The question of training for the sea is not merely confined to a matter of providing openings for youths to commence a seafaring career, but involves the actual training in the art of a seaman and then finally the placing of the lads in suitable employment with reasonable hope of advancement. Survey of Coast The survey which was being carried out by the " Endeavour" had to bediscontinued shortly after the outbreak of war. The survey commenced south of Castle Point near Mercury Bay and filled in theblanks in the southern part of the Hauraki Gulf which remained from H.M.S, " Penguin " in 1909. The Endeavour" then resumed in the northern part of Hauraki Gulf and continued to Cape Brett and the Bay of Islands. New charts issued consequent on " Endeavour's " work are as follows : No. 3797 : Great Barrier Island to Mayor Island, including Hauraki Gulf. No. 3798 : Cape Brett to Cuvier Island. No. 1090 : Bay of Islands and Whangarei Harbour. No. 1512 : Approaches to Port Russell. No. 2543, Sheet 2 : Mongonui Bluff to Manukau Harbour, Tutukaka Harbourto Mayor Island, including Hauraki Gulf. The coastline from Young Nick's Head to Cape Brett is now correctly charted ; likewise from the 100-fathom line inwards to the coast. The Department has approached the Admiralty regarding the resumption of thesurvey and the matter is under consideration. Inspection of Compasses During the year the inspection of ships' compasses was carried out satisfactorily by the Department's Inspectors. With the removal of danger from magnetic mines, the need for de-gaussing will become less and less, and in the near future it is hoped that the compasses of ships will require adjusting from the ordinary disturbing forces only.

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