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Consequent on the decision of the Conference and in common with other maritime countries, a decision will probably be reached to proceed with our programme and the •establishment of the existing type of beacon with the latest improvements at selected lighthouses, points in view for these being Bast Cape, Godley Head, Portland Island, Taiaroa Head, Dog Island, and replacement of the present temporary beacon at Tiri Tiri. PROSECUTIONS During the year there were 132 prosecutions instituted under the various statutes ■of the Department. Of these, 122 were concerned with breaches of the Fisheries Act, 2 with the Harbours Act, 1 with the Inspection of Machinery Act, and 7 in reference to the Shipping and Seamen Act. The great increase in prosecutions under the Fisheries Act is due to the more rigid patrol now exercised by the Department by reason of the replacement of our fisheries patrol vessels with faster and more suitable units. In this regard, also, the air services have been utilized for fisheries patrol work. ENGAGEMENT OF SEAMEN This service has been maintained. A record of seamen applying for work is kept for the purpose of filling vacancies. SICK AND INJURED SEAMEN The total amount paid by shipowners to sick and injured seamen under the provisions of the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, and amendments was £17,165 lis. lid., as against £16,215 17s. 2d. for the previous year, an increase of £949 14s. 9d. REGISTRATION OF SHIPPING On the 31st December, 1946, there were on the register of vessels in the Dominion 44 sailing-vessels of 3,541 net tons register, 128 steamers of 61,350 net tons register, and 291 motor-vessels of 20,378 net tons register, as compared with 45 sailing-vessels •of 3,553 net tons register, 127 steamers of 61,606 net tons register, and 279 motor-vessels of 18,770 net tons register at the end of the previous year. The number of seamen employed on board was 2,469, as compared with 2,174 for the year 1945. SHIPPING CASUALTIES A Court of Inquiry was held at Wellington from the 25th to 28th February, 1947, in respect of the stranding of the motor-ship " Wanganella " on Barret Reef, at the entrance to Port Nicholson, on the 19th January* 1947, the ship being eventually refloated and towed to the floating dock, Wellington. The ship sustained extensive damage. The Court's decision in this case was as follows : (1) The Court, having carefully inquired into the circumstances attending the casualty, found that the cause of the stranding was due to the master's belief that the Barret Reef flashing buoy light near the entrance to Port Nicholson was the No. 1 or southernmost leading light in the Wellington Harbour (which latter light is approximately two and a half miles north of the Barret Reef light). The master steered the vessel upon a course passing slightly west of Barret Reef light and heading for the aforesaid No. 1 leading light, whereby the ship ran upon the outer rock of Barret Reef and remained stranded. In his belief that the Barret Reef buoy light was the southernmost leading light in the harbour, the master was quite mistaken.

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