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Steamboat Inspection. 



The Steamboat Inspection Act relating to the inspection 

 of machinery enacted in 1868, provides for the collection of 

 steamboat inspection fees and in 1883, hull inspection was 

 included. The steamboat inspection fees last year amounted 

 to $37,428.92. 



Representations have been made to the Minister of Marine 

 and Fisheries with a view of abolishing the steamboat inspec- 

 tion fees. An amendment to the Steamboat Inspection Act 

 has been introduced in Parliament and when this Bill is passed 

 the fees will be abolished. 



Annual Reports. 



The Annual Reports embrace a wide range of subjects, 

 among which are, experiments in buoys and lighthouse illu- 

 minants, marine hospitals, harbours and harbour improve- 

 ments, examination of masters and mates, registration of 

 shipping, legislation and amendments of navigation laws, sick 

 and distressed mariners and other subjects. 



It should be borne in mind that this pamphlet does not 

 contain more than a mere summary of the more important 

 subjects in which rapid advancement in the operation of the 

 Department of Marine and Fisheries, has taken place during 

 the past six or seven years. 



Investigation into causes of casualties in the 

 St. Lawrence. 



Owing to misrepresentation concerning this great water- 

 way, to and from the sea, and ignorance of the causes which 

 led to several casualties of ocean going steamers, investiga- 

 tions have been held. The result shows that the casualties 

 were not due to lack of affective aids to navigation, nor dan- 

 gers existing in the river, but in nearly every instance, to some 

 eversight or neglect on the part of those in charge for the 



