nce to Moreton Bay. Several lightships with their
crews have been recently dispensed with in France, and gas buoys
substituted.

Another cheap and very effective light, the "Trotter Lindberg," is being
introduced into the lighting system of Europe. This light is produced by
burning paraffin or lythene oil in a specially designed apparatus. With
the latter the light burns 14 days, and with the former 7 days without
attention. A special feature of the apparatus is that an intermittent
light is produced by the automatic action of a screen, which is made to
revolve by the ascent of the heated air produced by the light. To mark
the outer end of a cutting or narrow channel, the Trotter-Lindberg light
might be utilised instead of a lightship. A lantern, with optical
apparatus complete, costs about L100 to L125 in London.

SUNKEN WRECKS.

Disfigure several of our rivers, and are not only a source of danger to
navigation, but are liable to cause deposits which may hereafter render
dredging necessary. I have endeavoured--without success--to find owners
for the vessels referred to. Ownership has evidently been transferred
from one to another with the intention of evading the responsibility of
raising or removing the wrecks. Some legislation is needed on this
subject. The steamer "Settler" was removed from the river bank at
Bulimba in February last, the lowest tender for the work being L100.

WRECKS AND CASUALTIES.

A tabulated statement is attached hereto, giving particulars of the
wrecks and casualties to shipping on our coast for the year ending 30th
June last. Happily no loss of life has been the result. Nor have the
crews suffered much hardship, being in most cases rescued by means of
their own boats.

WATER POLICE.

Good work has been done by the Town Water Police, all their vigilance
being required to prevent breaches of the Port Regulations.

UNIVERSAL SYSTEM, BUOYS AND BEACONS.

The system as recommended by the International Maritime Conference at
Washington, the Life-saving Appliances Act, the new Load Line Act, and
the Report of the Bulkhead Committee are having the special attention of
the Marine Board, and will be dealt with as soon as possible.

TREE-PLANTING ON ISLANDS AND REEFS.

The pilot vessels at Broadsound, Mackay, Townsville, and Cooktown have
been frequently utilised during the last twelve months in conveying
cocoanut and other trees, to the various islands and reefs adjacent to
our co