vessels. Steps are also being taken by the purchase and fitting of workshop machines and appliances to convert the Aquarius, at present a distilling vessel, into a repair ship.

Ice-making Machinery.

Improved installations of ice-making and cold-storage machinery have been fitted in all the more recent vessels.

WORK AT THE DOCKYARDS.

Two submarine boats have been begun at Chatham Dockyard, but as these are the first vessels of the class to be constructed in H.M. Dockyards, rapid progress is not arranged for.

Satisfactory progress is being made with the work of refitting ships provided for under the heading of " Large Repairs," and, notwithstandng the fact that several important and unexpected items under this heading have had to be undertaken, it is anticipated that the original programme will be approximately realised.

Owing to the nature of the programme requirements, it was found necessary, during the early part of the financial year 1906-7, to dispense with the services of some of the workmen employed at Chatham and Pembroke, so as to preserve a proper working balance between the men of different trades. Since that time, however, no important discharges on reduction have taken place, but minor adjustments in the numbers of the various trades have been, and are being, effected in accordance with the demand of the work in hand and in prospect.

As indicated in the "Memorandum explanatory of recent and forthcoming changes in the administration of His Majesty's Dockyards in the United Kingdom," published on the 1st August last (Cd. 2861), the question of the adequacy of the pay of the various classes of workmen in His Majesty's Dockyards has been carefully reviewed. It was decided to grant various concessions both as regards conditions of service and remuneration, which will entail an estimated ultimate additional liability of 60,000l. per annum.

The work of installing electric light and power in the Dockyards and other Naval Establishments is approaching completion. The new generating stations at Portsmouth, Devonport, Pembroke, and Chatham Dockyards are now is active operation, and are supplying current for general use, while connections to the supply system are being made as the various works are completed.

The installations at Gibraltar and the Cape of Good Hope are running, but extension work in connection therewith is in hand at each Yard, and an extension is also in progress at Pembroke.

The generating station at Sheerness, which was held in abeyance for some time, is now under construction, whilst that at Malta is practically complete. Work in connection with the station at Hong Kong is in hand, and steps are being taken to provide the necessary machinery.

The replacement of obsolete machinery in the Yard workshops which has been in progress for the last three years is now nearly complete, and the shops generally are now considered to be practically up-to-date. Replacements and conversion of the lifting and hauling appliances of the Yards are also in progress.

LARGE REPAIRS.

The following is a list of the principal works under this heading which have been, or will be, completed during the financial year 1906-7 :

The details of the repairs and refits proposed to be carried out in 1907-8 will, as usual, appear in the programme portion of the Navy Estimates. The most important items are given below:

Auxiliaries:

Hecla.

Leander,
Tyne.
Vulcan.

NEW WORKS.

Works Provided in Estimates 1906-7.

Cape of Good Hope.-The accommodation for Police has been completed. The Hospital and Sanatorium will be finished by the end of the year.

Chatham. The improvement and extension of the Dockyard Water Supply, and the conversion of Melville Hospital into Marine Barracks, are practically completed. The residence for the Commander-in-Chief has been completed, and is in occupation. Progress is being made with the reconstruction of the side walls of Upnor entrance. It has been decided to defer the River Training Works at Hoo Ness.

Deal.-The new canteen at the East Barracks is practically complete. Gibraltar.-The additional accommodation at the Hospital, and the extension of the jetty at Rosia Bay (Victualling Yard), will be finished in 1907-8.

Greenwich Royal Naval College.-Progress is being made with the renewal of roofs of the main blocks of this building, which is rented from Greenwich Hospital.

Hong Kong.-The torpedo range will be completed in 1907-8.

Malta.—The renewal of the wharf walls in French Creek, and the new buildings connected with the hydraulic dock, are practically complete. The scheme for the renewal of the wharf walls in Dockyard Creek has been reduced, and the work will be finished in 1906-7. The reservoir at Luca, torpedo stores at Calcara Creek, and the torpedo range will, it is anticipated, be completed in 1907-8.

Plymouth. The railways, North and South Yards, the new buoy house and the new machine shop, South Yard, will be finished in 1906-7. The new jetty and railways, South Yard, the renewal and strengthening of the girders and stanchions for traveller, North Yard, and the widening of the drill shed at the Royal Naval Barracks will be completed in 1907-8. The improvements and alterations, and the wards for lunatics and prisoners at the Royal Naval Hospital, are finished. Portland. The repairs to the head of the breakwater are being proceeded with The berthing for torpedo boat destroyers is practically finished, and the reconstruction of the inner arm of Camber jetty will be completed within the financial year.

Portsmouth. The lengthening of No. 5 Dock is practically completed; the quarters for Sub-lieutenants at Whale Island are occupied. The reconstruction of the entrance to No. 3 Dock, the extension of the chemical laboratory, and the alteration to the Dockyard boundary will be finished in 1906-7. The new steam factory, the improvement of shipbuilding facilities, and the office extension at Whale İsland are nearing completion, and will be finished in 1907-8. The extension of the Mold Loft floor, the lengthening of No. 15 Dock, the reconstruction of six flats and two staircases at Haslar Hospital, and the additional class rooms and libraries at the Britannia, Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, will also, it is anticipated, be com pleted in 1907-8. The scheme for the new lock is now being considered, and the work will be begun in the ensuing financial year.

Woolwich. The additional railway facilities, protection against abnormal tides. and quarters at Plumstead are being proceeded with by the War Department.

Accommodation on Shore for Boys' Training Establishments.-The training establishment at Shotley Point (Harwich) is virtually completed, with the exception of a new swimming bath, which will be finished in 1907-8.

The principal new works provided for in 1907-8 are:

Bermuda.-House for hydraulic engine and boiler, etc.

Harwich (Shotley Point).-Additional hospital accommodation.
Haulbowline.-Lengthening dock.

Hong Kong.-New storehouses.

Portsmouth.-Foundations for 160-ton crane.

Osborne, R.N. College. New Infectious Hospital.

Shoeburyness.-New three-tunnel butt.

PROGRESS UNDER NAVAL WORKS ACT.

(a) Enclosure and Defence of Harbours.

Malta Breakwater.-The minor works connected with the scheme, including wharf walls and diversion of sewage, have been completed or are well in hand. Better progress is now being made with the main contract work, viz., the St. Elmo and Ricasoli breakwaters, the latter, i.e., the short arm, being almost finished. The extended date for the completion of the whole of this contract is 1st October, 1908.

Gibraltar.-The commercial mole is now completed. It was originally arranged for the Gibraltar Colony to share in the use of the entire mole, but Naval requirements now necessitate the Admiralty appropriating the greater portion of it for their exclusive use.

Dover. The Admiralty Pier extension, the reclamation, and the eastern arm are completed, with the exception of some minor works on the heads. The greater part of the South breakwater is also completed, and the necessary dredging is being proceeded with.

(b) Adapting Naval Ports to Present Needs of Fleet.

Deepening Harbours and Approaches.-The whole of the work provided for in this item has now been finished, with the exception of the contract dredging at Plymouth and Haulbowline, which is almost completed. Provision is made in Vote 10, 1907-8, for working Admiralty plant engaged upon the special dredging still remaining to be carried out at Plymouth and Portsmouth.

Keyham Dockyard Extension.—The works under the main contracts are practically completed, and the new Docks, Locks, and Basins are in use. Some of the buildings are in course of construction, and arrangements are being made for the erection of the remaining buildings.

Gibraltar Dockyard Extension.-The three Docks are completed and in use, and the Dockyard Extension works will be completed during 1907. The water storage tanks on the east side of the Rock are also nearly finished, and the residences for officers and artisans are well advanced.

Hong Kong Dockyard Extension.-The tidal basin and wharf walls, the deepening of basin areas, approaches to wharf walls, etc., the buildings for the engineering and constructive Departments, the graving dock, etc., are nearing completion. The works contingent upon the dock, comprising pump wells, culverts and penstock shafts, caisson, engine and boiler house, western sea wall, etc., are well advanced. Incidental services, including reclamation, drainage, latrines, water and fire services, railways and crane roads, etc., are being proceeded with.

Colombo Dock.-This dock, carried out under the Colonial Government and partly paid for by the Admiralty, is completed with the exception of certain incidental services which are under consideration, and of the North Guide Pier which is being proceeded with. The dock is now capable of being used by H.M. ships.

Malta Dockyard Extension.-The contract work for the two new docks is completed with the exception of a few minor incidental services. The new shops, stores, factory, etc., included in the reduced scheme for the Dockyard extension are being proceeded with, some of the buildings are practically completed.

Bermuda Dockyard Extension. This work, including the contract for new breakwater, wharf walls, etc., is now completed.

Simon's Bay Dockyard Extension.-The dock, East breakwater, East and West piers, and necessary dredging are all well advanced.

Coaling Facilities and Fuel Storage.

Plymouth. A scheme for the establishment of a coaling depot on a reduced scale (comprising re-construction of wharf, extension of quay, railways, water supply, etc.), has been drawn up and the work started. Provision is made in Vote 10, 1907-8, for completing it.

Portland. The contract work of extending the coaling jetty has been completed. In connection with the storage of oil fuel a concrete jetty and two additional tanks have been completed. Provision has been made in Vote 10, 1907-8, for further tanks for oil fuel storage.

Malta. The coaling scheme has been completed.

Hong Kong.-The coaling jetty at Kowloon has been finished. The coal sheds are being proceeded with.

Schemes for the storage of oil fuel at other stations have been under consideration, and provision is made in Vote 10, 1907-8, for starting work.

Chatham Dockyard Extension.-The contract work for the new river wall at the Upnor Entrance is practically completed.

Sheerness Depot for Torpedo-Boat Destroyers.-The following are the main works comprised in the scheme: Extension of Nos. 4 and 5 docks, caisson at No. 2 Dock, electric shop, mast shed, torpedo tube store, etc., dock pumping station, new engine end boiler house at Navy well, and zincing shops. The whole of these works are now practically completed.

Naval Establishment at Rosyth.-(Preliminary Works.)—Arrangements have been made to obtain a permanent supply of water; the scheme (including new reservoir and mains) is being carried out by the Dumfermline District Committee, and is well advanced. A railway line to connect the proposed Naval establishment with the North British Railway has been practically completed by the Railway Company. Railway connections with the Company's system inside the Admiralty boundary have been provided. Borings have been made and an experimental cylinder is being sunk in order to obtain information necessary for determining the method of construction to be adopted for the wharf walls, etc. An item for the Naval Depot, Rosyth, has been introduced into Vote 10, 1907-8, and money provided for the production of plans based on the investigations already carried out.

NAVAL BARRACKS, ETC.
Gunnery Schools.

Chatham.-A scheme has been approved comprising gun drill and stripping shed shooting-instruction shed, lecture room and offices, loading-teacher shed, armourer's workshops, etc. The work has been commenced.