SEPT. 9.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2681

Hooks shall be made of selected wrought iron or selected mild steel of suitable tensile strength and ductility. All hooks shall be drawn out of the solid, and must be carefully annealed after forging.

No hook shall be attached to any chain or rope unless it is at least equal to the safe-working load of the chain or rope.

A hook of ordinary proportions may be considered of sufficient strength if the working-load in tons does not exceed the number of square inches of sectional area of the back of the curved portion of the hook. The shank of a hook shall not be subjected to a greater working-stress than 2½ tons per square inch of section. In cases where a greater working-load is claimed or where dimensions and materials for hooks have been standardized, the Chief Surveyor of Ships may determine the safe-working load by calculation from dimensions taken from the hook itself, and he may require one hook of each size for which the load is to be determined by calculation to be tested by a gradually increasing load up to its elastic limit.

All hooks shall be subjected before being put into use to the same tensile load as the chains to which they are attached, or, where chains are attached to ropes, to twice the permissible working-load of the ropes, and must show no signs of permanent deformation under such test.

15. All chains, slings, hooks, and shackles shall be marked with some identifying letter or number before being put into use, and they shall also be stamped with, or have labels attached showing the working-load approved by the Marine Department. No figures which are liable to be confused with the figures for the safe-working load shall be stamped on any chain, sling, hook, or shackle.

Ropes shall have a brass tag attached to each coil, impressed with the maker's name, brand of rope, and breaking-load.

16. The following particulars of chains shall be entered in a register or on suitable filing-cards, which shall be kept on the premises, unless some other place has been approved in writing by the Chief Surveyor of Ships:—
    Size of chain, sling, hook, or shackle, and leading dimensions.
    Distinctive number or mark.
    For what purpose used.
    Date of test and test-load applied.
    Number and date of certificate of test.
    Safe-working load approved by the Marine Department.
    Dates of annealing, examination, and repairs.
    Nature and extent of repairs.
    Date of retest after repairs, and test-load applied at retest.

17. The Marine Department may issue tables of safe-working loads for special formation of rope which may have come into use for purposes of cargo-handling after the issue of these regulations.

18. The cargo gear of one ship shall not be shackled to that of any other ship: Provided that this regulation shall not apply to the cargo gear of coal-hulks.

19. The Burton block shall not be used for the loading or unloading of coal on to or from a ship, hulk, or lighter.

20. These regulations shall come into operation on and after the 1st day of January, 1927 : Provided that chain or rope which has been used for working cargo on board a ship, hulk, or lighter before the date of coming into operation of these regulations will not require to have been tested in accordance with these regulations.

21. If any person fails, refuses, or neglects to do anything required by these regulations, or in any manner obstructs, impedes, or interferes with the doing of anything enjoined or authorized to be done, or wilfully does anything prohibited by these regulations, every such person in any case so offending shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £100.