DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1924.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1924 Session I, H-22

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1924. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1924.

Laid on the Table, of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Sir, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 23rd June, 1924. I have the honour to submit herewith the Annual Report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1924. I have, &c, J. Hislop, Under-Secretary. The Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs, Wellington.

BE PORT. Local Government. I have again to report a particularly active year in matters affecting local government. Counties. —The most important move in county government occurred in Marlborough, where the Counties Act was brought into full force. The county was at the same time redivided into ridings, and subsequently the County Council took steps to abolish the whole of the road districts in the county. This marked the culmination of action commenced many years ago, which has at various stages given rise to considerable thought and investigation by the Department. It is hoped that this centralization of local-governing forces, together with the union of the river and drainage districts which occurred some few years ago, will be the beginning of a new era in the Marlborough District. Five County Councils took steps to alter riding boundaries and adjust representation, and the boundaries of ridings in the Waitomo County were defined by the Governor-General by Proclamation in pursuance of authority given in the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1923. Representation was fixed for the Tahuna Riding of the Piako County. One County Council had conferred on it certain powers of Borough Councils with respect to water-supply. The triennial election of Councillors took place during the year, but on account of floods the election in several counties in Canterbury had to be postponed, and this was subsequently validated. An Order in Council was issued fixing the amount of principal and interest repayable by workers in respect of advances for the erection of workers' dwellings. With a view to facilitating the union of counties an important provision was inserted in the Finance Act, 1923, providing that when two or more counties are united the subsidy payable to the united county shall not be less in any year than the aggregate amount of subsidy paid or payable to each of the united counties in the year preceding union. It is thought that the present time, with the grouping of counties for main-highway purposes, is a favourable opportunity for bringing about the union of more counties, and the question of what further provision should be made to assist this project is being carefully gone into. The Counties Conference held a sitting, and as a result a large number of resolutions asking for amendments of the existing law affecting counties, and for new legislation, have been received. These resolutions are all receiving careful consideration.

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Some County Councils have been placed in a somewhat awkward position in view of doubt which has arisen as to the power of a County Council to raise a special loan for the purchase of a recreation-ground and the erection of a public hall thereon. In order to overcome the doubt one case was validated by legislation, and another Council was authorized to raise a loan to acquire land as a site for a public hall and other purposes. Cases of other counties meeting the same difficulty were under consideration at the close of the year, and in order to put the matter beyond doubt it is proposed to make general provision at the earliest opportunity. Boroughs. —There were several alterations of borough boundaries made —namely, Avondale, Blenheim, Feilding, Gisborne, Masterton, Mount Albert, and Oamaru. Others were under consideration at the close of the year. The boundaries of those boroughs altered were redefined. There were two alterations involved in the case of the Gisborne Borough, and both these alterations gave rise to lengthy consideration, resulting in one of the cases in a poll being taken before the alteration was made. On account of certain irregularities this poll was subsequently validated. One of the alterations involved the inclusion of a considerable portion of the Mangapapa Town District in the borough, and as a result thereof the Town Board was dissolved and the remainder of the district merged in the adjoining County of Cook. No new boroughs were constituted, but four proposed new boroughs were considered. In two of these cases, Kaikoura and Rongonui, the Commission reported adversely; in one case, One Tree Hill, the poll resulted in the proposal being rejected ; and in the fourth case, Castlecliff, the petition was not proceeded with in view of other arrangements being made for the area concerned. An important move was made in Wanganui by the union of the Wanganui Borough with the town districts of Gonville and Castlecliff. The effect of this was to give the borough the necessary qualifications to be raised to the status of a city, and although this is outside the scope of the past year's activities I think it is fitting to mention here that action has subsequently been taken to proclaim it a city. The Avondale Borough Council passed a special order dividing the borough into wards, and fixing representation. The Thames Borough Council passed a special order altering the number of Councillors for that borough. The preparation of the district electors-roll for the Borough of Te Aroha was validated. The operation of heavy-traffic licenses issued by the Taihape Borough Council was extended so as to be available within the district of every local authority any part of which is within five miles of any part of the borough. An Order in Council was issued fixing the amount of principal and interest repayable by workers in respect of advances for the erection of workers' dwellings. The biennial election, of Mayors and Councillors was held during the year. The Municipal Conference held a sitting, and as a result a large number of resolutions asking for amendments of the existing law affecting boroughs and town districts, and for new legislation, have been received. These resolutions are all receiving careful consideration. Town Districts. —The boundaries of the Amberley and Otane Town Districts were altered. A petition to alter the Helensville Town District was not granted. The Otorohanga Town District was declared not to form part of the County of Otorohanga. The Gonville and Castlecliff Town Districts were united with Wanganui, and the Mangapapa Town District was included in the Gisborne Borough and Cook County. Road Districts. —In previous reports I have made reference to the steady decrease in the number of road districts in the Dominion. The past year has been no exception, and all the road districts in the Rodney and Marlborough Counties, together with the Huntly Road District in the Waikato County, thirteen in all, were merged. This leaves only thirty-five road districts in the Dominion, thirteen of which are contained in districts where there is at present no other form of local government. The operation of the Main Highways Act has given rise to consideration of the desirability of the abolition of further road districts, and it is possible that the day is not far distant when the existence of Road Boards, at all events where there is no other form of local government, will be wholly discontinued. The Tamaki West Road Board was authorized to exercise the powers conferred by the Road Boards Amendment Act, 1914. The same Board was authorized to increase the number of its members, and the name of its district was altered by deleting the word " West." There has been considerable correspondence concerning a proposal to form a new.road district in the One Tree Hill Road District, but so far a petition in proper form has not been presented. River Districts. —The boundaries of one district were altered. Petitions were received for the abolition of the Mangawara River District, or, alternately, the exclusion of two subdivisions therefrom. A Commission was appointed to go into the matter, but when that Commission sat the petitioners did not appear before it. The petitions were not granted. The triennial election of River Boards was held during the year, and the time was extended in two cases. Trustees were appointed for three districts. The Geraldine County River Board was given special power in the " washing-up " Act to petition for the inclusion in its district of such portions of the adjoining County of Levels as is thought necessary, and also to subdivide the district for purposes of classification and rating. The Manawatu-Oroua River Board found that the powers contained in the River Boards Act, 1908, were insufficient to enable it to deal effectively with river protection in its district, and the Board promoted a somewhat comprehensive local Bill, which became law. The principal parts of the Act which departed from the existing law are contained in section 34, which gives the Board more extensive classification powers, and section 37, which provides for rating on an acreage basis. Land-drainage Boards. —One district was constituted, one abolished, and the boundaries of two altered. One district was subdivided and representation fixed for subdivisions in two cases. The general election of Drainage Boards throughout the Dominion was held during the year, and trustees were appointed for one district.

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It lias been represented to the Department on several occasions that the existing classification provisions both in respect of Land Drainage and River Boards want remodelling, and the question is being carefully considered so as to make such improvements as are necessary when the Acts are being amended. Local Bodies' Finance Act. —The functions of the Department, as far as the extinction of the antecedent liability of local bodies is concerned, have now practically ceased, as local bodies have taken, or have commenced to take, the necessary steps to extinguish their antecedent liability. A few exceptional cases requiring special consideration have occurred. The powers given by section 3 (5) and section 7 of the Act have, however, been widely used. The former provision empowers the Minister to fix the overdraft borrowing-powers of a local authority during its first year of existence. In some cases, however, it has been found that a local authority could not commence its operations during its first year of existence, but when it arranged to commence them subsequently it was without available funds. Such cases have been treated on their merits and, where considered desirable, authority has been granted to the local authority to borrow by way of bank overdraft, and the Minister's action in granting such authority has subsequently been validated. Section 7 empowers the Minister to authorize borrowing by a local authority under such exceptional circumstances as flood, earthquake, fire, or other accident. The floods which have occurred throughout the Dominion within recent times have considerably affected the estimates of several local authorities, but to overcome the difficulty the provisions of section 7 have been availed of in many cases, and the local authority has been authorized to borrow the amount necessary to repair the flood damage. War Memorials. —Seven local bodies were authorized to erect war memorials under the powers given by section 15, Finance Act, 1919. By-laws of Local Bodies. —The by-laws of twelve County Councils were approved by the GovernorGeneral under section 109 of the Counties Act, 1920, and twenty by-laws were confirmed under the By-laws Act, 1910. Public Bodies' Leases Act. —Eight local bodies were declared leasing authorities under the above Act. Rating Act. —Nine local bodies adopted the system of rating on the unimproved value. A rate levied by the Onerahi Town Board was validated. Fencing Act. —An Order in Council was issued fixing the maximum half-cost of erecting certain kinds of fences. Designation of Districts Act. —The names of three districts were altered under the above Act. Local Authorities Superannuation Act. —A resolution passed by the Wellington Harbour Board increasing the amount of retiring and additional allowance payable under the above Act was confirmed. General. —As usual, several irregularities were validated in connection with proceedings taken by local bodies under the Local Bodies' Loans and other Acts, and a number of local bodies made by-laws under the Motor Regulation Act, these by-laws being forwarded to the Minister in accordance with the Act. Legislation. Dining the 1923 session the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act was passed, and amendments were passed to the Land Drainage and Municipal Corporations Acts. As usual, several matters affecting this Department were dealt with in the Appropriation, Finance, and " washing-up " Acts, quite a number of these matters being validations of proceedings taken by local bodies. There were quite a number of local Acts passed touching directly or indirectly on matters administered by the Department, and a report was made to the Local Bills Committee on all such local Bills. One of the most important local Acts passed was the Wellington City Empowering and Special Hates Consolidation Act, the effect of which Act was to authorize the Wellington City Council to consolidate several of its special rates, and in lieu thereof levy one special rate over the whole of the city. Land Agents Act. One thousand one hundred and eighty-four licenses were issued and eleven transfers granted during the year. Cases of defalcation by land agents are still being brought under the notice of the Department, with a request that the bond given on behalf of the land agent be enforced. In one case dealt with during the year the amount for which the land agent failed to account to his principals was estimated by the Department at approximately £1,000. The bond-money was distributed among the creditors, but as the amount or shortages was considerably in excess of the bond-money— i.e., £500 —a dividend only was able to be paid to each creditor. Animals Protection and Game Act. As usual, open seasons for game-shooting and deer-stalking were provided in a number of acclimatization districts. Protection on deer has been removed in portions of seven acclimatization districts in the South Island, and to assist in the thinning-out of the animals the Government has made a grant of £1,000. This amount has been apportioned among the districts concerned in proportion to the estimated number of deer in each district, and is being distributed by way of bonus for each deer-tail submitted. An open season was again fixed, for opossums in a number of districts, and the season proved a very good one. Over one hundred thousand skins, were taken, a royalty of fs. being payable on each skin. The prospects for the coming season arc again good. The Department is watching the whole question very carefully so that if there is any indication of too great a thinning-out of the animals protection can be wholly restored, or if, on the other hand, they become a nuisance, what further steps should be taken to thin them out. Meanwhile applications to capture the animals for liberation in other parts of the Dominion have been declined.

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War Funds Act, 1915. During the year eight societies were closed, involving a transfer of £7,657 19s. Bd. to either the parent body or the National War Funds Council. This leaves eighty-nine organizations, including thirty-five incorporated societies. Excluding the funds administered by the National War Funds Council, the sum of £1,202,607 18s. 9d. is held by societies operating under the provisions of the Act, as follows : — £ s. d. Incorporated societies .. .. .. .. .. 952,424 4 8 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. .. .. 188,958 7 4 Blind Soldiers' and Veterans' Homes funds .. .. .. 29,686 7 5 Collecting and administrating societies .. .. .. 6,125 7 4 Memorial funds .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,036 2 0 Navy League funds .. .. .. .. .. 5,924 7 4 Returned Soldiers'Clubs and building funds .. .. .. 11,022 12 11 Social funds .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,430 9 9 £1,202,607 18 9 WBt " " '"TTTiaa —i~iiiiiigiimT Fire Brigades Act, 1908. A fire district has been constituted for the Invercargill Borough. The total number of fire districts is now thirty-seven. Regulations providing for appeals under section 8 of the amending Act of 1913 were made by Order in Council, dated 30th July, 1923, and published in the Gazette of the 2nd August, 1923. A number of amendments to the law have been suggested, and a consolidating and amending Act is in the course of preparation. Despatches. Despatches from the Secretary of State numbering 297 were dealt with. Consuls. Consular appointments as under were recognized by the Governor-General:— Argentine Republic —Humberto Bidone, Consul-General, Wellington ; Ernest Smith Baldwin, Vice-Consul, Wellington ; and James Armour Johnston, Vice-Consul, Dunedin. China —Li Kwang Heng, Consul, Wellington. Denmark —H. Sorenson, Acting Consul, Christchurch. United States of America —Edwin H. Gunsaulus, Consul-General, Wellington; and Joel C. Hudson, Vice-Consul, Wellington. Czecho-Slovakia —Emanuel Hajny, Acting-Consul-Genera], Sydney, with jurisdiction over New Zealand. Finland —Robert Burns, Hon. Vice-Consul, Auckland; and Vaino Sarelius, Hon. ViceConsul, Christchurch. Germany —Dr. Hans Busing, Consul-General, Melbourne, with jurisdiction over New Zealand. Naturalization. The British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act of 1923, which came into operation on the 13th May, 1924, and the regulations made thereunder, provide that an alien friend residing in New Zealand may apply to the Minister of Internal Affairs setting forth — (a.) His name, age, birthplace, residence, occupation, and nationality: (b.) The length of his residence in New Zealand and his desire to settle therein either permanently or for a limited period, stating such limited period (if any): (c.) A request that a certificate of naturalization may be granted to him. If the Minister is satisfied,— (a.) That the applicant has either resided within New .Zealand for a period of not less than three years, or has been in the service of the Crown in any part of His Majesty's dominions for not less than five years within the last eight years ; and (6.) That the applicant is of good character and has an adequate knowledge of the English language; and (c.) That the applicant intends, if his application is granted, to continue to reside in His Majesty's dominions, or to enter, or continue in, the service of the Crown ; and (d.) That in all other respects the applicant is a person fit to hold and exercise the rights of a British subject in New Zealand,— he may, in his absolute discretion, give or withhold the certificate as he thinks most conducive to the public good, and no appeal shall lie from his decision. The Act also applies to the Cook Islands and to Western Samoa in the same manner in all respects as if those territories were for all purposes part of New Zealand ; but the power to grant certificates of naturalization in these cases is vested in the Governor-General, and, in the case of a person resident in the Cook Islands, shall be exercised on the recommendation of the Minister for the Cook Islands, and, in the case of a person resident in Western Samoa, shall be exercised on the recommendation of the Minister of External Affairs. The Minister of Internal Affairs is required to enrol for safe custody as of record a duplicate of all certificates of naturalization issued under this Act.

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Acquisition by any person of the status of a British subject by naturalization granted in the United Kingdom, or in any of the dominions, colonies, possessions, or territories of His Majesty other than New Zealand, shall not be deemed to have conferred, and shall not confer, upon such person the status of a British subject in New Zealand. The regulations made by Order in Council prescribe the following fees : — Certificate of naturalization issued to a woman who was a British subject £ s. d. previous to her marriage with an alien .. .. .. ..050 Certificate of naturalization granted to any person who served with any New Zealand Expeditionary Force or with any Imperial Force or Allied Force in the Great War .. .. .. .. ..050 Certificate of naturalization granted to a Native of the islands of Western Samoa .. .. .. .. .. .. ..026 Certificate of naturalization granted in other cases; provided that in any case of indigence, to be determined by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the fee shall be ss. .. .. .. .. .. ..200 The registration of a declaration of alienage .. .. .. .. 010 0 Certified copy of any declaration or certificate .. .. .. 010 0 The Minister of Internal Affairs is empowered to revoke a certificate of naturalization that has been obtained by false representation or fraud or by concealment of material circumstances, or where the person to whom a certificate is granted has shown himself by act or speech to be disaffected or disloyal to His Majesty. The Governor-General in Council is also empowered to revoke a certificate of naturalization where he is satisfied that it is advisable either generally in the public interest or for special reasons affecting the person to whom such certificate has been granted. The duty and discretion imposed and conferred upon the Minister and upon the Governor-General in Council is declared to be absolute, and no order of the Minister or Order in Council therein shall be questioned in any Court or by any proceeding on any ground whatsoever. Thermal Fisheries. The lish taken from several of the lakes and rivers of the thermal district have been found to be in excellent condition. The Lake Taupo trout are in exceptional good condition, and large catches of big fish have been maintained throughout the season. The specimen rainbow trout forwarded to the British Empire Exhibition were taken from Lake Taupo. The fish caught in Lake Rotorua, however, indicate that the lake is overcrowded, and as a consequence a large percentage are in very poor condition. Steps will be taken to remove as many of the fish as possible by netting. Hatchery. —1,055,000 trout-ova were reared as fry, and 899,000 were disposed of as eyed ova to various acclimatization societies. Of the fry, 300,000 were liberated in Lake Taupo and 100,000 in two of the lakes situated within the Pouto Point Bird Sanctuary. Boxing Associations. Section 58 of the Police Offences Act, 1908, requires that any club or association shall be approved by the Governor-General in Council before a permit to hold a boxing contest may be issued by the Inspector of Police of the district in which the contest is held. In accordance with the rules of the New Zealand Boxing Association, adopted during October, 1923, membership of the association is confined to associations approved under the above-quoted statute. For some time past applications from associations with headquarters within twenty miles of the headquarters of an approved local association have been declined, but, acting on the representations of the New Zealand Association, the Minister has agreed to reduce the area to fifteen miles. There are approximately thirty-six approved local associations in the Dominion. Cinematograph-Film Censorship. During the year 1,790 films, of a total length of 4,820,060 ft., have been censored. Of these thirty-two were rejected and 108 passed subject to excisions. In respect of the rejected films, five appeals were considered by the Board of Appeal, consisting of Mrs. K. Preston, Mrs. F. Righton, and Mr. H. M. Gore (Chairman). In four cases the decision of the Censor was upheld, while in the the remaining case the Censor's decision was reversed, subject to two minor excisions. A. manager of a picture-theatre was prosecuted and fined £5 and 9s. costs for exhibiting a film, taken in New Zealand, which had not been approved by the Censor in accordance with the Act. Motor Regulation Act. The Council of any borough having a population of not less than five thousand, and all County Councils, may adopt Part II of this Act and become registering authorities. The number of Councils so registered now totals 148. The Act was first brought into force in the year f 906, and in view of the rapid increase in the number of all classes of motor-vehicles it is only natural the Act does not adequately cover the present conditions. An amending Bill has been drafted which it is hoped will be introduced during the session.

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Passports. The opening of the British Empire Exhibition during April was responsible for the issue of an abnormal number of passports during the months of January, February, and March. Passports issued for the year total 4,325, which is considerably in excess of any previous year. The number of passports renewed has also increased, the total for the year being 1,493. The abolition of the visa system is being gradually extended, and arrangements have now been concluded whereby British subjects do not require a foreign visa to visit the following-named countries : Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The maximum, visa fee charged by the majority of the remaining countries is 10s., which is the standard maximum British charge. In a few cases the fee is much in excess of the British maximum standard, and in these the right is reserved and exercised to charge an equivalent sum for a British visa. Gaming Act. Raffles. —Numerous applications for permission to dispose of works of art, &c, have! been dealt with and licenses issued in accordance with section 42. Many organizations which exist solely for the benefit of a community have; represented the difficulty obtaining in raising money by disposing of works of art by raffles. They have expressed the opinion that permits should be granted to raffle real or personal property when the objective is charity. Distinguished Visitors. Official visitors to the Dominion included the; Overseas Immigration Delegation, the Japanese Training Squadron under command of Admiral Saito, the H.M.A.S. " Melbourne " (Commander Addison), and the French Sloop " Aldcbaran " (Commander Husson). In each case, appreciation was expressed of the reception and entertainment arrangements made by this Department, with the whole-hearted co-operation of other Departments of State. Soldiers and Historical Graves. Veterans' and Historical Graves. —Attention has been directed during the year to locating graves of the Maori War situated in the back country, and where necessary these have been marked with neat wooden crosses pending the erection of headstones of a design yet to be selected. Permanent work consisting of concrete kerbing and flooring was completed on the Naval graves in the historical churchyard at Russell, Bay of Islands, and arrangements completed for similar work at Onepoto, on the shores of Lake Waikaremoana, and in the old Native cemetery at Gisborne. Renovations have been carried out where necessary and small annual grants made for the maintenance of graves " adopted " by the Government. The Department has record of .1,347 veterans and historical graves contained in 148 cemeteries. War Graves (in Neiv Zealand and Mandated Territory). —The number of notifications of deaths of ex-members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the year was 265, of which number ninety-four were accepted as war graves. Pending the erection of universal headstones ninety-two wooden crosses were erected on soldiers' graves in various parts of the Dominion. The total number of burials recorded up to the 31st March was 3,144, and of this number f ,985 are deemed to be war graves. Permanent work consisting of concrete kerbing and flooring and the erection of universal headstones of Coromandel granite was completed in the following cemeteries, the number of graves being shown in parenthesis : Waikaraka (24), Waikumete (122), Purewa (42), Birkenhead (3), Swanson (1), Otahuhu (5), Mangere (1), and Apia, Samoa (11). Total, 209. Contracts entered into and partly completed are —Martinborough (2), Sydenham (41), Bromley (25), Addington (5), Tuahiwi (5), and Motuihi Island (1). Total, 79. Headstones ordered during the year number 256, bringing the total of headstones ordered since the work commenced in December, 1921, up to 533. The total number of headstones erected to date is 418. War Graves (Overseas). —All work in connection with British war graves overseas is carried out by the Imperial War Graves Commission, each Dominion paying its contribution of the total cost. For the year ended 31st December, 1923, New Zealand's contribution was approximately £30,000, bringing the total expenditure for the Dominion, since the work commenced, to £92,691. Permanent work in cemeteries in which New Zealand soldiers are buried has been completed as follows, the number of graves being shown in parenthesis : — France : Abbeville Communal (1) ; Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension (33) ; Aire Communal Cemetery (1) ; Allery Communal Cemetery, Hallencourt (1) ; Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension (2) ; Auchonvillers British Cemetery (22) ; Auxi-le-Chateau Churchyard (1) ; Bagneux British Cemetery, Gazaincourt (181) ; Bertrancourt Military Cemetery (26) ; Boisguillaume Communal Cemetery, Rouen (7) ; Calais Southern Cemetery (12) ; Courcelles-au-Bois Communal Cemetery Extension (5) ; Dainville Communal Cemetery (1) ; Daours Communal Cemetery Extension (1) ; Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No. 2 (28) ; Esquelbecq Military Cemetery (4) ; Etratat Churchyard (3) ; Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension (2) ; Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension (40) ; Grove Town British Cemetery, near Meaulte (1) ; Gunners' Farm Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert (1) ; Habarcq Communal Cemetery Extension (2) ; Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension (9) ; Hondeghem Churchyard (2) ; Les Barques Military Cemetery Sengatte (4); Louvencourt Military Cemetery **■ (17) ; Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension (3) ; Maple-leaf Cemetery, Romarin (43) ; Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension (7) ; Milinghem Communal Cemetery (1) ; Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport (33); Motor-car Corner Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert (81); Ouchevillers

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British Cemetery (1); St. Cloud Communal Cemetery, Seine ot Oise (1); St. Hilaire Communal Cemetery Extension No. 1, Fravent (7) ; Saultain Communal Cemetery (1) ; Staple Churchyard (1); Terlinothun British. Cemetery, Wimille (29) ; Tourgeville Military Cemetery, Treuville (1) ; Varennes Military Cemetery (16) ; Wimeraux Communal Cemetery (79). Totals —Cemeteries, 42 ; graves, 789. Belgium : Bethleem Farm West Military Cemetery, Messines (27) ; Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3, Vlamertinghe (18) ; Divisional Cemetery, Dickebusch Road, Yprcs (65) ; Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Ypres (6) ; Gwaiia British Cemetery, Poporinghe (5) ; Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Rousbruggo-Haringhe. (11); Havay Communal Cemetery (1) ; Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Poporinghe (117) ; Oxford Road Cemetery, Ypres (34) ; Poporinghe New Military Cemetery (3) ; Underbill Farm Cemetery, Ploegsteert (39) ; Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery (1). Totals—-Cemeteries, 12 ; graves, 327. All constructional work in the cemeteries at Gallipoli has been completed with the exception of the erection of headstones, and the work is almost completed in Egypt. The total number of overseas deaths of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, exclusive; of those buried at sea, was 16,474, of which number 10,073 have " Known graves," and 6,401 are " Unlocated." By arrangement with the Imperial War Graves Commission the names of the unlocated are to be commemorated on memorials to the Missing to be erected in selected cemeteries, each memorial representing the area in which the soldiers fell. Memorials to the Missing in which Now Zealand is interested are in Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, and Hill 60 Cemeteries, representing the Anzac area, and in Twelve-tree Copse Cemetery, representing the Capo Helles area. Those memorials are now reaching completion, and similar memorials are under construction in Butte and Tyne Cot Cemeteries, Belgium. During the Prime Minister's recent visit to England arrangements were completed for the photographing of all overseas graves and the Memorials to the Missing. In due course next-of-kin will receive one photograph of the grave in which they are interested, and two coloured views of the cemetery in which the grave is situated. This will involve the despatch to next-of-kin of 49,422 photographs. Publicity Office. During the past year the activities of the Office have been concentrated mainly on the preparation of cinema film, photographs, and literature for the British Empire Exhibition. The preparation of cinema-film for Exhibition purposes has been beset with difficulties that necessitated a large amount of now negative of various industries being secured, also new pictures of the main centres and scenic attractions. Additional operators were engaged, with the result that a fine selection of pictures is being made available. In spite of the many obstacles making for delay, sufficient film, has been provided to make a good showing at Wembley. In order to complete the programmes arranged for, further film is being forwarded from the Dominion by each outgoing mail. Photographic work for the Exhibition included some seven hundred enlargements for framing and display on the walls of the New Zealand Court. Some hundreds of lantern-slides for display with the cinema pictures and at lectures were also prepared. The literary work done for the Exhibition consisted of three illustrated folders dealing with the, attractions of New Zealand from a tourist and sporting aspect, four illustrated booklets on the great primary industries, and the handling of a number of leaflets and pamphlets arranged for by the Exhibition authorities. Twenty-three thousand of each of the folders and booklets were printed and despatched to England. A steadily growing volume of correspondence from overseas had to be dealt with during this period, and some thousands of photographs, lantern-slides, and booklets have been despatched to date to interested inquirers. The correspondence section increased to such an extent that extra assistance had to be obtained to cope with it. Letters are at present being received from India, Ceylon, South Africa, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Argentine, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Czecho-Slovakia, and the information sought has been duly supplied. Very many of these inquiries are from prospective settlers possessed of capital who have been attracted by favourable reports of the Dominion, gathered from various sources. With the gradual completion of Exhibition work attention is being turned to the distribution abroad, especially in Great Britain, the United States, and Canada, of cinema-film, lantern-slides, and other information about New Zealand. Trial films dealing with life and conditions in the Dominion are being made, while some thousands of booklets and folders have already been sent to the Canadian Pacific agencies, to agents in California, and to the big shipping companies for display aboard the trans-Pacific liners. A series of enlarged photographs of the main beauty-spots and attractions of New Zealand are now on view in San Francisco, Vancouver, and in the main hotels of the Canadian Pacific route, while further supplies have been arranged for and will be sent forward at regular intervals. It will thus be seen that the demand for informative literature about the Dominion's attractions from an immigration, tourist, and sporting standpoint is an insistent and growing one. Inquiries have been received from the High Commissioner for up-to-date city views, and as soon as the Empire Exhibition work eases up the photographer will secure new photographs of the main centres in addition to those already taken. To be of real value the scope of photography operations as distinct from cinematography should be widened to include industrial operations, agricultural subjects, railway and electrical developments, city and town views, and fresh scenic pictures. This work must necessarily be spread over a period of years, but would provide a really representative collection to draw upon. The value of cinematography and photography from an educative standpoint is recognized the world over, but with the keen competition between the various countries in advertising their attractions for tourist and settlement purposes the, standard of pictorial work needs to be of the highest order. With the necessary facilities provided, in conjunction with the ideal climatic conditions enjoyed throughout the Dominion, it is possible to attain this object.

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On the whole the efforts of the past year have demonstrated, beyond doubt, the need for a wider scheme of publicity than' is at present possible. This work being built up carefully through proper channels the maximum effect and the desirable end should be achieved. Government Astronomer and Seismologist. The Time Service.—The time-signals sent out from the Observatory mean-time clock and the wireless time-signals as described in the last report continue to be distributed and appreciated by those concerned. With the single-valve wireless receiving-outfit, time-signals have been heard from Pearl Harbour (NPM), Hawaii, at 11.30 a.m.; from Bordeaux (LY), France, at 7.30 a.m. ; and from Annapolis (NSS), Washington, at 8.30 p.m. The Annapolis signals were a special set sent to Alaska, and ceased in October, 1923. The regular signals from Annapolis at 2.30 p.m. have never been heard at the Observatory. An improved wireless receiving-set has been installed at the Observatory consisting of one highfrequency stage of amplification, one detector-valve, and two stages of low-frequency amplification. With this outfit the time-signals are heard more strongly, and the time-signals from Java (PKX) at 12.80 p.m., and Kavite (NPO), Philippines, have been heard. On an average about 50 per cent, of these signals are heard sufficiently clearly to be made use of. The time-signal from Nauen (POZ), Germany, at 11.30 p.m. was heard on the 20th February. In addition to the ordinary time-signals sent from Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, at 11.30 a.m., the Naval Observatory, Washington, has arranged for the transmission of a scientific time-signal, immediately following the usual one. This has been recorded at the Observatory whenever it was heard, and was similarly recorded by the other observatories round the Pacific. The " New Zealand Nautical Almanac." —An article on the Dominion time-service arrangement for chronometer-rating purposes was prepared for and published in the " New Zealand. Nautical Almanac." Longitude. —Special wireless time-signals were sent from the Observatory in January and February of 1924, at the request of the Lands and Survey Department, for a redetermination of the longitude of the Chatham Island. Sun-spots. —Observations of sun-spots are made on every available occasion, and the reports are published in the monthly notices of the New Zealand Astronomical Society. Total Eclipse of the Moon. —The total eclipse of the moon on the 20th February, 1924, was visible; in New Zealand, and preparations were made to observe the occupations of faint stars by the moon, but owing to unfavourable weather conditions nothing was visible. Seismology. —The earthquake reports for September, October, November, and December of 1923 were printed and distributed to other seismological observatories and to the International Seismological Association. The valuable service performed by the officers of the Post and Telegraph Department of reporting earthquakes to the Observatory has been continued. During the calendar year of 1923 out of a total of seventy-seven shocks of earthquakes fifty-eight were felt in the North Island and twenty seven in the South Island ; these include eight which were felt in both Islands. The intensity of the shocks felt in 1923 has decreased somewhat to 6 Rossi-Forel, while the intensities of 1921 and 1922 each reached 8 on the same scale. Publications. —The following Observatory bulletins have been published during the year:— No. 51. " Earthquakes in New Zealand," by C. E. Adams, Government Astronomer and Seismologist. No. 52. " Report of Government Astronomer and Seismologist for 1923." No. 53. "On the Abundance and Importance of Non-luminous Matter in Space," by A. C. Gifford, M.A., F.R.A.S., Wellington College Observatory; Associate in Astronomy, Hector Observatory. E. 1. Earthquake Reports, New Zealand, for September, 1923. E. 2. Earthquake Reports, New Zealand, for October, November, and December, 1923. As in past years, the Observatory is again indebted to individuals and to institutions for valuable gifts of publications. Some of these are presented in exchango for the bulletins. Alexander Turnbull Library. Cataloguing. —As at the 31st March, 1924, 21,500 volumes had been classified, numbered, and placed on the shelves. The whole of these volumes deal with Pacific literature, including Australia and New Zealand, and about a thousand of those dealt.with during the year were pamphlets, many dating back to the " thirties," " forties," and " fifties." About four hundred volumes were prepared and sent out for binding. Additions. —Nearly six hundred books have been added, including now publications, or old ones not before in the library—fifteen Dutch, nine German, six French, two Italian, and twenty-four in Pacific-island dialects. As before, the bulk of the additions comprise works on the history, anthropology, &c, of the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand ; the others are additions to sets already in the library, such as the Loeb Classics, Champlain Society (Canada) publications, Linschoten Society (Holland) publications, Navy Records Society publications, &c. Donations. —The following are among the donations of the year : W. Dinwiddie, Swinburne's " Chastelard," 1868, and " George Chapman," 1875 ; D. Matheson, copy of report by the late H. C. Field on the track explored in 1869 from Wanganui to Taupo, and original map of the route ; J. Flierl, remarks on orthography in Native languages, rites and customs of aboriginal tribes (both so

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far unpublished) (German) ; Lutheran Mission, New Guinea, eleven volumes printed by them in various New Guinea dialects; Dr. F. A. Bett, sixty photo copies of original sketches by J. W. Barniooat, dating from 1842, chiefly Nelson, Dunedin, and Westland; Mrs. C. A. Ewen, water-colour drawing of Customhouse Quay in the " fifties " ; Russell Duncan, 106 mounted photos of places in New Zealand of historic interest; Miss Davies, seven volumes of pressed ferns, mostly of New Zealand and the Pacific ; The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, letter dated Bay of Islands, 7th September, 1839, giving details of cannibal feast; John Rylans library, Manchester, " Shakespeare Tercentenary," and Greppy's " Life and Times of Shakespeare " ; Maggs Bros., London, five volumes of their catalogues for 1922, bound in half-morocco, also " Livre d'heures pcintpar Jean Foucquet " ; Mrs. Hamelieus (Dora Wilcox), New Zealand flag made by her and flown at Liege during the German evacuation ; Mrs. Osborne, electrotype copy of the hitherto unknown portrait of Keats by C. A. Browne, found in New Zealand (noted last year) ; Venerable Archdeacon Williams, original MS. corrected editions of Williams's " First Lessons in Maori," .1862, .1872, 1882, 1894, 1904 ; H. Hamilton, a large Persian manuscript volume, dating about 1800, being a copy of the poem Iskander-namah, by Nizami, dealing with the legendary career of Alexander the Great, also several, other minor volumes, pictures, &c. ; Mrs. Wilford, facsimile (1879) of panorama of London before the Great Fire ; A. Bonnin, Newcastle-on-Tyne, address, dated October, .1853, by passengers to Captain J. M. Cawkitt of the "John Taylor," emigrant-ship to Canterbury ; G. H. McClure, set of field war maps of the western front, in plancase made from downpipe of one of the occupied dwellings ; R. D. D. McLean, " Old New Zealand," 1922 ; E. Wakefield, London, autograph copy of his " Life of Sir E. W. Stafford " ; E. McCarthy, Algarotti's " Works," eight volumes (Italian) ; H. S. Dettman, " Aneodotique du Louis XVI," and " La Rcgence." Besides the above, donations of various volumes and pamphlets have been made by the Hon. W. H. Triggs, W. H. Skinner, I). C. Bates, D. Neild, H. Hamilton, J. J. Wilson, War Relief Association, W. Quinn, U. Tewsley, Mrs. Moreton, J. Stewart, W. G. Watson, G. Graham Mrs. Ballantyne, C. Hanes, and. others. To all these the thanks of the Government are due. Besides these donations there have been left on deposit various volumes, drawings, &c, which must remain unspecified, but which may eventually pass into the permanent keeping of the library. Again, a very valuable collection of letters of the late S. Revans, written to the father of the Hon. Sir F. R. Chapman, was left by the latter for copying. The copies occupy about 350 typed pages foolscap, and. deal with the early social and journalistic life of Wellington, being dated from 1839 onwards. Copies have also been made of J. Wade's letters, 1842-43 ; and as Wade, after whom Wadestown was named, was a merchant of wide activities the letters are of historical interest, especially as they deal with early whaling-stations from Cook Strait down to Banks Peninsula. Copies have also been obtained of notes made during Hector's explorations in and about Milford Sound in .1863, and the artist Moreton's explorations in the same district twenty to thirty years later. Attention might particularly be drawn to the donation of the, 106 photographs by Mr. Russell Duncan. The individual photos are annotated by Mr. Duncan and a note made of the date the photo was taken, so that they are of real historic value. They include sites of famous Maori pa, scenes of Captain Cook's activities, &c. The volumes of Swinburne presented by Mr. Dinwiddie are editions not already included in the extensive set now in the library. It is pleasing to note that books and ethnological writings are still being sent by J. Flierl and the Lutheran Mission of New Guinea. The value of other of the donations might be emphasized, but there is probably no need for its being done ; all are, fully appreciated. There has been deposited in the library the inkstand made from teak and metal of the late IT.M.S. " Now Zealand," presented to the New Zealand Government by the Rosyth Ship-breaking Company (Limited). The ship's book of the " New Zealand," also the chart of the various cruises in the North Sea have been deposited in the library, which consequently houses some vital remains of the ship that, completed in November, 1912, served its end, and was broken up in 1923. It might be noted that before the death of the late Captain Mair negotiations had boon entered into with him for the acquisition of papers in his possession. Negotiations are still pending with his executors ; a certain amount of the papers is now in the library, but a full report is deferred until the whole have been received. Other Acquisitions. —A set of over five hundred photographs of actors, actresses, musicians, &c, who have visited Now Zealand during the last thirty to forty years was secured by purchase. These will supplement and make valuable another donation which was otherwise a puzzling one to deal with —a set of theatre and concert programmes covering about the same period. By purchase was also secured a set of the Zoological Record from 1869 ; a set (almost complete) of the China Review, now ceased publication; a copy of the " Niue Grammar and Vocabulary," by Tregear and Smith, annotated fully by W. G. Lawes, from whose notes the work was originally compiled. By purchase was also secured a collection of photos and other pictures of ships of all kinds that have traded in the South Seas. This is an exceptionally fine collection, and comprises over two thousand pictures, also nineteen books dealing with ships and shipping. A presentation writing-desk, brought to New Zealand over a hundred years ago by one of the leading missionaries, was acquired ; also two fine pencil drawings, by Lindauer, of Patuone, and Erani (wife of Haera Tupaca). War Literature. —Through the aotion of the High Commissioner about thirty further volumes of histories published by various regiments have been received, also photos of memorials, &c.

2—H. 22.

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Incunabula. —Supplementary lists of an additional forty-eight fifteenth-century books were prepared and sent to the Commission preparing the world list, this bringing up the number of such books in New Zealand to 176. No doubt there are many more, and there are several collectors who are procuring more from England from time to time. Copies of Documents. —During the year a Mrs. Gaunt, of Leeds, visited the library. She has purchased the old home of Samuel Marsden, with the view of presenting it as a memorial to the people of England. She saw the Marsden Journal of 1819, and a copy of it was made for her, the work being superintended in the library. Etchings. —The late Mr. Turnbull had collected about two hundred examples of etchings by Australasian artists : mounts have been prepared for these, and the etchings have been arranged under the various artists. The large volumes of etchings by famous European artists, including Renibrant, have, through the. kindness of the Parliament Library Committee, been transferred to the library. This collection, presented to the New Zealand Government by the Danish Bishop Monrad in 1869, comprises about six hundred etchings, and it is proposed to place these in mounts also, partly for preservation and partly for greater ease of inspection ; and the whole of the etchings will form a nucleus that will probably form part of tin; Dominion Art Gallery when such is established. In the meantime it is hoped that representative New Zealand work may be added. This work has been done, not because it is considered part of tin; library work, but because it is felt that a start should be made in this direction, the work being carried on later by such body as may be constituted to control the Dominion Art Gallery. Readers and Students. — Fifty-six new permits have been issued during the year, and fairly regular use has been made by students of the library, especially in the evenings, for thesis works, dealing generally with phases of colonization, history, and economics. Visitors. —Over six hundred and fifty visitors were, shown over the library during the year, besides some three hundred midshipmen from the visiting Japanese warships in February, 1924, bringing the total number of visitors up to about one thousand. Included in these were classes from public, secondary, and private schools, to which classes short talks wen; given on literary and other subjects, besides showing them over the library. Work of the Staff.- Besides the usual work of tin; library, cataloguing, writing cards, making books ready for binding, arranging them in classified order on the shelves, &c., the staff has spent much time in showing visitors over the, library. The translation of Meryon's letters, written at Akaroa in 1842, was finished early in the year, and other translation is in hand, ft is hoped that books concerning New Zealand in other tongues may from time to time be made available by translation in tin; library. Many of these books contain ethnological and other matter of interest to local ethnologists. Census and Statistics Office. During the last twelve months all branches of work have been kept well up to date. Several new departures have been made, and there have been numerous extensions of existing activities. Census of 1921. —The tabulation of the census results has proceeded steadily, in spite of delays occasioned'by the utilization of the small mechanical plant lor other branches of statistics. So far nine of the sixteen parts containing the census results have been published, together with three volumes of appendices, and two of interim returns, and the remaining seven parts and the general report an; in course of preparation. Fire-insurance Statistics. —As mentioned in tin; report of the office for the previous year, a classification of fin; risks for statistical purposes was drawn up and agreed to, after the matter had been exhaustively discussed between representatives of the Fire Underwriters' Associations, the State Fin; Insurance Office, and this Office;. The collection of data from which to compile an experience for the various classes of risks was commenced in January, 1924, and the mechanical appliances of the Office are being utilized to handle the immense amount of detail work involved. Statistics of Incomes. During the year a system of annual statistics of incomes was inaugurated, the Powers tabulating plant being employed. For the purposes of these statistics a card is punched in the Inland Revenue Department for each income-tax return, only the statistical items being taken into account, and the name not being disclosed. The tabulation from the cards is done in this Office, which publishes the resultant statistical tables. Sports Census. —A somewhat unique branch of statistical inquiry is represented by the census of sports bodies recently taken by this Office. As the inquiry was necessarily confined to those branches of sport which have; a Dominion or provincial organization, and to those; clubs which are affiliated to the various associations or unions, the statistics will to a certain extent be incomplete. They are nevertheless of considerable value and interest. New Work. —Reference has already been made to certain principal items of new work recently undertaken. In addition to those specially mentioned, brief reference to other items may here be given. To enable the Government to know the amount of new money actually being raised by local authorities, and incidentally the amount represented by unexpended loan authorities, the quarterly collection of returns giving this information has been authorized, and will be put in hand shortly. Regulations have recently been gazetted under the Census and Statistics Act to authorize the collection, as at the 31st March and 31st July in each year, of statistics of stocks of egg-pulp, and the results will be published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics for general information. The compilation and tabulation work in connection with the intelligence tests recently, undertaken by the Education Department is being done in this Office on the Powers plant. Maoris. —It has hitherto been customary, except in certain special cases, to omit Maoris from the peculation totals used whim computing rates, &c, per head of population. This system originated at a time when statistical knowledge of the numbers and location of the race was very imperfect, and

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when the habits and conditions of the Maoris were largely dissimilar from those of the European colonists, so that it was preferable; to base; all rates and averages on the population, exclusive of Maoris. The system of omitting Maoris has persisted to this day, partly for the sake of comparison with earlier years, and partly on account of the different treatment of Maoris in the census enumerations and in the registration of births and deaths. In neither of the;se important branches of statistical information has it been possible for the wealth of detail obtained in regard to the general, population to be ascertained regarding the Maoris. The time is fast approaching, however, when it will be possible to treat Maoris on the same basis as Europeans, both in regard to the census and for purposes of vital statistics —indeed, Maoris in the South Island were enumerated in 1916 and 1921 on the same schedule as the European population. Certainly there is no longer any valid reason for omitting Maoris when computing per capita rates, and Cabinet has recently given instructions for the inclusion of Maoris in the statistics wherever possible. Publications.- -It is gratifying to be able to record that the standard time; set for the publication of the Year-book —viz., January —was again slightly improved upon with the 1924 number, the first copies of which were available about the middle of December. There should be little difficulty in maintaining the standard for future issues. The second numbers of the various Annual Statistical Reports also appeared in general somewhat earlier than the corresponding reports of the previous year. The biennial " Municipal Handbook," the; 1921 number of which had unfortunately to be omitted on the ground of cost, will shortly reappear, revised, to the end of the financial year 1922-23. This publication finds a ready sale, and the 1919 and 1917 numbers have long since been out of print. Additional copies of the 1924 Year-book to the number of. 2,500 were printed for distribution at the British Empire Exhibition, and 500 additional copies of the " Municipal Handbook " are being printed for the same purpose. A schedule of the publications of the Office was recently eiistributed to a number of business firms, and resulted in a considerable number of sales. It is obvious that the existence, or at least the scope, of the statistical publications is not widejy known, even in New Zealand, and. the system of publicity could no doubt be extended with advantage both to the Office and to the public generally. Registration of Aliens. —Consequent on the passing of the? Registration of Aliens Suspension Act, .1.923, this branch of work was discontinued during the; ye;ar. The Dominion anel district registers and files have been stored away for use if ever again required. Dominion Musuum. The past year is one; in which has been fully manifested the interest and support e>f prominent and public-spirited citizens in stressing the urgent need of a new museum building in which to house the valuable collections now in the possession of the Dominion Museum, and the decision of the Government to secure a temporary fireproof place of exhibition for the Maori collections has been greatly welcomed. The work of removal and the installation of the exhibits in their new quarters has occupied the attention of the Museum officers and has been carried forward satisfactorily. It is a subject of congratulation also that the Government has decideel to allocate the sum of £75,000 towards the cost of a new building provided an equal sum is contributed, by the public. Publications. —Museum Monographs No. 5, " Polynesian Ve)yagers," and No. 6, " The Maori School, of Learning," both, by Mr. Elsdon Best, have been published during the year. Section 1 of Bulletin No. 10, " Maori Mythology and Religion," has been printed, and will shortly be issued. Bulletin No. 7, " The Maori Canoe," is in the printer's hands. Herbarium. —The mounting of specimens has been proceeded with as time permitted. There have been, no important additions to the collection. Manual of the New Zealand Flora. -When Mr. Cheeseman, Curator of the; Auckland Mriseum, died in October last a portion only of his Flora had been printed off, anil the bulk of the manuscript was still in his possession. In December Mr. W. R. B. Oliver visited Auckland and obtained the manuscript and all notes which it was thought would be of use in completing the work. The whole of the first copy of the manuscript was handed to the Government Printer, the second copy being kept in the Museum. The matter of continuing the checking of the proofs was referred to the Board of Science and Art in January last, and it was decided that the work be placed in Mr. Oliver's hands. An immediate start was made anel the; work has progressed steadily since. Ornithology. —During the year two large collections of New Zealand and Australian bird-skins have been acquired by the Museum. The, bird-collection has also been added to by a donation from the American Museum of Natural History of six skins and six eggs from Suwarrow Island. Entomology. —Two show-cases representing the principal orders of insects are now on view in the Museum. The treating of the collection for mould, primarily a result of damping at the time of the Museum, fire; in 1.921, still occupies a considerable amount of time. The number of insects in the Museum inflection is now upwards of forty thousand. Donations have been made by Dr. J. Allan Thomson, Miss E. Richardson, Messrs. J. G. Myers, H. Hamilton, H. W. Simmonds, anel A. V. Wilson. The Department is indebted to Mr. G. V. Hudson for his generous assistance, in the identification and verification of specimens in all orders. Ichthyology. —The examination of the specimens in the Dominion Museum has been continue*!, with the result that, many points, especially with regard to the sharks, have; been cleared up. Donations include examples of the family Galaxiadae sent by Mr. A. Burrows and apparently belonging to an undescribed species. Conchology. —The main portion of the New Zealand collection of shells is now displayed in the Museum. Cataloguing of the specimens has proceeded apace.

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Ethnology. —During the year two monographs have been issued, anil the; printing of Bulletins Nos. 7 and 10, and Manual No. 4 of the Board of Science and Art, " The Maori as he; was," has been proceeded with. Bulletin No. 8, "Games, Exercises, and Pastimes of the Maori," has been brought up to date by the insertion of fresh data obtained since it was written. Bulletin No. 9, " The Maori System of Agriculture," has likewise been revised. A number of illustrations are still required for these and for No. 6, " The Pa Maori," before going to press. The somewhat difficult task of translating data concerning Maori life and institutions, &c, of olden days has been continued with, as also a consielerable amount of collation. Library. —Among the books added to the library during the past year is a valuable collection of 273 publications presented by the Trustees of the British Museum. The Dominion Museum has now been added to the list of institutions receiving the publications of the British Museum. Several new serials have been received during the year in exchange for the New Zealarul Journal of Science and Technology. Registrar-General. Registration of Europeans. —Births, 27,967; deaths, 11,51.1; marriages solemnized, 10,091. Of the marriages solemnized 1,941 were; conducted by Registrars. Registration of Maoris. —Births, 1,208; deaths, 725; marriages, 262. Medical Register. —Total number, 1,138. During the year there were 77 additions, 59 having New Zealand qualifications. There were 12 removals. Dentists' Register. —Total number 765. During the year 17 additions and 1 removal were made. Officiating Ministers. —On the 31st December last there were 1,788 Ministers authorized to solemnize marriages in New Zealand, as follows : Church of England, 448 ; Presbyterian Church, 396 ; Roman Catholic Church, 280 ; Methodist Church, 259 ; Congregational Independents, 34. ; Baptist, 67 ; Church of Christ, 37 ; Salvation Army, 155 ; other denominations, 112. Searches. —Those on behalf of Government Departments number 10,840, and 7,978 for the general public. Certificates. —6,727 certificates were issued. Finance. —The revenue is in excess of the expenditure. Dominion Analyst and Chief Inspector of Explosives. Laboratory. —During the year samples were received from the; following sources:—Customs, 446 : Explosives Branch, 75 ; Justice; (Police), 81 ; Marine, 5. Mines —Geological Survey, 76 ; Head Office, 138 ; Engineers and Inspectors, 81 ; prospectors, 246. Post and Telegraph Department, 172. Public Health —Auckland, 50; Christchurch, .140; Dunedin, 19; Napier, 290; Wanganui, 238; Wellington, 2,283 ; Whangarei, 5. Public Works, 14. Railways, 13. Other Departments, 137. Public bodies, 9. Miscellaneous, 63. Total, 4,581. Customs. —A great variety of samples was analysed for the Customs Department, chiefly to determine their classification for tariff purposes, but frequently also to ascertain whether they complied with the regulations under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. The substances most frequently examined under the latter heading were boric acid and cream of tartar. Some of these samples contained more than the permitted amounts of lead or of arsenie;. Explosives Branch. —The laboratory work of the Explosives Branch consisted principally of the routine examination of consignments of explosives and fuse. Some samples of calcium carbide were also examined to assist in determining the cause of the explosion of an acetylene-generator. Justice. —The Superintendent of Police submitted a much larger number of samples than in previous years. They comprised liquor, medicated wine, horse-medicines, and. exhibits relating to cases of suspected poisoning. Strychnine and aconite were found in. one case, strychnine only in two others, hydrocyanic acid in two more, and arsenic in another. The medicines consisted of carbolic acid and mercury ointments much under B.P. strength. Mines. —The Geological Survey staff required the analysis of samples of coal, carbonized wood, dolomite, limestone, marble, mineral waters, natural gas, silver-ore, and many typical rock formations. Some of the specimens came from a reported gold-find in Fiji. Prospectors' samples showed a falling-off in numbers, and disclosed little of value, apart from limestones and clays. The Head Office and inspection staff submitted samples of fireclay, coal from various mines anel from bores, mine-dusts and mine-airs, and quartz from various localities. To facilitate research on the utilization of waste coal, the Department purchased a small hydraulic briquetting press, which has been set up in the Laboratory. Department of Health. —lnspectors under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act were active during the; year, and forwarded a great variety of foodstuffs and some medicinal preparations for analysis. The list comprises : Apples, beer, boric acid, bread, butter, carbonate of potash, carbonate of soda, corned beef, Bartlett pears, cheese, cherries, chocolate-creams, cocoa, coffee and chicory, condensed milk, cordials, cream, cream of tartar, custard-powder, Dominion sausage, dried figs, fish, rag-flock, flour, fly-exterminator, Germatin, Glaxo, ground cocoa-shell, honey, ice-cream, invert sugar, jam, jelly, Kolacafe, Foam-spirit, Kruschen salts, lemonade, liquors, liquid paraffin, malt-extract, oatmeal, oliveoil, Ovoline, oysters, pepper, potassium-iodide tablets, raspberry-pulp, salmon, salt, Salunol, sausages, Semolina, tea, tomato-sauce, vanilla-essence, vinegar, wheats, whitebait, whitebait-preservative, White's table creams, wine. In consequence of the detection last year of small amounts of arsenic in beer, samples were examined from every brewery in the Dominion. The permissible limit, one-hundredth of a grain of arsenious oxide per gallon, was exceeded in three cases only, and in these steps were at once taken to effect a remedy. Various consignments of boric acid were also examined for arsenic, which in two cases excecde;d the standard.

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Butler. — One hundred and twenty-one samples of butter were; received during the year. Three contained a slight excess of water, and thirteen a decided excess. The highest percentage of water found was 21-9, representing illegitimate profit of approximately Id. per pound. More frequent inspection is required to check this quite common form of adulteration. The lieprors analysed complied with the regulations, with the exception of some alleged Wolfe's schnapps, which showed considerable variation from the genuine schnapps. Several samples of ice-cream examinee! were deficient in milkfat. Preservatives were detected in tomato-sauce, beer, and whitebait. Artificial colours wore found occasionally in jams, cordials, and other foodstuffs in which their use is contrary to regulations. The canned goods examined were chiefly from stocks seized by Inspectors as unfit for consumption,, and were almost invariably founel to be affected by prolonged storage, or to show signs of decomposition. Milks. —The number of samples taken during the year under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act and analysed in the laboratory was 2,325. Of these, 1,763 were collected in Wellington City and suburbs, anel the remainder in the chief provincial towns of Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, and Nelson. Wellington City : The; City Inspector was responsible for three-fourths of the samples taken in and around Wellington. Fifty-three, or 3 per cent, only of the 1,763 samples taken failed to comply with the regulations, and of these more than half were not adulterated in the ordinary sense, but consisted of otherwise good milk that had been allowed to become stale. Twenty-one certificates for prosecution were issued, comprising eight for fat-deficiency, seven for added water, six for decided staloness. Warnings were recommended in thirty-one cases for minor deficiencies. The figures show that there has been marked improvement in the Wellington milk-supply in recent years. When the City Inspector was first appointed in 1916 skimming anel watering were very common practices, and much of the milk retailed contained an excessive amount of dirt. Twenty-three per cent, of the samples taken that year did not comply with the regulations. The percentage the following year was reduced to eleven, and then to six. For the last four years the percentage has not exceeded three, and with more attention to cooling after milking, and to the elimination of the sale of stale milk, it could be still further reduced. While the credit for this marked improvement in recent years is largely due; to the working of the Municipal Milk Department, it is equally due to systematic and regular inspection of, dairies, and sampling of all supplies. Another contributing factor has been tin; occasional testing of herds, when the milk has been efl poor quality, and the; elimination e>[ unsatisfactory cows. Country Districts': The samples taken in the country districts showed a marked improvement in cleanliness, and were, on the whole, satisfactory. The results are summarized in the following table : —

Locality. (Samples receive! I. (Seriously skimmed. Watered. .Slightly below (Standard. Warned for Dirt. I Blenheim Dannevirke Eltham Featherston Gisborne; Grey town Hastings Hawera Johnsonvillc Levin 36 22 11 4 61 7 41 37 6 8 7 J 10 21 63 39 45 1 41 2 4 6 32 1 7 6 13 28 2 1 2 i i 1 2 1 Lower Hutt Manaia Martinborough. Masterton Napier Nelson New Plymouth Otaki " .. Palmcrston North Patea Picton Richmond (Nelson) Stratford Takaka Waipawa Waipukurau Wairoa 3 2 2 1 2 I 2 Wanganui Woodville .. •' 1 i Totals 562 I -1 1 Totals, 1922 .. 467 7 5 2 20

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Plunket Society.- Tim number of analyses made for the Plunket nurse's was 121. Post and Telegraph. —The; Engineering Branch of the Post and Telegraph Department forwarde;el samples of various supplies for examination. These included beeswax, copying-ink, distilled water, gear-oil, insulating and lubricating oil, jointer's metal, leael sleeves, petroleum-jelly, paraffin-wax, rectified spirit, silver-alloy, solder, Stockholm tar, sulphuric acid, and switchboard, cable. Public Works. —Samples analysed for the Public Works Department comprised, bitumen, coal, galvanized, steel, Muntz metal, roofing-material, and septic-tank effluent. Railways. —The Railways Department required analyses of boiler and potable waters, el(;oeiorizer, gas-tar, lubricating-oil, red-oxide; paint, tarpaulin-dressing, and turpentine. Stores Control. —The Laboratory staff has realized for some years that considerable advantage; wemlel accrue to purchasing Departments by defining by specification, where possible, the quality of goods required, and by testing samples submitted with tenders and goods actually supplied. The recently constituted Stores Control Board, is fully aware of the advantages of analytical examination in many cases, and have availed themselves of the services of the Laboratory. Purchases examined were cloth, castor-oil, ink, kerosene, lubricants, motor-spirit, soap, and typewriter ribbon. Specifications were also framed for various grades of motor-fuel and kerosene. Other Departments.- Analyses we;re; made for other Departments—of sand for glassmaking, for the; Department of Industries and Commerce ; kauri-gum, for the Kauri-gum Superintendent; creosote and insulated wire, for a Power Board ; lubricating-oils, for the Government Printer; carbon tetrachloride, used in the treatment of hookworm, for the Samoan Aelministration ; and steaming li(|uid, for the State Forest Service. In addition various members of the staff have acted in an aelvisory capacity to other Departments when matters involving chemical knowledge or experience were under consideration, , Explosive and Dangerous Goods Acts. Report on the Administration of the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Act, 1908, from the Ist July, 1923, to the 30th June, 1924, and the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, from the Ist April, 1923, to the 31st March, 1924. EXPLOSIVE AND DANGEROUS GOODS ACT, 1008. Amendments to Regulations.— -Amendments to the regulations under the Ae;t were; passed during the year, authorizing the following explosives : Lithyte ; Samsonite No. 3. Importations. —Lioenses were issued for the importation of the following explosives during the year: Gelignite, 765,0001b. ; gelatine dynamite, 35,0001b. ; blasting-gelatine;, 39,0001b. ;A2 monoDel, 319,250 lb. ; quarry monobel, 25,000 lb. ; Samsonite No. 3, 78,000 lb. ; 60 per cent, gelatine (S.N. gelignite), 39,700 lb. ; blasting-powder (gr. and pel.), 333,7501b. ; sporting-powder, 10,4371b. : total, 1,645,137. Detonators (plain), 1,650,000; detonators (electric), 487,000 : total, 2,137,000. Fireworks (packages), 2,988. Manufacture. —The only factory licensed for the manufacture of e;xplosives was the Colonial Ammunition Company's small-arms ammunition factory at Mount Eden, Auckland. Accidents. —No accieients occurred during the year in connectiem with the storage or conveyance, of explosives. Prosecutions. —No prosecutions we;re taken during the year. Warnings were given in a number of cases for minor breaches of the Act and regulations. Condemned Explosives. —The following explosives were condemned and destroyed during the year :—

Licenses. —The number of licenses issued for the year is shown below. The corresponding figures for the previous year being given in brackets. Conveyance, 268 (287) ; storage, 337 (311) ; sale, 652 (587). Public Magazines. —Government magazines are now available, at Wellington, Westport, Greymouth, Dunedin, and Invercargill, and in addition the local authorities at Paeroa and New Plymouth maintain magazines. The new magazine building at Wingatui, referred to in the last annual report, has been completed, and will be; taken over from the Public Works Department early in July. A new magazine has also been erected at Invercargill, and this will be ready for use early in July. During the year it was found necessary to rebuild the floor of the magazine in the harbour at Port Chalmers. The storage position in the southern districts is now satisfactory.

Place. Quantity and Kind of Explosive. Reason for condemning. How destroyed. Taihape .. Okahukura 45 lb. gelignite, 50 per cent. (S.N.) .. ("2501b. sabulite .. .. 1 J 3,428 lb. carbonite .. I "> 248J- lb. blasting-powder .. lb. dynamite .. J 670 electric detonators 6,200 lb. blasting-powder (S.N.) Moisture-absorption Exudation and moistureabsorption Burned. f Dumped in river. J Burned. I Dumped in river. [_ Burned. Dumped at sea. Wingatui .. Wellington Insulation perished Moisture-absorption ?>

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Inspection and Testing. —Most of the private magazines and registered premises have been inspected during the year. As in past years, shipments of explosives arriving in New Zealand have been physically examined and tested, for stability, and occasional tests made on explosives stored in Government and private magazines. EXPLOSIVE AND DANGEROUS GOODS AMENDMENT ACT, 1920. Local-authority Administration.- -The Act is administered by the; local authority in 158 out of the 188 boroughs and town districts. In the remaining thirty local-authority districts, consisting mainly of small town districts where no suitable officers are available, the Act is administered by the Department under section 16 of ~the Act. Satisfactory by-laws have been made either by the local authorities concerned or (in most cases) by Order in Council under the Act, and the administration generally may now be regarded as satisfactory. Departmental Administration. —The Department administers the Act in country districts, and in the smaller boroughs and town districts referred to above. During the year 563 licenses were issued, as compared with 347 during the previous year. Prosecutions. —During the ye;ar a number of prosecutions under the Act were taken in Christchurch City. It was found on inspection that only a small proportion of persons storing dangerous gooels we're licensed by the; local authority, and the conditions existing in the town were in many cases positively dangerous. In all, sixteen cases were taken under section 4of the Act, which involves the forfeiture of the goods concerned. Since the prosecutions were taken as a warning and to obtain publicity in regard to the Act, heavy penalties were not asked for, and fines of £1 and £2 were inflicted. It is satisfactory to record that the action taken was effective, and the storage conditions in Christchurch are now reasonably satisfactory —455 licenses being issued for the current year, as compared with 108 for the previous year. Warnings were given in a number of cases for minor breaches of the Act anil regulations. In other instances the dangerous gooels we;re se;ize;ei by the Inspector uneler section 6 of the Act, but subsequently released on compliance with the; Department's requirements. Inspection. —Practically all boroughs and town districts where the Act is administered by the; local authority have been inspected during the year, and it was found that the; conditions generally were very satisfactory, and the, Act is now being adequately enforced by most of the local authorities, in some few cases it was necessary to call the attention of the local authority to slackness in the administration, but in most instances the matter has now been rectified. The trouble was generally due to alterations in the personnel of the local-authority staff, and it is to be expected that this difficulty will recur. The intention of the Department is, however, to make at least one inspection of each localauthority district every year. It will be seen from the number of licenses issued by the Department that the inspection of country stores has been carried on to a considerable extent during the year. This work is, however, not by any means complete, and it is hoped to give more attention to it during the coming year. Compressed Gases. —ln November, 1923, a cylinder of compressed acetylene (in acetone) burst when the cylinder was tipped from a hand-truck on to a concrete wharf at Napier. A number of men were injured, and two subsequently died from their injuries. As a result of this accident the Department is taking up the question of the filling and storage of compressed gases, anel it is proposed to prepare legislation regarding the matter during the coming year. Cinematograph Films. —The conditions under which cinematograph films are at present being stored and conveyed in New Zealand is not satisfactory, and it is proposed to prepare legislation controlling these matters during the coming year. Staff. It is a matter of gratification that Dr. J. Allan Thomson, Directeir of the Dominion Museum, has sufficiently recovereel in health to enable him to resume his duties. The British Empire Exhibition has been responsible; for a heavy increase of work in several sections of the Department, notably in the Publicity Branch, through the preparation and despatch of cinema-film, photographs, anil literature, and in the Dominion Museum, where the preparation of e;xhibits and mural decorations for the New Zealand pavilion necessitated tin; attention of one senior officer for the whole of the year. Notwithstaneling this non-recurring additional work, the activities of the Department have been given efficient attention, and I am pleased to again record my appreciation of the services rendered by heads of sub-departments, Controlling Officers, and the staff in general. The; valuable assistance, given by other Departments is acknowledges! with thanks.

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