DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session I, H-22

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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929.

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

Sir, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 29th July, 1929. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1929. I have, &c., G. P. Newton, Under-Secretary. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs.

.REPORT. Local Government. Local government again played a prominent part in the Department's activities, several important questions being under consideration during the year. Counties. —No new counties were constituted. The boundaries of six counties were altered. Areas under the control of counties were also affected by borough-boundary alterations. On account of the approaching general election of County Councils throughout the Dominion, several Councils took steps to pass special orders altering riding boundaries and adjusting representation. These special orders were gazetted, and a date fixed on which they should take effect. In particular, the special orders passed by the Cook County Council and Waipawa County Council gave rise to more than the usual consideration, evidence of local dissatisfaction with the decision of each Council to pass the special orders respectively being brought before the Department. As, however, the Minister has no statutory functions to interfere in matters of this nature, the special orders were in due course gazetted. Certain powers of Borough Councils with respect to water-supply were conferred on the Hutt County Council and the Waipa County Council. The annual meeting of the Ashley County Council, held after the statutory time, was validated. The Counties Conference met in Wellington during the year, and passed a number of resolutions asking for amendment of the law relating to county government. These resolutions are under consideration. Boroughs. —One new borough —namely, New Lynn —was constituted, and the usual action taken for the election of a Borough Council. A petition for the constitution of the Borough of Shoal Bay was not proceeded with ; one for the formation of Taradale and Greenmeadows districts into a borough was unfavourably reported on by a Commission ; and one for the constitution of the Borough of Mount Roskill was under consideration at the close of the year. The boundaries of three boroughs were altered. Several petitions for the alteration of boundaries of other boroughs were considered, in some cases the petitions being unfavourably reported on by Commissions, and in other cases being held over on account of the proposed legislation relating to urban farm lands, which I am referring to in this report under a separate heading. The number of members of the former Tamaki Road Board (in the last report reference was made to the union of the Tamaki Road District with the City of Auckland) to be Councillors of the City of Auckland was fixed ; a Board was appointed for the purpose of hearing an appeal against the decision of the Petone Borough Council with respect to an application under section 335, Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, for approval to the subdivision of

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certain land within the Borough of Petone; and approval was given to the setting-apart for recreation purposes of a piece of closed street in the Cambridge Borough which the Cambridge Borough Council did not desire to sell. The Municipal Conference again met, this time in Wanganui, and, as usual, passed a number of resolutions asking for amendment of the law relating to boroughs and town districts. These resolutions are under consideration. Town Districts. —One new town district —namely, Te Kauwhata, in the Waikato County —was constituted. A proposal to form the Plimmerton district into a town district was unfavourably reported on by a Commission. The boundaries of the Kamo and Pleasant Point Town Districts were altered. River Districts. —Two new river districts —namely, Kaipara and Tawaha —were constituted, in the latter case the Featherston County Council being declared to be the River Board for the district. There were no alterations in the boundaries of river districts, but two cases were considered, one being unfavourably reported on by a Commission, and the other being under consideration at the end of the year. During the year you approved of legislation being brought down to consolidate and revise the River Boards Act, 1908, and its amendments, and this work was well under way at the close of the year. Land-drainage Districts. —A larger number of matters than usual relating to land-drainage districts were under consideration during the year. Three new districts were constituted. The boundaries of two districts were altered. Other alterations were considered, but were not agreed to. The Orton Drainage District was abolished, and action subsequently taken to apportion the assets and liabilities of the Orton Drainage Board. A number of Land-drainage Board elections fell due in the month of November, but for various reasons the time had to be extended in several cases, 110 less than nine cases being dealt with. The usual action was taken to gazette the result of the various elections held, and in some cases members were appointed. The number of members of the Mangapu Drainage Board was increased. An extension of time was granted for the preparation of the ratepayers list of the Hillside Drainage District. During the year you approved of legislation being brought down to consolidate and revise the Land. Drainage Act, 1908, and its amendments, and this work, in conjunction with the River Boards Act and amendments, was well under way at the close of the year. By-laws of Local Bodies. —Three sets of by-laws were confirmed by the Minister under the By-laws Act, 1910. Public Bodies' Leases Act. —The Lake County Council and the Te Kuiti Borough Council were respectively declared leasing authorities under this Act. Rating Act. —Advice was received that the system of rating on the annual value was adopted in the Wanganui City, which had previously been rated on the unimproved value. Subsequently the times for taking the several steps for and incidental to the preparation of a valuation list for the city were extended. A proposal to adopt the system of rating 011 the unimproved value in the Waitemata County was rejected, and a proposal to rescind the system of rating on the unimproved value in the Borough of Rangiora was rejected. Matters incidental to the poll taken in the Waitemata County were brought rather prominently before the Department, the time for taking the poll being twice extended. Legislation. The following important Acts affecting this Department were passed last year:— Auctioneers Act. —This Act was a complete revision and re-enactment of the law governing generally the licensing of auctioneers and their activities. The infrequency of legislation on this subject makes it interesting to recall briefly its history in this Dominion. The first legislation in New Zealand was the Ordinance (Session 11, No. XIII) of the Governor and General Legislative Council which was passed on the 15th March, 1842, and came into force on the 25th April, 1842. This Ordinance was amended in 1843. Among other things, these Ordinances fixed the license fee at £40, which amount is still the fee. From 1853 to 1876 the licensing of auctioneers was generally within the powers of the various Provincial Legislatures, most of which passed legislation on the subject; where they did not the Ordinances of 1842 and 1843 applied. 111 general, the Provincial Ordinances followed the principles laid down in the Ordinances of 1842 and 1843. On the abolition of provinces by the Act of 1875 the General Assembly did not immediately deal with the question of auctioneers, but the various Provincial Ordinances remained in force in the Provincial Districts, the fees being secured to the local authorities by the Financial Arrangements Act of 1876. There was a short amendment to the law in 1886, relating to fish auctions, but it was not until 1891 that one comprehensive Auctioneers Act was passed, which finally repealed the General Ordinances of 1842 and 1843 and the Provincial Ordinances in force on the abolition of provinces. Thus the 1842 Ordinance, with slight amendments, practically survived for forty-nine years. In 1908 an Auctioneers Act was passed which was a consolidation of the 1891 Act and an amendment of 1894. The 1908 Act was amended in 1910, and in 1915 a temporary war modification relating to patriotic efforts was passed. The 1928 Act, therefore, was the first attempt for thirty-seven years to overhaul the law generally on the subject of auctioneers, and was only the third main piece of legislation on the subject in eighty-six years ; and, subject to variations in the Provincial Ordinances, the fee of £40 for an auctioneer's license has been the same since 1843. The scheme of the 1928 Act largely followed the lines of the Land Agents Act, 1921-22, being altered only to such an extent as was necessary having regard to the different nature of the activities of auctioneers and to retain certain principles already the law. The licensing of auctioneers was placed in the hands of Magistrates, in lieu of local authorities as formerly, but the fees remained

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practically the same and were preserved for the benefit of local authorities. The former provisions relating to the keeping of trust accounts were abolished, as they were unworkable, and, indeed, most auctioneers were unaware of their existence. Instead, creditors of auctioneers were protected by means of a bond of varying amounts according to the number of licenses held by one auctioneer. Provisions were retained for the issue of special licenses at a reduced fee in sparsely populated districts. Certain former restrictions against night auctions were repealed, being no longer necessary in view of modern methods of lighting. Generally, the whole Act was framed so as to be more in accordance with modern conditions, whilst at the same time it aimed at protecting the public without casting unduly harassing conditions on auctioneers. Regulations were subsequently issued under the Act prescribing forms and effecting other objects necessary to bring the Act into full force. Municipal Corporations Amendment Act. —This was an important Act, which in general conferred on municipalities much wider powers than they formerly possessed. The Act, among other things, gave legislative effect to many of the remits which had been passed at Municipal Conferences. Special provisions were made with respect to the keeping of the accounts of trading undertakings of municipalities, with the object of ensuring that the accounts should show better the true position of the undertaking. Local Legislation Act.—The annual Local Legislation Act was passed, which contained seventynine clauses, affecting the activities of numerous local authorities and public bodies. The usual policy was followed in regard to the various proposals submitted for inclusion in this Act—namely, to examine most carefully every such proposal, so as to ensure that general principles were not being violated nor particular rights interfered with. As usual, a large number of Local Acts were passed by Parliament, and, in accordance with practice, the Local Bills Committee submitted to this Department for examination and report the majority of the local Bills introduced. Rating of Farm Lands in Boroughs. The most important subject which was considered last year was the rating of farm lands in boroughs. This subject was taken up primarily as a result of particular difficulties which were brought before the Department in respect of the Borough of Otaki. A Commission was set up, with a wide order of reference, with the object of evolving a scheme so as to place matters in Otaki on a much more satisfactory basis. The Commission consisted of R. M. Watson, Esq., Stipendiary Magistrate, of Feilding ; W. T. Strand, Esq., of Lower Hutt; and W. Nash, Esq., of Wellington. The Commission, after careful inquiry, reported on the various subjects submitted to it, and after dealing with certain particular matters, and with a view to relieving the occupiers of farm lands in Otaki from unduly burdensome rates, and of making the incidence of rating in Otaki more equitable, it submitted a scheme of classification whereby lands in the Borough of Otaki should be classified into three classes —namely, (a) building-lands ; (b) potential building-lands ; and (c) farm lands —and recommended that the borough rates should be levied on a graduated scale over the three classes, so that lands classified as potential building-lands should pay less rates than lands classified as building-lands, and lands classified as farm lands less rates still. About the same time it had become increasingly evident that a somewhat similar state of hardship was being experienced throughout the Dominion by the occupiers of farm lands in boroughs, and as, on account of the peculiar local difficulties in Otaki, the report of the Otaki Commission was not a panacea for the rest of the Dominion, it was considered desirable that further inquiries should be made with a view to determining whether the principle of classification could be made applicable to all boroughs which contained a proportion of farm lands. The same gentlemen were constituted a Commission for this purpose. This Commission held inquiries, mainly at Feilding, and also took evidence at Wellington. Much evidence of a valuable nature was tendered to this Commission by gentlemen who had from various angles given serious thought to the vexed question of rating, and as a result it recommended a universal system of classification of borough lands for rating purposes, and the levying of differential rates, similar to recommendations in the case of Otaki, to be applied in those boroughs to which the system is applicable, after careful inquiry into the circumstances of each such borough. The method of inquiry was set out by the Commission in its report. The reports of both Commissions were under consideration at the close of the year, with a view to legislative effect being given thereto. Land Agents. During the year 999 licenses were issued and ten transfers granted, as compared with 1,143 licenses and fourteen transfers last year. Further cases of defalcation were under consideration. Town-planning. The year has been marked by great activity in town-planning, and substantial progress has been made in the education of public opinion on the subject, without which, as experience has shown, efficient schemes can neither be prepared or realized. Mr. J. W. Mawson, F.R.1.8.A., M.T.P.1., who succeeded Mr. R. B. Hammond as Director of Townplanning on the Ist October, 1928, is at present engaged on an extensive tour of the Dominion in response to invitations from the local authorities of over a hundred towns to confer with them or to address public meetings ; which in itself is a clear indication of the wide public interest which has been aroused and the anxiety of local authorities to take advantage of the powers conferred upon them by the Town-planning Act. Meetings of the Town-planning Board are being held at regular intervals, and many decisions of a far-reaching nature have already been taken. Important amendments to the Town-planning Act which have been shown by actual experience to be necessary or desirable are under consideration, including provisions to enable local authorities

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to co-operate in the preparation of non-obligatory regional schemes for the co-ordination and correlation of matters of economic and social interest which do not begin and terminate within the boundaries of any single local governmental authority ; the postponement of the approval of statutory town-planning schemes, where necessary, pending the preparation and completion of regional schemes ; the amendment of the provisions relating to the assessment of compensation and betterment; and provisions to enable local authorities to exercise more effective control over land-subdivision and building operations within their areas pending approval of their town-planning schemes. In anticipation of legislation enabling the preparation of regional schemes, provisional regional planning committees have already been set up in several areas. There is every reason to believe and hope that local authorities and the public generally are thoroughly awake to the benefits which can be conferred on the community through the preparation of far-sighted schemes of physical development based on a thorough survey and study of existing conditions and tendencies, and the reaction these schemes will have upon the conservation of the natural resources of the country. Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22. As in previous years, open seasons for game-shooting and deer-stalking were declared in various acclimatization districts. The destruction of deer was continued, and the number on which payment was made amounted to 14,22]. Open seasons were fixed in a number of districts for the taking of opossums. The number of trappers' licenses issued was 1,113, and the returns furnished showed that 156,894 skins were taken—an increase of 17,594 as compared with the previous year. Numerous representations have been received for and against the importation of fresh stock and the further liberation of these animals, but it has been decided to conduct certain scientific investigations as to their habits, by which means reliable information will be available to enable a full consideration of the question to be gone into, and in the meantime no authorities for importation or liberation are being granted. A scientific investigation as to the feeding-habits of the pukeko is in progress. Reports have been received regularly from the various officers who are special protectors for the tuatara lizard, and the policy of doing everything possible to preserve this interesting specimen is being maintained. Special attention has been given to the preservation of our native birds and to the further co operation of acclimatization societies in the matter. Encouraging reports have been received as to the increase of protected birds not only in sanctuaries, but in other localities. This, in addition to the evidence of increasing interest in the subject, is most gratifying. The Department is most desirous of preventing the shooting of native pigeon and other protected birds, and is glad to receive information of any illegal shooting in order to prosecute the offender. The importation of birds and animals has been the subject of strict supervision, and permission is not now granted for the importation of rosellas and female galahs. One consignment of rosellas which was brought to the Dominion in the face of prior advice that authority for landing could not be granted was destroyed. Fire Brigades Act. During the year one new fire district —Opotiki —was constituted, making a total of fifty Fire Boards now operating. As usual, fire-hose and other equipment not manufactured in the Dominion was indented through the High Commissioner's Office on direct requisition from various Fire Boards and the United Fire Brigades' Association. In accordance with the decision of the Government indenting of fire-hose for outside bodies has now been relinquished by this Department. During the year a number of plans and specifications for erection of fire-stations have been submitted for your approval. The usual inspections of fire brigades have been made by the Inspector of Fire Brigades, and in accordance with requests received from various Government Departments and local bodies numerous special inspections and reports in the matter of protection of buildings, water supply and installations, purchase of fire appliances and machinery, &c., have been made. A number of public addresses in regard to the excessive fire waste and its prevention in New Zealand have been given. Baffles. During the year 391 licenses for raffles were issued, the articles comprising pictures, paintings, drawings, sculpture, or other works of art or literature, or mechanical models. No difficulty is being experienced in obtaining compliance with the conditions of the licenses. Passports. The number of passports issued during the year was 4,169, and the number of renewals 862. Naturalization. Naturalization was granted to 326 persons, including 3 Samoans. Certified copies of naturalization papers to replace originals lost were issued to 3 persons. Soldiers' and Historical Graves. Great War Graves in New Zealand - -The, number of notifications of deaths of returned soldiers to reach the Department during the year was 346, of which 113 were accepted as war graves, bringing the total to date to 2,336. The number of headstones ordered dining the year was 147. Temporary crosses to mark the graves until such time as the military headstones are prepared were placed on 113 graves.

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Great War Graves Abroad. —Circulars respecting 1,156 cemetery and memorial registers containing regimental and family particulars were despatched to next-of-kin, of which number 634 were sold at wholesale cost. With respect to the free distribution of photographs of overseas war graves, 2,483 were dealt with. War Funds. There are now sixty-three registered war funds, this being less than last year's number by two societies which have been closed by exhaustion of funds. The assets held as shbwn by the latest returns are as follows : — £ s. d. Thirty incorporated societies .. .. .. .. 773,738 138 Eight Red Cross organizations .. .. .. .. 129,699 10 9 Three Blind Soldiers'and Veterans' Home Funds .. .. 57,827 0 1 Ten incorporated societies .. .. .. .. .. 3,594 6 3 Three Memorial Funds .. . . . . . . .. 28 3 4 One Navy League Fund .. .. .. .. .. 5,738 10 3 Five Returned Soldiers' Clubs .. .. .. .. 22,767 1 2 Three Social Funds .. .. .. .. .. 2,184 0 8 £995,577 6 2 National War Funds Council .. .. .. .. £168,290 8 0 A considerable portion of this sum is comprised of loans to soldiers and land and buildings, so that approximately 60 per cent, only may be taken as being liquid assets. The periodical returns required by the War Funds Act have been rendered regularly, and they disclose that there is little diminution in the calls made upon patriotic funds. Dominion Archives. During the year the chief work has been the sorting, binding, and indexing of certain classes of records in Wellington, while every opportunity was taken to inspect local deposits of records. Visits have now been paid by the Controller of Dominion Archives for this purpose to Akaroa, Bay of Islands, Kawakawa, Warkworth, Auckland, Tauranga, Thames, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Christchurch, Hokitika, G-reymouth, Dunedin, Gore, Milton, and Invercargill. At many of these places the records appear to have been destroyed. The usual repository of Government papers in the smaller towns is the post-office or the Courthouse. In the larger towns they have generally been transferred to the Lands Office or the Customhouse, and are less liable to be lost. There are very few small towns in New Zealand which have not experienced the destruction by fire of a post-office or a Courthouse, and in this way a large quantity of old papers which would have had historical value have disappeared. In Russell it was especially disappointing to find so little of value, a circumstance due, it is understood, to a zealous cleaning-out of the pigeonholes of the Courthouse some years ago. In Tauranga, the centre of an important district during the Maori wars, there should have been many valuable Government files ; but unfortunately the building in which they were stored, the post-office and Courthouse, was burned down some years ago. Wherever it is convenient, records have been removed to places of greater security, and the officials concerned have invariably shown a helpful interest in looking after them and in transferring to the Archives Division papers which have ceased to be of any use in the departmental records. Good progress has been made during the year in the sorting, arranging, and binding of the New Zealand Company's papers and other New Zealand records. A considerable amount of work has been done in the indexing of the more important volumes {e.g., the despatches of the Governors) and some of the Company's papers. . It is hoped that further volumes of the Governors' despatches, subsequent to 1855, may shortly be received from the British Government. The sorting and binding of the New Zealand Company's papers is now practically completed. They will comprise about 150 volumes, and, although not first-class archive material, they will be a most valuable field of research in the future. A list has recently been received (from the Keeper of the Rolls) of the New Zealand Company's papers in the Public Record Office. This will enable the completion of a report on the Company's records, which it is hoped shortly to issue in the form of a bulletin. During the year the Archives Division received through the High Commissioner a valuable gift from the relatives of Captain Hobson, R.N., the first Governor of New Zealand, in the shape of the diary written by Captain Hobson at Bay of Islands during his serious illness in 1840. These sheets are an important link in the history of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the Dominion is fortunate to receive such an interesting gift. The records of the old British Consulate at Samoa, upon which a report was made in 1920 to the Secretary of State, have now been transferred to the Archives Division from the Turnbull Library, and it is hoped before long to have them sorted and properly arranged. Dominion Museum. Death of the Director. —It is with regret that I have to record the death of Dr. J. Allan Thomson, Director of the Dominion Museum, which took place on the 6th May, 1928. Staff Changes.—Mr. W. R. B. Oliver, who had been Acting-Director during Dr. Thomson's illness and after his death, was in August, 1928, appointed Director of the Museum.

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Ethnology.—A good deal of work has been done on both the Maori and foreign ethnological collections. Material that has been in the store for many years has been brought to light, catalogued, and classified. Representative collections are being placed on exhibition, with descriptive labels. A display of Polynesian material has been made in a large wall-case in the Museum. The Australian collection is also now under rearrangement. Additions to the ethnological collections include a Maori ornament box of unusual design, some Danish prehistoric flint implements, and a Maori canoe from the Marlborough Sounds. An important series of specimens from Samoa and other Pacific islands has been deposited by Colonel P. Tate, S.M., and the Secretary of the Cook Islands Department. Mr. Elsdon Best has continued his researches on the Maori. Two bulletins, one on Maori methods of fishing and the other on the Whare Kohanga, are in the printer's hands, while the second part of a bulletin on Maori mythology is nearing completion. In addition, Mr. Best has published the following papers in the Journal of the Polynesian Society : " Maori and Maruiwi " ; " The Story of Rua and Tangaroa " ; " The Story of Ngae and Tutununui." Mr. Phillipps has published in the Journal of the Polynesian Society notes on a Maori stone anchor and a stone adze. Herbarium.—The plant collections, which have been increasing steadily during the past few years, are being reorganized into New Zealand and foreign reference collections, and a collection of duplicate material. For this purpose some extra shelving and other necessary material has been provided. Additions to the collection include collections made on the Great and Little Barrier Islands, at Opepe Bush, and at Spirits Bay and other localities north of Auckland. The following papers have been published by Mr. Oliver in the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute : " The New Zealand Species of Metrosideros " ; "A Revision of the Genus Dracophyllum " ; " The Vegetation of the Upper Bealey Valley " (with Mr. R. M. Laing) ; and " The Flora of the Waipaoa Series (Pliocene)." Mammals.—ln January last a whale of a rare species (Kogia breviceps) was cast ashore at Breaker Bay. The calf, 3 ft. 4 in. in length, was procured for the Museum. The body of the whale was buried, with the intention of later securing the skeleton. Birds.—Practically the whole of the reference collection has now been treated with disinfectant and placed in systematic order in the new bird-cabinets provided last year. The remounting and treating of the birds in the exhibition series is being carried out, and new labels are being provided as the work proceeds. Fishes. —The whole of the reference collection has been overhauled, metal numbers attached, and entries made in the new register. Additions to the collection include Cook Island fishes presented by Judge Ayson, some fishes from Waikaremoana presented by Mr. A. Ivean, and several ribbon-fishes from various localities. The following papers have been published in the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology : " Sharks of New Zealand (No. 2) " and " The Dried Swim-bladder of the Ling." Insects. —The principal addition to the insect collection consists of the specimens collected from Little Barrier Island and several localities north of Auckland. Some rare species were represented. The insect collection now comprises about twenty thousand specimens from New Zealand and over three hundred thousand foreign specimens. All are in good order, but on account of the large amount of work involved some sections of the foreign collection have not yet been classified. The collection has been put to considerable use for identifying on account of various inquirers, more especially since the Biology Division of the Department of Agriculture has been removed to Palmerston North. Mollusca. —Additions include a large collection of New Zealand and foreign mollusca and a fine series of 171 species of shells from Panama, presented by Mr. V. W. Lindauer. Library. —The library is now assuming fairly large proportions, and is consequently becoming much more useful. Besides serving the demands of the various branches of the Museum, it is made use of by various scientific workers throughout New Zealand. It is, however, not yet adequate for the Museum, which covers so many subjects demanding full descriptive labels and must provide information for numerous inquiries in very varied subjects. The making of a subject catalogue of the books and pamphlets in card-index form has received attention. International Exchange Service. —Twenty-eight cases of publications have been received from the Smithsonian Institution, and the contents have been distributed to various recipients throughout, the Dominion. Publications have also been received from the International Exchange Services of Belgium, Hungary, Poland, and Germany. Coins. —A valuable collection of English silver and copper coins was bequeathed to the Museum by the late Canon Crompton. Attendance and Inquiries. —It is pleasing to record a steady attendance of visitors at both sections of the Museum. In addition, classes of teachers as well as school-children have regularly visited the Museum. Inquiries from other parts of the Dominion form a good proportion of the inward correspondence, the inquirers in most cases desiring information for its own sake, but occasionally the identification of some mineral or substance of commercial value, such as ambergris, is sought. Alexander Turnbull Library. Cataloguing. —The volumes classified, numbered, and arranged in order on the shelves now exceeds thirty-three thousand ; in addition, over two thousand MS. letters of the Mantell Collection have been classified. The greater part of the books classified deal with Pacific literature. About two hundred were sent for binding, and a hundred drawings and engravings for mounting and putting in Solander cases.

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Additions. —Two hundred and seventy volumes were added to the library during the year. The additions embrace works in classic tongues (Latin and Greek), Dutch, German, and French. Donations.—Eighty-five volumes were donated during the year by twenty-eight individuals, some of whom made donations at two or three different times. The principal donations were as follows : Mrs. W. G. Mantell, many additional volumes, MS. letters, notebooks, and also a valuable microscope formerly belonging to G. A. Mantell; Mrs. S. Potter, " Satires of Juvenal," by Dryden, and other books ; Hon. Sir George Fowlds, two volumes of " Statesman's Year-book," 1925 and 1926, supplementing set already presented ; R. J. Barton, " Earliest New Zealand," being the journal and correspondence of his grandfather, Rev. J. Butler ; Maggs Bros., seven volumes, morocco, of their illustrated catalogues for 1927 ; Mrs. R. Parnham, Fiji, various privately printed publications, mostly dealing with Fiji; Miss B. E. Chaytor, historical sketches by Rev. Wyvill ; Sir Apirana Ngata, " Nga Moteatea,' v lately published ; E. A. Gerrard, " Elizabethan Drama and Dramatists " ; G. Fitzgerald, " Verses " ; J. C. Beaglehole, " Captain Hobson and the New Zealand Company " ; H. E. Holland, various pamphlets; A. B. Chappell, " The Stir in Samoa " ; Hon. W. H. Triggs, numerous pamphlets and miscellaneous publications ; Kate Gerard, " Original Verses," privately printed ; E. R. Allen, " John Hugh Allen " ; Donbank Philatelic Society, " Junior Monthly News-letter " ; Rev. W. J. Comrie, Proceedings and other publications of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church ; Public Library of New South Wales, Bibliography of books on Captain Cook in Mitchell Library, in celebration of sesquecentennial; J. H. L. Waterhouse, " Roviana-English Dictionary " and other publications : also miscellaneous donations by E. W. Arnold, the Cawthron Institute, Miss Moss, E. J. D. Hercus, J. A. Ferguson, of Sydney ; Secretary of the Great Synagogue, Sydney ; and P. J. Marks, of Sydney. Special attention is again drawn to the further donations of Mrs. Mantell. The microscope is a fine instrument which was presented to G. A. Mantell by his admirers in England in 1842. With this instrument he did most of the work on which his geological publications were based. A large number of microscope-slides accompanies the microscope. Incunabula. —The third volume of " Gesamtkatalog der Wiegendrucke," the list of the world's incunabula (books printed before 1500), published at Leipzig, was received during the year. It includes names from As to Bern. The New Zealand list for that publication was prepared in this library. Philanthropic Bodies.—Over two hundred philanthropic bodies were written to with a view to securing complete sets of their annual reports, many broken sets and odd reports being in the library. There was a very good response, so that many of the sets have been completed, and others nearly so. The material for a history of the various philanthropic movements is accordingly available. Readers and Students. —Sixty-one new readers' permits were issued, and students have been working in the library regularly through the year, day and evening. The principal subjects studied were Pacific problems, influence of missions in New Zealand, New Zealand railways, gold-mining in New Zealand, biographies of various statesmen, histories of particular districts, &c. The classics and English literature, including drama, and poetry, have also been much used. Visitors. —There were about 750 visitors during the year. Bulletins.—There are still inquiries for Bulletin 1, " List of One Hundred Representative New Zealand Books." Of Bulletin 2 another sixty-eight have been sold, making 543 to date, which sales have more than paid for the cost of printing. Bulletin 3 (McCrae manuscripts of a visit to New Zealand in 1820) has been printed, sixty-eight copies being sold so far. Bulletin 4, dealing with the Mantell Collection, is in course of preparation. Correspondence. —Many inquiries have been received regarding books and pictures and their values, historical subjects, &c., inward and outward communications amounting to upwards of 2,500. Census and Statistics Office. The efficiency and usefulness of the Census and Statistics Office have been well maintained during the year, which has witnessed the usual steady expansion of activities to meet the demand for statistical information and to keep the Office in line with the social and economic life of the Dominion. Several new branches of inquiry have been undertaken and there have also been numerous minor extensions of existing branches of work. Mortgage Statistics. —During the year just closed arrangements were made for the compilation of statistics on probably the most important aspect of the mortgage question, and one on which no information at all has hitherto been available—viz., the total amount of mortgages owing on farm lands and business premises. The machinery for this lies in the annual returns of lands furnished to the Commissioner of Taxes, particulars as to mortgages outsanding at the 31st March now being added to those re unimproved value, &c., entered on the cards from which the existing land-tax statistics are compiled. Weekly Banking Statistics. —In last year's report reference was made to the institution of a system of weekly statistics of bank debits, clearings, advances, deposits, metal reserves, legal-tender notes, &c. The figures, which have been regularly published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics, are invaluable, as showing seasonal and other movements which were disclosed only approximately or not at all by the quarterly statements, which hitherto provided the only source of information on the subject. Business Statistics. —The collection and analysis of statistics relating to the current trend of production and economic conditions generally have in recent years been greatly extended. Statistics of current business, with forecasts based thereon, are now being published by numerous private agencies throughout the world. Various Government statistical bureaux (notably those of the United States and Canada) and several international organizations are also issuing periodical reviews of general statistics, which give special attention to the problem of business trends,

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The Census and Statistics Office has co-operated with international and other organizations throughout the world in the matter of business statistics, and by means of interchanging publications is in close touch with the rapid advances that are being made in this branch of statistics. To meet the developments of industry and commerce in the Dominion, and to keep abreast of the times, a monthly summary of business statistics was inaugurated in April, 1928. The preparation of the necessary indices month by month, together with the expression of the trends manifested therein, which demands a high standard of statistical technique and a thorough grounding in economics, has so far been on a relatively modest scale. The experience, however, of even a single year, together with certain investigations which have been carried out, has resulted in the Office being able to meet a growing public demand for information of this nature. Accident Insurance.-—When the direct collection of statistics of accident insurance was undertaken by the Census and Statistics Office in 1926 a distinction was provided for in the statement of premiums and claims as between workers' compensation and other forms of accident insurance. Last year the form of return was amplified to obtain also separate figures for (1) personal accident and sickness insurance, (2) motor-vehicle insurance, and (3) motor-omnibus insurance (risks under Motor-omnibus Licensing Regulations). The institution of a system of compulsory insurance for all motor-vehicles under the Motorvehicles Insurance (Third-party Risks) Act of 1928 will involve an extension of our insurance statistics to cover this class of insurance in detail, providing not only figures of premiums and claims, but also statistics of motor-vehicle accidents due to negligence. Electricity Generation and Supply.—The rapid development in the electricity generation and supply industry during recent years has been accompanied by a growing demand for information relating to the industry. This demand has been met by extending the data collected and presenting the final statistics in such a way as to shed light on the manifold ramifications of the industry. The main classification divides the stations into (a) generating and (b) distributing, an undertaking that has been complicated by the fact that certain stations fall midway between the two. Further classifications group stations according to size. In past years a certain amount of duplication has occurred in the preparation of statistical data in the Census and Statistics Office and the Hydro-electric Branch of the Public Works Department. Arrangements have now been completed whereby the annual statistics will be arranged to fulfil all requirements in one presentation, the whole of the tabulation and preparatory work being centralized in the Census and Statistics Office, with which the Hydro-electric Branch collaborates in respect of technical aspects of the data. Dairy-factory Statistics.—As part of the scheme for the application of science to the farming industry, the Office has been directing attention towards the preparation of relative yields and costs in respect of butter and cheese factories on the lines of what is done annually in Denmark, the object being to raise the standard of the manufacturing processes. Finality has not yet been reached, and collaboration with the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture and the companies engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese shows that a good deal remains to be done to consummate the scheme. An essential to the full development of the scheme is the approval of the dairy companies to the publication of detailed figures for each company, and in a considerable proportion of cases this approval is not yet forthcoming. Butterfat-yields.—Following on the tabulation of statistics of milk and butterfat yields of some seventy thousand cows on behalf of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department last year, a special investigation over a much greater field was made during 1928 as part of the scheme of increasing the statistical knowledge concerning the Dominion's dairy industry. Returns were collected through dairy companies, showing the number of cows milked for supply to the factories and the total butterfatyield. While the collection was by no means complete, ample returns were received from which to obtain reliable and informative figures as to the average yield per cow in the different districts of the Dominion. TJse of Fertilizers.—The realization of the necessity of improving the productivity of the Dominion's farm lands has led in recent years to an ever-increasing use of fertilizers and an extension of top-dressing. Questions as to the quantity and class of fertilizer used and the area top-dressed were added to the agricultural and pastoral statistics questionnaire last year ; and in connection with the spring collection of statistics of areas sown in wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes information is now obtained as to whether fertilizer was used, and, if so, the quantity per acre. The information so obtained will shed valuable light on the effect of fertilizer on the per-acre yields. Varieties of Oats. — At the instance of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, the card used in the spring for the collection of information as to sowings of wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes was amplified this year to provide for varieties of oats to be shown, as has been the case with wheat for several years past. Corollary to this change, similar detail as to threshings was also provided for in the form used for obtaining from threshing-mill owners information as to quantities of wheat and oats threshed. World Agricultural Census.—So long ago as 1924 the General Assembly of the International Institute of Agriculture passed a resolution stressing the desirability of a general agricultural census being taken in all countries on a uniform plan, and as far as possible on the same date, which was fixed for the year 1930. The draft scheme subsequently submitted by the Institute does not vary in material respects from that employed annually in New Zealand, and little difficulty will be experienced in this country in falling into line with the international scheme for'the 1930 collection. The Census and Statistics Office have been in fairly constant communication with the International Institute on the subject, and Mr. Leon M. Estabrook, who has been appointed by the Institute to direct the international project, visited New Zealand in the course of a world tour and discussed matters on the spot with the Government Statistician. The necessary preliminary steps have been taken so far as possible to ensure New Zealand's participation in the scheme.

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Wages of Farm Employees—With a view to obtaining reliable data on the subject, a special inquiry was made some months ago, and some very informative figures as to wages were ascertained and were summarized in the Monthly Abstract according to occupations, a distinction being made between cases in which (1) board and lodging were supplied, (2) free housing was provided, and (3) there were no extras. Unemployment.—For some years past the Census and Statistics Office has been publishing statistics of unemployment, compiled from data obtained from two sources —viz., records of applications at and placements by the Labour Department's employment bureaux, and returns from secretaries of tradeunions. Arising out of the discussions of the Industrial Conference held last year, and the prominence given there and elsewhere to the subject of unemployment, arrangements were made, with the cooperation of the Labour Department, for the statistical analysis of unplaced applicants, with a view to ascertaining the type of labour which particularly suffers in time of depression. Unplaced applicants are tabulated according to such aspects as occupation, age, marital condition, number of dependants, length of time in New Zealand, and period unemployed. The office is also studying the question of the trend of employment during the year. As a first step in this direction, returns of factory production and of building and construction have been utilized to provide, by an amendment of the form, information as to the number of employees of either sex at the middle of each month of the year. Similar information is available for Public Works employees, and an extension to local authority employees is now being made. Mr. Malcolm Fraser, Government Statistician, has been appointed a member of the special Committee set up by the Government to investigate the question of unemployment. Vital Statistics. —New Zealand's vital statistics have been improved and extended during recent years until they are now widely recognized as being second to none in their completeness and accuracy. Evidence of this recognition has recently been given in connection with the decennial revision of the " International Classification of Diseases and of Causes of Death," which is to be undertaken by a congress to be held at Paris in October next. Not only was New Zealand invited to send a representative to this congress, but the views of the Census and Statistics Office in regard to points involved in the revision were sought both by the International Institute of Statistics and by the Health Organization of the League of Nations. As part of its scheme for disseminating full information concerning the public health, registration, and population and vital statistics services of the various countries of the world, the Health Organization of the League of Nations recently published a booklet containing this information for New Zealand. The portion relating to public-health services was prepared by the Health Department, and the balance of the matter by an officer of the Census and Statistics Office. Papers prepared and read by the Government Statistician on the subject of the statistical treatment of still-births and their causes have attracted considerable attention not only in New Zealand and Australia, but also in Europe. The initiation of international consideration of the subject may lead to still-births being handled statistically in the same way as infant mortality, of which problem they are really part and parcel. The introduction, early in 1928, of a system of direct query to the medical man concerned, has resulted in still further improvements being effected in the statistics of causes of death. Publications. —The Year-book and other statistical publications continue to reflect the growing development of the Dominion's statistical service. In common with its immediate predecessors, the 1929 Year-book covered new ground in several directions, a noteworthy feature being the inclusion of a special article by Messrs. E. J. Fawcett, M.A., and W. N. Paton, of the Department of Agriculture, in which the progress of live-stock production as an entity was interestingly presented by reducing the statistics to a standard basis. During the year a new departure was made in the case of the Monthly Abstract of Statistics, the letterpress portion of which is now regularly supplemented by a review of the principal monthly statistics. This publication is now also made the medium for publishing preliminary reports on and summarized statistics of the secondary industries, thus allowing of the latest figures for the principal industries to be made available at the earliest possible date. The work of dissemination is carried a step further by the Department of Industries and Commerce, which has the notes for the various industries printed off as extracts and distributed to those particularly interested in the industries concerned. Eleven of the seventeen volumes of statistics of the 1926 census results have already appeared, and others are in course of preparation. It is anticipated that the balance will be published during the current year. Every endeavour has been made to expedite the publication of the " Local Authorities Handbook," and with a certain measure of success. Dilatoriness on the part of a few local authorities in supplying statistical returns, however, is a serious obstacle to further progress. Empire Statistical Uniformity. —The main purpose of the Conference of Empire Statisticians which met at London in 1920 was to secure uniformity in statistical treatment and presentation throughout the Empire. The results to date are more noticeable as between the different self-governing Dominions than as between these on the one hand and the United Kingdom on the other, this being due partly to the non-setting-up of an Empire statistical bureau and partly to the fact that there is no central statistical bureau in the United Kingdom, where each important Department handling matters commonly treated statistically have their own statistical services. Signs are, however, not wanting that Empire uniformity has been kept steadily in view by the principal statistical authorities at Home, notably the Statistical Branch of the Board of Trade. Proposals have recently been made, for instance, for a uniform summarization of statistics of imports and exports, and the Census and Statistics Office of New Zealand is giving this proposal its full support and co-operation.

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Inquiries for Statistical Information. —A feature of recent years has been the growing demand on the part of the public, professional men, educationists, business firms, public and semipublic organizations, &c., for statistical information of all kinds, and it says much for the high standing of the statistical service of the country that in general information desired can be supplied. This applies also to inquiries from international organizations, particularly those which either are branches of the League of Nations or have had delegated to them the League's authority in regard to individual divisions of statistics. Some of the numerous inquiries from these organizations require very detailed statistical information, and involve considerable time and labour. Cinematograph-film Censorship. During the year 1,671 films, of a total length of 4,373,200 ft., were censored. Of this number, thirty-one were rejected in the first instance, 147 were passed subject to excisions, and sixty-five were passed with recommendations for adult audiences only. One appeal against the Censor's decision was lodged in December last, but up to the end of March the appellant had taken no further steps to have the film reviewed by the Board of Appeal. The total number of British Empire films examined was 474, including features, topicals, gazettes, &c., and the total length was 828,250 feet. Of this total sixty-one films were produced in New Zealand, representing 69,830 ft. Feature films—viz., those exceeding 3,000 ft. in length— totalled 448 ; while the remaining 1,223 films comprised topicals, scenics, comedies, industrials, &c., rarely exceeding 2,000 ft. each. Of the feature films, sixty-four were produced in the British Empire, 361 in United States of America, nineteen in Germany, two in Italy, and two in France. The Cinematograph-films Act, 1928, came into operation on the Ist January, 1929, and 787 films have been registered under the provisions of the Act intended to secure a 7i-per-cent. renters' quota of British films for 1929. The quota films registered between the Ist January and the 31st March, 1929, number 205, and of this number forty-one are British and 164 are foreign. The remaining 582 films are registered as non-quota films for the purpose of the Act. These registration figures include a certain proportion of films which were examined by the Censor but not released for public exhibition before the 31st December, 1928. The registrations of quota film for the first three months equal 80 per cent, of foreign features and 20 per cent, of British features. The British feature films submitted during the year under review compare very favourably with the films originating elsewhere. No British feature film was rejected except " Dawn," which was an exceptional case. Inland Fisheries. Facilities for Anglers and Visitors.—A great deal of work was done during the year to further provide for the convenience of anglers and visitors, in making access to fishable waters, campingsites, and huts, erecting an Anglers' Information Bureau, inaugurating a system of issuing fishing bulletins, erecting notices relative to local restrictions, tracks, bridges, fishing-pools, danger-points, camping-grounds, smoking of trout, &c., and clearing banks and streams, &c. A foot-track and cleared fishing-spaces were formed for over a mile along the eastern bank of the Waikato River above the Huka Falls. Also another track and over three-quarters of a mile of foot-bridge were constructed across a swamp to provide direct access from Tokaanu Township to the Tongariro River. Further tracks were formed along the Tongariro and Tauranga-Taupo Rivers and at points along the lake foreshore, and tracks and motor-access roads previously made by the Department were improved by the provision of culverts, clearing, widening, &c. The road leading to the Tokaanu Wharf was metalled, and approaches improved and strengthened against erosion by waves. A property on the bank of the Tongariro River was acquired by the Department and a camp (the Tongariro Hatchery Camp) was established, which includes four huts, each providing accommodation for two persons, and an almost unlimited number of attractive camp-sites. This camp has proved very popular. A very attractive building was erected on the Taupo Landing Reserve for use as an Anglers' Information Bureau and branch office. It is confidently anticipated that this provision will fill a long-felt need, and will be very highly appreciated by all visitors. To enable boats to proceed further up-stream, and thus provide better access to the lake by water, the bed of the Tokaanu Stream was cleared of weed. The Aotea Maori Land Board and the Tuwharetoa Trust Board contributed towards the cost of the work. Taupo Landing Reserve.—A start was made on the Department's policy to make a beauty-spot and scenic attraction of the Taupo Landing Reserve by planting some shelter and ornamental trees and shrubs and fencing the reserve. • Hatchery Operations.—As the result of extensive improvements to both hatcheries, especially providing for better aeration of the water-supplies, most satisfactory results were obtained. A certain amount of additional hatchery space was provided at each hatchery to cope with the very extensive restocking programmes undertaken, especially in the Rotorua district, and the large orders for ova and fry received. The supply of fish of excellent quality and stamina again proved to be plentiful, resulting in an abundant supply of ova being available for all requirements. The quality of the ova obtained and of the fry reared was of the highest, and letters expressing commendation were received from the Department of State Fisheries of New South Wales and several acclimatization societies in New Zealand. A total of 5,429,000 rainbow-trout ova was taken from fish in Taupo district waters, of which 3,120,000 was sold, 2,139,000 was hatched and the fry reared, and 170,000 " planted." Of the fry reared, 1,384,000 was liberated by the Department, as shown under the heading of " Conservation Operations." Of the ova " planted," 30,000 was planted in Rotorua district waters and 140,000 in Taupo district waters. In addition to the above, 179,000 eyed ova was purchased from the Otago Acclimatization Society, and from this 177,000 fry was reared.

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Scientific Researches. —During the year the Department's comprehensive programme of scientific researches into mortality amongst bullies, thread-worm, and other problems pertaining to the conservation of trout in the Taupo district was inaugurated. Analysis of Waters.—An analysis of the chemical and gaseous contents of the waters of different parts of the lake and of all important streams was made to establish a basis for further studies of fish and other aquatic fauna inhabiting the waters, and it is anticipated that the knowledge so gained will be of value in future researches. Tagging.—The tagging of trout with a view to gaining more definite knowledge of their habits with regard to feeding, spawning, migration, &c., and to their age, growth, condition, &c., was undertaken and will be continued for some years. A total of 533 fish were tagged, and already much valuable data is being gained from fish already retaken, although the full value of this work will not be appreciable for several years, when it is expected that a great deal of exceedingly valuable knowledge will thus be gained. Considerable publicity has been given to this work, with a view to enlisting the co-operation of all anglers, and results so far obtained are gratifying in this respect. The following are particulars of a number of tagged fish retaken :—

Conservation Operations. —Restocking : With a view to maintaining the supplies of trout in both the Taupo and Rotorua districts, introducing the progeny of the better-quality Taupo fish into Rotorua, and introducing outside stock into Taupo waters, the following restocking operations were conducted :— Taupo district. —194,000 fry hatched from Taupo ova and 177,000 from Lake Hawea ova was liberated, and 140,000 Taupo ova was " planted "in the Taupo district. Rotorua district—l,l9o,ooo fry reared from Taupo ova was liberated and 30,000 Taupo ova " planted " in the Rotorua district. These operations in this district were the commencement of an extensive restocking programme. Culling : During the winter, as the trout were migrating up-stream to spawn, large numbers were trapped in the various rivers flowing into Lake Taupo, and those showing signs of deterioration owing to age, disease, deformity, poor constitution, &c., were killed. Although the operations were rendered very difficult on account of floods, considerable success was achieved and much valuable knowledge was obtained. Between nine thousand and ten thousand fish were handled during these operations and of these approximately 4 per cent, were killed. Destruction of shags : In continuation of the previously existing policy of the Department, a royalty of 2s. 6d. per head for shags shot in the Taupo and Rotorua districts was paid, and a total of 938 shags' heads were thus paid for. In addition, the Department's Rangers in the Taupo district were supplied with ammunition, and they took every opportunity of destroying these birds, it being estimated that they accounted for over two hundred. Taupo Harbour Control.—Licenses: The police constables stationed at Taupo and Tokaanu acted on behalf of the Department as Licensing Officers under the Taupo Harbour Regulations, 1926, and a total of nine launches were licensed to ply for hire. The number of row-boats available for hire increased during the year, and a large number are now licensed. Licenses were also issued to all master boatmen and watermen operating on the lake. Wharves and slipway : Repairs and maintenance were carried out to the wharves at Taupo and Tokaanu. A landing-stage for row-boats was erected at the Taupo Landing Reserve. A slip-way at Taupo for the use of launches when undergoing repairs, annual overhaul, and inspection was constructed, and will be available to launch-owners on payment of a fee. Buoys, life-buoys, lights, &c. : Buoys were moored to mark the approach to the Taupo Wharf from the lake and the outer end of a reef at Whakaipo Bay. Life-buoys and fire-buckets were provided on the wharves. A light was provided at the Taupo Wharf, and arrangements made to have it lighted and hoisted every night. Smoking Trout. —The previously existing arrangement was continued whereby trout were smoked for anglers at a flat rate of 10s. per dozen by two persons —one at Taupo and one at Tokaanu. General. —The Department is making every endeavour to develop the Taupo fisheries not with the object of making it a money-making concern, but in the interests of anglers and others visiting the locality, and also in the interests of local residents, it being realized that the Taupo district is part of the heritage of the people of the Dominion and should be preserved to them in perpetuity. From reports received the provision made for access to fishing-waters, new tracks, places for camping, &c., have been much appreciated, and as far as the fishing is concerned the results so far received indicate that a larger number of people, both anglers and others, have visited the district than in the past, and there is every prospect of the season being one of the best experienced for many years, the trout having come into prime condition much earlier than in the past.

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I I Length Length Weight Weight Tag No. Species. Date tagged. Date retaken, j Locality tagged. Locality retaken. when when when ; when i tagged, retaken, tagged, j retaken. In. In. lb. oz. lb. oz. 1,024 R.F. j 3/9/28 1/11/28 Hatcher} 7 stream Delta .. 25 25 6 8 7 0 36 ! R.F. i 28/6/28 18/11/28 Hatchery stream Motuopa .. 25J 26 5 0 6 4 483 j R.F. 20/9/28 19/11/28 Whitikau .. Puhawa ..26 27 8 8 8 14 3 ! R.M. 14/6/28 9/1/29 Hatchery stream Tokaanu Wharf 16 .. 11 4 30 R.F. 23/6/28 10/2/29 Hatchery stream Waitahanui outlet 25 27J 5 0 7 0 145 i R.M. 7/8/28 24/12/28 Waiotaka .. Delta .. 20| 21 4 0 2 8 1,023 R.M. 3/9/28 31/12/28 Hatchery stream Waikererau .. 22 22 4 4 456 R.M. 6/9/28 .. Hatchery stream Mine Point .. 22| .. 6 0 482 R.F. 20/9/28 —/11/28 Whitikau .. Whitikau .. 22 .. 5 0 _ _ R.F., rainbow female trout; R.M., rainbow male trout.

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Registrar-General's Office. Births. —The total birth registrations were 28,756, a slight decrease on the previous year's figures. Included in this number are correcting and legitimation entries, registrations under section 27 (after adoption), and under section 24 (special provision for unregistered births). Four hundred and twenty-one adoptions were recorded, and 349 legitimations, necessitating in every case a new birth registration. There were also 107 registrations under section 24, involving considerable work in getting the necessary corroborative evidence for applicants. Maori birth registrations totalled 1,890. Deaths. —There were 11,882 death registrations (including correcting-entries). Maori death registrations numbered 1,029. Marriages.—lo,74s marriage notices were received by Registrars on which certificates authorizing marriage were issued, and 10,648 marriages were solemnized. Of this number 2,136 (or about 20 per cent.) were solemnized by Registrars of Marriages. There were 501 dissolutions of marriage recorded, and 266 marriages of Maoris solemnized under the provisions of the Native Land Act. Officiating Ministers. —On the 31st December last there were 1,960 names on the list of officiating ministers authorized to solemnize marriage, of the following religious denominations : Church of England, 495; Presbyterian Church, 410; Roman Catholic Church, 312; Methodist Church, 268; Congregational Independents, 34; Baptists, 71 ; Church of Christ, 33 ; Salvation Army, 115 ; Ratana Church, 80 ; Ringatu Church, 33 ; other religious bodies, 109. Dentists. —During the year thirty-six dentists were registered, and nine names removed on account of death. Of those registered the qualifications were —Bachelor of Dental Surgery, University of New Zealand, 11 ; and Certificates of Proficiency in Dental Surgery, University of New Zealand, 14. Ten were registered under the special provisions of section 2 of the Dentists Amendment Act, 1926, and one under section 15 (2) of the Dentists Act, 1908. Searches and Certificates. —The total number of searches made and certificates issued in the Head Office amounted to 30,692, made up as follows : For Pensions Department, 5,340 ; for National Provident Fund, 2,538 ; for Labour Department, 1,638 ; for Education Department, 1,006 ; other searches (for public), 11,012 ; certificates issued, 9,158. The District Offices in the main centres made over 2,000 searches for other Departments of the State. Office of Chief Inspector of Explosives. Explosives Licenses. —Importation licenses for the following explosives were issued during the license year ending 30th June, 1928 : Gelignite, 938,000 lb. ; blasting-gelatine, 52,000 lb. ; gelatinedynamite, 27,500 lb. ; A 2 Monobel, 405,550 lb. ; Samsonite No. 3, 90,850 lb. ; blasting-powder, 114,7501b.; sporting-powder, 15,7401b.; pellets, 151,2501b.; detonators, 1,650,000; E.D. fuses, 695,000 ; fireworks (packages), 2,046. Other licenses were issued during the same period as follows (corresponding figures for the previous year being given in parentheses) : Conveyance, 272 (240) ; sale, 646 (651) ; storage, 388 (371). Examination of Explosives. —As usual, all shipments of explosives were examined on arrival, and, with one exception, were found to be in good condition. Portion of a consignment of Samsonite No. 3, ex a.s. " Piri " was found to be damaged by sea-water, and a considerable quantity was overhauled. One hundred and forty-eight, cases were found to be damaged, but as an opportunity offered to use the explosives in a quarry-tunnel shot within a short period after arrival permission was given to dispose of the explosives in this manner. An unusually large number of samples of cordite was submitted to the silvered-vessel test during the year for the Defence and Navy Departments. Dangerous Goods. —Legislation : The new regulations under the Act regarding dangerous goods were put into force during the year, and, with the exception of one or two matters, are working satisfactorily. Representations have been made by the trade interests concerned regarding the use of light-steel drums for petrol, and also regarding the installation of petrol-pumps inside buildings. It is proposed to send an officer of the Department to Australia during the coming year to discuss these matters, and also the question of harbour by-laws regarding the landing of petroleum from tank steamers. Local-authority administration : During the year three new licensing authorities undertook the administration of the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920 —Kumara Borough Council, Manukau County Council, and Putaruru Town Board. Manukau is the first county to be appointed a licensing authority, as it has not been the policy of the Department in the past to agree to the administration of the Act by County Councils, and the appointment of the Manukau County Council is more or less in the nature of an experiment. The county is comparatively small in area, more closely settled than most counties, and possesses the services of an officer who has had previous experience in local-authority administration. If the experiment is successful, then similar applications from other counties may be favourably considered. Inspection visits to all licensing-authority districts have been made by departmental officers during the year, and the premises of licensees have been visited in company with the local-authority officers. Departmental administration : The Department administers the Act in districts other than those controlled by licensing authorities. During the year 1,515 licenses were issued, as compared with 1,397 during the previous year. Inspection visits to most of the licensed premises have been made during the year. Accidents : Three accidents occurred during the year, involving loss of life, and the following details of these are of interest: — (1) At Auckland on the Ist April, 1929, a brick store containing petrol and kerosene in 4-gallon tins and 45-gallon drums caught fire (arson is suspected but could not be proved) and burned out in about four days. During the course of the fire the explosion of the drums threw both drums and tins high into the air, the empty containers falling in some cases 50 ft. from the walls of the building. In some cases the drums of petrol " rocketed " on bursting, discharging the burning liquid behind them. One of these drums discharged portions of its contents over two firemen who were operating a hose

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about 30 ft. from the building. Both were badly burned, and one died of his injuries the following day. The fire was confined to the building in which it occurred, and it would appear that the isolation distances for dangerous-goods stores prescribed under the Act are effective for the protection of surrounding property. (2) At Te Kuiti a man was using a blow-lamp to heat a soldering-iron, and a few feet away was a partly empty tin of methylated spirits. Some of this spirit had evidently been spilled, as the vapour ignited and carried the flame to the tin, and the mixture of gas and vapour in the latter exploded, spraying the liquid contents over the workman, who was so badly burned that he died. (3) At Gisborne a youth was engaged in filling the tank of a motor-lorry inside a garage from a 45-gallon drum of petrol by gravity through a length of hose. He used a lighted acetylene-lamp to see whether the tank was full, and the vapour ignited. In response to his call, his father came into the garage and attempted to turn off the tap which controlled the flow of liquid. The fire got out of hand, and the garage and lorry were destroyed, the drum exploding and scattering burning petrol in all directions. The father was so badly burned that he died the following day. It should be noted that no license was held for the storage of petrol, and the delivery of petrol from a drum by gravity is contrary to the regulations. In addition to the above, a number of accidents occurred in the filling of tanks of motor-vehicles, four of them involving more or less serious injury to persons. There are two causes of accidents which call for special note :— (1) In two cases serious injury was caused by the operators adjusting the delivery-control handle of the petrol-pump so that delivery could take place without manual control. The practice was in each case to start delivery and go away to attend to other business. A miscalculation of the quantity of petrol which the tank would hold was followed by overflow on to the hot engine and subsequent ignition of the vapour and tank contents either from electrical connections or from incandescent material in the exhaust-pipe. (2) A number of fires occurred during the filling of the tanks of motor-cycles with petrol. In almost every instance the ignition was caused by the acetylene-lamp being left alight during filling. The Dangerous Goods Regulations provide that no naked light shall be brought within 10 ft. of a vehicle while the petrol-tank is being filled, and the regulation specifically mentions lighted acetylenelamps, as it is not generally recognized by the public that even a closed lamp is a " naked light " as far as protection against petrol-gas is concerned. Three accidents in dry-cleaning in private houses were reported, and in each case painful burns were suffered by the persons concerned. All the accidents occurred through cleaning clothes in a bucket or other receptacle in a room in which there was a lighted stove. It seems very difficult to bring home to the general public the fact that petrol when exposed to the air gives ofi a large quantity of heavy inflammable gas, which will flow along the floor considerable distances, particularly in the direction of any gentle draught, such as is created by a stove, and that on ignition of this gas the fire will flash back to the source of gas. It cannot be too strongly emphasized that home dry-cleaning with petrol inside a building is a very dangerous practice. The reports on accidents received during the year again emphasize the fact that the ordinary quart tetrachloride extinguisher is effective in dealing with most petrol fires. The regulation which requires a suitable extinguisher to be kept in the vicinity of every petrol-pump has been brought under the notice of both local-authority inspectors and licensees during the year, and will be strictly enforced in future. Prosecutions : One prosecution only was taken during the year against a firm for storage of dangerous goods on unlicensed premises. The firm in question were fined £3 and costs and forfeiture of the petrol was ordered. This prosecution was taken mainly as a warning to importers of cased petrol that the regulations must be complied with. Cinematograph-Jilm. —Legislation : A considerable amount of time was spent during the year in connection with the preparation of the ■ Cinematograph-films Act and regulations thereunder. The Act, which was passed last year, in addition to providing for the exhibition of a quota of British films, consolidates all previous legislation regarding film, and provides for the issue of renters' and exhibitors' licenses which will replace the licenses previously issued under the Dangerous Goods (Cinematograph-film) Regulations, 1925. These regulations are repealed as from the 30th September, 1929. Regulations under the new Act have been prepared, and will be circulated to the trade interests concerned before they are gazetted. The regulations follow generally the lines of those previously in force except for the modification necessary owing to the form of the new Act. Administration : During the year 628 theatre licenses have been issued, as compared with 516 last year. The intensive inspection of the country theatres referred to in the last annual report has been continued, with the result that very few of even the backblocks halls now present a serious fire hazard from a construction point of view. Special attention has also been paid to the provision of fire-resisting shutters between the projection-room and the auditorium, as the experience obtained from recent film fires showed that this safeguard was absolutely essential. Accidents : Eleven fires occurred in the projection of film during the year, but in no case did the fire involve a greater quantity of film than the single spool actually in the machine, and no structural damage was done to the building in any of the fires. An examination of the reports on these fires shows that in most cases where more than a few feet of film was involved the spool-magazines on the cinematograph-machine were not closed, as required by the regulations. The exhibitors have therefore been notified through their association that prosecutions will be taken in future if this regulation is not complied with.

H.—22,

14

Publicity Office. The past year has been one of steady progress and development in all branches of the office, and the publicity campaign overseas has undoubtedly resulted in an increased number of visitors to the Dominion. Among them were many important persons from England, America, and Australia, who openly expressed their appreciation of the beauties of the country and will prove good advocates for the Dominion. The trout-fishing and deep-sea sport are attracting increasing numbers of visitors annually. Advertising in Australia. —During the year the Publicity Officer visited Australia with a view to obtaining first-hand knowledge of the requirements there and to confer with the local agents regarding the launching of an advertising campaign in the Commonwealth. Cinematograph, Branch. —The new laboratory referred to in my last report as in course of construction was completed and work commenced about the middle of the year. It was found that the quality of the films improved immediately through the provision of better accommodation and facilities for production. Lighting equipment was installed for use in the studio, and will prove of great value for filming interior scenes. If this phase of the work is developed, additional lighting may later be necessary. A film has been produced every week, and the usual number of copies distributed throughout Australia, England, America, New Zealand, and a limited number in the East. A reciprocal arrangement was made with the Indian State railways for the shoeing of films on their trains. Eilms were also supplied to the steamers of the Canadian Pacific Railway Co. and to the ships of the Orient line trading to Australia. Arrangements have been made to install a machine for the reduction of standard film to the 16 mm. size for use among amateurs and in schools and colleges, &c. This should provide a further excellent publicity medium. Arrangements are now in train for obtaining film of topical events from various agents in the main centres. The daily screenings of films were well patronized during the summer months. The latest developments of sound and colour processes in film-producing countries are being carefully watched with a view to their adoption here. Publications. —The following books have been issued or reprinted : " Paradise of the Pacific " ; " The Maori " ; " New Zealand " ; Guide-book and " Rotorua " ; " Sport " ; and scenic folders ; while four posters were printed and distributed. Approximately 200,000 pieces of literature were distributed through channels from which the best results are anticipated. A greatly increased number will be well distributed when the overseas agencies are better established. A new booklet is in course of preparation which is intended to prove the best of its kind yet produced in New Zealand. It has been very gratifying to receive many complimentary references to the quality of our printing from overseas sources. Photographs and Lantern-slides. —These have been produced in large numbers, and distributed overseas in hotels, shipping, and railway offices, schools, &e. The thanks of the Office are due in this respect to the Canadian Pacific Railways, Canadian National Railways, Thomas Cook and Sons, Union Steamship Co., and other organizations for their assistance. London Publicity Representative.—Reports from London indicate that interest in the Dominion as an ideal country for sport and recreation is still increasing, and this is evident from the number of English visitors coming to these shores. Daily screenings of films are arranged through the theatres, and for special lecture purposes. Photographs suitable for reproduction are sent forward from this Office, and many of these find their way into the illustrated papers throughout Great Britain. Shows and window displays are a feature of the advertising. General. —The contract with the firm of Foster Reynolds, of the United States of America, for the distribution of our literature and photographs was renewed for a further year. To further the campaign in America, an arrangement was made, in conjunction with the Union Steamship Co., for a year's engagement of a lecturer to tour the United States. This gentleman is now in the Dominion with the object of obtaining first-hand knowledge of the country and its attractions. Distinguished Visitors. The Department has experienced a busy year in the reception and entertainment, on behalf of the Government, of many distinguished visitors. Naval visits comprised the H.M.A.S. " Australia," flying the flag of Rear-Admiral G. E. liyde; : the Argentine training-ship " Presidente Sarmiento," under the command of Captain J. Costa Palma ; and the Japanese Training Squadron, consisting of H.I.J.M. ships " Yakumo " and " Idgumo," under the command of Vice-Admiral S. Kobayashi. H.I.H. Prince Takamatsu, younger brother of the Emperor, was an officer on the " Yakumo." Visits in the interests of science included the Royal Danish ship " Dana," under the command of Professor Johannes Schmidt, and the ships of the Antarctic Expedition, under Commander Byrd. Visitors from England included the Earl and Countess of Liverpool, Lord Lovat, and a large party of public-school boys ; while those from Australia included the Hon. M. E. Troy (Minister for Lands, Western Australia), the Hon. D. H. Drummond (Minister for Education, New South Wales), and the Hon. Sir Walter Lee (Minister for Agriculture, Tasmania). Conclusion. Mr. James Hislop, who occupied the position of Under-Secretary from 1912, retired on the 30th June, 1928, and I succeeded him in that office on the Ist July of that year. I am pleased to place on record my appreciation of the willing and loyal services rendered by my departmental officers, and of the spirit of co-operation in all sections of the Department. The many courtesies and assistance received from other Departments is also gratefully acknowledged.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (500 copies), £15 10s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skimi- kb, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92®.

Price 6d.]