DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1942 Session I, H-22

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1942. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by L,eave.

Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 3rd July, 1942. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1942. I have, &c., J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary. The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT.

I. CENTENNIAL BRANCH. The following Centennial historical surveys were published during the year 1941-42 : — " New Zealand Now," by Oliver Duff. " Educating New Zealand," by A. E. Campbell. In addition, a comprehensive index was prepared to accompany bound volume No. 2 of the " Making New Zealand " series of pictorial surveys. An official art catalogue was prepared in connection with the Exhibition of British and New Zealand War Art, and work was also done, in connection with the issue of a second edition of " The Gael Fares Forth," by N. R. McKenzie. During the year the staff continued to answer requests for information relating to New Zealand history. Research in the preparation of the " Centennial Atlas " has continued throughout the year, but on a much reduced scale due to staff depletions and general war conditions. Some work has been done in relation to historical memorials, and the erection of a series of monuments at Captain Cook's landing-places actually begun. 11. CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS. Among the responsibilities of the Department in the constitutional field were the following : — (а) Action by the Under-Secretary as Clerk of the Writs in connection with the issue and return of the writs for the by-elections in the Waitemata, Bay of Plenty, Mid-Canterbury, Temuka, and Hauraki Electoral Districts : (б) The terms of appointment of eleven Legislative Councillors expired during the year, and one vacancy occurred through death. Twelve appointments were made to the Legislative Council: (c) The promulgation of emergency regulations and orders following on the declaration of war with Japan. 111. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. A. General Organization. (1) Counties. The Springs County Council passed a special order under the Counties Amendment Act, 1931, abolishing the system of separate riding finance in its district. This made a total of seventy County Councils to avail themselves of that legislation. (2) Boroughs. On two occasions there was an adjustment of boundaries as between the Christchurch City Council and the Heathcote County Council. The boundaries of three other boroughs were altered by the inclusion of lands previously under County Council control. The boundaries of five boroughs were redefined in accordance with law. A proposal that certain land should be excluded from the Feilding Borough was submitted to a Commission, which reported against the proposal. (3) Land Drainage and River Districts. The boundaries of the Christchurch Drainage District were altered on two occasions by the inclusion of certain areas of land. (4) Local Elections and Polls. During the year the triennial local elections were held, this being the first occasion on which they were held "on a Saturday. The general elections for members of the Christchurch Drainage Board and for the Auckland Electric-power Board respectively were postponed for one year because of the prevailing conditions.

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B. Legislation. (1) Counties Insurance Empowering Act, 1941. The purpose of this Act is to establish a scheme whereby County Councils can have their insurances effected on a co-operative basis. The Act authorizes the registration of a company to be called " The New Zealand Counties Co-operative Insurance Company, Limited." Membership of this company is open to any County Council that complies with the conditions laid down in the memorandum of association or articles of association. That company arranges the insurances and generally operates in the same way as an insurance company does in so far as its members are concerned. The company will have to comply with the normal conditions applicable to insurance companies. The company will have to have a paid-up capital sufficient to enable it to carry the insurance itself from the beginning of the scheme. The nominal capital is £100,000. The company will not commence business until a minimum of £55,000 has been subscribed by County Councils and £27,500 has been paid up. In general, the County Councils will contribute the capital of the company on a pro rata basis according to the capital value of the land in their respective counties. Most of the requirements for the formation of this company are contained in the memorandum of association or articles of association, and the actual purpose of the Act was to give the necessary statutory authority for the formation of this company and to allow County Councils to expend their funds for the purposes contemplated. One section in the Act authorizes any County Council to raise a loan without a poll for the purpose of meeting its share of the cost of forming the company. (2) Local Elections and Polls Amendment Act, 1941. In this Act provision is made for the holding of the statutory general elections of local authorities on a Saturday and for the poll to close at 6 p.m. Another provision brings into operation at local elections the " cross system of voting instead of the previous " striking out " method. Tenants of State houses are given the right to vote at local elections as though they possess a ratepayer's qualification, except on polls relating to loans or rates. (3) Statutes Amendment Act, 1941. Eighteen sections of this statute enacted amendments to Acts administered by this Department. Two of the principal provisions related (a) to finance to meet expenses arising because of storm damage, and (b) to amendments to the Town-planning Act. (4) Finance Acts, 1941. Seven sections of the Finance Act (No. .1) and one section of the Finance Act (No. 2) related to matters administered by this Department. Among the matters dealt with were the validation of expenses by Fire Boards for emergency equipment and the authorization of grants to retiring employees of local authorities. (5) Local Legislation Act, 1941. Seventy applications were considered, and of these forty-seven clauses were included in the Bill as finally passed. As usual, the Act dealt with a wide range of local-government matters. (6) Local Acts. Nine local Bills were submitted to the Department by the Local Bills Committee for examination and report. Eight of these were passed into law. C. Matakaoa County. The Department maintained the usual close contact with the Commissioner in regard to the administration of this county. The reports of the Commissioner indicate that the progress of the county towards rehabilitation is being maintained, although war conditions have brought about further problems in the county. Once again it is interesting to record that a high percentage of rate collections was continued, both in regard to rates paid by Europeans and Natives. The overdraft borrowing limits for the county were fixed by the Minister of Internal Affairs in accordance with section 10 of the Local Legislation Act, 1932-33. D. Thames Borough. Progress continues to be made towards the rehabilitation of Thames Borough, and the financial position is now more permanently stabilized. This has been brought about largely by the passing of the Thames Borough Commissioner Act, 1940, which was dealt with in the last report. The conversion of the whole of the debt of Thames at 3 per cent, over a maximum of forty years was completed during the year, and this will have a general stabilizing effect on the borough for many years to come. Consideration was given during the year to ways and means of improving the watersupply position of the borough, and certain proposals in this connection were placed before the Government. At present the town is supplied by a water-race system, and it is proposed to replace this by the construction of a high-pressure water-supply scheme. Considerable progress has been made in this direction. IV. TOWN-PLANNING. Three meetings of the Town-planning Board were held. The Dannevirke Borough Town-planning Scheme No. 2 was finally approved. Four appeals against decisions of local authorities under section 34 of the Act were dealt with. The One Tree Hill Borough Town-planning Scheme No. I was received, and referred to a Committee of the Board. Further progress has been made with the preparation of the Auckland Metropolitan Scheme. Christchurch City Town-planning Scheme. In response to the public notification of the Christchurch City Town-planning Scheme, a large number of objections were received.

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Consideration of these objections, and further consultations with the Christchurch City Council and other local authorities and public bodies in the locality, indicated it was not desirable to proceed with that scheme in its present form in the meantime. Instead, the local authorities decided an attempt should be made to formulate a more comprehensive scheme covering the whole of the metropolitan area. The preliminary stages of the work are being undertaken. V. LAND-AGENTS AND AUCTIONEERS. Six hundred and eighty-eight land-agents' licenses were issued and 11 transfers granted, as compared with 704 licenses issued and 7 transfers for the previous year. One case of a defaulting landagent came before the Department, and it was still under investigation at the end of the year. Four hundred and forty-six auctioneers' licenses were issued, 6 transfers granted, and 74 changes of endorsement of seller made, as compared with 490 licenses, 4 transfers, and 114 changes of endorsement for the previous year. VI. PRISONERS OF WAR. The Department is responsible for taking action in regard to the notification of civilian and merchant service prisoners of war. During the year a number of cases were notified and the next-of-kin advised where these could be ascertained. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office was kept advised of all notifications received. On the outbreak of war with Japan in December, 1941, a considerable number of people of New Zealand origin were resident in places which were subsequently occupied by Japanese forces. The Department received a considerable number of inquiries from the next-of-kin or relatives of such persons, and these inquiries have been transmitted to the British Government with the object of ascertaining information in regard to the persons inquired for. Unfortunately, it was not possible for these inquiries to be advanced beyond this stage as no information could be obtained from the Japanese Government with regard to persons who were resident in places occupied by Japanese forces. Every endeavour is being made, however, to obtain some reliable information to convey to the inquirers in New Zealand. VII. PHYSICAL WELFARE AND RECREATION. In all districts, officers gave very important services, especially in the training of loaders until they became qualified to take classes of Home Guardsmen in physical instruction. Altogether, many hundreds of leaders were thus trained. This proved beneficial to the Army when large numbers of these instructors were drafted into camps. The scope of officers' usefulness for the Home Guard was inevitably reduced when this organization was placed under the control of the Army Department. The Air Department's decision to entrust the physical training of cadets of the Air Training Corps to Physical Welfare Officers has proved successful from various viewpoints. In addition to the special courses in physical training, these officers have given keen attention to the organizing of suitable recreational activities for the lads. For this purpose they have had the friendly co-operation of sports bodies. Hundreds of Cadets were taught to swim well. When opportunities offered, officers have arranged and conducted physical-training courses for units of E.P.S., E.F.S., fire brigades, police, and other bodies. Shortage of staff sets a limit to activities in this field. An important development during the year was the planning of programmes of tabloid sports for members of the Air Force, units of the Home Guard, and other bodies. Following the successful formation of the Southland Provincial Council of Sport and the Otago Federation of Sports Bodies, in which the Department's officers took a leading part, a similar federation has been established in the Waikato district as the result of an energetic campaign by the Department's officers. Preparations are being made for similar operations in other districts. Women officers have given good service for the Women's War Service Auxiliary, particularly in the training of leaders' classes. The scope for helpful work was widening out at the close of the year as the result of consultations between representatives of the Department and the W.W.S.A. The recreational needs of girls in their " teens," especially those employed in factories, continue to receive earnest study. A beginning has been made with suitable programmes. The co-operation of officers with the Tourist Department in the North Island and with the Group Travel Association in the South Island assured very pleasant trips for several large parties. The assembly of men and women officers at Frederic Wallis House, Lower Tlutt, for a fortnight in January proved well worth while. In addition to the " refresher syllabus, the personal contacts of officers with one another and with members of Head Office were distinctly beneficial. During his mission overseas, Mr. A. G. Harper, Officer in Charge of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Branch, had opportunities of seeing the impressive results of physical training in the efficiency of soldiers of the British Commonwealth and the Netherlands East Indies. He also made valuable contact with, and obtained much helpful information from, the authorities controlling physical welfare and recreation in the Commonwealth of Australia and in the States of New South Wales and Victoria. In New South Wales he met and addressed the National Fitness Council for that State. He found the Australian authorities very interested in the progress of the work in New Zealand and keen to obtain the benefit of our experiences in this field of activity. Among the many activities of this branch may be listed coaching and assistance in various sports, training in life-saving and resuscitation, promotion and encouragement of girls' interhouse associations, and the organization of week-end camps and hikes. VIII PATRIOTIC PURPOSES. A. Patriotic Purposes Branch. An outline of the functions of this Branch was mad.e in my last annual report. The activities of the Patriotic Purposes Branch have been materially increased during the year owing to altered

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circumstances associated with the war. A review of the activities of the National Patriotic Fund Board for the year is given in the report of the National Patriotic Fund Board which is presented to Parliament annually. The administration expenses of the National Patriotic Fund Board for the year ended 30th September, 1941, were ss. lOd. per cent, of receipts. Full mobilization has placed a heavy strain on the staff of this Branch in coping not only with the demands for comforts and amenities for men in the armed forces in New Zealand, but also for our fighting forces in various theatres of war overseas, and this burden is likely to increase. The Patriotic Purposes Emergency Regulations 1939, and amendments governing the operations of this Branch and its allied organizations, have worked smoothly and efficiently. The value of coordinating the collection and expenditure of patriotic funds on a Dominion-wide basis, with adequate freedom for provincial control through eleven jirovincial chests, has been amply demonstrated by the results that have been achieved. B. Patriotic Raffles. One hundred and thirty-three licenses to raffle gifts of real or personal property for patriotic purposes were issued. Returns to hand indicate that the gross proceeds from licenses issued by the Department were approximately £47,000 and the net return £45,500. IX. CINEMATOGRAPH THEATRES. A. Film Censorship. During the year, 1,695 films of all classes, totalling 4,393,890 ft., were examined. Of this number, 2 were rejected outright, 3 were deferred for the time being as unsuitable for exhibition owing.to the war situation, 99 were passed subject to excisions, 172 were passed with recommendations that were more suitable for adult audiences, and 17 were passed with the caution that they were not suitable for children. No appeals were lodged in the case of the two films rejected. An analysis of the work shows : —

Quota Films : The conn tries of origin of the quota or feature films examined were as follows : Great Britain, 42 ; Australia, 1 ; New Zealand, .1 ; United States of America, 388 ; France, 1. Rejections : Of tlie 2 films rejected, both were " quota "or long pictures. One was made in the United States of America and the other in Great Britain. General Remarks : During the year under review, as compared with the previous year, the number of rejections was 2, as against 4 ; the number of films requiring amendment was 99, as against 125 ; the number of films recommended as more suitable for adults dropped from 187 to 172 ; while the number considered to be definitely unsuitable for young people was 17, as compared with 18 in the previous year. Contrary to expectations, it was somewhat surprising to find that the number of British films of all classes examined during the year (543, as against 440 in the previous year) were greater, and would appear to indicate that the difficulties due to war conditions have, to a large extent, been overcome. Propaganda films (using the word in its best sense) continue to come forward in good measure from Great Britain and Canada, as well as Australia, and the Government Films Studios at Miramar produced some excellent short films for screening in the theatres throughout the Dominion. Miniature films were less in evidence, and those that were examined were mainly copies of short " Featurettes " that had been submitted previously. Children and the Films : Some comments regarding the attendance of children at picture-theatres where " A " certificate films were screened have been noted during the year, and it is considered timely to point out for the information of parents and guardians that three classes of certificates are issued by the Censor, viz. : — (1) One which approves the film for general exhibition ; (2) One which recommends the film as more suitable for adults only ; and (3) One which approves the film for adults only and unsuitable for children. In this case the Film Exchanges are advised in writing the conditions under which the film is approved, and are required to advertise to this effect in the press and also in all publicity matter used in connection with the exploitation of the film. In addition, exhibitors are required by law to indicate plainly in the lobbies of their theatres the tyP O of programme presented—i.e., whether for general exhibition or for adults. It is then a matter for parents to decide for themselves whether their children shall be allowed to see pictures which come within the latter category or not. The matter resolves itself into one of parental control, and parents must take the responsibility themselves. B. Licensing of Cinematograph Operators. Two hundred and fifty-one new applications for provisional and assistant licenses were considered as compared with 119 new applications for the previous year. One hundred and sixty-seven provisional and grade licenses were issued, and 105 new assistant operators' licenses were issued. This made a total of 865 operators and 333 assistant operators licensed since the coming into force of the regulations in 1938.

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Quota or Long Kims. Non-quota or Short Films. Origin. | Number. Length. Number. Length. Ft. Ft. British .. .. .. .. 44 352,010 499 447,010 Foreign .. .. .. .. 389 '2,900,350 763 694,520 Totals .. .. .. 433 3,252,360 1,262 1,141,530

C. Exhibitors and other Licenses. The following licenses under the Cinematograph Films Act were issued for the year ended 30th September, 1940: Exhibitors, 449; circuit exhibitors, 36; renters, 17; storage, 17; miscellaneous, 39. X. ANIMALS PROTECTION AND GAME. A. General. (1) Bird-life. War conditions have restricted activities in ranging, &c. Shooting seasons were declared in 194-1, but provision has been made for a universal close season in 1942. Under the North Island Vermin Control Scheme, bonuses were paid on 20,935 hawks, 3,897 weasels, stoats, ferrets and polecats, and 13,343 hedgehogs. (2) Opossums. The number of skins stamped was 257,639. B. Deer, Thar, Goat, and Chamois Destruction Operations. During the financial year a total of 21,602 animals were destroyed, 9,062 deer-skins were saved, and in addition 97 cats and 274 rats were destroyed on Stewart Island. The number of each species and localities in which taken are as follows : —

The following is a list of numerical results and geographical analysis for season Ist June, 1940, to 31st May, 1941 : —

(1) Skins. All skins possible are being saved, owing to the high prices ruling. The Department sold 16,562 deer and 128 goat skins during the year. Private hunters sold 3,773 skins to the Department. (2) General. Approximately 90 per cent, of the men who have been engaged more or less regularly on deerdestruction work, as well as six field officers, have gone into the fighting services. Taking into account the difficulties in securing suitable men, the result of the year's operations are very satisfactory. Bush huts and tracks cut in some localities have proved of great value. XI. ROTOR UA ACCLIMATIZATION DISTRICT. A. The Fishing Season. Weights of some of the large fish taken during the season and coming under the notice of departmental officers are : — TaupoArea.—loJ lb., 10 lb., 131b., 121b., lOJlb., 111b., lb., 15£1b., lb., 111b., 101b., 10J lb., 10J lb-, 101b., lb., 111b., 10£lb., 1041b., 111b., 121b., 12 lb„ 101b., 10J lb. Rotorua Area. —141b., 13|1b., 101b., 16-J lb., lb., 161b., 171b., 191b., 18J lb. (3), 131b., 151b., 101b., 141b., 12 lb., 111b., 19 lb., 171b., 161b. (2), 131b., lb.

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I - Locality. i Deer. Thar. ChamoiB. Goats. Pigs. Cattle. Total. North Island. Urewera and Lake Waikaremoana .. 480 .. .. ... 62 1 543 Tararuas .. .. .. .. 1,040 .. .. 480 42 .. 1,562 Ruahine Mountains .. .. .. 1,150 .. .. 37 .. .. 1,187 Kaimanawa and Kaweka Ranges .. 1,422 .. .. 363 .. .. 1,785 South Island. Canterbury (Wairau River to Waimaka- 8,172 .. 22 454 29 .. 8,677 riri River) Nelson and North Westland (north of 1,189 .. .. 277 22 .. 1,488 Taremakau River) Central Westland (Hokitika area) .. 153 .. .. 35 .. .. 188 Otago and South Westland (Waitaki River 4,707 40 2 .. .. .. 4,749 to Haast River) Fiordland National Park, Southland .." 1,007 .. .. .. .. .. 1,007 Stewart Island . . . . .. 416 .. . . .. .. . . 416 Totals .. .. ..19,736 40 24 1,646 155 1 21,602

I I ' i ■ " 1 j I Locality. Deer. Thar. | Chamois. Goats, j Pigs. Cattle. Total. Urewera and Lake Waikaremoana .. 1,090 .. .. .. 332 7 1,429 Ituahines .. .. .. .. 4,336 .. .. 197 .. .. 4,533 Tararuas .. .. .. .. 1,213 .. .. 583 48 .. 1,844 Marlborough .. .. .. 695 .. .. 14,803 763 .. 16,261 Otago, South Canterbury, and South 17,733 289 320 5 .. .. 18,347 Westland Southland Fiordland, National Park .. 3,759 .. .. .. 13 .. 3,772 Stewart Island .. .. .. 402 .. .. .. .. .. 402 Totals .. .. ..29,228 289 320 15,588 1,156 7 46,588

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B. General. (1) Fry and Ova. At No. 1 Hatchery, Ngongotaha, 5,985,000 eggs were laid down ; of this number, 120,000 were stripped from brown trout and 4,813,000 were received from the Tongariro River Hatchery. The number of ova collected at No. 2 Hatchery, Tongariro River, was 10,737,000, of which 1,386,000 was sold in New Zealand and 1,200,000 overseas. In addition, 205,000 fry was sold to the Tauranga Acclimatization Society. The hatchery at Waikaremoana handled 800,000 ova from the Tongariro River. The following are the numbers of fry planted in the various districts : — Taupo District.—Tongariro, 139,000 ; Waitahanui, 104,000; Tauranga-Taupo, 200,000; Hatepe, 126,000 ; Waimarino, 120,000 ; Waiotoka, 77,000 ; Waipehi, 55,000 ; Western Bay, 1,309,000. Rotorua District.—Rotorua, 1,117,000 ; Rotoiti, 1,266,000 ; Rotoehu, 206,000 ; Rotoma, 279,000; Tarawera, 675,000; Rotokakahi, 216,000; Okataina, 492,000; Okareka, 262,000 ; Okara, 63,000; Rerewhakaitu, 100,000 ; Bay of Plenty rivers, 1,059,000. Brown Trout. —Rotorua, 30,000 ; Taahunaatara, 45,000. (2) Food-supplies for Trout. The unseasonable weather affected the food-supply to some extent. Insect-life was late in making an appearance and the numbers were to some extent not so plentiful as usual. The smelt, particularly in Taupo, were very late in coming in to the shallows in all lakes. (3) Shags, Hawks, &c. Bonuses were paid oil 581 shags, 811 hawks, 65 stoats, 30 weasels, and 11 hedgehogs. The Department's officers accounted for 59 shags and 27 hawks. (4) Game Farm and Game Liberations. The total number of pheasants liberated was 1,727, and 506 mallard ducks were also released. The number of pheasants reared during the season was 1,002, in addition to 608 mallard ducks. (5) Bird-life generally. Black swans have increased and it is a common sight to see between 250 and 300 at Hamurana. Spoonbills are not so numerous. Black teal are becoming more plentiful. The Urewera country still provides the principal home for native birds. Pigeons have increased at Waikaremoana, particularly in the vicinity of Lake House. They have also been seen in numerous localities near Rotorua. Smaller native birds are holding their own and are to be seen in any large areas of bush. The kaka has been seen in certain localities. (6) Opossums. Five licenses and II permits were issued. The number of skins stamped was 13,860, of which 11,365 were stamped at Wairoa. (7) Ranging. Fines for breaches of the Animals Protection and Game Act, Fisheries Act, and Taupo Harbour Regulations (46 cases in all) amounted to £198 10s. XII. WAR GRAVES. Seven hundred and twenty-three (723) notifications of deaths of returned soldiers were received during the year. Of these, 109 were accepted as war graves, the cause of death being attributable to disabilities sustained on or aggravated by war service. The total number of war graves in New Zealand at the close of the year was 3,785. Temporary wooden crosses were placed on 401 graves, and headstones to the number of 79 were ordered. Additional constructional work was carried out in the soldiers' cemeteries at Mangatera (Dannevirke), Opotiki, Gore, Maunu (Whangarei), Greytown, Bromley (Christchurch), and Masterton. Veterans' graves continue to be attanded to, and during the year renovations were carried out to historical graves at Mahoetahi, Huirangi, and Bell Block (all of Taranaki), the Wakefield graves (Wellington), Tauranga, and Paeroa. New Zealand war graves overseas are being cared for by the Imperial War Graves Commission, of which New Zealand is a member. XIII. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS. Among the many notable people who visited the Dominion during the past year were the Right Hon. R. G. Menzies, K.C., Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia ; the Right Hon. A. Duff Cooper and the Lady Diana Cooper ; Brigadier-General Patrick J. Hurley, who is to be United States Minister to New Zealand ; the Right Hon. Sir Ronald Cross, Bt., M.P., United Kingdom High Commissioner in the Commonwealth of Australia, and Lady Cross ; Mr. W. Holmes, C.8.E., Past President of the Trades-union Congress and General Secretary of the National Union of Agricultural Workers in the United Kingdom ; the Hon. E. N. van Kleffens, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and Mrs. van Kleffens, and the Hon. Ch. J. I. M. Welter, Minister of the Colonies of the Netherlands ; ViceAdmiral H. F. Leary, United States Navy ; Governor-General R. Brunot, representative of General de Gaulle, and Madame Brunot; Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, K.8.E., C.8., Chief of the Australian Naval Staff, and Lady Colvin, and his replacement Vice-Admiral Sir Guy Royle, K.C.8., C.M.G., and Lady Royle ; and Mr. W. H. Donald, Adviser to General Chiang Kai-Shek. A number of American journalists and cameramen, including Mr. H. R. Knickerbocker, of the Chicago Sun, Mr. J. C. Harsch, of the Christian Science Monitor, Mr. Royal Arch Gunnison, of the North American Newspaper Alliance, and Mrs. Gunnison, Mr. Hallett Abend, of the New York Times, Mr. Arthur Menken, " Paramount News " cameraman, Mr. Vincent Sheean, of the New York HeraldTribune, and Mr. Howell Walker, of the National Geographic Magazine, visited this country. This section was also responsible for the arrangements in connection with the official opening of the Musick Memorial on the 12th January, and for official farewell functions to reinforcements which left for overseas.

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Several of His Majesty's Australian ships and warships of Allied countries visted New Zealand, and hospitality was extended to officers and men of these vessels. The reception and welfare of evacuees from Pacific island territories was also dealt with. During the year several hospital ships arrived, and arrangements were made for the sick and wounded to be welcomed on their return. A number of minesweepers were launched, and the launching ceremonies were arranged by this section. XIV. RAFFLES AND ART-UNIONS. One hundred and sixty-five licenses under the authority of section 42 of the Gaming Act, 1908, were issued during the year. Of these, 108 were for works of art, 44 for small amounts of alluvial gold, and 13 for alluvial gold to the value of £5,000 each. The following table sets out the aggregate result of the £5,000 gold art-unions :— £ s. d. Gross sales .. .. .. .. .. .. 223,783 0 0 Commission on sales .. . . .. .. . . 33 ; 567 9 3 Expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32,'147 14 0 Prizes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 65,000 0 0 Net proceeds .. .. .. .. .. .. 93,067 16 9 Lottery duty .. .. .. .. .. .. 22,378 6 0 Net profit .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 70,689 10 9 Of the net profit, £41,500 was distributed to the various Mayoral or other recognized central relief of distress funds and £28,250 to charitable and philanthropic organizations, including children's health camps. XV. FIRE BRIGADES. There are fifty-seven Fire Boards in operation. New fire districts were constituted in Patea and Lower Hutt City. The biennial appointment and election of members took place in the month of May. The estimates of all Fire Boards were considered and approved. In August, 1941, a disastrous fire completely gutted the premises of Messrs. John Burns and Co., Ltd., of Auckland. A considerable amount of public criticism arose after this fire, as a result of which the Government decided to set up a Commission to investigate the foundation for such criticism and other matters concerned with fire-prevention. The Commission consisted of Mr. F. K. Hunt, of Auckland, and he duly reported, after holding an exhaustive investigation into the wide order of reference submitted to the Commission. His recommendations were duly forwarded to the Government and transmitted to the Governmental and other authorities concerned, and those recommendations requiring further action are being carefully considered by the authorities concerned. It is interesting to note that the Commission completely exonerated the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board of the criticism directed at the handling of the fire by the Auckland Fire Brigade. 1 he annual report of the Inspector of Fire Brigades will, as usual, be published as a separate statement. XVI. PASSPORTS AND EXIT PERMITS. Ihe following are the statistics with last year's figures shown in parentheses : New passports 478 (677) ; passport renewals, 115 (165) ; exit permits, 6,426 (11,000). 111 sixteen cases where men gave undertakings to return within a specified time and failed to return at all, their bond-money was rendered forfeit. The total amount" was £950. XVII. FOREIGN CONSULS. Twenty foreign countries have representation in New Zealand. Nine fresh appointments were gazetted. The Department arranged the departure of the Japanese representative after the declaration of war. XVIII. CHANGE OF NAME. Applications were dealt with as follows (last year's figures in parentheses): Approved, 64 (58) ; declined, 3 (11). XIX. NATURALIZATION. No certificates of naturalization were granted. Four certificates were revoked. Wives of two naturalized persons made declarations of desire to acquire British nationality. Thirty British-born wives of aliens made declarations to retain in New Zealand the rights of a British subject. One person renounced his British nationality by making a declaration of alienage. XX. RACING. Totalizator race meetings have been curtailed, the latest decision involving a reduction by half after Easter Monday. For the racing year ending 31st July, 1942, an assured reduction of 107 days is involved, with the possibility of some clubs not utilizing other days. Particulars of totalizator investments and taxation are published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. XXI. WAR FUNDS, 1914-18. The fifty-two patriotic societies still on the register under the War Funds Act, 1915, possess, according to the latest available reports, assets totalling £599,203 17s. 7d., a reduction of £21,227 16s. since the last returns. The annual reports received show that there are still many cases of 1914-18 ex-soldiers in need of assistance from these funds. XXII. ADVERTISING OFFICE. A slight decrease is shown in the work of this Office, due mainly to reduced newspaper advertising by the Army and Railways Departments. The total expenditure recorded for the year is £37,358 os. lid., as compared with £38,812 12s. lOd. for the previous year. The press clippings supplied to Ministers and Departments approximate 2,200 weekly, the lessened supply of newsprint largely accounting for the decrease.

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XXIII. EXPLOSIVES AND DANGEROUS GOODS. During the year the following licenses were issued Explosives. —Importations, 16 ; conveyance, 191 ; sale, 591 ; storage, 473. Dangerous Goods. —Storage, 2,338. XXIV. THE ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY. A. Holdings and Acquisitions. The number of books catalogued is now 62,291, and during the year 2,500 have been so recorded. Of these, about 800 volumes were in the Hogg collection now about half catalogued. The greater part of a further 300 were recatalogued in various classes. The work in this section has been somewhat affected by considerable changes of staff in the period. In continuing the development of sections of the library already strong, this year has seen augmentation of resources on Australian literature, Miltonic. studies, bibliography, drama, art, and biography. As usual the collections of New Zealand and Pacific material have been kept up to date, and to some extent lacuna) have been filled of earlier books (especially the Fiji Islands). Of works of a reference nature the following are especially important: " Bibliography of Australian Literature, by Miller ; " Bibliography of Australia," by J. A. Ferguson ; " The Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature, and " Manual del Librero Hispano-Americano," by Palau. Full as the first three are, it has been interesting to see that the library possesses works not recorded in their pages. Of older works, satisfaction has been taken in the addition of first editions of Pope's " Shakespeare," 1725 ; Gissing s ' Unclassed and " Denzil Quarrier" ; of two Venetian incunabula, " Juvenal Persms, 1492, and Lucan Pharsalia," 1493 ; " The Chronicle of Heynan," 1543 ; and a set of Blair and Robertson's monumental ' Philippine Islands," in fifty-five volumes. About 600 volumes were acquired by purchase in all. B. Use of the Libkaby. The number of readers has remained surprisingly steady at about three thousand, which seems to be quite up to ordinary years. To some extent the library now makes books available on interlibrary loan to other libraries for use there under appropriate conditions. C. Exhibitions. Exhibitions have been made of selected material from the Hogg collection (Scottish history a,nd literature) and the Trimble collection (eighteenth century and other books on Ireland). A selection of prints and sketches was on view during the summer, and the centennials of Punch and of the Kelmscott press were celebrated by appropriate exhibitions. D. Indexes. The five volumes of typescript copies of the Rev. Henry William's letters to the C.M.S. have been indexed, and the indexing of the privately-printed volume of Mrs. Godley's letters, Cowan's '' New Zealand Wars " (inadequately indexed in the volumes themselves), the " New Zealand Journal," and Centennial News are in progress. E. Donations and Exchanges. Through the medium of the Turnbull Library Record, further advantageous exchanges have been arranged with overseas publications, and " The Friends of the Turnbull Library are making an increasingly valuable contribution to the library's strength. A member of this organization, Robert Hogg, of Johnsonville, died in May, 1941, bequeathing his noted poetry and Scottish literature collection to the library. This was formally installed at a very happy ceremony attended by representatives of the family, of Scottish societies, educational bodies, and " The Friends of the Library." The Hon. the Minister and the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs were present, and spoke in terms of appreciation of the bequest. , , Another very significant gift was the library of Robert Trimble, of Inglewood, presented on behalt of his three daughters by Miss Nora Trimble. This is extremely rich in the history and antiquities of Ireland, and includes excellent works on English history and literature. The collection numbered over one thousand two hundred volumes. _ An enthusiastic member of " The Friends of the Library, Miss Julia Tomlinson, of Nelson, has also endowed a memorial to Sir Hugh Walpole, for the purpose of developing a book collection devoted to the writer. A forthcoming number of the Turnbull Library Record will give fuller particulars of this very unusual and beneficent gesture. It was with regret that news came of the death of Lady Kinsey, of Christchurch. From her estate, through the courtesy of Mrs. M. Moore, the library received a number of superb and precious prints as well as many beautiful books. Less spectacular gifts have come from many well-wishers both in New Zealand and abroad. It is, however, possibly of use that some of these be made known here. The Prime Minister's Department,. Canberra, presented an extensive collection of publications on New Guinea, dealing with many aspects of the country and its people. Miss Moginie, of Wellington, gave a number of interesting works, the most notable being a very fine copy of Foxe's " Book of Martyrs " dated 1684, with fine copper-plate engravings. Partly by way of exchange, the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, sent a large group ol their anthropological and other publications on the Pacific islands, thus rounding our set out very well. The Melanesian and Roman Catholic Missions in the Solomon Islands have been consistently good friends, sending regular parcels of islands booklets. Mrs. J. A. Crump, of Ocean Bay, whose, husband was a well-known missionary in the New Britain Group, recently presented a very acceptable series of islands books and manuscripts, mainly important to students of linguistics. Exigencies of space, due to war conditions, preclude fuller particulars of other gifts, but the indebtedness of the library to all donors is here gratefully acknowledged. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (402 copics), £13 10a.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1942.

Price 6d.]

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