DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1945

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1945 Session I, H-22

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1945 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1945

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

Sir, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 6th August, 1945. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1945. I have, &c., J. W. Hef.nan, The Hon. W. E. Parry, Under-Secretary. Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT

I. HISTORICAL BRANCH Historical Atlas The research for this is now well advanced, and for several maps needs only certain information from abroad, already promised but difficult to get under war conditions. Work has been virtually completed on the following maps : Modern Maori, Early Settlements, Missionary, 1914-18 War, and has been resumed on Inland Exploration. The draughting of these maps is the next essential step. Other Research Extensive research on the Okiato purchase (Bay of Islands) by Captain Hobson led to the writing of a considerable pamphlet on the subject, which is now being printed as the first of the publications of the Historial Branch. In the course of this and other research a large correspondence with other historical workers has been kept up. In addition, much reading and advising on manuscripts has been done by the Branch. " New Zealand Handbook " The preparation of a handbook to New Zealand for overseas information has been completed, and the book, " Introduction to New Zealand," is now being printed. Photography The production of still photographs, in series, as background material for overseas publicity has gone steadily forward. Typographical Work Printing jobs were designed, and other production supervised for the Internal Affairs Department, Prime Minister's Department, External Affairs Department, and Public Works Department (Soil Conservation and Rivers Council). These included books and miscellaneous pamphlets. Advice has been freely given when asked for. Other Work The Branch also acted in an advisory and co-ordinating capacity in connection with certain exhibitions of New Zealand and war art,

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11. CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS The necessary action was taken in regard to the following matters (a) Summoning and proroguing of Parliament. (b) Appointment of a Deputy of the Governor-General. (c) Appointments to, and vacancies in, the Legislative Council. (i(I) Resignation and appointment of Ministers. (e) Retention of title of " Honourable." (/) Issue of writs and other steps for by-elections in Awarua and Western Maori Electoral Districts. 111. LOCAL GOVERNMENT A. Parliamentary Committee on Local Government An event of outstanding importance to local government was the decision of the House of Representatives to set up a parliamentary Committee to investigate and report upon the localgovernment system of the Dominion. The Committee consists of fourteen members under the Chairmanship of Mr. R. McKeen, M.P., Chairman of Committees of the House, and its general order of reference is " to examine and report upon all phases of the local-government system of the Dominion, including questions of finance, elections, and the general structure of the system." The Committee commenced its sittings in Wellington on Tuesday, 20th February, 1945, and during the following fortnight heard evidence from a number of the national organizations and others desirous of giving evidence. At the conclusion of the Wellington sittings the Committee was divided into two subcommittees for the purpose of taking evidence in the North and South Islands, and both sub-committees, throughout the tour, received a large volume of evidence. It is pleasing to record that all localgovernment organizations, as well as a number of individual local authorities, besides other organizations and individuals interested in local government, took full advantage of this opportunity to place their views and knowledge before the Committee. Officers of this Department are closely associated with the work of the Committee both in a secretarial and advisory capacity, and generally the administrative work of the Committee is being handled by the Department. B. General Organization The Local Government Branch was again very active in carrying out the various statutory functions required by the local-government Acts administered by the Department. Close contact was maintained with loca l authorities generally, and the advice and assistance of the Branch was freely sought and given in regard to detailed problems confronting local authorities and others interested in this work. The following were some of the more general matters dealt with : — (1) Boroughs The boundaries of the Christchurch City were altered on six occasions by the inclusion of areas from adjacent counties. Three of these areas were the subject of inquiry and report by a Commission of inquiry, when all parties had an opportunity of stating their views. Five further proposed alterations involving Christchurch City and Waimairi County have been referred to a Commission and are at present under consideration. The Borough of Sumner was amalgamated with the City of Christchurch as on and from Ist April. 1945. A poll held in Riccarton Borough for the union of that borough with Christchurch City was unsuccessful. The boundaries of the cities of Lower Hutt and Dunedin and the boroughs of Huntly, Green Island, and Timaru were altered by the inclusion of areas. A proposal to include an area in the Taumarunui Borough was reported upon unfavourably by a Commission of inquiry and no further action was taken. Owing to a breakdown in the retail distribution of milk in the Waipukurau Borough, the Council of that borough was authorized to establish a milk-supply undertaking. Proposals were considered for changing the status of two town districts to that of a borough. These related to Mount Maunganui and Kaitaia. Mount Maunganui has now been gazetted as a borough, but action in respect of , Kaitaia has not yet been completed. By-laws passed by the Pukekohe and Tauranga Borough Councils were approved. A Board of Appeal was set up to consider an appeal against a decision of the Wellington City Council under section 332 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, relating to a proposed subdivision of land. The Nelson City Council was authorized to purchase certain land on the instalment system. A special order was gazetted increasing the number of members of the Lower Hutt City Council. The Te Aroha Borough Council was declared a leasing authority under the Public Bodies' Leases Act, 1908. Municipal Conference. —The Municipal Conference was held in the Town Hall, Wellington, from Ist to 3rd November, 1944, after having been postponed from earlier in that year on account of travel restrictions. The Conference was formally opened by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry). This was the first Conference held since 1941, the normal intervening Conferences not being held because of the serious war conditions then prevailing. For this reason, the order paper for the Conference was a heavy one covering a wide range of local-government subjects. The remits passed by Conference were duly transmitted to the Government for consideration, and in accordance with the usual arrangements, considered replies to these will be forwarded through this Department to the Association,

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This Conference marked the occasion of the retirement, from the Presidency of the Association of Mr. T. Jordan, who occupied this office for eight and a half years. The Hon. Mr. Parry, in his opening speech to the delegates, paid a tribute to the services which Mr. Jordan had contributed to local government and to the Dominion generally during his lengthy term of office. In particular, he made reference to the extremely valuable help and assistance given by Mr. Jordan to the Government in all phases of the war effort of the Dominion. This Department was represented throughout the proceedings of the Conference. (2) Counties The Bay of Islands and Ashburton County Councils passed special orders under the authority of the Counties Amendment Act, 1931, abolishing the system of separate riding finance. This made a total of seventy-nine County Councils to avail themselves of that legislation. A special order was made by the Butt County Council altering riding boundaries and adjusting representation. The boundaries between the Waimate West and Hawera Counties and the Waikato and Piako Counties were altered by agreement between the respective County Councils. The Ellesmere and Rangitikei County Councils were authorized to make and levy drainage rates 011 a uniform basis in drainage areas in their respective districts. (3) Town Districts A proposal to constitute a Town District of Ohai was submitted to a Commission of inquiry for investigation and report. The Commission recommended that an opportunity be given to form a town district comprising an area much reduced from that proposed. The petitioners indicated they did not desire to proceed with the proposal 011 the basis suggested by the Commission, and the matter lapsed. Tentative inquiries were later received in regard to the formation of town districts in certain localities, but an indication was given that such proposals should stand over until the recommendations of the parliamentary Committee on Local Government were known. The Ormondville Town District was merged in the Danuevirke County. (4) Fire Boards The general elections and appointments of Eire Boards took place in June, 1944. This Department was concerned mainly with the appointment of Government members 011 such Boards. A number of casual vacancies occurred on some Boards, and arrangements were made for filling such vacancies. Two new fire districts were constituted, comprising the Boroughs of Carterton and Stratford. By-laws of the Milton Fire Board were approved. Certain Fire Boards were authorized to carry out fire protection in areas outside their districts. Loan authorities were issued to the Auckland Metropolitan and Feilding Fire Boards. The estimates of expenditure of all Boards were reviewed and approved in accordance with the requirements of the Act. C. Development op Napier A matter of considerable interest and importance related to the future development of the Borough of Napier. In 1943 the Napier Borough Council presented to Parliament a petition asking that a Commission be set up to inquire into and report upon the relationship between the Borough Council and the Napier Harbour Board with respect to the ownership and control of lands adjoining and adjacent to the Borough of Napier in so far as such ownership and control affected the development of that borough. The reason for this petition was that, through various causes such as earthquake, reclamation works, and others, a great deal of the land in and surrounding Napier was in the ownership of the Harbour Board. It was considered by the Borough Council that the ownership of such a large portion of the land by a public body was hampering its development and holding up the progress of Napier. The Borough Council desired the Commission to explore the whole of the factors surrounding this position with°a view to having the ownership changed, the lands developed to a greater extent than might have been done by the Harbour Board, and more adequate provision made for the future extension of the borough. The Local Bills Committee, which dealt with the petition, considered that before any Commission was set up to inquire into this matter the two local bodies should endeavour to reconcile their own differences and agree to some plan for the future of Napier, and recommended that the Department should take an active interest in the matter and meet the two local bodies at intervals to help them come to some satisfactory agreement 011 matters in dispute. At a subsequent conference between the two bodies, presided over by a representative of the Department, considerable progress towards that end was made. This was followed by a series of meetings and negotiations between committees and representatives of thom both. It is now very pleasing to be able to report that, as a result of these somewhat protracted negotiations and the commendably conciliatory spirit shown by both of them, the two bodies have agreed upon a scheme, subject to ratification by Parliament, under which sufficient laud will be made available by the Harbour Board for the future requirements of Napier for years to come. This land will be planned and developed and sold or leased in a manner that will make this objective readily possible. Various other matters have been agreed upon in order to achieve the desired object. This renders unnecessary the appointment of the Commission and, given normal conditions, assures the future extension of the Borough of Napier along modern lines. Both bodies have adopted a far-sighted policy in the manner in which they tackled this somewhat difficult question and in the result achieved.

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D. Thames Borough Mr. A. L. Burk, who was appointed Thames Borough Commissioner on Ist September, 1938> resigned that position as from 15th January, 1945, to accept the position of Assistant Secretary to the Lyttelton Harbour Board. Mr. Burk carried out his duties as Commissioner to the entire satisfaction of the Department, the debenture-holders, and the people of Thames. During his term the conversion of the whole of the debt of Thames was effected at 3 per cent, and other measures taken which further assisted in the rehabilitation of the borough. After discussions with the Thames Borough Loans Creditors Committee it was decided to continue Commissioner control of the borough, and the Department was fortunate in securing the services of Mr. C. L. Grange, who was the original Commissioner appointed on the passing of the Thames Borough Commissioner Act, 1932. Mr. Grange was appointed on 24th January, 1945, and assumed office on that date. Further substantial progress has been made towards the objective of providing an adequate and pure water-supply for the borough, and negotiations have been taking place between the Government and the Commissioner on this matter. Finality has been reached on the details of the scheme and the financing thereof, and it is anticipated that the first stages of the work will be commenced in the near future. E. Matakaoa County It is with deep regret that the death on 20th May, 1944, of Mr. C. H. Bull, late County Commissioner, is recorded. Mr. Bull was appointed as Commissioner on Ist May, 1933, upon the institution of Commissioner control arising from the financial collapse of the county at that time. Mr. Bull was faced with a difficult situation on assuming office, but he was responsible for bringing about a great measure of stability and confidence in the county, and his untiring efforts throughout the years have now resulted in a great improvement in the financial economy of the county, whilst providing for reasonable services to the settlers. His untimely passing was a great loss to the Department and to the county generally. Mr. Dawson E. Chrisp, of Gisborne, has been appointed to succeed the late Mr. Bull, and under his administration good progress is continuing towards the ultimate rehabilitation of the county. It is interesting to note that the high level of rates collected has been generally maintained, and in respect of the year just ended 98-375 per cent, of the current European rates were collected and 68 per cent, of the Native rates. This is regarded as being a very encouraging outlook for the future of the county. F. Legislation Statutes Amendment Act, 1944 Several sections in this Act were promoted by this Department. Under one section further powers were granted to County Councils regarding the eradication of nasella tussock, and another provision enables such Councils to make a greater contribution to the maintenance of cemeteries than hitherto. Amendments were made to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, providing for the making of regulations for the protection of the public from danger from fire or other emergency in theatres, &c., and authorizing Borough Councils to establish deferred maintenance funds for trading undertakings. The Urban Farm Land Rating Act, 1932, was amended to provide that a supplementary farm-land roll may be made in respect of any area added to a borough. Local Legislation Act, 1944 As finally passed, this Act contained thirty-six clauses covering a wide field of local-government activity. Local Acts Thirteen local Bills were submitted to the Department for examination and report, and these were duly passed into law. The Department was represented at the meetings of the Local Bills Committee when these Bills were under consideration. Miscellaneous A number of Bills which affected the activities of local authorities were promoted by other Departments, and this Department was consulted frequently during the various phases of the Bills. Mention may be made of the Milk Act, the Engineers Registration Amendment Act, and the Housing Improvement Bill. IV. TOWN-PLANNING By a direction of the Government, the duties and activities of this Department in relation to town-planning were transferred to the control of the Organization for National Development, under the direction of the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. The Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs retains the Chairmanship of the Town-planning Board. V. LAND-AGENTS AND AUCTIONEERS During the year 716 (712) land-agents' licenses were issued and 7 (6) transfers granted ; 460 (443) auctioneers' licenses were issued,'and 2 (6) transfers granted (last year's figures in parentheses).

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VI. PRISONERS OF WAR Further information came to hand concerning New Zealand nationals in the hands of the Japanese, and the details received were communicated to the next-of-kin or nearest relative in New Zealand. Many inquiries were received from persons in New Zealand in an effort to trace relatives or friends missing in the Far Bast, and these were passed on to the proper authorities for inquiry. In a number of cases it was possible to obtain authentic information for the inquirers. In view of the growth of this work, discussions were held between the responsible Departments with a view to establishing a more central and co-ordinated authority to deal with all matters concerning prisoners of war, civilian internees, and interned merchant seamen. As a result of these discussions the New Zealand Missing and Prisoner of War Agency was set up under the control of the Director of Base Records, and that Agency now carries out the functions previously handled by this Department in regard to civilian internees. The Marine Department has taken over the administration of matters relating to missing and interned merchant servicemen. VII. PHYSICAL WELFARE AND RECREATION The Department continued to strengthen its position in this field. Good will with the public increased appreciably, and a favourable attitude was shown by leading newspapers to the principal features of the policy outlined by the Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs in his statement to Parliament in November. Despite limitation of staff due to war conditions, the men and women officers gave a wide range of service, regarding which this report mentions only the main activities. They continued to assist local recreation organizations, clubs, and Councils of Sport. Leaders were trained and demonstrations arranged. Officers continued to organize physical-training programmes for the Air Training Corps. A high standard has been achieved in this work, and the value of the training given is recognized by the Service authorities. " Learn to Swim " campaigns were conducted in various areas of the Dominion in co-operation with local swimming and life-saving organizations. As a result, some two thousand five hundred persons in rural areas, where there are normally no facilities for learning to swim, were taught the fundamentals of swimming and reached a satisfactory standard. Six complete recreational layout plans were drawn up for Borough Councils and Town Boards, these being prepared in the light of the latest information from overseas and modern trends in recreation facility construction. Despite transport conditions, the huts and tracks operated in the Harper Pass area attracted many trampers. The parties using the huts included several whole families which desired a recreative holiday rather than an arduous tramping tour. Discussions took place with the New Zealand Youth Hostels Association regarding the development of a system of youth hostels throughout New Zealand. A strong organization is being set up by the association for this purpose. A conference of women officers was held to correlate and improve the work for women's organizations throughout the Dominion. As one result the Department, in co-operation with the National Council of Churches, instituted a thirty-hour recreation leaders' course, which will enable the churches throughout the country to obtain training for the leaders of their youth organizations, thus qualifying them to carry out effective programmes of recreational activities. In addition to this scheme, 540 personnel for church organizations were in training and some of these have already completed part of the examination for the Recreation Leaders' Certificate. Women officers assisted the formation of an Inter-house Marching Association to promote girls' inter-house marching contests throughout the Dominion, and also a Women's Indoor Basketball Association. Arrangements were made with several of the nations interested in the promotion of physical welfare and recreation activities—namely, England, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Russia," and the United States of America—to exchange information and details of current programmes and projected plans. Much thought has been given to the prospective expansion of the Department when staff and finance permit. A scheme of proposed developments was submitted by the Hon. the Minister in his statement to Parliament. The main points were : — (1) The provision of facilities for holidays for industrial workers : (2) The development of the group-travel service on a national basis : (3) The construction of mountain track systems and encouragement of youth hostels and tramping clubs : (4) The establishment of holiday camps where desirable : (5) The provision of greater opportunities for recreation at tourist resorts : (6) The improvement of the beaches of New Zealand and encouragement of surfing and swimming : (7) Co-operation with the New Zealand Council of Sport to encourage sport: (8) Encouragement of local authorities to equip and maintain community centres : (9) The publication of up-to-date information on sport and recreation through a magazine, pamphlets, and sports manuals : (10) Extension of the services of District Physical Welfare Officers.

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VIII. PATRIOTIC PURPOSES The work of the Patriotic Purposes Branch constituted a record. The improvement in the war situation towards the end of the year resulted in the demobilization of home-service personnel, and this eased the work in New Zealand to some extent, but the maintenance of a Division in Italy, and another in the Pacific for the major part of the year, necessitated the continued flow of comforts and amenities to these theatres of war. The establishment of new clubs in Italy as the Division advanced and in the Pacific islands called for additional servicing. The gross cash expenditure in New Zealand and overseas was £1,857,281, a record to date, the next highest figure being £1,601,725 for the previous year. Administration expenses of the Board were Is. 6|d. in each £100 of receipts, compared with 2s. l|d. for the previous year. The low figure is mainly due to the National Patriotic Fund Board's office expenses and salaries being met by the Internal Affairs Department vote. Government subsidies for prisoners-of-war food parcels, transport, and in other directions approximated £400,000. Under the Board's free-of-duty tobacco scheme 67,600 parcels of cigarettes and tobacco were despatched overseas, mainly to the Middle East. This constituted a record. The parcels were packed by voluntary workers in Wellington. Approximately 86,000 orders were dealt with under the Board's free-of-duty postal chocolate scheme, resulting in 80 tons of chocolate being despatched. Goods shipped overseas to the combatant services weighed 2,534 tons (approximately 78,000 cases). This does not include shipments on behalf of Forces Club, Cairo, and miscellaneous gifts to personnel 011 visiting ships and to drafts proceeding overseas. Approximately 9,000,000 gift cigarettes were shipped overseas, and 321,000 " quarterly " gift parcels, provided by Provincial Patriotic Councils and packed voluntarily, were despatched to various parts of the world. The Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society's voluntary helpers packed and despatched approximately 384,000 prisoner-of-war parcels. This humanitarian aspect of patriotic work, which is financed by the Government, has earned unstinted praise, and evidence is not lacking that these food parcels actually saved the lives of many of our prisoners of war. The service performed by patriotic organizations was made possible only by the assistance of thousands of citizens who gave their money and their services, for the fifth year in succession, to alleviate the suffering of sick, wounded, and prisoners of war, and to provide extra comforts for our fit servicemen and women. The following table shows the state of the finances of the Dominion patriotic organizations : —

Provincial Funds (including Investments) and Receipts and Payments for year ended 30th September, 1944

Westland figures are not available. Its balance 011 hand Ist October, 1943, was £26,112Budget payments to Board for year were £2,061. Auckland balance on hand, 30th September, 1944, £295,603, to be adjusted internally between Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Northland, and Waikato (new provincial patriotic districts).

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Receipts. Payments. Balance 011 Budeot Balance on Hand as at Received, . Miscellaneous Hand as at 1st October, 19-43-44. ° Payments. 30th Septem1943. ° ' ber, 1944. £ £ £ £ £ Auckland 213,564 359.641 194,164 83,438 295,603 East Coast 32,711 31,129 12,822 8,744 42,274 Hawke'sBav 73,031 71,460 29,306 17,268 97,917 Taranaki 59,255 54,416 23,370 10,955 79,346 Wellington . . .. 138,294 244,230 125,131 72,193 185,200 Marlborough 15,666 16,818 7,458 6,817 18,209 Nelson .. •• 64,544 31,152 12,037 9,801 73,858 Westland Canterbury 127,995 202,404 120,899 98,700 110,800 Otago " 195,606 133,964 46,419 30,380 252,771 Southland .. 86,817 56,347 25,916 17,573 99,675 Totals .. .. 1,007,483 1,201,561 597,522 355,869 1,255,653

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National Patriotic Fund Board (New Zealand only) £ Balance as at Ist October, 1943 : Cash and investments .. 604,181 Receipts from Provincial Councils and all other sources .. 1,267,976 1,872,157 Less payments .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,234,353 Balance, 30th September, 1944 : Cash and investments .. £637,804 Estimated expenditure, ]944-45 .. .. .. . .. £573,400 IX. CINEMATOGRAPH THEATRES A. Film Censorship During the year 1,560 films of ail classes, totalling 3,954,690 ft., were examined. Of this number 128 were passed subject to excisions, 93 were passed with recommendations that they were more suitable for adult audiences, and 15 were passed with the caution that they were unsuitable for children. Only one appeal was lodged, this being against the Censor's decision to make a certain elimination in a full-length feature film, but the Board of Appeal, after viewing the picture, disallowed the appeal. An analysis of the work is shown hereunder ;—

Quota Films : The countries of origin of the quota or feature films examined were a follows : Great Britain, 49 ; Australia, I ; Russia, 1 ; United States of America, 310. General Remarks : Compared with the previous year, the number of films in which, excisions were made was 128, as against 102 ; the number recommended as more suitable for adults was 93, as against 113 ; and the number considered to be definitely unsuitable for children was 15, as against 22. Miniature or 16 mm. films examined totalled 104, a considerable increase compared with the number presented in the previous year—viz., 51. There was also a marked increase in British films examined (both feature and non-quota subjects), the totals being 49 and 497 respectively, as compared with 24 and 450 for the previous year. Many of these productions (the full-length pictures) were of a high standard, it being considered that they were equal to, if not better, than those made in foreign studios. On the whole, there was not much variation in the types of pictures examined, films with war themes being again in evidence, although there were perhaps slightly more comedies and musical comedies viewed than last year. B. Licensing of Cinematograph Operators One hundred and seventy-six new applications for provisional and assistant operators' licenses were considered, as compared with 180 for the previous year. Sixty-eight new provisional licenses and 114 new assistant operators' licenses were issued. This made a total of 1,212 operators and 752 assistant operators licensed since the coming into force of the regulations in 1938. Owing to the expiration of the triennial licensing period on the 31st May, 1944, renewals of 749 licenses, comprising provisional, grade, and assistant operators' licenses, were issued. In addition, a number of emergency licenses were issued to operators urgently required to fill vacancies caused by man-power difficulties arising out of the war. C. Exhibitors' and others Licenses Licenses under the Cinematograph Films Act for the year ended 30th September, 1944: exhibitors', 465 : itinerant exhibitors', 26 ; renters', 16 ; storage, 11 ; miscellaneous, 12. X. ANIMALS PROTECTION AND GAME A. General (1) Bird-life Open game-shooting seasons were held in all acclimatization districts. More shot-gun ammunition was made available than for the 1943 season, resulting in a very greatly increased demand for shooting licenses. Certain reserves vested in the Whangarei Borough Council were declared sanctuaries. (2) Opossums The number of skins stamped was 563,061, compared with 180,168 the previous year,

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Quota or Long Films. Non-quota or Short Films. Origin. Number. Length. Number. Length. Ft. Ft. British .. .. .. .. 50 416,710 497 447,110 Foreign .. .. .. .. 311 2,443,470 702 647'400 Totals .. .. .. 361 2,860,180 1,199 1,094,510

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B. Deer, Tahr, and Chamois Operations Animals totalling 15,361 were destroyed; the numbers of each species and the localities are as under:—

The following is a table of the results for the season Ist June, 1943, to 31st May, 1944, for purposes of comparing seasons in the same regions : —

From departmental operations 6,223 skins were saved, and private hunters sold 1,392 skins to the Department. There was still a very keen demand for deer-skins, and the Department disposed of 7,755 for export overseas. The continuing impact of war conditions still further reduced the number of deer-destruction operatives available to the Department, and the high price of skins resulted in arrangements being made for private shooters in some areas in which departmental parties would normally operate. Large quantities of -303 rifle ammunition were sold to runholders and others who assist in keeping down the numbers of deer, goats, and wild pigs. Accidents The long period of immunity from serious accidents experienced by the Department's official deer-destruction parties terminated in March when two members of a party operating in South Westland were drowned when attempting to cross the flooded Haast River. Sympathy is extended to the relatives of the men concerned. XI. ROTORUA ACCLIMATIZATION DISTRICT A. The Fishing Season Reports which have been received indicate that the condition of the fish taken at the opening of the season on Ist November, 1944, was very good. In general, weather conditions throughout the season were bad and had an adverse effect on the fishing. At the close of the year it appeared likely that the number of licenses sold would exceed the number sold during the previous season. Weights of some of the large fish taken and recorded by departmental officers were : — Taupo Area.—lB| lb.; 14| lb. ;14 1b.13£ lb. ;13 lb. (2); 124 lb.; 12 lb. (4); lb. (6); 11 lb. (2); lb. (8)"; 101b. (13). Rotorua Area.—l 7 lb.; 151b.; 131b.; 12 lb. (2); 11J lb. ; 11 lb. (2); 101b. (3). B. General (1) Fry and Ova At No. 1 Hatchery, Ngongotaha, 3,070,000 eggs from Tarawera and Ngongotaha, as well as 727,500 from No. 2 Hatchery, Tongariro, were handled. At the latter hatchery 5,494,500 eggs were stripped. The Waikaremoana hatchery handled 580,000 eggs from No. 2 Hatchery. Sales of ova to acclimatization societies amounted to 1,550,000. The following figures show the number of rainbow fry planted in various waters : — Tawpo Fishing District. —Tongariro, 1,016,500 ; Waitahanui, 201,500 ; Tauranga-Taupo, 357,000 ; Hatepe, 452,000 ; Waiinarino, 195,000 ; Waikato, 408,500 ; Waipehi, 81,000. Rotorua Fishing District. —Rotorua, 459,500; Rotoiti, 227,000; Rotoma, 65,000; Rotoehu, 138,000 ; Lake Tarawera, 185,000 ; Rotokakahi, 65,000 ; Okataina, 190,000 ; Okareka, 227,000; Taahunaatara, 63,000; Waimana, 191,000; Whakatane, 25,000; Rangitaiki, 35,(XX); Tarawera River, 70,000 ; Pakihi and Waititi, 55,000 ; Waioeka, 54,000 ; Waikaremoana, 255,000; Ruakituri, 210,000; Tuai, 20,000; Waikaretalieke, 5,000 ; Kopuawhara, 30,000; Waiau River, 20,000; Putere, 20,000; Waihi Stream, 20,000,

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MisLocality. Deer. Tahr. Chamois. Goats. Pigs. collaneous Total. Pests. North Island— Urewera and Kaimanawas .. 2,519 .. .. .. 31 .. 2,550 Tararuas .. .. .. 202 .. .. .. .. .. 202 South IslandMarlborough .. .. 367 .. .. 2,307 330 .. 3,004 North Canterbury .. .. 1,911 .. .. .. 1,911 Otago and South Westland .. 6,009 5 10 .. .. 6,024 Lake Wakatipu and Blue Moun- 1,017 .. .. .. 1,017 tains Stewart Island .. .. 346 .. .. .. .. 307 653 Totals.. .. .. 12,371 5 10 2,307 361 307 15,361

Locality. Deer. Tahr. Chamois. Wapiti. Goats. Pigs. Total. Urewera and Lake Waikaremoana 836 .. .. . . 39 875 North Canterbury .. .. 2,755 .. 5 .. .. .. 2,760 Otago and South Westland .. 12,073 76 13 .. .. .. 12,162 Southland Fiordland National Park 1,672 .. .. 19 .. .. 1,691 Stewart Island .. .. .. 502 .. .. .. .. 502 Totals.. .. .. 17,838 76 18 19 .. 39 18,990 I

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Brown-trout fry were planted as follows : Waitahanui and Waikato (Taupo District), 50,000 ; Lake Okaro, 35,000 ; Whakatane, 135,000 ; Rangitaiki, 30,000 ; Waioeka, 63,000 ; Waioliero, 57,000 ; Ngongotaha, 336,000; Hamurana, 162,000; Utuhina, 72,000; Taahunaatara, 137,000. (2) Culling of Trout The numbers of trout culled at No. 2 Hatchery were 57 males and 55 females. (3) Food-supplies for Trout Smelt have been very numerous in many waters, particularly Taupo. (4) Black Shags, Hawks, do. Bonuses were paid on 459 black shags, 700 hawks, 34 stoats, and 1 weasel. Departmental officers destroyed 104 black shags, 25 hawks, 1 weasel, 19 cattle, 34 pigs, and 1 deer. (5) Game Farm Hen and duck eggs totalling 1,760 dozen were sold. Of the 374 fowl chicks reared, 113 cockerels were sold. Thirty fowls were sold. The number of pheasants and mallard ducks liberated were 1,148 and 301 respectively. (6) Oppossums * During the year 23,087 skins were stamped, as compared with 1,670 the previous year. (7) Ranging Fines for breaches of the Fisheries Regulations (24 in all) amounted to £78. Breaches of the Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22, resulted in four fines, totalling £17 10s. Large numbers of native birds shelter in the large tracts of native bush in this area, and ranging to the extent permitted by staff and facilities was carried out. XII. WAR GRAVES Nine hundred and thirty-two notifications of deaths of ex-service men and women of the Great War were recorded, and temporary crosses were placed on 479 graves. The supply of headstones is improving, and 175 headstones were erected. Cremations totalled 58. Additional construction work involving the erection of head-beams and concrete surrounds in preparation for the emplacement of headstones was carried out in many cemeteries. _ Many new areas have been provided where cemeteries are almost full, and preliminary work was commenced for the establishment in these areas of the new lawn type of cemetery with the low-level or ground plaque type of headstone, which is increasing in popularity. Two hundred and eighty-three notifications of deaths in New Zealand of ex-service men anci women of the present war were recorded and 241 temporary crosses and 55 headstones were placed on & ' aV About half of the deaths which occurred overseas during the present war have now been notified, and records of these are being maintained. XIII. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS Two parliamentary delegations, one from the United Kingdom and one from Canada, headed by Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. R. Wickham, M.V.0., M.P., and Mr. J. G. Ross, M.P., respectively, made an extensive tour of both Islands. The delegations comprised United Kingdom.—Messrs. H. W. Butcher, M.P. ; F. Collindridge, M.P. ; R. Etherton, M.P. ; Right Hon. the Earl of Listowel; Major S. F. Markham, M.P. ; Flight-Lieutenant R.'b. Perkins, R.A.F.V.R., M.P. ; Mr. G. S. Summers, M.P. ; and Dr. Edith Summerskill, M P Canada. Dr. T. F. Donnelly, M.A., M.C., C.M., M.P.; Messrs. J. H. Harris, M.P.; and A. Maclnnis, M.P. Many other important people visited New Zealand during this period. They included Lord Gowrie, Governor-General of Australia, and Lady Gowrie ; Right Hon. F. M. Forde, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Mrs. Forde ; Hon. H. V. Evatt, K.C., Minister of External Affairs, and Mrs. Evatt; Senator the' Hon. R. V. Keane, Minister of Trade and Customs, Australia; Senator J. M. Fraser, Minister for Health and Social Services, Australia ; Hon. A. S. Drakeford, Minister of Civil Aviation ; Admiral of the Fleet the Right Hon. Lord Keyes, G.C.8., K.C.V.0., D.5.0., and Lady Keyes ; Admiral W F Halsey 'U S.N., Commander of the South Pacific Area, and later Vice-Admiral J. H. Newton, U.S.N, who replaced him ; Mr. Donald M. Nelson, President Roosevelt's personal representative; the Communications Commission, headed by Lord Reith ; Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser and the British Pacific Squadron ; Sir Ronald Cross, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Australia, and Lady Cross* Mr.'Justice T. C. Davis, High Commissioner for Canada in_Australia, and Mrs. Davis; Professor Sir Howard Florey, co-discoverer of penicillin ; the East Indies Government Delegation, comprising Dr J E. van Hoogstraten, Mr. J. van Hoist Pellekaan, and Dr. J. van der Noorda ; the United Kingdom Farmers' Delegation, headed by Mr. J. Turner ; Mr. Essington Lewis, Director-General of Aircraft Production, Australia; His Grace Archbishop Timotheos Evangelinides and Dr. E. C. Vrisakis Consul-General of Greece for Australia ; Sir Datar Singh and Mr. Neville N. Wadia, Indian industrialists, and Major-General R. P. Pakenham-Walsh, C.8., M.C., Eastern Group Supply Council. The Hon. K. S. Patton, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to New Zealand, arrived and was accorded a reception. In addition, numerous receptions were held to welcome back sick and wounded Service personnel returned from overseas.

2—H. 22.

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Officers and crews of Allied vessels were on several occasions received and extended hospitality. Functions were also held to celebrate the liberation of Paris, the liberation of Brussels, and the entry of the Allied Forces into the Netherlands. Arrangements for the funeral of Mrs. Janet Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister, were also made by this Section. The activities of this Section have been maintained at a high level on account of the number of functions held and the visits of notable people connected with the war effort. XIV. RAFFLES AND ART UNIONS Two hundred and forty-seven licenses under the authority of section 42 of the Gaming Act, 1908, were issued, and of these 142 were for works of art, 92 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 .. .. .. .. .. .. 273 ,802 15 0 Commission on sales .. .. .. .. .. 41,070 8 3 Expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 33,715 211 Prizes .. .. .. .. .. .. 65,000 0 0 Net proceeds .. .. .. .. .. 134,017 3 10 m Lottery duty .. .. .. .. .. 27,380 5 6 Net profit .. .. .. .. .. .. 106,636 18 4 Of the net profit, £37,642 was distributed to the various Mayoral and other recognized central funds for the relief of distress, £21,190 to charitable and philanthropic organizations, £19,024 3s. to patriotic funds, and £10,718 17s. 6d. to children's health camps, a total of £88,575 os. 6d. XV. PASSPORTS AND EXIT PERMITS New passports totalling 1,322 were issued, and 224 renewals were granted in cases where the traveller was already in possession of a passport. Owing to the very limited shipping facilities available, the issue of exit permits under the provisions of the Oversea Passengers Emergency Regulations 1939 was restricted to persons travelling on essential business or for highly compassionate reasons. XVI. CHANGE OF NAME Applications were dealt with as follows (last year's figures in parentheses) : approved, 109 (68); declined, 6 (1). XVII. NATURALIZATION A number of applications for naturalization from persons who had served or were serving in the Armed Forces were under consideration, and fifteen certificates were issued. One person renounced British nationality by making a declaration of alienage. Seventeen British-born wives of aliens made declarations to retain in New Zealand the rights of a British subject. In addition, three wives of naturalized aliens exercised their option of making declarations of desire to acquire British nationality. XVIII. RACING For the current racing year ending on 31st July, 1945, the allocation of totalizator licenses was restricted to 127 days for racing and hunt clubs and 45 days for trotting clubs for ordinary meetings. Ten additional totalizator licenses, 5 for racing clubs and 5 for trotting clubs were released, the profits for such meetings to be devoted to patriotic funds. Particulars of totalizator investments and taxation are published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. XIX. WAR FUNDS, 1914-18 The latest statements received from patriotic organizations registered under the War Funds Act, 1915, are summarized in the following table, in which is included for comparison the appropriate figures as recorded at 31st March, 1940 :—

This shows a net decrease of funds of £156,946 18s. 3d., or an average annual expenditure of £31,389 7s. Bd. over the five-year period.

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1945. 1940. Class of Society. No. Balance of Funds. No. Balance of Funds. £ S. d. £ s. d. Incorporated societies .. .. .. .. 25 273,566 2 9 26 400,296 5 6 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. 7 43,959 15 11 7 85,837 3 10 Blind Soldier and Veterans'Homes Funds .. 2 70,403 1 1 2 60,465 13 10 Unincorporated societies .. .. .. 11 6,943 13 0 11 5,746 9 9 Returned soldiers' clubs .. .. .. .. 6 22,205 18 7 6 23,811 3 6 National War Funds Council .. .. .. 1 86,392 2 10 1 84,260 16 0 Totals .. .. .. .52 503,470 14 2 53 660,417 12 5

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XX. ADVERTISING OFFICE A substantial increase in newspaper advertising costs is revealed in the amount recorded for the year —£49,851 13s. 5d., as against £39,422 19s. Bd. for the previous twelve months. This is due to display advertising in the health and primary-production campaigns undertaken, in addition to space required for continued national savings, rationing, and electricity economy campaigns. The Press Section also records increased activities due to the additional services required for new offices and overseas posts. Over 1,400 copies of newspapers are received weekly. XXI. EXPLOSIVES AND DANGEROUS GOODS The following licenses were issued :— Explosives (new licenses only).—Conveyance, 5; sale, 20; storage, 33. Dangerous Goods. —2,141. Inspection Work Due to continued shortage of inspection staff and wartime travelling restrictions, it has not been practicable to maintain inspection work at its pre-war level. The opportunity was, however, found to pay inspection visits to the districts which were more urgently due. Local-authority Administration No new local-body licensing authorities under the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, were appointed during the year. Supervisory inspection visits were paid to a number of licensing authorities, but considerable arrears of work in this connection remain to be overtaken. XXII. THE ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY Holdings and Acquisitions The number of books now catalogued is over 70,000, and it is estimated that there yet remain about 20,000 or more volumes, apart from current additions. Additions have proceeded along lines germane to the collections in the library, and many excellent acquisitions have come through dealers in England and America, despite wartime difficulties. Use of the Library About 4,500 readers attended over the period, and this is a good figure when considered, on a population basis, with research institutions overseas. It is actually an increase over recent years. The lessening of war strain appears to have given a stimulus to study and research. Exhibitions The return of many of the more spectacular books from retirement has made it possible to hold two exhibitions of the library's treasures. On the occasion of the tour of the Canterbury University College students' Shakespearean party, a reception was given by the Wellington Shakespeare Society in the library, when a special showing was made of Shakespearean and early New Zealand dramatic material. This included much of New Zealand stage history (many of eighteenth century date), " play bills " of the " forties," Shakespeare folios, &c. A display of illustrated books and pictures, entitled " Europe as it was," showed many famous historic and architectural shrines damaged or destroyed by war. The Library contributed to Children's Book Week, held in November, exemplifying the library's range of children's books of the past two centuries. Indexing Current indexing work on portraits and obituary records is a steady task. The protrait index now covers a scope wider in range and time than that surveyed by the A.L.A. index, hitherto a standard work. In addition, detailed analysis has now gone into the indexes of another volume of the " New Zealand Journal " and the two volumes of James Cowan's " New Zealand Wars." A special indexing code has been worked out here to regularize all such work as is done by the staff, particularly on our own manuscripts groups. Donations and Exchanges From Mr. P. L. B. Williams, Auckland, came a journal by Edward Marsh Williams (son of Archdeacon Henry Williams), who helped to translate the Treaty of Waitangi into Maori. Dr. Bett gave copies of the letters and part of a diary of James Burnett, who did some exploring on the West Coast in the pioneer period. Though the good offices of the Boy Scout organization the Library secured the small but interesting group of diaries and papers of Francis Bradey, of Wellington. Mrs. A. D. Kerr, of Wellington, presented a manuscript diary recording a visit to Tonga in 1869 by Eliza Ann Palmer, who recorded impressions beyond the range of the usual tripper.

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The Shakespeare collection continued to grow. The year saw further considerable groups come from the Bacon Society of London and from Mr. Harold Large, of Napier. As a result of the Librarian's secondment to the Fiji Government to formulate plans for the postwar institution of a library system, it was possible to add to the resources relating to the Fiji Islands as well as to other island groups of the Pacific. Independently there came from Mrs. H. R. B. Parham, of Fiji, a collection of cuttings representing her considerable and extremely well-informed contributions to the press over many years. A chronicle of Norfolk Island upon the turn of the century came from Mr. McEldowney, of Christchurch, in the form of a copy of a diary kept by W. H. A. Quintal, presumably a descendant of the Bounty mutineers. Mr. Johannes Andersen, ex-Librarian, was responsible for a steady influx of useful books and pamphlets. Mr. P. Nordman, of Tahiti, presented some early manuscript letters and pamphlets on the Society Islands. Of printed material, the most notable were two handsome volumes from Mr. Carl Pforfzheimer, of Purchase, New York, of the complete letters of Mary W. Shelley ; from the Mariners' Museum at Newport News came an astonishingly comprehensive and excellently illustrated volume on knots. From the estate of the late Mrs. R. M. Algie, of Auckland, Professor Algie sent a superbly printed copy of the first limited edition of T. E. Lawrence's translation of the Odyssey of Homer, with certain relevant letters from Mrs. Algie's agents. XXIII. ELECTORAL OFFICE In this first complete year since the Electoral Oflice was transferred on the Ist August, 1943, from the Department of Justice to the Department of Internal Affairs the activities of this branch were confined mainly to normal post-election procedure. General Election Returns Detailed returns of results of the general election and licensing polls held on the 25th September, 1943, were assembled and presented, by command, to both Houses of Parliament on the 11th August, 1944, as parliamentary papers H.-33, H.-33a, and H.-33b. Compulsory Registration op Electors Under the Electoral Act, 1927, which provides for compulsory registration and notification of change of address, new enrolments, removals, and changes of address maintained a steady volume, the following being recorded. Total for Seventy- Average per six Electorates. Electorate. New enrolments .. .. .. .. •• 19,382 255 Removals by death, transfer, &c. .. .. .. .. 34,148 449 Changes of address within electorates .. .. 4, 648 61 Members op Forces' Rolls To these rolls, compiled in the Chief Electoral Office under the authority of the Electoral (Members of Forces) Regulations 1941, were added the names, addresses, and electorates of all Service personnel proceeding overseas during the year. The cards supporting entries in these rolls are sorted into their various electorates, and at byelections, lists of eligible voters are prepared therefrom and supplied to the Special Returning Officers to assist in obtaining the fullest possible coverage in the taking of votes of known eligible personnel. By-elections Two by-elections we:e held in the period, that for Awarua on the 28th October, 1944, and the Western Maori By-election on the 10th February, 1945. At these elections, arrangements for the taking of votes of members of the Forces in Italy, Egypt, India, Australia, and the Pacific were attended to by Special Returning Officers appointed from the Services, and in the United Kingdom by Mr. T. F. Sandford, of the New Zealand High Commissioner's Office, London.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (500 copies), £22 109.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l94s.

Price 6d."\

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