DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1946

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1946 Session I, H-22

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1946 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1946

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave

Sir, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 26th July, 1946. • I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1946. I have, &c., J. W. Heenan, The Hon. W. E. Parry, Under-Secretary. Minister of Internal Affairs.

X REPORT I. 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 011 four occasions. (c) Appointments to the Legislative Council. (d) Resignation of members of Executive Council. (e) Appointment of Parliamentary Under-Secretaries.. (/) Appointment of Clerk and Clerk-Assistant to House of Representatives. (g) Issue of writs and other steps for by-elections in Hamilton, Dunedin North, and Raglan Electoral Districts. 11. LOCAL GOVERNMENT A. Parliamentary Committee on Local Government Following the completion of the taking of evidence, a number of meetings of the Committee were held to consider the evidence and deliberate on its findings. Officers of the Department were again closely associated with the Committee during this phase in an administrative and advisory capacity. The report of the Committee, comprising some 190 pages of printed matter, was presented to Parliament on 31st October, 1945. One of the major recommendations of the Committee is the setting-up of a permanent Commission on local government to carry out a survey of the problem of area and functions of local authorities and to draw up schemes for reorganization. Other major recommendations related to hospital rating, Native rating, rating on Crown lands, elections and membership of local authorities, subsidies, electricity charges, town and regional planning, and the recruitment and training of local-body officers. Owing to the late stage of the session at which the report was presented, an opportunity of the report being .debated in the House did not occur. It is anticipated that further action in connection with the report will be considered at a later stage.

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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. The close contact of the Branch with local authorities was maintained and advice and assistance given when requested with regard to problems confronting local authorities and others interested in this field. The following gives some idea of the matters dealt with : (1) Boroughs The boundaries of the City of Christchurch were altered on five occasions by the inclusion of defined areas of adjacent counties. Four of these areas were the subject of inquiry and report by Commissions of inquiry, and a further proposal to include another area was the subject of a Commission, but was reported upon unfavourably thereby and no further action was taken. A Commission was set up to consider a proposal of the Rotorua Borough Council that an area known as Koutu should be included in the Borough of Rotorua. This was a matter of some importance to Rotorua because of the prospective expansion of industry and the lack of suitable areas for industrial purposes. The Council desired the inclusion of the Koutu area in the borough so that the effective planning of the borough for the future could be undertaken. The Commission recommended that the area be included in the borough, and the necessary Order in Council was duly issued. The boundaries of the Borough of Tauranga were also altered by the inclusion of an adjacent area, and the boundaries of West Harbour were altered by the inclusion of land reclaimed from the sea. The Town District of Kaitaia was constituted a borough. The by-laws of the Borough of Mataura were confirmed under the By-laws Act, 1910. Loans were authorized under section 7 of the Local Bodies' Finance Act, 1921-22, for the City of Palmerston North and the Boroughs of Timaru and Masterton in respect of earthquake and flood damage. ' Members were appointed to the Assessment Courts under the Urban Farm Land Rating Act, 1932, for the Boroughs of Taihape, New Plymouth, and Waitara. A fire-prevention by-law for the Gisborne Borough was approved. The Christchurch and Invercargill City Councils and the Newmarket Borough Council obtained approval to publish booklets containing information regarding their respective districts. The Wellington City Council was authorized to expend compensation-moneys under the Thorndon Reclamation Act, 1921-22. A Board of Appeal to consider a subdivisional plan for an area in the Borough of Rotorua was set up in terms of section 332 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933. By means of an Order in Council, the time for making a valuation list was extended for the Borough of Tapanui. Matters concerning the future development of Napier advanced to a final stage during the year. As stated in the last annual report, the Napier Borough Council and the Napier Harbour Board were able to reach complete agreement in regard to the future planning and development of lands belonging to the Harbour Board adjacent to the Borough of Napier. These arrangements necessitated special legislative authority, and this was sought by the joint promotion by the two bodies of the Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Bill. The legislative arrangements again necessitated the advice and co-operation of the Department. This Bill was duly passed into law, and the two local authorities will in the future work together in giving effect to the terms of the legislation for the betterment of Napier generally. The Municipal Conference was held at Christchurch on 27th, 28th, and 29th March, 1946. The Conference was officially opened by the Prime Minister (Right Hon. P. Fraser). The Conference was addressed on local-government matters by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry). A representative of the Department was present throughout the proceedings. One of the most important matters discussed at the Conference was the report of the parliamentary Committee on local government.

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(2) Counties On 25th, 26th, and 27th July, 1945, the Conference of the Counties Association was held in Wellington. The Conference was officially opened by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry), and a representative of the Department attended the proceedings. Remits regarding activities of the Department were subsequently submitted and replies thereto were forwarded to the Association. The boundaries of several counties were altered by the exchange of areas of land during the year, these being Waikohu and Opotiki, Whangarei and Bay of Islands, Clutha and Southland, and Waikohu and Uawa. The Waitemata and Ohinemuri County Councils took advantage of the new provision contained in section 16 of the Statutes Amendment Act, 1945, and obtained authorities for the expenditure of moneys on the preparation of informative booklets. The Rangitikei County Council obtained authority .to levy rates on a uniform scale in a drainage area of the county. A loan was authorized under section 7 of the Local Bodies' Finance Act, 1921—22, for the Geraldine County Council. The Bruce County Council passed a special order under the authority of the Counties Amendment Act, 1931, abolishing the system of separate riding finance. This made a total of eighty County Councils to avail themselves of that legislation. Mr. Dawson E. Crisp was reappointed as County Commissioner for the Matakaoa County. In the month of January, Mr. A. G. Harper, Assistant Under-Secretary, visited the county and met the Councillors and many of the residents. Many matters of interest to the settlers were discussed. It was evident from the discussions that the Council and settlers desired to retain Commissioner control for a further term. Matters in this county are progressing satisfactorily under present arrangements, but it is evident the position will have to be watched carefully for some time to come. (3) Town Districts The Road District of Taupo, which was originally constituted by special Act, has developed considerably in recent years, and approaches were made to the Department to have the status altered. At the request of the Road Board an officer visited Taupo to discuss the proposal with the Board and attend a public meeting called for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the residents. The latter meeting passed a unanimous resolution in favour of changing to town-district status, and a provision was subsequently inserted in the Local Legislation Act, 1945, authorizing the issue of a Proclamation altering the status of the district. The Proclamation was duly issued on 13th March, 1946, and Taupo became an independent town district as on and from Ist April, 1946. The Town District of Takaka was declared an independent town district. A number of advances were made for the constitution of new town districts. In view of Government policy in regard to the creation of new local authorities and the recommendation of the parliamentary Committee on local government that a permanent Commission on local government be constituted, the proposals were not favourably considered. (4) Drainage Districts The Drainage District of Reporoa was reconstituted, and authorities were granted for the Board to rate on a uniform scale pending the classification of the district, and to incur an overdraft in terms of section 3 (5) of the Local Bodies' Finance Act, 1921-22. The boundaries of the Christchurch Drainage District were altered on two occasions by the inclusion of areas. The boundaries of the Hauraki Plains West Drainage District were also amended by the inclusion of an area. {5) River Districts The Motueka, Palmerston North, Dipton, Opio, Inter-Wanganui, and North Rakaia River Districts were abolished as the result of petitions presented in terms of sections 141-142 of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act, 1941. The rivercontrol work in those areas will now be undertaken by Catchment Boards set up under this Act.

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(6) Fire Boards As a result of extraordinary vacancies occurring on Fire Boards, steps were taken to arrange the appointment of thirty-one- new members, five being new Government members, twenty-four insurance representatives, and two appointments made by contributing local authorities. No new Fire Boards were set up during the year, but, by Order in Council, the Auckland United Fire District was created, this in effect being an extension of the previous metropolitan district to include the Otahuhu Borough. The New Plymouth and Timaru Fire Boards were granted extended borrowing powers to enable them to proceed with building extensions, and a new by-law for Napier Fire Board was approved. Loan authorities were issued to several Boards, and consents were also given to a number of agreements for fire protection outside of fire districts. After consultation with the Council of Fire and Accident Underwriters Associations, it was agreed to facilitate the revocation of the Fire Boards (Insurance Companies' Contributions) Emergency Regulations 1943, and the Council was advised that returns would most likely be required from insurance companies for premium income accruing after Ist January, 1946. The estimates of expenditure of all Boards were reviewed and approved in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act 1926. The Report on the Fire Brigades of the Dominion (H.-12) prepared by the Inspector of Fire Brigades, covered a survey of the war period, and also gave some forecast of the proposals for the reorganization of the fire service for the future. C. Legislation (1) Statutes Amendment Act, Finance Act, and Finance Act (No. 2), 1945 Several sections included in these Acts covering quite a large range of localgovernment activities were promoted by the Department. Under one section County Councils were authorized to expend moneys, with the consent of the Minister of Internal Affairs, on booklets containing information about their counties ; another section extended their powers to control the driving of stock over county roads; and another provision authorized the expenditure of county funds in aid of athenaeums, mortuaries, and libraries, &c., outside the county boundaries, providing that they are not conducted for private profit. Drainage and River Boards were authorized to pay subscriptions to the New Zealand Drainage and River Boards Association and travelling-expenses of their representatives incurred in attending meetings thereof. By means of another section, local authorities and others were authorized to make donations for the establishment of a Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at any constituent college of the University of New Zealand. A further provision validated any expenditure incurred by local authorities in celebrating the cessation of hostilities and the return of peace. Another section extended existing provisions by permitting local authorities to make grants to the dependants of deceased employees. A further section amended the Local Elections and Polls Act, 1925, by clarifying the position as to offences on polling-day and made the provision with respect to influencing voters uniform for both parliamentary and local-body elections. (2) Local Legislation Act, 1945 As finally passed, this Act contained thirty-three clauses covering a wide field of local-government activity. (3) Local Acts Eleven local Bills were submitted to the Department for examination and report, and, of these, nine were duly passed into law. The Department was represented at the meetings of the Local Bills Committee when these Bills were under consideration.

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(4) Subsidiary Legislation In accord with the Government's policy of removing wartime controls at the earliest possible moment, the following Emergency Regulations were revoked:— The Acclimatization Society Membership Emergency Regulations 1942. The Change of Name Emergency Regulations 1939. The Change of Name Emergency Regulations 1939, Amendment No. 1. The Change of Name Emergency Regulations 1939, Amendment No. 2. The Cinematograph Films Exhibitors' Licenses Emergency Regulations 1943. The Cinematograph Operators Emergency Regulations 1943. The Closing of Shops (Late Night) Emergency Regulations 1942. The Closing of Shops (Late Night) Emergency Regulations 1942, Amendment No. 2. The Commissions of Inquiry Emergency Regulations 1941. The Dogs Registration Emergency Regulations 1941. The Dogs Registration Emergency Regulations 1942. The Dogs Registration Emergency Regulations 1942 (No. 2) The Dogs Registration Emergency Regulations 1944. The Daylight Saving Emergency Regulations 1945. The Explosives Licenses Emergency Regulations 1942. The Game Season Emergency Regulations 1942. The King's Birthday Emergency Regulations 1940. The King's Birthday Emergency Regulations 1940, Amendment No. 1. The Local Elections and Polls Emergency Regulations 1942. The Publication of Registers Emergency Regulations 1942. The War Funds Emergency Regulations 1941. D. Miscellaneous The newly constituted Central Hawke's Bay Rabbit Board and the Palmerston North Metropolitan Milk Board were authorized to borrow moneys by way of overdraft for the first year of their existence. Amended regulations of the New Zealand Institute of Architects were gazetted. Three members were appointed to the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery, one representing the Native race and two representing the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. The necessary documents were prepared in respect of the appointment of the Controller and Auditor-General and a Deputy Controller and Auditor-General. 111. LAND-AGENTS AND AUCTIONEERS During the year 756 (716) land-agents' licenses were issued and 4 (7) transfers granted ; 493 (460) auctioneers' licenses were issued, and 8 (2) transfers granted (last year's figures in parentheses). One case of a defaulting land-agent came before the Department, and after investigation the fidelity-bond moneys were distributed on a pro rata basis amongst the claimants. IV. PHYSICAL WELFARE AND RECREATION The end of the war has increased very considerably the demands made on the Department in regard to physical welfare and recreation. Returning servicemen who have experienced a full programme of recreation organized for them during the war have returned to demand much greater recreation in New Zealand than has been made available hitherto. At the same time the Department has experienced a considerable reaction arising from the Annual Holidays Act, 1945, which provided for all people throughout New Zealand a compulsory holiday. Even allowing for the fact that some people do not travel for their holidays and that a great many provide their own recreation, it is apparent that the demand for holiday recreation facilities is now approximately five times greater than the pre-war demand, and the tendency is for it to increase

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still further. These facts, coupled with the position which existed during the war whereby there was an almost complete suspension of the construction of recreation facilities,, have resulted in a big demand for recreation which has exceeded the accommodation of present facilities. While the problem of providing facilities for the general recreation of the people is principally one for the local authorities of New Zealand, it has been recognized that some assistance from the Government is necessary to enable them to meet the present position, and, in addition, there are aspects of recreation, such as mountain tracks, which are beyond the capability of the local authorities to provide for. Much of the time of the Department was occupied during the past year, therefore, with the pressing question of the construction of facilities for recreation. Arrangements were made for a series of contacts with official organizations overseas to ensure that New Zealand would be quickly and accurately informed of all modern developments in regard to such facilities, and this information has been made available to the local authorities and other organizations in New Zealand requiring it. At the same time study has been given to the present conditions in New Zealand with a view to estimating what the probable requirements of a New Zealand community are in regard to recreation and in detailing the facilities required to provide accordingly. This information has been made available to local authorities and has been used by other State Departments in the course of general community planning. Provision was made for the establishment of grants under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, 1937, and £lO,OOO was placed on the Department's estimates for thispurpose. This provision was made late in the year and became operative only during the last two months of the financial yeaj*. Only a score of applications for financial assistance were received before the financial year closed, and fourteen grants were made of a total value of £3,295. The purposes for which these grants were required were as follows : £ Buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 525 Grounds for recreation .. .. .. .. .. 1,450 Equipment for recreational organizations .. .. .. 950 Coaching and instruction in recreation . .. .. .. 370 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £3,295 Grants are made on a subsidy basis to encourage (1) the promotion of new recreation groups catering for people who had not taken part in recreation before, and (2) the further development of existing recreation groups in order to increase their effectiveness. An information service has been established and information bulletins produced and distributed to recreational organizations throughout New Zealand. This information service is designed to provide for all interests throughout New Zealand an up-to-date source of technical information and ideas which will enable them to improve their general service for recreation. It contains such matters as technical information on the construction of swimming-pools, gymnasia, community centres, and all types of sports-grounds, on methods of maintaining and developing such grounds, together with material on methods of coaching various sports and skills. This information service is proving popular and is in demand. By arrangement with the New Zealand Inter-Church Council, the Department has instituted a series of courses for the training of Church leaders in recreational organization. The courses, which are under the direction of the Physical Welfare Officers of the Department, aim to train the leaders chosen by the Churches from their own groups in methods of organizing recreation clubs and providing suitable recreational programmes for the youth of the Churches. Several courses have already been completed. Particular attention was given by the Physical Welfare Officers of the Department to the promotion of sport in outlying country districts which have not enjoyed in previous years the opportunity of such recreational participation. In some areas entirely new

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sporting associations were established and new sports coached. So successful has been this development that some of these associations have already reached the stage when they are able to carry on without further assistance. Assistance was given during the year to the formation of the New Zealand Marching and Recreation Association, an organization which has for its objects the promotion of inter-house marching and recreation for girls throughout New Zealand. The services of departmental officers were made available for the organizing connected with the establishment of this association, and a very successful championship meeting was held in Timaru at the conclusion of the year. This association is now well established and will be able to carry on by itself in the future. This is part of the Department's policy in promoting recreation in New Zealand by assisting in the establishment of new associations and new activities until such time as they are able to carry on without further assistance from the Department. In this way the New Zealand Women's Indoor Basketball Association has been established with departmental assistance, and is now carrying on as a national sporting association. The mountain track operated by the Department in the Harper Pass area continued to be very popular. There is a very considerable demand throughout New Zealand for extension of the facilities in regard to mountain huts and tracks, and the recent parliamentary paper on post-war policy indicated that considerable development in this field would take place when possible. Unfortunately, it has not proved possible to make any progress with this scheme at the present time on account of the great urgency of housing construction and the undesirability of diverting from housing any of the materials and labour which would be required in hut construction. The development of mountain huts and tracks, however, will be pushed ahead as soon as conditions render possible such a course of action. Much attention was given during the year to the planning of new areas. The Department was consulted in matters pertaining to the planning of new communities thoughout New Zealand, and the Department's officers were associated with those of other State Departments in such planning. Physical Welfare Officers continued to render assistance to the established sporting and other recreational organizations throughout New Zealand, and there has been ample evidence of appreciation of the services they have rendered. "Learn to Swim" campaigns were continued in conjunction with swimming associations throughout New Zealand, and full co-operation given to the various Councils of Sport in the work of surveying local facilities for recreation and devising ways and means of improvement. V. WILDLIFE BRANCH A. (1) Establishment of Wildlife Branch In view of the increasing necessity for a more positive administration of the Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22, and active measures of wild-life conservation generally, a Wildlife Branch of the Department was established. At present the staff of the Branch can be regarded only as a nucleus. Preliminary measures were taken for investigation and remedial action where possible in connection with the following problems vitally concerning the welfare of the flora and fauna of New Zealand : (a) The decrease in the native protected bird population and threatened extinction of some species : (b) The increase and possible menace of the opossum population : (c) The decrease of native and imported game-bird populations : (d) The relation between wild browsing animals and soil and river erosion in the back country: (e) The apparent deterioration of the Department's fresh-water fisheries (in common with all others in New Zealand).

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(2) Field Investigation Unit To conduct the essential field investigations of the above nature which form a link between the reports submitted by the field observers and the researches of the scientific workers, and to be complementary to the latter, the above " unit " was established. (3) Wildlife Library Considerable progress was made in establishing a library of scientific and other works for the guidance and training of officers of the field staff. B. Administration of Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22 (1) Revision of Act A start was made on the long-overdue revision of the legislation contained in the existing Act to meet present-day requirements. (2) Absolutely Protected Birds The preservation of native birds, the great majority of species of which are absolutely protected by law, was actively pursued. Officers recently appointed to the field staff of the Department were appointed Rangers under the above Act, with power to operate as such throughout New Zealand. Several suspected cases of infringements of the law, both by collectors and hunters, were investigated. The taking-over of control of the Southern Lakes Acclimatization District, which embraces the Fiordland National Park, has permitted the application of more effective measures for protecting the avifauna of that vast region. Preliminary steps have been taken towards the setting-aside of an area near Wellington which is the habitat of a colony of grey teal as a sanctuary for the more effective protection of this now comparatively rare species, and a portion of the BarrBrown Estate, near Featherston, which is eminently suitable for the purpose, was created a sanctuary. (3) Imported and Native Game Open game-shooting seasons were observed in all acclimatization districts. It was possible to make a larger quantity of shot-gun ammunition available than in 1944. It having been established that Canadian geese were present in parts of the South Canterbury Acclimatization District in such numbers as to constitute a menace, the protection on them was removed in that district. Reports and field investigations show that the chukor, or Indian hill partridge, has become well established over much of the high country along and near the main divide of the South Island and provided excellent sport for those capable of penetrating to such regions. The native paradise duck, at one time a resident of the South Island only and present there in but small numbers, now exists in considerable numbers in all remote valleys of the South Island mountain regions, and colonies in the North Island have reached dimensions which permitted open seasons in several acclimatization districts. The position in regard to the other imported game species, pheasant, and quail is not good from the point of view of sportsmen, as their numbers in all districts are showing a downward tendency. (4) Opossums The number of skins stamped was 405,392, as compared with 563,061 the previous year. Of the revenue derived from license fees and royalty on skins, the sum of £2,000 was paid to acclimatization societies and other bodies entitled thereto, the allocation, being made on a basis proportionate to the number of skins stamped in each district.

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A considerable volume of evidence of an undue increase of these animals in many ■districts was submitted to the Department by other Government Departments, local and a wide range of interests and persons. This matter was fully explored with a view to determining the measures necessary to meet the situation. In order to induce an intensification of trapping and enable farmers and others to cope with animals causing damage to crops, gardens, plantations, orchards, &c., it was decided to seek authority to amend the regulations by removing many of the existing restrictions on the taking of opossums and the possession and disposal of their skins. The matter is still being pursued and arrangements are in train to conduct field investigations. i(5) Assumption of Control of Acclimatization District in the South Island At the request of the Lakes District Acclimatization Society, the Government •decided to assume control of the district controlled by the society. The boundaries of the Southland, Otago, and Westland Acclimatization Districts were altered to permit of certain portions contiguous to the Lakes district being added thereto, the new district thus formed, called the " Southern Lakes Acclimatization District," being administered by this Department as from Ist September, 1945. <C. Wild Animal Pest Control Operations (1) Soil Conservation and Rivers Control The principle that this Department should continue to accept responsibility for .controlling throughout New Zealand all of the many species of wild browsing animals, ■except rabbits, wild pigs, and hares, which constitute so grave a menace to the vegetative •cover of soil and are so potent a cause of erosion was adopted in an arrangement entered into with the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council and all Catchment Boards. f(2) Personnel (a) Shortage of experienced staff, and, indeed, even of comparatively unskilled operatives of the type necessary for this work, has limited the scope of operations. Special attention, therefore, has been paid to the recruitment and training of a nucleus •of the hunting personnel required and the field staff necessary to control future operations. The scheme now operating is designed to qualify casual workers for advancement to permanent positions on the field staff. (b) Returned servicemen have been given employment in considerable numbers, and this class of employment has proved most popular with those desirous of undertaking outdoor work possessing a background of adventure combined with possibilities of advancement and the permanency pertaining to an undertaking of national importance. (3) High-level Huts and Air Transportation A comprehensive scheme, to embrace all remote mountain areas of country infested by deer, &c., for the establishment of huts in high-level locations, the conveyance thereto of the huts in a prefabricated state, and the servicing of parties based thereon with provisions and equipment by air transport was embarked upon. The huts were designed by the Architectural Branch of the Public Works Department, and test droppings of both hut-building materials and provisions were successfully conducted as the result of the co-operation of the Aerodromes Branch of that Department. These investigations open the way to vastly increased efficiency in the conduct of operations in the difficult mountain regions by the basing of parties at high-level points remote from avenues of supply by other means.

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(4) Stewart Island Active measures were pursued towards the eradication of rabbits, which were illegally liberated on Stewart Island and had increased and spread to such an extent as to give cause for the gravest concern for the welfare of the flora of the island. There are now grounds for believing that this pest has been entirely removed from the main island (Stewart Island), but the utmost vigilance will be maintained and stepstaken to eradicate them from a small off-shore island which still remains infested. Steps were taken to deal with a colony of German owls, known enemies of small native birds, and intensive trapping has, it is believed, resulted in their eradication. (5) Animal Pests destroyed The numbers of animals during the financial year ended 31st March, 1946, showing the zones of operations in which they were destroyed and the numbers of each species, are set forth in the following tables :

Table A. —Numbers destroyed in each Zone of Operations during the Financial Year 1st April, 1945, to 31st March, 1946

Table B. —Numbers of each Species destroyed in the Financial and Operational Years

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Area of Operations. Deer. Chamois. Goats. Pigs. Totals. North Island Urewera country Kaimanawa Ranges Ruahine Ranges Tararua Ranges • 928 1,686 303 398 59 569 196 139 255 50 9 1,067 2,100 922 603 South Island Otago .. .. South Westland Southland Stewart Island 1,036 1,471 2,366 351 3 1 16 •• 46 1,039 1,472 2,428 351 Totals 8,539 20 824 599 9,983

Species. Financial Year, 1st April, 1945, to 31st March, 1946. Operational Year, 1st June, 1944, to 31st May, 1945. Red deer (Cervus elephas) 8,433 9,389 Fallow deer (Mazama dama) 1,368 Virginian deer (Cervus virginianus) 106 170 Chamois (Rupicapra tragus) 20 22 Wild goats 824 2,307 Wild pigs 599 330 Wild cats* 57 38 Rabbits* 144 47 * Stewart Island only.

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(6) Private Commercial Hunters The destruction of deer by private commercial hunters for the purpose of recovering the skins has been undertaken at varying rates of intensity since the commencement of operations by this Department in 1931. During the year -under review the high value of skins has been enhanced, resulting in an intensification of the operations conducted by the free-lance hunters in the more easily accessible areas from which it was possible to recover the skins of the animals destroyed. This commercial hunting has been the means of filling tl\e gap in official party operations occasioned by man-power limitations and has enabled this Department to concentrate on the more inaccessible areas. To assist private hunters this Department has for a considerable number of years purchased -303 in. calibre ammunition in bulk from the Army Department and has retailed it to them at cost. The increased activities of private hunters has led to a very considerable increase in the amount of ammunition used, and 842,000 rounds were disposed of during the year. The Army Department is now prepared to dispose of ammunition in bulk to dealers, and it was decided to terminate sales by the Department as soon as existing stocks of ammunition are exhausted. The following table shows the numbers of deer-skins from all sources exported during the period Ist April, 1939, to 31st March, 1946 : Number of Skins Year ending— exported. 31st March, 1940.. .. .. .. .. .. 28,361 31st March, 1941.. .. .. .. .. •• 38,477 31st March, 1942.. .. .. .. .. .. 45,382 31st March, 1943.. .. .. .. .. ..53,190 31st March, 1944.. .. .. .. •• •• 51,300 31st March, 1945.. .. .. .. .. 100,935 31st March, 1946.. .. .. .. .. .. 95,788 D. Rotorua Acclimatization District (1) The Fishing Season While some good fishing was obtained, especially in the Lake Taupo region, in the early part of the season, the setting-in of hot dry weather had a detrimental effect on both the sport obtainable and the condition of the fish during the latter portion .of the season. The long-continued eruption of Ruapehu Mountain and resulting deposit of volcanic silt in the Tongariro River and its tributaries also had a detrimental effect on fish and fishing. A very large number of anglers visited the district and there was an increase in the number of licenses issued as compared with the previous season. In spite of adverse climatic conditions and the consequent poorer fishing generally, a number of fine fish were taken, as shown by the following recorded weights : Rotorua Area.—lo lb. (4 fish); 11 lb. (1 fish); 11$ lb. (1 fish). Taupo Area. —-10 lb. (5 fish); 11 lb. (7 fish); 11$ lb. (2 fish); 12 lb. (4 fish). (2) Fisheries Conservation (a) Hatchery Operations.—Ova were recovered and laid down in the two main hatcheries for " eyeing " or complete incubation as under No. 1 (Ngongotaha) Hatchery (Rotorua Area): 4,472,000. No. 2 (Tongariro) Hatchery (Taupo Area): 6,967,500.

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Of the above ova, 2,570,000 were, sold to acclimatization societies, 2,800,000 were sent to the Department's Southern Lakes district, and 645,000 to No. 3 (Tuai) Hatchery. Pry were planted in the district as under :

(b) Gulling of Trout. —The following numbers of " cull " trout were destroyed : Rotorua area : 12 males ; 8 females. Taupo area : 70 males ; 68 females. (c) Trout food. —Investigations showed that in most waters where smelt (Retropinna lacustris) were introduced to augment food-supplies for trout they are well established. (3) Vermin Control The table hereunder shows the numbers of various species on which bounties were paid under the scheme operated by the North Island Vermin Control Council and those destroyed by officers of the Department: —

(4) Game Farm The necessity -for limiting the consumption of foods suitable as fowl-feed was a factor in the rearing of game birds. Operations were therefore continued on a reduced scale and resulted in the liberation of 919 pheasants and 175 mallard duck. The keeping of fowls for egg-production for disposal through commercial channels was reduced. A total of 572 dozen eggs were sold. (5) Ranging All parts of the district were regularly patrolled by the Department's Rangers. Breaches of the two conservation Acts administered in the district in the cases for which prosecutions were conducted resulted as follows :

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Waters. Hatchery. Rainbow. Brown. Totals. Rotorua area Taupo area Taupo area Lake Waikaremoana and East Coast i— < i— 1 CO dddd 2,605,000 2,022,500 60,000 615,000 637,000 47,500 4:0,000 3,242,000 2,070,000 100,000 615,000 Totals 5,302,500 724,500 6,027,000

Hedgehogs. Shags. Hawks. Stoats and Weasels. 1 Ferrets. Bounties paid Departmental officers '25 464 82 306 50 57 12 1

Act. Number of Prosecutions. Amount of Fines. £ s. d. Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22 4 28 0 0 Fisheries Act, 1908, Part II 9 35 0 0

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E. Southern Lakes Acclimatization District (1) The Fishing Season ' While the known depleted state of the fishery due to the absence of conservation measures for many years was reflected in numerically small catches, fish were in good condition and some quite fair sport was had in favoured localities. The sum of £436 was received from the sale of licenses to 31st March, 1946, and 57 complimentary licenses were issued to returned servicemen. (2) Fisheries Conservation (a) Hatchery Operations.—Old abandoned hatcheries at Wanaka and Queenstown were taken over from the Marine Department and the Lakes Acclimatization Society respectively, and were reconditioned to a degree sufficient to permit of full-scale operations, when supplies of ova from the Rotorua-Taupo District began to arrive. The Marine Department's small but up-to-date salmon hatchery at Te Anau wasalso taken over by this Department, and it played a part in the restocking programme carried out. From the Department's hatcheries in the Rotorua -Taupo District 2,800,000 ova in the " eyed " stage were received, and 305,000 were obtained by " stripping " locally. The operations resulted in a total of 2,918,000 fry being planted in the waters of the district, as under :

This excellent result will undoubtedly be reflected in a great improvement in the stock of fish not only in the Department's district but in the Otago and Southland Acclimatization Districts, which will benefit from the restocking, as the lower reaches, of some rivers pass through those districts. (b) Destruction of Shags.—Two hundred and sixty of these enemies of trout were destroyed by the Department's officers. (c) Destruction of Eels. —A campaign against eels, limited to an investigational undertaking by shortage of materials to make traps, was conducted in the Lakes Hawea and Wanaka and Clutha River systems, the number of eels taken at the close of the year being 1,054. (d) Ranging.—This was carried out by officers who are also engaged in other duties — e.g., hatchery-managers, deer-control field officers. One prosecution resulted. (3). Absolutely Protected Birds These are fairly numerous in forest-clad portions of the district. The presence of Rangers and the measures being taken to destroy predatory animals will, it is confidently anticipated, be potent agencies in the preservation of these birds.

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W ater. Rainbow. Brown. Totals. Lake Hawea system 405,000 120,000 525,000 Lake Wanaka system.. 289,000 105,000 394,000 Lake Wakatipu system 693,000 210,000 903,000 Lake Te Anau system 330,000 330,000 Lake Manapouri system 50,000 50,000 Clutha River system 286,000 105,000 391 000 Small lakes 265,000 60,000 , 325,000 Totals 2,318,000 600,000 2,918,000

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(4) Native and Imported Game Conservation (a) Ducks. —While the district does not embrace any extensive areas suitable for grey and mallard, they are numerous in several small areas and provided fair sport for a number of local residents. Paradise duck are numerous in most remote valleys of the high mountain region, and, while numbers were shot in the more accessible areas, the remoteness of their habitat provided immunity to many. Shooting is not permitted in the valley of the Haast River where this species exists in large numbers, thus providing a reservoir from which adjacent areas are naturally restocked. (b) Californian Quail. —Although this fine sporting bird is found in considerable numbers throughout the district, it is apparent that the population is decreasing. (c) Chukor (Indian Hill Partridge).—This species, which is of comparatively recent acclimatization, is now represented by strong colonies spread over a very wide range of mountainous terrain, and appears to be in no way inimical to native or other birdlife or pastoral interests in their remote habitat. (d) Canadian Geese. —These birds are numerous in the Lakes Hawea and Wanaka region, where their numbers have increased to such an extent that they were damaging crops and pastures, and permits to kill them during the close season were issued to the run-holders concerned. (5) Vermin Control Bounties payable under the scheme operated by the South Island Vermin Control Council were paid on tokens as under : Stoats' tails .. .. .. • • • • 399 Ferrets' tails .. .. .. .. . - 273 Hedgehogs' snouts .. .. .. 54 Hawks' feet (pairs) .. .. .. .. 272 German owls' heads .. .. .. 28 F. Feral Meat for Europe With the termination of the special organization previously in being, certain activities have been assumed by the Wildlife Branch. The great impetus given to the frozen rabbit export industry by .the special organization has further increased and a wider coverage of rabbit-infested areas by collecting services now obtains. Whereas prior to the war only three rabbit packing and exporting works (all in Southland) were operating, the number has now increased to twelve, ten being in Southland, Otago, and South Canterbury, and two in the North Island. The average annual export, which, prior to and during the early years of the war (exports ceased after 1941) was 1,250,000, increased by approximately 200 per cent, last year, and a further large increase can be expected during the present export year. The value of this avenue of utilization of good food which would otherwise be wasted, both from the point of view of feeding the hungry people of Europe and of increasing the monetary value of the country's exports, will be apparent. VI. PATRIOTIC PURPOSES The financial year ended 30th September, 1945, was for the Patriotic Purposes Branch a very busy one. The expenditure of the National Patriotic Fund Board for the year under review was £514,792, which was much lower than that of the previous year, £1,857,281, but this does not present a true picture of the work involved owing to the fact that major expenditure in one year may be made in anticipation of requirements

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for the next year. The principal factor, however, affecting the activities of the Board during the year was the victory in Europe and later in Japan. This resulted in a change in planning comforts for combatant troops, and necessitated the provision of increased sports gear and amenities for the leisure-time of servicemen in many theatres of war. In the earlier part of the year the patriotic war comforts services was progressively extended through the islands of the Pacific, and also through Italy, as our Forces advanced in each of these war theatres. In Italy long supply routes over difficult country had to be covered as the Division advanced, but, due to meritorious work on the part of the Board's Commissioner in the Middle East and his staff, these difficulties were successfully overcome. When the Germans in Italy capitulated on 2nd May, 1945, the Division had reached Trieste, where local recreation facilities and amenities were provided to entertain the men in their new role as an occupying Force. A brief indication of the work involved in the world-wide ramifications of the patriotic comforts organization is obtainable from the following particulars. The total number of prisoners-of-war food parcels packed during the war by voluntary workers attached to the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society numbered 1,139,624, representing 5,633 tons weight. Approximately 1,500,000 woollen garments were knitted voluntarily and issued during the war period. From the inception of the Board's postal tobacco scheme in January, 1942, to 30th September, 1945, 140,321 parcels of cigarettes and tobacco (62f tons) were packed and despatched to the Forces, apart from considerable supplies sent in bulk for free issues and in Christmas parcels. From the commencement of the Board's postal chocolate scheme to 30th September, 1945,144,469 packs of chocolate were sent from New Zealand, representing approximately 129 tons. Since the inception of the New Zealand Lady G-alway Patriotic Guild to the •end of September, 1945, approximately 8,351 cases of garments were sent to the United Kingdom. Unaddressed quarterly patriotic gift parcels sent to servicemen and servicewomen overseas for the period of the war totalled 1,129,000. This summary does not include the provision and servicing of recreation huts and buffets, rest centres, and clubs in different parts of the world, the supplying of newspapers, books and periodicals, writing-paper and envelopes, extra comforts for sick and wounded and to hospital ships and transports, the equipping of bands, concert parties, provision of mobile cinemas and canteens, and many other major ■activities, many of which were operated by welfare organizations as expending agents •of the Board. From the commencement of the war to the end of September, 1945, a total of £11,236,263, was handled by patriotic organizations in New Zealand, as follows : £ Expended by Board and its expending agents .. .. 7,538,105 Expended by Provincial Patriotic Councils .. .. .. 1,629,088 Cash in hand — Board .. .. .. .. .. .. 601,312 Provincial Patriotic Councils .. .. .. .. 1,467,758 £11,236,263. It will be seen that there is a reserve of approximately £2,000,000 which is to be used mainly for welfare work for returned servicemen and servicewomen to supplement Government assistance in cases of hardship not covered by existing legislation.

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VII. CINEMATOGRAPH THEATRES A. Film Censorship A total of 1,477 films of all classes aggregating 3,916,180 ft. were examined. Of this number, 101 were passed subject to excisions, 110 were passed with the recommendation that they were more suitable for adult audiences, and 21 were passed with the warning that they were unsuitable for children. Only 1 picture (a feature film) was rejected outright. No appeal was lodged. An analysis of the work is shown hereunder :

Quota Films : Countries of origin of the quota or feature films examined were as follows : Great Britain, 35 ; Australia, '1 ; Russia, 1 ; United States of America, 335. General Remarks : During the year under review, as compared with the previous year, the number of films in which excisions were made was 101, as against 128 ; the number recommended as more suitable for adults was 110, as against 93 ; and the number considered to be definitely unsuitable for children was 21, as against 15 in the previous year. Miniature films were less than those examined in the previous year : 80, as against 104. The number of British films dropped considerably as compared with those presented in the previous year —namely, 36, as against 49 ; while foreign quota filmsshowed an increase, 336, as compared with 311 in the previous year. One film, held over during the period of the war, was released for exhibition after the close of hostilities. B. Licensing of Cinematograph Operators One' hundred and thirty-three new applications for provisional and assistant operators' licenses were considered, as compared with 176 for the previous year. Seventynine new provisional licenses and 104 new assistant operators' licenses were issued. This made a total of 1,291 operators and 856 assistant operators licensed since the coming into force of the regulations in 1938. In addition, a number of emergency licenses were issued to operators urgently required to fill vacancies caused by man-power difficulties. With the cessation of hostilities the problem of rehabilitation has arisen and been seriously considered by the Cinematograph Film Operators' Licensing Board. Thisproblem has two aspects —namely, the re-employment of qualified operators who have served in the Armed Forces, and the training of assistant operators who, had they not

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Origin. Quota or Long Films. Non-quota or Short Films. Number. Length. Number. Length. British Foreign Totals 36 336 Ft. 295,900 2,596,170 437 668 Ft. 399,140 624,970 372 2,892,070 1,105 1,024,110

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been absent from employment through, service in the Armed Forces, would have qualified for "A " grade licenses. The Board has now established the policy of giving preference in respect of all vacancies arising to those operators who have had military service, and for assistant operators a special training scheme has been evolved under which applicants may qualify for provisional licenses on the passing of an examination and after a short period of intensive training. This scheme is operating successfully and appears to be a satisfactory solution to the problem of the rehabilitation of the assistant operator. C. Exhibitors'• and other Licenses Licenses under the Cinematograph Films Act for the year ended 30th September, 1945: exhibitors'4ss ; itinerant exhibitors' 19 ; renters', 16 ; storage, 10 ; miscellaneous, 16. VIII. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS During the year several delegations visited New Zealand. Delegates to the Civil Aviation Conference comprised Lord Winster, British Minister for Civil Aviation, and party; Lord Knollys, British Overseas Airways Corporation, and Lady Knollys, and party; Hon. A. Drakeford, Minister of Civil Aviation, Australia, Mrs. Drakeford, and party ; and Sir Alexander Grantham, Governor of Fiji, Lady Grantham, and party. The United Kingdom Supply "Mission was headed by Major-General Pakenham Walsh and Mr. H. W. L. Kearns. Other important people who visited New Zealand were : Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, G.C.8., D.5.0., Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and party; Lord Wakehurst, Governor of New South Wales, and party; Vice-Admiral W. L. Calhoun, U.S.N., Commander, South Pacific Force and area, and party; Sir Angus Gillan, Director, Empire Division of the British Council; Sir Cosmo Parkinson; Air Marshal the Hon. Sir Ralph A. Cochrane, K.8.E., C.8., A.F.C., R.A.F.; M. Pierre Ange, Minister for France in Australia ; Hon. Hamilton Knight, Minister of Labour, New South Wales; the Fautua of Samoa, the Hon. and Mrs. Tamasese, the Hon. and Mrs. Malietoa, and the Hon. and Mrs. Mata'afa ; the Right Hon. W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner for New Zealand in the United Kingdom, and Mrs. Jordan ; Sir Raghunath Paranjpye, High Commissioner for India in Australia, and party; Major-General Sir Charles Rosenthal, Administrator of Norfolk Island, and Lady Rosenthal; General George L. Carpenter, International Leader of the Salvation Army, and Mrs. Carpenter ; Hon. Ata, Premier of Tonga ; Lieutenant-General J. Northcott, in charge of the British Commonwealth Force of Occupation in Japan, and party ; Sir Henry French, who was head of the United Kingdom Ministry of Food, and Lady French ; Hon. E. J. Ward, Minister of External Territories and Transport, Australia; Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie, ex Governor of Malta, and Lady Dobbie; Commander' C. J. Pitts, S.A.N.F., who came to make arrangements for the visit of Admiral the Lord Louis Mountbatten and party ; Right Rev. J. L. Wilson, Bishop of Singapore, and Mrs. Wilson ; Hon. G. Mullins, New South Wales ; Bishop F. Houghton, Director-General of the China Inland Missions ; Miss Gracie Fields and party ; the Claude Thornhill show of United States Navy entertainers ; Messrs. A. W. Hicks and K. E. Grainger, New South Wales Public Service Board. Welcomes were extended to Mr. Armand Gazel, Mr. Ivan K. Ziabkin, and the Hon. Avra M. Warren, Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary of France, the U.S.S.R., and the United States of America respectively, who arrived to take up their positions. Sir Harry Batterbee, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, was farewelled, and his successor, Sir Patrick Duff, was welcomed. 2—H 22

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Arrangements were made by this section for various celebrations, the chief of which were the national ceremony held at Government Buildings on the 9th May, 1945, at which His Excellency the Governor- Genera! made the official pronouncement of the cessation of hostilities in Europe, and the national ceremony held in the Town Hall, Wellington, on 16th August, 1945, to mark the cessation of hostilities with Japan. The arrangements for the official reception to the 28th Maori Battalion, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, were also handled. On 11th October, 1945, a State luncheon was held in honour of New Zealand winners of the Victoria Cross, 1939-45. Hospitality was extended to officers and men of visiting warships, including ViceAdmiral Sir Philip Vian of H.M.S. " Indefatigable," H.M. Ships " Wizard," " Urchin," " Newfoundland," and " Swiftsure," and the U.S.S. " Vincennes." IX. WAR HISTORY BRANCH By decision of War Cabinet dated 16th February, 1945, the War History Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs was set up to co-ordinate the collection of war archives in the Service and civil Departments and to undertake the preparation of New Zealand's official history of the Second World War.' Since the effective establishment of the Branch in April, 1945, the object has been to build up an organization capable of supplying- the materials for a comprehensive account of New Zealand's war effort, Service and civil, overseas and at home. Each Service now has an archive section in New Zealand and, where necessary, an overseas section, while separate sections deal with the specialized medical and dental services. In civil Government Departments work in connection with war archives and war history is handled by departmental historical officers in conjunction with the record clerks. The direction and co-ordination of the whole enterprise is undertaken by the Chief War Archivist and liaison officers, who keep in close personal touch with all sections of the organization and periodically issue directives standardizing methods and procedure for the collection of records and the compilation of preliminary narratives. The Branch does not itself hold any large collection of war records, but in the meantime chiefly confines itself to supervising the collection and processing of archives in the various sections of the organization. It was apparent at the outset that in the civil Departments no clear line of demarcation could be drawn between records of the war and other types of records ; accordingly, in order to prevent the loss of historical material, a system for the disposal of official records of a routine nature was instituted by the Chief War Archivist working in conjunction with the Controller of Dominion Archives. This is the beginning of a system which, with the development of the Dominion Archives, will ultimately regulate the disposal and transfer of all non-current official records. In view of the importance of photographs in a modern historical collection, special efforts have been made to ensure that adequate collections of photographs and other illustrative material are available covering each phase of the war effort. This work has been the responsibility of an Illustrations Editor, who joined the staff in July, 1945. The several collections have now reached the stage when it will be possible to issue an appeal for supplementary material now in private hands. Following the example of most other countries, on the inception of the Branch the decision was taken to go one stage beyond the collection of records by preparing a series of preliminary narratives covering the whole field of the war effort. By this means it is hoped to assemble in a convenient form the scattered sources of the war history, to test these sources while gaps and deficiencies can still be made good, and to reduce the time that will be needed to compile the history itself. In this branch of the work, also, a policy of decentralization has been adopted and the narratives are being compiled in

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the Departments concerned, the responsibility for supervision and co-ordination being assumed by the Branch. When the work of collecting records and compiling narratives has been completed, it is proposed that certain sections of the war archives, together with the completed narratives, should be brought together in one repository, where they will be accessible to the war historians. For this reason methods in the processing of records and the compilation of narratives are being made as uniform as possible. During the first year of its existence the Branch has largely confined itself to preparing for the compilation of the official war history ; it has written no history in the strict sense of that term, nor has it assumed any major editorial responsibilities. On 12th February, 1946, however, the Acting Prime Minister announced the appointment of Major-General H. K. Kippenberger, C.8., C.8.E., D.5.0., 8.D., as Editor-in-Chief of the official war history. X. WAR GRAVES Twelve hundred and forty-five notifications of deaths of ex-servicemen and ex-service-women of the Great War were recorded, and temporary crosses were placed on 459 graves. Cremations totalled 62. Construction work involving the erection of head-beams and concrete surrounds in preparation for the emplacement of headstones was carried out in many cemeteries. A number of the new and popular lawn type of cemeteries are nearing completion, while a few are already in use. Three hundred and twenty-nine notifications of deaths in New Zealand of exservicemen and ex-servicewomen of the 1939-45 war were recorded ; 171 temporary crosses and 253 headstones were placed on graves. A further number of deaths which occurred overseas during the 1939-45 war have been notified, and records of these are being maintained. XI. HISTORICAL BRANCH Historical Atlas In spite of the fact that for a time the staff of the Branch was reduced to one person, research on the Atlas has still gone forward, and work on the Inland Exploration map has been virtually completed. In March, 1946, Mr. B. I. M. Burnett took over direction of the Atlas again, and plans were envisaged for the completion of the work. Other Research The difficulty of getting a draughtsman led to long delay in completing for publication the work on the Okiato purchase and the first seat of government, referred to in the last annual report, but this pamphlet is now almost due to appear. A great deal of work has been done on two collections of ecclesiastical brass-rubbings of great historical and aesthetic interest, one of which came into the possession of the Department, and the other of which called for collation and expert examination. Typographical Work This has gone forward as usual, particularly for the Prime Minister's and External Affairs Departments. Other Activities The Branch has, as before, advised and co-ordinated a good deal of miscellaneous activity, ranging from historical research to art; and has worked from time to time in co-operation with the War History Branch.

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XII. ELECTORAL OFFICE In addition to current registration work and the normal procedure of preparing for a general election, the activities of this Branch were increased by the introduction of amending legislation, the conduct of three by-elections, and a cleansing of rolls. Compulsory Registration of Electors Current registration work for the year produced the Seventy°six A^per S6 following figures : Electorates. Electorate. New enrolments .. .. .. .. 63,438 834 Removals by death, transfer, &c. .. .. 95,190 1,252 Changes of address within electorates .. .. 55,500 730 Preparations for General Election This phase of the work entailed the revision and improvement of forms and the checking and replenishment of stocks to meet general-election requirements. Amending Legislation The main provisions of the Electoral Amendment Act, 1945, affected the constitution of the Representation Commission and provided a new basis for dividing New. Zealand into electoral districts by abolishing the " country quota," reducing the " tolerance allowarce," and fixing "adult population " in lieu of "total population" for quota purposes. Provision was also made to maintain the existing boundaries of no-license districts, for a cleansing of rolls to be carried out in a non-election year, for the postalvoting system to be improved, and for amendment to the law relating to offences at elections. By-elections The following by-elections were held during the period:— Hamilton by-election on the 26th May, 1945. Dunedin North by-election on the 21st July, 1945. Raglan by-election on the sth March, 1946. As on the occasion of all by-elections during and after the war, facilities were available for members of the Forces serving overseas to record their votes at the three above polls. Cleansing of the Rolls As the alteration of electoral boundaries was to take place closer to the general election than on former occasions and there was little prospect of carrying out an effective cleansing of rolls during the election year, the cleansing was commenced in September, 1945, and practically completed. This action has ensured that new rolls required to be formed after the change of boundaries will be prepared from almost clean rolls. XIII. EXPLOSIVES AND DANGEROUS GOODS The following licenses were issued : Explosives (new licenses only).—Conveyance, 1 ; sale, 20 ; storage, 23. Dangerous G00d5.—2,123. Reintroduction of Annual Licensing With the termination of hostilities, the various emergency regulations which provided for cessation of annual licensing during the war have now been revoked, and the practice of issuing annual licenses under the Explosives and Dangerous Goods' Act, 1908, and the Cinematograph Films Act, 1928, will be resumed next year.

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Inspection Work With the staff available the amount of inspection work which it has been possible to carry out is still fairly limited. It is, however, anticipated that this position will improve during the forthcoming year and that inspection can once more be maintained at a pre-war level. Local-authority Administration No new local-body licensing authorities under the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, were appointed. One licensing authority —namely, the Leamington Town Board —applied to be relieved of the administration of the Act within its district, and steps were being taken to revoke the Board's appointment as a licensing authority. The administration of the Act within its district will then revert to the Department. XIV. RAFFLES AND ART-UNIONS Three hundred and fifty-four licenses under the authority of section 42 of the Gaming Act, 1908, were issued, and, of these, 166 were for works of art, 180 for small amounts of alluvial gold, and 8 for amounts ranging from £5O to £250, these being in aid of the building funds of Returned Services Associations. In addition, thirteen licenses were issued in respect of the regular £5,000 alluvial gold art-unions, tKe aggregate results of these being as follows : £ s. d. Gross sales .. .. .. .. .. 280,239 15 0 Commission on sales .. .. .. .. 42,035 19 3 Expenses .. .. .. .. .. 33,475 0 3 Prizes .. .. .. .. .. 65,000 0 0 Lottery duty .. .. .. .. .. 28,023 19 6 Net profit .. .. .. .. .. 111,704 16 0 Of the net profit, £38,896 was distributed to the various Mayoral and other recognized central relief of distress funds, £26,794 18s. Id. to charitable and philanthropic organizations, £15,755 Is. to patriotic funds, and £12,081 6s. 9d. to children's health camps. XV. PASSPORTS AND EXIT PERMITS New passports totalling 3,281 were issued, and 750 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 On the 6th September, 1945, the Change of Name Emergency Regulations, which prohibited the use of a name other than the name by which a person was known, were revoked by the Emergency Regulations Revocation Order 1945. From this date it has not been necessary for persons desiring to change their names to obtain the prior consent of the Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs. From the 31st March until the 6th September, 1945, 66 applications for exemption from the provisions of the regulations were approved, and 1 was declined.

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XVII. NATURALIZATION In 1943 the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1928, was amended to allow for the naturalization of servicemen. Under this Act 29 certificates were issued. ' As a result of the lifting of wartime restrictions on naturalization, the pressure of work on this Branch of the Department has mounted steadily. Eighteen certificates have been issued under the provisions of the Act of 1928, and at the 31st March, 1946, there were on record approximately 700 applications receiving the detailed investigation and careful consideration that must necessarily precede the admission of an alien to British citizenship. Declarations by British-born wives of aliens of their desire to retain, while in New Zealand, the rights, but not the status, of a British subject numbered 11 ; and declarations by alien wives of their desire to acquire British nationality numbered 5. XVIII. RACING During the current racing year ended the 31st July, 1946, a complete restoration of the wartime cut in racing was made on the condition that, in view of the necessity for production, meetings were still to be confined to Saturdays and public holidays. Particulars of totalizator investments and taxation are published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. A Royal Commission consisting of the Hon. Mr. Justice George Panton Finlay, of Auckland, a Judge of the Supreme Court, William Henry Freeman, Esquire, of Hamilton, Stipendiary Magistrate, and Joseph William Allan Heenan, Esquire, C.8.E., of Wellington, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, was appointed to inquire into and report upon gaming and racing matters in New Zealand. XIX. WAR FUNDS, 1914-18 The 1914-18 patriotic funds, to the number of 52, registered under the War Funds Act, 1915, are recorded as possessing the following assets : £ s. d. 25 incorporated societies .. .. .. .. 263,988 010 7 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. .. 43,097 6 5 2 Blind Soldiers and Veterans' Homes Funds .. .. 68,106 18 9 11 unincorporated societies .. .. .. .. 7,072 14 9 6 returned soldiers'clubs .. .. .. .. 21,685 011 1 National War Funds Council .. .. .. 75,409 5 6 £479,359 7 2 This is £24,111 7s. less than the amount recorded in the last annual report. The annual reports received, in general, reveal little diminution in the calls for assistance from beneficiaries. XX. ADVERTISING OFFICE Newspaper-advertising costs for casual and contract insertions recorded in this Office for the year totalled £51,869 18s., as compared with £49,851 13s. sd. for the previous twelve months. This is due, in the main, to additional production and rehabilitation advertising campaigns. The Press Section averages 3,400 newspaper clippings supplied weekly to Ministers of the Crown, Government Departments, and overseas posts.

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XXI. THE ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY Although the library continued functioning usefully through the war, with little abatement of its patrons, the increase in attendance and study as the war receded has been most marked, and frequently surprising. Richard de Bury pointed out just six hundred years ago that wars were the greatest enemies of books : so with peace it may be expected that an era of friendliness to books and the culture they transmit will continue and grow in the years ahead. A. Holdings and Acquisitions Over 2,000 volumes were catalogued, bringing the present total to 72,400. It is estimated that there still remain about 20,000 volumes for such recording. Several hundreds of books were recatalogued, and a start was made to change over the nonPacific catalogue to the standard 5 in. X 3 in. card, which has been the objective for some time. Purchases have continued in the main fields of English literature and Pacific material. An effort is being made to improve the Milton collection, already of eminent standing. The Sir Hugh Walpole collection made a number of interesting additions, and begins to have value as a unit. Pacific voyages and ethnology, cartography, shipping, and naval history were fields that showed gains. Of earlier books, two are notable as incunabula —" Sacrobosco's Spaera Mundi," 1488, and Aurifaber's " Speculum Exemplorum" 1487. * The former was printed at Venice by Santritter and Sanctis. It is interesting typographically for a good Roman letter and for woodcut illustrations in line and colour, an early use of this feature. More important, however, is the fact that it shows how fully the idea of the earth's rotundity was grasped in the fifteenth century, although opposing opinion continued long after. Another book of geographical interest was a 1548 Venetian edition of Ptolemy's " Geographia " with copper-plate engraved maps." This is Mattiola's revision, but it persists with some of Ptolemy's errors that confused geographical knowledge of the Middle Ages. It has significance in American and Pacific cartography. The other incunabulum was a Strassburg edition of 1487 of the " Speculum Exemplorum," a collection of curious monkish legends and tales in the manner of the " Gesta Romanorum." It is commonly attributed to Aegidius Aurifaber : even its printer is unnamed, for he is known only as "the printer of the 1483 ' Jordanus de Quedlinburg,' " his definitely identifiable work. In the realm of literature the most interesting items were four letters of Kipling, one of Loti, first editions of George Borrow, Shelley, D'Urfey, and Wooton. A'number of volumes were added to the Shakespeare-Bacon group : two handsome volumes to the Baskerville Press collection, as well as a score or so to the shelves of modern press books. B. Use of Library Apart from the continual stream of minor requests for books and information, there are regular students who follow particular themes, and, in addition, the library has been used a great deal by historians and other writers, the Historical Branch of the Department, and schools and colleges (especially for New Zealand history and English literature). Local history of various parts of the country, family history, and art in many branches are favourite studies. The reading-room attendance has been something over 3,750. Many schools make a practice of sending classes into the library for general visits and specific purposes, when lecturettes are given by staff members. Various cultural organizations continue to hold regular or periodic meetings here. It is felt that such contacts are mutually beneficial and appear to be appreciated by the members concerned.

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C. Exhibitions These have become a regular routine of the library, and a certain range of items have been placed more or less permanently on display, since they were asked for so frequently as to endanger their structure. The occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of the library (20th June, 1920) was observed by a special function, when representatives of cultural interests, the Government, and friends of the library assembled for a short ceremony. An exhibition of personal material relating to Alexander Turnbull was made at the same time. D. Donations The volume of high-quality gifts continues and is a source of strength that bulks very high in the aggregate. The past year is particularly notable, and many items deserve mention in even fuller detail than follows. Several small groups of homogeneous nature were received. From the estate of Mr. James Laurenson, once a regular student at the library, came about a hundred volumes of shipping interest, flag studies, and Shetland Islands history. The estate of Mrs. Ella Elgar brought 150 volumes of high-quality literature and biography of 20-odd years ago. The daughters of the late W. H. Atack donated from his library a group on drama, literature, and history. Miss Wheeler's gift was of similar character and extent. The Menzies family donated a selection from their father's books on English and Scottish literature. The son and daughter of Rev. W. J. Comrie presented all their father's MSS., note-books, &c., used in his historical studies on Presbyterianism in New Zealand. Of original material, the log of the " Buffalo," which brought Captain Hobson to New Zealand, is the most important. This was kept by T. F. Cheesman, the grandfather of Captain Templar Powell, the donor of the MSS. Mr. G. H. Mair presented MSS. of Captain Gilbert Mair and some Maori portraits. The Army Department deposited theoriginal citations of all receivers of the New Zealand Cross in a handsome volume epitomizing highlights of the Maori Wars. From Miss Ashton came oil portraits of the eminent Maoris, Te Heuheu and Hiwikau, and from Mrs. Lightfoot a number of original sketches of early New Zealand. Dr. W. Young gave a selection from his library which brought in some valuable literary and history volumes. Although last year a gift from Mr. Harold Large of Napier was recorded, he repeated this year with a further donation of Shakespeare-Bacon •material and general literature. Mr. Cheviot Bell similarly gave a selection which yielded good New Zealand works, more Shakespeare-Bacon books, de luxe editions, and English literature. Mr. Johannes Andersen, late Librarian, continues a kindly interest with regular gifts in the sections of Australian and Pacific literature. Two goodly groups from institutions were given by the Australian Council for Educational Research and the Smithsonian Institution of Washington. Mrs. A. L. Blair presented a rather rare and unusual volume in Jason Mayno's treatise on legal cases, printed at Lyons in 1539. Bound in a contemporary stamped vellum, it has characteristics of its age and may yield information from further research. Mayno was an Italian jurisconsult of high standing in the fifteenth century. This edition is not in the British Museum or the Bibliotheque Nationale, according to advice from the former library. The above is a selection from a large catalogue of generous donors, to whom the library records its gratitude. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (533 copies), £55

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1946. Price 9d.]