DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1947

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1947 Session I, H-22

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1947 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1947

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave

Sir, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 22nd July, 1947. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1947. I have, &c, J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary. The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT I. CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS The necessary action was taken in regard to the following matters : (a) Summoning and proroguing of Parliament. (b) Appointment of the Administrator of the Government. (c) Appointment of the Governor-General. (d) Appointments to the Legislative Council. (e) Appointments and resignations of Ministers. (f) Appointment of a Parliamentary Under-Secretary. (g) Appointment of Clerk and Clerk-Assistant to House of Representatives. (h) Issue of writs and other steps for the general election of Members of Parliament. 11. LOCAL GOVERNMENT A. Local Government Reform The report of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government, which was laid on the table of the House of Representatives in October, 1945, was debated during the last session. The general proposals by the Committee for reform were, with some minor exceptions, generally endorsed by Parliament. Subsequently the Government introduced the Local Government Commission Bill. The provisions of the Bill followed broadly along the lines of the Select Committee's report, in that it provided for an independent Commission charged with the general review of local-authority areas and functions throughout the Dominion. As the Bill finally emerged from the Local Bills Committee, and as it was finally approved by Parliament, there was provision for a Commission of four persons. The Chairman is to have the status of a Judge of the Supreme

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Court, a second member is to be appointed by the Government because of bis knowledge of local affairs, and two other members are to be appointed from the nominees of certain national associations of local authorities. The passage of this Bill marks a definite milestone in the history of local government in this Dominion. For many years an attempt has been made to provide machinery to carry out much-needed reform. Almost without exception the Act has received the support of the local bodies in the country and of the public in general. At the end of the year steps were in train for the setting-up of the Commission. 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. Some idea of the more general matters dealt with may be gained from the following : (1) Boroughs The boundaries of the City of Christchurch were altered on four occasions by the inclusion of defined areas of adjacent counties. Three of these areas were the subject of inquiry and report by Commissions of Inquiry. The boundaries of the City of Dunedin and the Boroughs of Invercargill and Port Chalmers were altered by the inclusion of areas previously under County Council control. Proposals involving the alteration of the boundaries of the Boroughs of Upper Hutt and Tauranga by the inclusion of lands, and the Borough of Carterton by the exclusion of lands, were considered by Commissions of Inquiry, but were unfavourably reported on and no subsequent action was taken. Three petitions were received praying for alterations to the boundaries of the Borough of Mosgiel. The signatories to these petitions consisted chiefly of ratepayers owning fairly extensive areas of land in the borough not yet built on and used principally for farming purposes. Objections having been lodged by the Borough Council, the petitions were considered by Commissions of Inquiry, which in each case reported unfavourably on the proposals on the grounds that the areas were suitable for municipal control and that in the interests of the general progress of the borough the areas should not be excluded therefrom. After a Commission of Inquiry 'had reported favourably, the boundaries of the Borough of Waipukurau were altered by the exclusion of an area of land. Action was taken with regard to the change of status of no less than five town districts which had qualified for borough status by reason of attaining the necessary one thousand of population. Of these town districts, Helensville, Henderson, and Papatoetoe were constituted boroughs, and preliminary action was taken with regard to the proposed constitution as boroughs of the Town Districts of Kaikohe and Putaruru. Loans were authorized under section 7 of the Local Bodies' Finance Act, 1921-22, for the Boroughs of Shannon and Akaroa for purposes of flood-damage restoration. The Boroughs of Masterton, Eketahuna, and Woodville also raised loans under that section for earthquake-damage restoration and other purposes. Members were appointed to Assessment Courts under the Urban Farm Land Bating Act, 1932, for the Boroughs of Opunake and Levin, and Judges were appointed to the Assessment Courts for the Boroughs of Manurewa and Papakura. A Judge of Assessment Courts under the Rating Act, 1925, for the City of Dunedin and the Borough of Green Island was appointed. A Board of Appeal to consider a subdivisional plan for an area in the Borough of Ashburton was set up in terms of section 332 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933. The Blenheim Borough Council was declared to be a leasing authority under the Public Bodies' Leases Act, 1908.

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The Municipal Conference was held at Rotorua on 4th, sth, 6th, and 7th March, 1947, and was officially opened by the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, who addressed the Conference on local-government matters. In the course of his address the Minister referred to the impending retirement from public office of the President of the Municipal Association of New Zealand, Mr. J. W. Andrews. He referred to Mr. Andrews' outstanding ability in the local-government field and eulogized the able service he had rendered not only to the Association, but also to local-government generally. A representative of the Department attended the proceedings. (2) Counties An emergency Conference of the New Zealand Counties Association was held in Wellington on the 22nd and 23rd August, 1946, for the purpose of considering the report of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government and proposals to be made to the Government for the stabilization of hospital rates. The Conference was officially opened by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry), and a representative of the Department attended the proceedings. The boundaries of the Counties of Waikato and Matamata were altered by the ■exchange of land, and the boundaries of a number of other counties were redefined consequent on the exclusion of areas coming under Borough Council control. The Matamata County Council passed a special order altering riding boundaries. The Rangitikei, Ellesmere, and Springs County Councils were authorized to levy rates on a, uniform scale over internal drainage districts. Action was taken to validate certain irregularities in connection with the making of a roll of mining property by the Lake County Council. The Eyre 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-one County Councils to avail themselves of this legislation. A special order was passed by the Clutha County Council abolishing the Clinton Town Board and merging the town district in the county. The Pohangina County Council was authorized to borrow moneys under section 7 of the Local Bodies' Finance Act. The usual close contact was maintained with the Matakaoa County Commissioner, and discussions were held with him at various times in connection with problems arising in the county. In accordance with past practice, the overdraft limit of the County Council for the year was fixed by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Particular attention was paid to the Chatham Islands during the year. That somewhat remote part of New Zealand is administered by a County Council, and the Department has for many years been interested in the development and administration of the islands. Difficulties of communication, particularly during the war years, had always prevented that close interest that is necessary being paid to this locality. The opportunity of a few trips to the Chatham Islands by Sunderland flying-boats, arranged by the Air Department so as to assist the Public Works Department in certain road and bridge constructional work that had been undertaken by that Department, was availed of by this Department to arrange for the Assistant Under-Secretary, Mr. A. G. Harper, and other officers to fly to the islands to make some study of the needs of the islands as regards local government, acclimatization matters, recreational activities, and general amenities for the islanders. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, also made the trip on one of the flights. The information gained and the direct contact made with the settlers in the islands was very helpful in enabling the Department to acquire a better understanding of the needs of these parts, and it is hoped that beneficial results will accrue from the visits. The constructional works undertaken by the Public Works Department are being partly financed by direct contributions by the Chatham Islands County Council, which, in turn, has to find the money from the general revenues of the Council. That Council does not levy local rates in the ordinary way, but instead it imposes import and export dues on stock and goods entering and leaving the islands. One immediate result of the

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visits referred to was tlie issue of an Order in Council materially increasing the amount of these dues so as to enable the Council to obtain from the settlers receiving the benefits its contributions towards the constructional works referred to. (3) Town Districts Following on the constitution of the Taupo Town District last year, the first election of the Commissioners of the Town Board was held, thus enabling the administration of the district to be proceeded with in accordance with the provisions of the Town Boards Act, 1908. A Commission was set up to consider an alteration of boundaries of the Kawhia Town District by the exclusion of lands, but as it reported unfavourably thereon the proposal lapsed. (4) Road Districts For some time negotiations have been proceeding with residents of Waiheke Island with the object of establishing some form of local government for the island. This island is one of the few areas in New Zealand still not included in the territory of a local authority, there being only two small Road Boards for the whole area. Increasing residential development has now shown that some form of control for roading and other social amenities is essential. Representatives of the Department have attended public meetings on the island to discuss the problem, and as a result the Waiheke Advisory Council was formed. This is comprised of representatives of all the settled areas of the island, and various schemes have been considered in conjunction with that body. It was finally evolved that for immediate needs and the reasonable future an extension of the existing Ostend Road District to include all of the island to the west of the district would be adequate. This extended district will cover all the settled areas of the island, and to make the name one representative of the area the name of the district is to be changed to the " Western Waiheke Road District." The necessary legislation permitting this action was contained in section 22 of the Local Legislation Act, 1946. Certain administrative details have yet to be settled, but it is expected that the necessary instrument will be issued shortly. (5) Drainage Districts The boundaries of the Christchurch Drainage District were altered on six occasions by the inclusion of areas. In most cases these alterations were made consequent on the inclusion of lands in the City of Christchurch. A petition was presented to Parliament by a number of ratepayers in the City of Christchurch praying for an alteration to the law to permit drainage rates in the Christchurch Drainage District to be levied on the basis of unimproved value instead of on the capital value. A full report on the law relating to the levying of rates both in the City of Christchurch and in the Christchurch Drainage District was made on this petition to the appropriate Public Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives. (6) River Districts The Poverty Bay River District was abolished and the Ashley and Waimakariri River Trusts were dissolved as the result of petitions presented in terms of sections 141 and 142 of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act, 1941. The river-control work in those areas will now be undertaken by the Catchment Boards set up under this Act. (7) Fire Districts As a result of extraordinary vacancies occurring on Fire Boards, steps were taken to arrange the appointment of twenty-three new members, six being new Government members, fourteen insurance company representatives, and three representatives of

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contributing local authorities. The Hamilton Fire Board was granted extended borrowing-powers for the purpose of financing building extensions. Loan authorities were issued to several Boards, and consents were also given to a number of agreements for fire protection outside fire districts. The Fire Boards (Insurance Companies' Contributions) Emergency Regulations 1943, which fixed at the 1941 level the amount of premium income upon which Fire Boards made their annual levies on insurance companies, were revoked. As a result it again became necessary for insurance companies to submit annual returns of premium income, and appropriate action was taken to fix publish in the Gazette a date for the submission of returns to Fire Boards. A list of fire-insurance companies carrying on fire-insurance business in New Zealand was Also gazetted. The estimates of expenditure of all Boards were reviewed and approved in .accordance with the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act, 1926. As in previous years, the annual report of the Inspector of Fire Brigades (H-12) will be published as a separate report. €. Legislation (1) Local Elections and Polls Amendment Act, 1946 The Government indicated last session that it desired, as a matter of policy, to introduce legislation making further important changes in the law relating to localfoody elections. These changes involved the following main features : (1) The alteration of the date for holding the triennial local-body elections. (2) The abolition from the municipal franchise of the " occupier's " and " spouse's " qualifications. (3) The use of parliamentary electoral rolls for the purpose of compiling the localbody rolls in those local districts where a residential qualification obtained. (4) Miscellaneous provisions making for uniformity in the conduct of local-body elections. A Bill embodying these proposals and consequential amendments to various Acts was introduced and referred to the Local Bills Committee to give an opportunity to •organizations and others interested of presenting evidence thereon. The Municipal Association of New Zealand, the New Zealand Counties Association, and other organizations took advantage of this opportunity and presented fairly lengthy evidence to the Committee. Whilst general support was accorded to the unifying provisions in the Bill, the Associations strenuously opposed the change of the date for the elections from to November and the use of the parliamentary rolls for the compiliation of local-body rolls. Some objection was also raised to the abolition of the " occupiers' " qualification. The Bill was, however, reported back to the House without any substantial amendment, and considerable opposition developed in the House during the various stages of the Bill. This opposition developed fairly steadily and involved lengthy sittings of the House to deal with the Bill. The Department was represented throughout the whole of the proceedings until the Bill became law, and the departmental -officers handling the Bill were called on frequently for information and advice as to various aspects of the measure. As finally passed, the Bill provided for the following matters : (1) The general elections of local authorities to be held triennially on the third Wednesday in November instead of the third Saturday in May. Special provisions were made for the Auckland Electric-power Board, the Auckland Transport Board, the Christchurch Drainage Board, and the Christchurch Tramway Board to hold their elections on the third Wednesday in November following the year in which the general local-body elections are held. (2) Prescribing a common date for nominations to close at the general local-body elections.

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(3) Fixing a longer period within which by-elections may be held following the occurrence of extraordinary vacancies. (4) Fixing the time at which the poll at all local-body elections shall close as 7 p.m. (5) Prescribing a uniform date for the closing of all local-body rolls —namely, the twenty-eighth day preceding the day appointed for the election or poll, as the case may be. (6) Authorizing the compilation of supplementary rolls in counties. (7) Requiring all County Councils and Road Boards to provide forms of claims for enrolment. (8) Abolishing the " occupier's " and " spouse's " qualifications in boroughs, town districts, and certain ad hoc local authorities. (9) Authorizing local-body officials to extract the names appearing on the parliamentary rolls for the purpose of compiling the local-body rolls in those cases where electors are entitled to be enrolled by virtue of residential qualifications. (10) Extending the provisions for declaration voting by providing that any person whose name is on the parliamentary roll in respect of an address within a particular local district may vote by declaration if his name is not on the local roll of electors for that district. Following the enactment of the Bill, local authorities and others have consistently sought the advice of the Department in regard to the various provisions thereof, and in particular relation to the provisions of section 10 of the Act relating to the use of the parliamentary rolls. It was realized that this provision will undoubtedly give a good deal of administrative difficulty to local-body officers, and the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs announced at the Municipal Conference in Rotorua that the Government was prepared to give every help and assistance to the local authorities to enable them to obtain the information they desired in order to comply with section 10. As a result of this announcement, a Conference was held in Wellington between representatives of the various local-body organizations, the Electoral Department, and this Department, and after a full discussion a scheme was devised and agreed upon by which the Electoral Department, through the various Registrars of Electors, would make available to localbody officers copies of the parliamentary rolls, together with certified lists of amendments thereto and other information available up to the date on which the local-body rolls finally closed. All local authorities concerned were advised by circular of the arrangements made. (2) Statutes Amendment Act and Finance Act 1946 Several sections included in these Acts, covering a wide range of local-government activities, were promoted by the Department. County Councils under one section were authorized to constitute drainage districts not only for the construction of drainage works, but also for the maintenance of drainage works. Another provision authorized an increase, in particular cases, of drainage rates levied under section 167 of the Counties Act, 1920. Under another provision municipal corporations were authorized to increase the minimum library rate from 2d. in the pound to 3d. in the pound on the annual value. Another provision affecting municipal corporations provided that in cases where lands have been included in a borough after a plan of subdivision has been approved by the Governor-General in Council or the Minister of Lands, a further approval shall not be necessary for the purposes of section 332 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933. Provision was made in another section prescribing a new form of voting-paper to be used at a poll under the Rating Act, 1925, ,on a proposal to adopt or abandon the system of rating on the unimproved value. Further sections validated expenditure by local authorities in connection with public functions of farewell to Their Excellencies Sir Cyril and Lady Newall and welcome to Their Excellencies Sir Bernard Freyberg and Lady Freyberg. Local

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authorities in the provincial district of Otago were also authorized to expend moneys in connection with the Centennial Celebrations of the Province of Otago. (3) Local Legislation Act, 1946 As finally passed, this Act contained thirty-five clauses covering a wide field of local-government activity. (4) Local Acts Fourteen local Bills were submitted to the Department for examination and. report, and, of these, thirteen were duly passed into law. In accordance with the usual practice, the Department was represented at the meetings of the Local Bills Committee when these Bills were under consideration. Two of the Bills made provision for the dissolution of the Wairoa and Waimakariri Harbour Boards and the transfer of the functions of these Boards to the Wairoa Borough Council and the Kaiapoi Borough Council respectively. Three Bills affected the Christchurch City Council, and one of particular interest made provision for the dissolution of the Christchurch Domain Board and the addition of the Christchurch Domain, including Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens, to the Christchurch City and Suburban Domain under the control of the City Council. Authorities were conferred by three further Bills on the Auckland and Napier Harbour Boards and the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board to borrow large sums for the purpose of carrying out major works. (5) 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 Sunday Entertainments Emergency Regulations 1942. The Taupo Trout-fishing Emergency Regulations 1942. The Eire Boards (Insurance Companies Contributions) Emergency Regulations 1943 D. Miscellaneous Six newly constituted Rabbit Boards were authorized to borrow moneys by way of overdraft for the first year of their existence. Three members were appointed to the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum. The necessary documents were prepared in respect of the appointment of a Deputy Controller and Auditor-General. 111. LAND-AGENTS AND AUCTIONEERS During the year 752 (756) land-agents' licences were issued and 3 (4) transfers granted ; 512 (460) auctioneers' licences were issued and 2 (8) transfers granted (last year's figures in parentheses). IV. PHYSICAL WELFARE AND RECREATION Various developments during the year emphasized the importance of the Department's service in the promotion of physical welfare and recreation throughout the Dominion. There has been an increasing appreciation of the help which the Physical Welfare Officers can give to organizations interested in community welfare. This assistance is always given in a friendly co-operative manner, free from interference with the management of the bodies concerned.

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CONFERENCES OP OFFICERS As the men's conference was the first for five years, it was mainly a refresher courseThe programme included comprehensive instruction in the art of coaching in various games. Attention was also given to the extension of recreational services in rural areas. In addition to the usual refresher work, the women's conference was concerned with some cultural aspects of recreation, such as drama, music, films, Maori rhythmic exercises, and folk-dancing. Staff-training Scheme The first stage in the training of junior officers was taken during the year. Five trainees successfully completed the course, which covers all aspects of physical welfare and recreation. They will soon be helping to relieve the shortage of women officers. Information Service Although staff shortages and printing difficulties are a temporary handicap, some progress was made with this service, which will be very extensive when conditions become favourable for development. Questions from field officers and the general public have been answered satisfactorily. Plans for camp buildings, playground apparatus, and general sporting facilities were supplied to interested organizations. A specialized library for research and use by Physical Welfare Officers is being built up gradually. Courses in Leadership The training of leaders for various groups opens up a very wide field for community service. So far the calls for the officers co-operation have come mainly from churches, in accordance with arrangements made with the Council of Christian Churches. As the result of training courses conducted by the Department's officers for church groups at Auckland, Eotorua, Wanganui, Petone, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Gore, more than a hundred leadership certificates have been awarded. Courses have also been planned for groups in other localities. Much assistance was also given to church leaders' conferences and camps. Grants for Recreation and Physical Training Many clubs, societies, and other organizations received grants under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, 1937, for the provision of recreational, cultural, and physical training facilities. The total of allocations for the year was £36,440. The list of beneficiaries includes tennis, cricket, bowling, basketball, yachting, and rowing clubs, committees concerned with community centres and recreation-grounds, local authorities, Boy Scouts and other youth organizations, church groups, and branches of the Y.M.C. A. and Y.W.C.A. The granting of subsidies is contingent on the self-help principle. It is estimated that the result of the pooling of the departmental and local funds has been an increase of more than £lOO,OOO in the value of recreational facilities. Nearly one-half of the total of grants was for recreational grounds such as playing-fields, tennis-courts, and bowling-greens. Group Travel In several districts, particularly Auckland, appreciable help was given in promoting group travel. The main purpose is to assure low-cost touring for folk of moderate means. The Department co-operates with the Tourist Department and with the Group Travel Association, which operates in the South Island. Interhouse Marching Assistance was given to the New Zealand Marching and Recreation Association in the recruiting and coaching of teams and by officers acting as judges and managers and

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helping with special displays of physical exercises. The association's activities, which increased steadily during the year, culminated in a very successful championship meeting at Hastings. Recreation for Firms' Employees A successful experiment at Christchurch has set a good example for other cities and towns. The Christchurch Firms' Recreation Association, which the Department's officers helped to organize, completed a successful year. The annual report states : " The C.F.R.A. came into being in response to a demand for a solution to the problem of having firms' employees make profitable use of the increased leisure time brought about by the adoption of the forty-hour week." . The association is comprised of forty-nine of the city's largest firms which have a total of about eleven thousand employees. The pastimes include basketball (indoors and out), table tennis, swimming, athletics, and billiards. An extension of activities has been planned to meet the needs of all age groups. Learn-to-swim Campaigns The Branch co-operated with swimming associations and specialists of the Physical Education Branch of the Education Department in successfully conducting learn-to-swim campaigns in Wairarapa, Canterbury, Otago, Wellington, and Southland. V. WILDLIFE BRANCH Some progress has been made in building up a trained staff to enable the Branch to function effectively, but still more requires to be done to enable it to meet its responsibilities. With the setting-up of the Fresh-water Fisheries Advisory Council, on which the Branch is represented, arrangements have been made for close liaison with the Fisheries Branch of the Marine Department, which is carrying out a basic programme of research that will be of great service regarding the important fishing waters administered by the Department. A. Field Investigation Unit (1) Opossums A commencement was made with a field investigation into control methods affecting the opossum. The opportunity has, at the same time, been taken to record data relative to the general habits of these animals in an area of mixed forest in the Orongorongo Valley. The information being recorded will assist in the compilation of a popular bulletin for issue to those persons who have to cope with the serious problem caused by the increase and spread of opossums. In addition, a special survey was made of the Poverty Bay Catchment District, the report on the nature of the problem in this area being made available to the local Catchment Board. <2) Waterfowl In January, 1947, an officer of the unit commenced, in the Manawatu area, the field studies of a fact-finding investigation in regard to the present position of our native species of duck. B. Administration op Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22 (1) Amendment of Act During the year legislation was enacted cancelling existing appointments of Honorary Rangers under the Act as at 31st March, 1947, and limiting the currency of new appointments to a period of three years. (2) Absolutely Protected Birds The preservation of native birds, the great majority of species of which are absolutely protected by law, was actively pursued and several suspected cases of infringement of the law were investigated.

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The Australian spur-winged plover (Lobibyx novae —Hollandise) was added to the list of absolutely protected birds. The mutton-bird (Puffinus griseus) was declared to be protected on the mainland of Stewart Island with the exception of a small area at Lord's River Headland. An area at Kakaramea, the property of Mr. B. Chamberlain, was declared a sanctuary. Several applications affecting property used for farming purposes were not acceded, to, it being considered that farming-operations would conflict with the present sanctuary provisions of the Act. In each case the suggestion was made that the more appropriate procedure would be to except the property concerned from the open season for game-shooting in the acclimatization district affected. In view of complaints received relative to the shooting of protected birds in the colonies found along the coast-line of the Otago Peninsula, an inspection of the area was carried out. Proposals aimed at putting bird-protection on a sound basis in the locality are now being examined. (3) Imported and Native Game Open seasons were observed in all acclimatization districts. Though a larger quantity of ammunition was available as compared with 1945, the sale of licences greatly increased and the demand for ammunition was correspondingly large, (4) Opossums The Opossum Regulations 1946, which came into effect on Ist June, 1946, abolished the necessity for the stamping of skins and payment of royalty thereon. The fee for a trapper's licence was reduced from £2 to 10s. The necessity for the licensing of brokers and dealers in skins was also abolished. Legislation enacted later revoked all of Part 111 of the Act except section 20, but provision was made for the making of such regulations as are considered desirable for the future control of these animals. The preparation of these regulations was nearing completion at the end of the year. C. Wild Animal Pest Control Operations (1) Personnel Good progress was made with the training of new men as hunters and also of the more experienced men for appointment as officers of the field staff. (2) High-level Hut and Air Transportation An experimental high-level hut, the component parts of which were dropped by aeroplane, was erected on Mount Crawford, Tararua Range. The party based thereon was serviced by air transport. Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed, and the pilot Mr. 0. Anderson and his assistant, Mr. P. Symons, of Aerodromes Services, Public Works Department, were killed whilst engaged on air transport work in connection with the Department's campaign in the Fiordland National Park. It is hoped to resume the scheme when another aircraft becomes available. This matter can now be considered to have successfully passed the experimental stage and to be available for increasing exploitation in future operations. (3) Stewart Island The field officer stationed permanently on Stewart Island met with an accident and "was unable to carry out his duties for approximately five months of the year, consequently the number of animal pests destroyed is not so great as in previous years. (4) Operations Operations were conducted over a large portion of the deer and goat-infested country of New Zealand. Most of the areas on which operations were not conducted were subject to intensive shooting by private commercial hunters. Reconnaissance work was carried out over the remainder of the country on which the Department did not operate with a view to conducting campaigns during the coming year.

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An expedition was sent to the Three Kings Islands for the purpose of exterminating the goats thereon. It is believed that the purpose of the expedition was successfully accomplished. Although the figures of animals killed show a substantial increase over the figures of any previous year, this is mainly accounted for by the intensive goat-destruction campaigns which were carried out in Marlborough, Southland, and Hawke's Bay. The campaign carried out in the winter months of 1946 in Marlborough was conducted over the entire goat-infested area lying between and including the watersheds of the Wairau and Clarence Rivers. This area had a very high degree of infestation, but as a result of these operations the number of goats has been reduced by approximately 70 per cent. The operations carried out in the Southern Lakes and Hawke's Bay districts were conducted on similar lines. A total of 96,716 animal pests were destroyed during the financial year ended 31st March, 1947. A total of 7,058 deer-skins and 14,461 goatskins were recovered. (5) Animal Pests destroyed The numbers of animals during the financial year ended 31st March, 1947, showing the zones of operations in which they were destroyed and the numbers of each species, are set forth in the following table :

Towards the end of the year a considerable fall occurred in prices being paid for deer-skins, and the indications were that a further fall was imminent. It is evident that any further decrease will result in some curtailment of operations by private commercial hunters. Departmental sales of -303 ammunition to private persons have now ceased. The number of deer-skins exported during the calendar year ended 31st December, 1946, was 97,057. D. Rotorua Acclimatization District (1) The Fishing Season Owing to the lengthy and continued dry weather conditions during the whole of the fishing season, most of the fish made their way into the deeper waters of all lakes, and this had a detrimental effect on fishing generally. Despite this factor, some very fine fishing was experienced by some anglers at varying intervals, and the condition of the fish taken was found to be very good. A very large number of anglers visited the district and there was an increase in the number of licences issued as compared with the previous season. Some excellently conditioned fish were taken, as shown by the following recorded weights : Roiorua Area.—lo lb. (8 fish); 11J lb. (7 fish); 13 lb. (2 fish); 15 lb. (2 fish); 16i lb. (2 fish). Taupo Area.—lo lb. (3 fish) ; 11 lb. (5 fish) ; 121b. (3 fish) ; 141b. (2 fish).

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Area of Operations. Deer. Chamois. Tahr. Goats. Pigs. Wild Sheep. Totals. North Island Urewera country 784 102 • • 886 Kaimanawa, Kaweka, and Ahi2,709 4^382 315 1 7,407 manawa Ranges Ruahine Ranges 1,427 396 12 85 1,920 Tararua Ranges 924 161 1 1,086 Mount Bgmont 1,107 1,107 Three Kings Islands 393 393 South Island Marlborough-Nelson 1,441 14 50,460 4,604 3,570 60,089 Southland and Otago 0,083 16,111 40 •• 22,234 Mount Cook region '642 '801 1,443 Stewart Island isi 151 Totals 13,519 656 801 73,010 5,074 3,656 96,716

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(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) : 4,289,000 No. 2 (Tongariro) Hatchery (Taupo Area) : 6,910,000. Of the above ova, 3,665,000 were sold to acclimatization societies, 2,887,000 were despatched to the Department's Southern Lakes district, and 350,000 to No. 3 (Tuai) Hatchery. Fry were liberated in the district as under :

(b) Trout-food. —There is a marked increase of smelt (Retropinna lacustris) in the waters in which they have been introduced. (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 again in evidence during the year, and this was a factor in the rearing of game birds. Operations were again continued on a reduced scale and will result in the liberation of 1,000 pheasants and 135 ducks. (5) Rallying All parts of the district were regularly patrolled by the departmental 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 Waikaremoana No. 1 No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 1,589,000 670,000 1,353,000 350,000 145,000 510,000 1,734,000 1,180,000 1,353,000 350,000 Totals .. 3,962,000 655,000 4,617,000

— Shags. Hawks. Stoats and Weasels. Bounties paid Departmental officers 627 291 240 18 41 9

Act. Number of Prosecutions. Amount of Fines. £ s. d. Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22 4 17 0 0 Fisheries Act, 1908, Part II .. 26 94 10 0

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(6) Absolutely Protected Birds Particular attention was devoted to the welfare of our native birds. The native bittern is reported to be increasing in numbers in suitable areas. E. Southern Lakes Acclimatization District (1) The Fishing Season During the early part of the season the lakes and rivers were very high, but, nevertheless, some fine fishing was obtained with the baitcaster, particularly in the larger rivers, and some. excellently conditioned fish were taken. The heaviest fish recorded was alO lb. brown (male) caught in the Hollyford River. One angler fishing with a dry fly in the Lake Wakatipu area in January took 100 fish in three weeks, the average weight being 2 lb. to 3 lb. Some excellent sport was obtained with quinnat salmon, particularly at the head of Lake Hawea, the largest fish recorded weighing 21 lb. The sum of £655 16s. 6d. was received from the sale of licences to 31st March, 1947, and 34 complimentary licences were issued to returned servicemen. (2) Fisheries Conservation (a) Fish Salvage. —The weather during January, February, and March was very dry and both the Mataura and Lindis Rivers partially dried up. Two thousand fish were salvaged and transferred to safer waters. This work was still under way at the end of the year. (b) Hatchery Operations. —From the Department's hatcheries in the RotoruaTaupo district 2,887,000 rainbow-trout ova in the " eyed " stage were received and 630,000 brown-trout ova were obtained by " stripping " locally. The operations resulted in a total of 2,911,000 fry being planted in the waters of the district, as under :

Fine yearling fish resulting from the previous year's liberations are now to be seen in many waters in the district. (c) Destruction of Shags. —One hundred and thirty-one birds were destroyed by the Department's officers or under their supervision and 53 tokens were submitted for bonus payment by private persons. (d) Destruction of Eels. —The shortage of materials with which to construct traps continued during the year. Nevertheless, 2,576 eels were caught, the majority in the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers at the outlets from their respective lakes. In conjunction

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Waters. Rainbow. Brown. Totals. Lake Hawea system 261,000 261,000 Lake Wanaka system.. 545,000 545,000 Lake Wakatipu system 555,000 40,000 595,000 Lake Te Anau system 425,000 425,000 Lake Manapouri system 150,000 150,000 Clutha Kiver system .. 235,000 138,000 373,000 Kawarau Eiver system 110,000 90,000 200,000 Small lakes 264,000 264,000 South Westland (Hollyford Eiver system) 98,000 98,000 Totals 2,281,000 630,000 2,911,000

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with a Dunedin firm, consignments of eels were forwarded for canning, bnt owing to the distance from the cannery and the high temperatures prevailing it was found that utilization in this manner was impracticable. (e) Ranging. —ln conjunction with their other duties, officers of the Department carried out the maximum possible amount of patrol work. Two breaches of the regulations resulted in prosecutions. (3) Absolutely Protected Birds Interesting data has been compiled from officers' reports, indicating that many species are holding their own. The South Island robin is recorded as being plentiful in the Eglinton and Dart Valleys, while rock wrens were reported from the Hunter Valley. (4) Game-shooting The sum of £214 was received from the sale of game-shooting licences. Twenty-nine complimentary licences were issued to returned servicemen. One breach of the regulations resulted in a conviction, a fine of £5 being imposed. (5) Vermin Control Bounties payable under the scheme operated by the South Island Vermin Control Board were paid on tokens as under : Stoats' tails .. .. .. .. .. 1,854 Ferrets'tails .. .. .. ..1,968 Polecats' tails .. .. . . .. .. 69 Hedgehog snouts .. .. .. .: 741 Hawks' feet (pairs) . . .. . . .. 1,723 German owls' heads .. .. .. .. 169 F. Inter-departmental Committee on River Pollution Following on representations as to the pollution danger to streams and rivers arising from the increasing population and the industrial development of the country, the Committee was reconvened. The Committee, which is widely representative of Government Departments, has held three meetings during the year. As a preliminary step a subcommittee has been set up to compile a report of the factual evidence available at present as to pollution of tidal and fresh waters throughout New Zealand. An officer, whose services have been made available by the Marine Department, has commenced this work under the subcommittee's direction, and good progress has been made in collating the extensive data on record in the various Departments. In addition, a short questionnaire was prepared and circulated, to all Borough and County Councils and Harbour Boards by courtesy of their respective associations, also to acclimatization societies, throughout the country. Much valuable information is coming to hand from these sources. VI. PATRIOTIC PURPOSES Expenditure for the financial year ended 30th September, 1946, showed a sharp fall on that of the four previous years. This was to be expected with the repatriation of overseas-service personnel and the return to civilian life of large numbers of servicemen and servicewomen who had been attached to the Armed Forces in New Zealand. Nevertheless, the National Patriotic Fund Board was called upon to provide welfare in the United Kingdom, Middle East, India, Australia, Fiji, and Norfolk Island, as well as in New Zealand. The New Zealand Force of Occupation for Japan, draw substantially from the Middle East; took with it —when it left the Middle East in 1946—a fully equipped

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welfare service, and, in addition, the Board sent from New Zealand, as opportunityarose, tea, sugar, milk, &c, and provided £10,317 in cash. With the retrenchment of the Armed Forces the Board found itself with surplus stocks of goods of all types, as well as buildings and furniture. The overseas property was in general disposed of in the area in which it was located. The assets in New Zealand were sold by public auction or public tender, or direct to ex-servicemen on the recommendation of the Kehabilitation Department. In the disposal of its assets the Board has endeavoured to afford the greatest number of persons opportunity to purchase. The patriotic effort of New Zealand was a combined effort of every individual throughout the Dominion. Without the help of thousands of voluntary workers it would not have been possible to have provided clubs, rest centres, woollen goods, or the money to purchase canteen supplies, huts, newspapers, books and periodicals, gift parcels, sports gear, cinema equipment, and all the other items necessary to occupy the leisure time of the serviceman and to give him that little extra comfort which assisted so much in maintaining morale. During the war years the Government has made a very substantial contribution to patriotic funds. It has borne the salaries of the Board's staff, rent of office and store, fuel, travelling-expenses, freight on patriotic goods in New Zealand and overseas, and .since Ist October, 1942, the cost of prisoner-of-war food parcels. In addition, it has made a grant of £30,000 towards the cost of huts ; since April, 1943, met the salaries of welfare workers employed in the camps and stations, and provided Military and Air Force personnel overseas and in New Zealand to staff clubs and hostels. The total Government assistance to the patriotic effort was not less than £1,400,000. The following table sets out the receipts and payments (including investments) of the Provincial Patriotic Councils and of the National Patriotic Fund Board for the year 1945-46 :

Provincial Patriotic Councils

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Receipts. Payments. Balance on. Balance on Hand as at Received, 1 Q4.-y_4.fi Hand as at 1st October, Payments. 30th September, 1945 (including L0~±O -tU. 1946 (including Investments). Investments). £ £ £ £ Northland 46,609 9,546 3,956 52,199 Auckland 202,316 33,259 7,580 227,995 Waikato 50,684 20,457 812 70,329 Bay of Plenty . 39,187 6,982 387 45,782 East Coast 51,477 9,114 10,400 50,191 Hawke's Bay . 123,312 11,623 1,997 132,938 Taranaki 86,509 9,311 1,374 94,446 Wellington 230,341 107,121 69,164 268,298 Marlborough. 19,408 3,371 1,186 21,593 Nelson 80,815 6,102 2,123 84,794 Westland 31,769 7,354 378 38,745 Canterbury 141,640 62,453 46,966 157,127 Otago 263,277 28,628 26,688 265,217 Southland 121,165 10,115 23,647 107,633 Totals 1,488,509 325,436 196,658 1,617,287

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National Patriotic Fund Board Balance as at Ist October, 1945 £ £ Cash .. .. .. 626,295 Investments .. .. .. 447,175 1,073,470 Receipts from all sources .. .. .. 1,211,312 2,284,782 Payments .. .. .. .. 995,684 Cash and investments as at 30th September, 1946 £1,289,098* *Cash, £70,112; investments, £1,218,986. VII. CINEMATOGRAPH THEATRES A. Film Censorship A total of 1,473 films of all classes, making a total of 4,172,810 ft., were examined. Of this number, 114 were passed subject to excisions, 131 were passed with the recommendation that they were more suitable for adult audiences, and 32 were passed with the warning that they were unsuitable for children. Four films were rejected in the first instance, but were subsequently all passed after reconstruction had been made, 1 being approved for exhibition with a new title. No appeals were lodged in any case. An analysis of the work shows :

Quota Films : The countries of origin of the quota or feature films examined were as follows : Great Britain, 32 ; Australia, 2 ; United States of America, 316 ; Russia, 3. General Remarks : During the year under review, as compared with the previous year, the number of films in which excisions were made was 114, as against 101 ; the number recommended as more suitable for adults was 131, as against 110 ; and the number considered to be definitely unsuitable for children was 32, as against 21 in the previous year. Miniature films were less than those submitted in the previous year, 51, as against 80. British quota films were only 2 below those examined in the previous year, 34, as against 36 ; while foreign quota films showed a drop —viz., 319, as against 336 in the previous year. While the number of excisions (114) showed a slight increase as compared with those made in the previous year (101), there was, with perhaps one or two exceptions, little to question in the general standard of the pictures presented for examination. Films

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Origin. Quota < )r Long Films. Non-quota or Short Films. Number. Length. Number. Length. British Foreign 34 319 Ft. 321,800 2,674,930 517 603 Ft. 613,420 562,660 Totals 353 2,996,730 1,120 1,176,080

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based on stories of the late war showed a decline, and as time goes on will probably cease to be made at all. It was noticed that a much larger proportion of feature films were based on books by well-known authors and on stage plays. There was also an increase in technicolor pictures, some of these being produced in 16 mm. size. Publicity matter relating to 343 films (features) covering posters, stills, slides, &c., was examined during the year and no amendments or rejections were necessary. ' B. Licensing of Cinematograph Operators Ninety-six new applications for provisional and assistant operators' licences were considered, as compared with 133 for the previous year. Seventy-four new provisional licences -and 84 new assistant operators' licences were issued. Since the coming into force of the Cinematograph Operators Licensing Regulations 1938, 1,365 operators and 940 assistant operators have now been licensed. C. Exhibitors' and other Licences Cinematograph Films : Licences issued under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1928, for the year ended 30th September, 1946, were as follows : exhibitors', 481 (455); itinerant exhibitors', 23 (19) ; renters', 14 (16) ; storage, 9 (10) ; miscellaneous, 12 (16). The figures in parentheses signify the corresponding totals for the previous year. VIII. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS During the period under review, New Zealand was honoured by the visit of Admiral the Lord Louis Mountbatten and the Lady Louis Mountbatten and party. At that time Lord Louis was Supreme Allied Commander, South-east Asia. Among other distinguished visitors were the Right Hon. Viscount Bledisloe and Lady Bledisloe ; Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park and Lady Park and party (at that time Sir Keith was Allied Air Commander-in-Chief, South-east Asia) Major-General K. W. D. Strong, England ; Hon. C. E. Martin, Attorney-General, New South Wales, and party ; Mr. and Mrs. L. V. Straker, of London ; representatives of the Samoan Advisory Council; His Excellency Archbishop Panico ; Very Rev. Archbishop Timotheos Evangelinides ; M. Haumont, Governor of Tahiti, and party ; Sir Archibald Jamieson, Chairman of Vickers, Ltd. ; Senator Collings and party, .Australia ; Miss Nola Luxford ; Mr. W. P. Conelan, M.H.R., Canberra, and Mrs. Conelan ; Mr. James A. Farley, ex-Postmaster L General, United States of America ; M. M. A. Tallec, Governor of New Caledonia, and party ; Mr. Christopher Chancellor, General Manager, and Mr. Walker A. Cole, Managing Editor, of Reuters ; Hon. C. L. A. Abbott, Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, and Mrs. Abbott; Mr. Stuart Campbell, Editor of the Sunday Pictorial, London ; Mr. Gilbert R. Mitchison, M.P., House of Commons ; Mr. C. R. C. Gardiner, representative in India of the National Patriotic Fund Board ; Dr. Carl T. Compton and party, of the Atomic \ Evaluations Board, United States of America ; Lieutenant-Colonel Natu Sir Lala Sukuna, Secretary for Fijian Affairs, London ; Commander R. G. A. Jackson, Deputy Director-General of UNRRA ; Hon. E. H. Graham, Minister of Agriculture, New South Wales, and party; Mr. F. H. Rowe, Director of Social Services, Australia ; and Mr. J. Nicoll, Colonial Secretary, Fiji. His Excellency the Governor-General, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall and Lady Newall, were fare welled, and the arrangements for the arrival of the Governor-General Designate, Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg and Lady Freyberg, and for the swearing-in ceremony, were made by this Section., 2—H 22

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Mr. A. R. Cutler, High Commissioner for Australia, and Mr. A. Rive, High Commissioner for Canada, were welcomed. Of particular interest was the visit of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, United States Navy, and Task Force 68. Hospitality was also extended to H.M.S. " Black Prince," to the French sloop " La Grandiere," and to the officers and crews of British aircraft—namely, R.A.F. Lancaster " Aries," R.A.F. " Lincoln " aircraft, and the R.A.F. Halifax " Mercury." In addition to State luncheons and other receptions tendered during the visits of many of the above named, receptions were also tendered to the English League Football Team, the Kiwi Rugby Football Team, the M.C.C. Cricket Team, and to the American athletes. IX. WAR HISTORY BRANCH During the year the activities of War History Branch have advanced and expanded. On Ist July, 1946, the Editor-in-Chief, Major-General H. K. Kippenberger, assumed duties. The following proposals for histories were submitted to Cabinet on 4th July, 1946, and approved : {a) A series of white-papers .. .. .. .. About 4 volumes. (6) A popular and illustrated history, issued in parts capable of binding into volumes and suitable for use x in schools (about 48 parts) .. .. .. .. .. 4 volumes. (c) The official history proper, divided as follows— Navy .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 volume. Army .. .. .. .. .. 7or 8 volumes. Air .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 volumes. Prisoners of War . . .. .. .. .. 1 volume. Civilian War Effort and Effects of War .. .. 3 volumes. Medical and Dental .. .. .. 3 or 4 volumes. Total .. .. .. .. .. 19 or 20 volumes. (d) A series of unit histories dealing with all important units of 2 N.Z.E.F. .. .. .. Say, 20 volumes. Because of the fundamental need for intensive and comprehensive research by the production of a series of narratives dealing with every part of New Zealand's war experience, civilian and military, a trained staff was essential. This has now been recruited and is adequate for the present. When problems of publication and distribution are reached, further appointments will be necessary, but the number of research assistants can then be reduced. For the important Medical History it became clear that a highly qualified medical practitioner was necessary, and an appointment has now beert made. In July, 1946, a representative meeting of senior officers of 2 N.Z.E.F. approved proposals as to unit histories, which are to be free to ex-members of units and next-of-kin of deceased members. Cabinet has further approved the appropriation of the sum of £60,000 for unit histories. Contracts have been entered into with some fifteen authors, some of them writers of distinction, and with the backing of sound research, volumes worthy of their subjects should be produced. There is a continuing difficulty as to accommodation, but it may now be stated with confidence that the Branch is soundly established and will be commencing publication during the coming year.

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X. WAR GRAVES A. New Zealand Burials Total Burials in New Zealand A post-war provisional summary of burials was made, and the figures as at 31st March, 1947, which will be subject to rechecking ■at a later period, disclosed the following :

These burials were distributed amongst 930 public, servicemen's, and Native cemeteries. Servicemen's Cemeteries in New Zealand The New Zealand Government's attention, with the approbation of the New Zealand Keturned Services' Association, focused during the year on the introduction of many lawn cemeteries for the burials of ex-service personnel. In a few instances older types of " concrete " cemeteries were converted to semi-lawn cemeteries using standard upright headstones. During the year approximately 30 new lawn cemeteries were authorized and about 40 others were under consideration. As at the 31st March, 1947, the state of New Zealand servicemen's cemeteries was as follows :- Number> Classification 1 : Old type, where graves are covered with concrete and upright headstones are used .. .. .. .. 17 Classification 2 : Semi-lawn, using upright headstones .. .. 25 Classification 2a : Semi-lawn, using low, sloping plaques .. .. 2 Classification 3 : All lawn, using plaques at ground-level .. .. 36 Classification 4 : Proposed lawn or semi-lawn .. .. \. 41 Total ... .. .. .. .. .. ..121 In the majority of the new lawn cemeteries, branches of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association have requested, and the New Zealand Government has approved, the use of bronze plaques 15 inches by 9 inches set in concrete and fixed in the cemeteries at ground-level. Inspections Many servicemen's cemeteries and war graves in public cemeterie's were inspected throughout New Zealand, and opportunity was taken to check the War Graves Division's burial cards against the headstones or temporary crosses at gravesides. Notwithstanding that such physical checking had not been carried out for some years, the records generally were found to agree quite satisfactorily.

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— War Graves. Non-war Graves. Total. First World War personnel Second World War personnel . South Afridan War personnel . Cremations Maori War veterans . . Old colonists Miscellaneous war veterans 4,154 1,030 9,715 506 13,869 1,536 857 801 1,852 94 349 ' 19,358

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Headstones and Plaques The contractors for the supply of headstones, owing to shortage of staff and material during the war period, were much in arrears in the early months of the year, and orders for headstones for burials in the year 1945 were still outstanding. Towards the end of the year, however, the position had very considerably improved and headstones for burials registered late in 1946 were being supplied. Permanent Work on Graves In connection with many war graves, mainly those in public cemeteries, there was delay in carrying out permanent work due to shortage of cement. Eligibility for Burial in Servicemen's Cemeteries With the laying-down of so many new lawn cemeteries it was found that branches of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association and local bodies were not sure as to what classes of deceased Service personnel should be accepted for burial in these cemeteries. The issue was discussed at a meeting attended by representatives of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association, the New Zealand Home-servicemen's Association, the three Armed Services, the Pensions Department, and the Department of Internal Affairs, and a unanimous decision was reached as follows : Servicemen's cemeteries are laid down for the burial of—(1) Service personnel who have served overseas ; (2) Home-service personnel who die on service up till the date of official peace ; and (3) Other home-service personnel who, prior to death, may have expressed to the New Zealand Home-servicemen's Association, next-of-kin, or relatives desire for burial in a servicemen's cemetery. Branches of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association, the New Zealand Home-servicemen's Association, and local bodies concerned were informed accordingly. General . Headquarters and branches of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association rendered to the War Graves, Division most valuable assistance, and local bodies throughout the country very generously made available to the Government areas of their cemeteries for use as. servicemen's lawn cemeteries. To the New Zealand Returned Services' Association and local bodies the Department extends its thanks. During the year visits to the War Graves Division were made by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, a member of the Imperial War Graves Commission, London, and Brigadier A. E. Brown, Secretary-General, Anzac Agency, Imperial War Graves Commission, Melbourne. • B. Oveeseas Burials Imperial War Graves Commission, London The Division has maintained very close co-operation with the Imperial War Graves Commission, London. The annual and monthly reports of the Commission - clearly indicate that it is most active in its work connected with cemeteries and burials of both recent wars. Anzac Agency of the Imperial War Graves Commission, Melbourne Co-operation has also been closely maintained with the Anzac Agency of the Imperial War Graves Commission, Melbourne. The New Zealand appointees to the staff of the Agency—one to hold office as Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Finance Officer and the other as a District Inspector—were selected towards the end of the year and will leave for Australia to take up their appointments early in June, 1947. Neiv Zealand Military Cemetery at Bourail, New Caledonia Arrangements were made to hand over to the Anzac Agency for maintenance in perpetuity the New Zealand. military cemetery at Bourail, New Caledonia, in which

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there are 247 burials of the Second World War. The official handing over of this cemetery as between representatives of the New Zealand Government and the Agency is set down to take place in July, 1947. Cemetery Register Forms The War Graves Division had, at the end of March, 1947, made good progress in connection with the despatch of cemetery register forms to relatives and next-of-kin of all those members of the New Zealand Forces who lost their lives or were missing during the recent war. Of an approximate total of 10,000 deceased or missing, 3,500 forms had been despatched to the Imperial War Graves Commission, London. XL HISTORICAL BRANCH Historical Atlas Research work on the Atlas has been pushed on under more favourable conditions than during the war. Relevant information, photostats, and photographs from English records have once more become available, with beneficial effects. A number of maps drafted earlier have been undergoing revision by experts in the special departments concerned. Bulletins A series of bulletins of the Historical Branch was inaugurated during 1946 with a small volume entitled New Zealand's First Capital, by Ruth M. Ross, for some years a member of the Branch's staff. This series is designed to make available to the public work of historical scholarship and interest, in some way connected with the Branch's activity, that would otherwise be unlikely to find publication. Further bulletins in the series are already planned. Othek Publications The Branch has seen through the press Mr. E. A. Plishke's successful Design and Living, published by the Department. It has also been handling the printing of two larger works of ethnological scholarship, The Moa-hunter of Wairau, by Roger Duff, and Horowhenua, by G. L. Adkin. Brass-rubbings An annotated catalogue of two collections of brass-rubbings of great historical interest, one belonging to the Department and deposited for administrative purposes with the other, belonging to the Napier Museum, has been virtually completed and will be printed as a bulletin. The rubbings have all been properly mounted, and a first exhibition was held in August, 1946, in Nelson. Xn. ELECTORAL OFFICE The activities of this Branch included work arising from the change of electoral boundaries following the Representation Commission's report and the formation of new rolls for the new districts, in addition to the normal preparations for and conduct of the general election, which was held on the 27th November, 1946. Legislation Statutes Amendment Act, 1946 Several sections of this Act made machinery provisions for smoother conduct of the polls. Provision was also made for an extension of declaration voting to the wives or widows of ex-overseas servicemen and for servicemen themselves. An amendment was made to the provision for time off for voting at elections. The Postal Voting Regulations 1946 y These regulations altered the procedure with respect to postal voting.

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Representation Commission On the 7th June, 1946, the Representation Commission's report was made to the Governor-General, and on the 27th June, 1946, a Proclamation defining the new boundaries was gazetted.' On the 4th July, 1946, the Commission's report was presented to the House of Representatives as parliamentary paper H-46. Formation of New Rolls The new districts as defined by the Representation Commission embodied extensive changes in all electoral boundaries, and a period from the Ist July, 1946, to the 31st August, 1946, was prescribed for the formation of rolls for the new districts. The work involved necessitated engaging temporary clerical assistance, and in the various district electoral offices 150 extra clerks were employed. Preparation and Printing of Rolls Following the formation of new rolls, the preparation for printing was proceeded with. The general rolls closed on the 13th September, 1946, and the supplementary rolls on the 6th November, 1946. Appreciation is recorded of the co-operation of the printing industry and the Federation of Master Printers of New Zealand in expediting the production of the rolls in the face of practical printing difficulties due to post-war conditions. Arrangements were made with the various printers, through their federation, for the supply of extra proofs of roll matter for use by political and licensing organizations in advance of the completion of the printing. This innovation was well received by the parties concerned. Conduct of the Poll Writs for the general election were issued on the 6th November, 1946, fixing the following dates : Nomination day .. .. .. 15th November. Polling-day— Maori .. .. .. .. 26th November. European .. .. .. 27th November. Writs returnable by .. .. 16th December. Contested elections were held in all electorates, 172 candidates (European and Maori) being nominated. Of a total roll strength of 1,081,898, the number who voted was 1,025,048. This latter figure includes members of the Forces, for whom voting arrangements under the Electoral (Members of the Forces) Regulations 1941 were made in the United Kingdom, Japan, the Pacific area, and New Zealand. In conjunction with the general efection of members of Parliament, general and local-option licensing polls were taken for the various licensing districts. Licensing Committees' Elections On 11th March, 1947, Licensing Committees' elections were held in 14 licensing districts where the number of candidates exceeded the five required for a Committee. XIII. EXPLOSIVES AND DANGEROUS GOODS The following licences were issued : Importation of Explosives. —Polar gelignite, 1,189,850 lb. ; Polar gelatine dynamite, 60,500 lb. ; Ajax, 72,650 lb. ; Polar quarry monobel, 212,000 lb. ; blasting-powder, 104,0001b.; sporting-powder, 84,0301b.; detonators (plain), 713,000 ; E.D. fuses, 1,261,000 ; safety-fuse, 16,824 lb. ; fireworks (ships' rockets), 240 lb. Other licences issued were : conveyance, 168 ; sale, 532 ; storage, 479. Dangerous Goods. —During the year 2,210 licences were issued, as against 2,123 for the previous year.

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Inspection Work Owing to limitation of staff it has.not been possible to maintain the same coverage and frequency of inspection as existed prior to the war. Local-authority Administration The number of local-body licensing authorities under the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, stands at 163. As forecast in the last annual report, steps have been taken to revoke the appointment of the Leamington Town Board as a licensing authority, and the Department now undertakes the administration of the Act within that district. Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936 In accordance with arrangements made with the Bureau of Industry, this office still continues to receive applications and fees for new licences and for continuation of existing licences under the above Act. As in the past, periodical checks of fees received by local-body licensing authorities in connection with licences under the Industrial Efficiency Act are made by Inspectors of this office. This work has entailed a heavy burden on both field and clerical staff, particularly in view of the present universal handicap of shortage of staff, but by reorganizing the procedure between the Bureau of Industry and this office in regard to transmission of applications, &c, it has been possible to eliminate redundancy and enable continuation of the work. XIV. RAFFLES AND ART-UNIONS Five hundred and seven licences under the authority of section 42 of the Gaming Act, 1908, were issued, and of these 230 were for works of art, 253 for small amounts of alluvial gold, and 24 for amounts ranging from £5O to £250, these being principally in aid of the building funds of A. and P. Associations and Returned Services' organizations. In addition,' 13 licences were issued in respect of the regular £5,000 alluvial gold artunions, the aggregate results of these being as follow : £ s. d. Gross sales .. .. .. .. .. 293,464 2 6 Commission . . . . .. . . . . 44,019 12 4 Expenses .. .. .. .. .. 34,660 11 8 Prizes .. .. .. .. .. 65,000 0 0 Lottery duty .. .. .. .. .. 29,346 8 3 Net profit .. .. .. .. .. 120,437 10 3 Of the net profits, £39,033 was distributed to the various Mayoral and other recognized central relief of distress funds, £29,120 to charitable and philanthropic organizations, £11,289 4s. Bd. to the fund for the establishment of a chair of obstetrics and gynaecology, and £11,546 19s. 2d. to children's health camps. XV. PASSPORTS AND EXIT PERMITS New passports totalling 5,252 were issued and 511 renewals were granted in respect of passports already issued. In addition, 42 certificates of identity were issued to persons unable to obtain national passports. With an increase in available shipping accommodation, restrictions on travel were relaxed considerably, particularly so far as travel to Australia was concerned.

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In order to assist the national economy, the priority system has been continued and has in general enabled persons on business of national importance to travel to and from Australia reasonably promptly. It has been possible to, assist a few highly compassionate cases travelling to Australia by granting one-way priority. The Passports Act, 1946, came into force on 16th September, 1946. Under this Act previous legislation on the subject was revoked. The Passports Emergency Regulations 1939 were also revoked on the gazetting of the Passport Regulations 1946 (20th November, 1946). XVI. NATURALIZATION Consideration of the many hundreds of applications received under the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1928, has proceeded steadily. The required period of residence is five years, and as the majority of refugee and other alien groups who entered New Zealand from 1938 onwards did not qualify for consideration until the wartime restriction on naturalization was lifted, there is a large accumulation of cases to be dealt with. A total of 451 certificates have been issued. In addition to the large number of applications on hand, there is much detailed work on each file in ensuring that the applicant's record during the war and capacity for citizenship make him suitable for membership in. a British community. Twenty-three certificates of naturalization were granted to alien friends who had served with His Majesty's Forces in the recent war. This action was taken under the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Amendment Act, 1943. Declarations made by married women under the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Amendment Act, 1934-35 (now repealed), from Ist April, 1946, to Bth October, 1946, are as follows : Acquisition of British nationality .. . . .. .. 133 Retention of rights of a British subject .. ... . . 25 The British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Amendment Act, 1946, which came into force on the 9th October, 1946, made some fundamental changes in the national status of married women. The two main provisions are as follows : (1) A British-born woman who marries an alien does not lose her British nationalityThis portion of the Act is retrospective, and those British-born women who have at any time married aliens are now deemed never to have lost their British nationality. (2) If an alien woman marries a British subject she does not automatically become British by marriage, but has to apply for naturalization in her own right. This portion of the Act is not retrospective, and therefore any alien-born woman who has already become British by marriage will remain British. Previously, when a married man was granted British naturalization, his wife made a declaration that she desired to acquire her husband's nationality, and such declaration took effect on registration in the Department. Under the 1946 Amendment Act the wives of all aliens naturalized are required to apply separately, and the issue of a certificate of naturalization in each case is in the discretion of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The new procedure has involved additional work. Owing to the necessity of drafting regulations and the printing of a new type of certificate, it was possible to issue only 4 certificates under the new Act. XVII. WAR MEMORIALS In October, 1946, the Government, after careful consideration of the whole position, made public its intention to support, by means of a generous subsidy, the erection of community centres as war memorials. The conditions under which such subsidies may be granted have, been circulated to local authorities.

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A large number of inquiries have been received, and it is evident that the idea of commemorating those who made the supreme sacrifice in the recent war by the erection of " living " memorials is widely accepted throughout the country. An informal committee comprising specialists in community planning, communitycentre work, architecture, and physical welfare and recreation has been set up. This committee will act in an advisory capacity, and is also preparing, for the guidance of interested local authorities, a publication to show the latest trends in communitycentre designs and the possibilities in New Zealand. There can be no static definition of a community centre and each proposal must be thoroughly investigated in the light of local conditions. It is hoped that by co-operation between the Government and local authorities concerned it will be possible to erect, where it is desired by the local people, a community-centre memorial which will be a worthy and a living reminder of those who died and the ideals for which they sacrificed their lives. XVHI. RACING For the current racing year ending on 31st July, 1947, the allocation of totalizator licences is again at the maximum of 240 days for racing and hunt clubs and 80 days for trotting clubs. Non-totalizator permits for meetings on 146 days have been issued for the year ended 31st March, 1947. Inspectors of the Department have attended all totalizator meetings to ensure compliance with the law regarding the operation of the totalizator. Investments at these meetings have continued to increase, and a number of clubs are faced with the necessity of providing more adequate facilities for their patrons. Particulars of these investments and details of the taxation thereon are published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. The Koyal Commission appointed to inquire into all aspects of gaming and racing in New Zealand commenced taking evidence and was still sitting at the end of the year. XIX. WAR FUNDS, 1914-18 The war funds established under the War Funds Act, 1915, now number 50, a decrease since the previous report of 2 funds by exhaustion of their assets. The latest figures recorded are summarized as follows : £ s. d. 23 incorporated societies .. .. .. 240,973 17 7 7 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. 49,196 7 0 2 Blind Soldiers and Veterans' Houses Funds .. 66,868 8 9 11 unincorporated societies .. .. .. 6,930 8 3 6 returned soldiers'clubs .. .. .. 19,894 13 11 1 National War Funds Council .. .. .. 75,443 14 8 £459,307 10 2 XX. ADVERTISING OFFICE Newspaper advertising is recorded at a total cost of £97,215 14s. 6d., as compared with the previous year's figure of £51,869 18s. The increase of £45,345 16s. 6d. is largely accounted for by Famine Emergency Committee advertising £32,423 18s. 3d., electoral advertising £2,198 12s. Bd., and increases in Agriculture, Air, Economic Information Service, Land and Income Tax, Mental Hospitals, Navy, Post and Telegraph, Public Service Commission, Works, Railways, State Hydro-electric, Tourist, Transport, and War Assets Realization advertising. Press cuttings supplied to Ministers of the Crown, Government Departments, and overseas posts averaged 3,750 weekly, as compared with 3,400 weekly the previous year. 3—H 22

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XXI. THE ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY Use oe the Library The past year lias been an undoubtedly busy one. For a research Library, which does not receive the numbers of readers that a comparable-sized general lending library does, the amount of work handled is very large, and continues to increase as the potentialities of the Library become appreciated more and more. The telephone conveys many inquiries, and the quest for information on old and unusual books brings many people who know of the Library's special equipment for such service. The reading-room is often fully occupied, and readers must at times be placed elsewhere in the building. Kesearch Major reference problems, often for overseas writers and authors, present tasks that take some time. Here, if the matter justifies, the usual principle is waived. Where readers can reasonably attend the Library, they are expected to do much of their own research, the Library providing the resources. But intricate research method is not familiar to many students, and as the Turnbutl has resources peculiar to itself, more has been done for people studying here than would be elsewhere. This service has now been systematized and the research aids concentrated more completely than before. The Catalogue The catalogue, which exists in two main divisions, was, in its non-Pacific section, made standard with the 5 in. by 3 in. card, an objective aimed at these past ten years. The space economy is considerable and the uniformity in several ways desirable. The problem here is one that confronts libraries generally —the ever-growing space demanded by the catalogue, yet an adequate alternative is not available. Manuscripts During the year a special assistant was appointed to organize the manuscript holdings, which are now very considerable. A great part of the preliminary work has now been done, and in the coming year it is hoped to start issuing calendars of the various groups. But as very many thousands of manuscripts are involved, it cannot be a rapid process. Moreover, fresh material is added from time to time, perhaps the most notable this year being the papers of Stephenson Percy Smith, presented by his son, Mr. M. Crompton Smith. Percy Smith was probably the most scholarly of students of the Maori and of Polynesia that New Zealand has known, and the work he did is invaluable beyond measure. Much he recorded in the eminent and scholarly journal of the Polynesian Society, which he founded. Another remarkable collection concerns Western Samoa. This comprises the papers of Thomas Westbrook, Legislative 'Councillor of Samoa, writer, and man of affairs from the 1880's. For the subsequent forty years he has ; recorded in great detail all aspects of Samoan life, and when the group is properly assessed it will be one of the best of a private character extant. Holdings and Acquisitions The number of volumes now accessioned is 74,750. Those catalogued during the year comprize about 40 per cent, new acquisitions and the rest previous holdings. The main lines of development in Pacific and English literary studies have continued, this year with some emphasis on the latter. In particular, notable periodicals not hitherto recorded in New Zealand have been added. The Milton collection has added more than a score of titles, mainly recent studies, but seventeenth-century background works have been included. In this the valuable new " Short Title Catalogue of English Books, 1640-1700," by Donald Wing, volume I of which arrived during the year, is a constant aid. The Hugh Walpole collection added three manuscripts, and a number of volumes

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from the recently dispersed library of Sir Hugh Walpole, as well as three works hitherto lacking. Important editions of works by Defoe, John Gait, Matthew Arnold, W. S. Landor, and Sir Walter Scott were satisfactory new items. Facsimiles of rare books were secured wherever opportunity offered. In the realm of fine printing, some useful examples from the Plantin Press, of Antwerp, and Baskerville of Birmingham were received. One incunabulum was added, a fine specimen printed in red and black by Erhardt Eatdolt, of Strassburg, the " Chronicon of Eusebius, Venice," 1483. Several from the press of this very famous printer are already on the shelves, for he was admired by Alexander Turnbull as one of the first to print in colour and to use ornamental capitals and artistic designs. He was the first to print Euclid's " Geometry," a splendid specimen of the 1482 edition of which is in the group. Of individual early works it is of interest to record a first edition of Bishop Percy's " Eeliques of Ancient English Poetry," 1765, which had been sought for some time. This famous work made an epoch in English literature, promoting with lasting effect the revival of interest in our older poetry. A late edition (1634) of Harrington's translation of " Orlando Eurioso," favourite work of the Elizabethans and Jacobeans, was purchased in New Zealand. The Library already had the first and other editions, but the opportunity for textual comparison within the period is desirable. George Wither, poet and pamphleteer of Stuart times, is perhaps chiefly noted for " Abuses Stript and Whipt," an edition of 1613 of which was a welcome accession. John Dryden's " Annus Mirabilis," 1667, hitherto a need in the good series of his original texts, was also obtained. Eive pamphlets of William Prynne, persistent Puritan pamphleteer of the early- and mid-seventeenth century, added to a number of more solid tomes by this prolific author. Thomas Fuller, more kindly yet dynamic contemporary figure, gained similarly further representation in the shelves with several pamphlets. A specialist in English literature was appointed this year to give particular attention to the development of this side and to prepare for the production of a printed catalogue. This is some distance off, but will be a valuable approach to the English literature resources when done. Donations The volume of additions from this source has been smaller than usual, but some particularly desirable books and manuscripts have been presented. Space precludes the mention of all but a very few which have interest of some appeal. Mr. Frank Sargeson, of Auckland, deposited the original manuscript of his now well-known book, " A Man and His Wife," and his fellow-writer, Mr. A. B. D. Fairburn, presented two letters from Walter de la Mare and two from T. E. Lawrence. Mr. Gilbert Mair, whose gifts are so often chronicled here, again presented a group of papers relating to that notable figure, Captain Gilbert Mair. Mrs. J. N". Wallace sent us a series of the Ladies Magazine for 1774-90 which is of interest for a host of items of women's concern, but additionally so for a serial account of Cook's voyages with illustrations. Mr. J. B. Perston similarly was generous in giving a run of Curtis's Botanical Magazine for the 1790'5. It holds a high place among such publications, and is prized for its hand-coloured engravings. To the many other donors the Library tenders its warm thanks, and assures them of the worth of their help in supporting this national collection. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (518 copies), £42.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1947. Price 9d.]

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