DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1949 Session I, H-22

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1949 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave

Sib, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 29th August, 1949. I have the honour - to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1949. I have, &c., A. G. Harper, Under-Secretary. The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT I. RETIREMENT OF MR. J. W. HEENAN Mr. J. W. Heenan, C.B.E. (now Sir Joseph Heenan, K.8.E.), retired during the year from the position of Under-Secretary, which he had held since April, 1935. The range of activities and functions associated with the Department call for exceptional qualities and capabilities from its administrative head. Mr. Heenan's wide cultural background, creative ability, felicity of expression, and deep sense of responsibility found scope for expression in the Department, for which he had a great personal attachment.

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He joined the Department in 1906, then after a period of service transferred to the Law Drafting Office in 1920 as Assistant Law Draftsman, later to return to his original Department as Permanent Head. A recital of official positions held would not illustrate the particular contribution which he made to the work of the Department and the life of the community. Many of the special and unique activities of the Department depend on co-operation with local authorities, outside organizations, and interested individuals. Mr. Heenan's wide range of outside activities and interest in many aspects of our national life provided contacts which were invaluable in ensuring success for the many phases of work and projects which he personally directed. Everything he did was in the grand manner, but no detail was ever overlooked. His vision and imagination as an administrator enabled the Department to enter many fields of purposeful endeavour, and the success achieved in various directions will have a lasting effect on various aspects of our cultural and intellectual life. The variety of subjects in which he was interested and the amount of correspondence involved can only be fully evaluated by the officers who were privileged to serve under him. Possessing a lively interest in all problems and activities of contemporary life, he also had a deep knowledge of the Department's history, and encouraged officers to be ever-mindful of its tradition and the special place it held in relation to the constitutional development of the country. During his term of office, which included the war years, he met or accompanied through New Zealand many of the notable visitors who were the guests of the Government from time to time. His social sense, friendliness, organizing ability, and knowledge of New Zealand made him a perfect travelling companion and host to Prime Ministers,, diplomats, Government officials, newspaper correspondents, and many other overseas visitors. Here was an opportunity for visitors to be introduced to New Zealand through a remarkable personality, and their assessment of our country and the publicity they were able to give on their return was the result of his outstanding public relations work. His retirement affords this opportunity of placing on record the work of a distinguished public servant who administered the diverse activities of the Department with conspicuous success. 11. DEATHS OP DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS The Department sustained a severe loss when Messrs. F. B. Stephens and J. F. D. Jeune lost their lives in the accident to the aircraft " Kereru " near Waikanae on 18th March, 1949. Both officers were returning from official duties in the Auckland district when the accident happened, and their sudden passing in such tragic circumstances came as a profound shock to their colleagues and friends. Mr. Stephens had been with the Department in various capacities since 1936, and in December, 1948, he was appointed Assistant Under-Secretary of the Department. His work in the field of public administration and local government was outstanding and he was a recognized authority on these matters. Mr. Jeune joined the Department in 1947 as Investigating Officer to the Local Government Commission, although he was well known previously as a local-government administrator. At the time of his death he was Acting-Secretary of the Local Government Commission, having been appointed to replace Mr. Stephens in that position when the latter was appointed as Assistant Under-Secretary. It is with deep regret that the untimely passing of these two valued officers is recorded, and it is desired to place on record a tribute to the splendid and unselfish work performed by both of them in the sphere of public administration and local government.

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111. 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 on two occasions. (c) Appointments to the Legislative Council. (d) Leave of absence for a member of the Legislative Council. (e) Appointment of Clerk of the Executive Council. (/) Retention of the title of " Honourable " by two ex-members of the Executive Council. IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT A. General Organization The services of the Local Government Branch were again utilized to the fullest extent in carrying out the various statutory functions required by the Local Government Acts administered by the Department. Close contact with local authorities, the Local Government Commission, other Departments, and organizations was maintained, and advice and assistance given when requested with regard to problems confronting local authorities and others interested in this field. Owing to the detailed nature of the work involved, it is not possible to deal with all matters which came before the Branch, but some idea of the more general matters dealt with may be gained from the following—(1) Boroughs The thirty-sixth annual Conference of the Municipal Association was held in Napier from the 15th to 18th February, 1949. The Conference was officially opened by the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, who spoke on matters of general interest to municipalities. The annual Conference of the New Zealand Institute of Town Clerks was also held at the same time. The Department was officially represented throughout the proceedings of both Conferences. Following the submission of remits from the Conference, the necessary action was taken to circulate the remits to the Departments concerned and to obtain decisions thereon for transmission to the Association. Questions relating to the financial and economic position of the Borough of Waihi were prominent as a result of representations made to the Government by the Waihi Borough Council. The Council submitted certain proposals with a view to assisting the borough during the period of transition from a mining town to a rural and industrial centre. The finances of the Borough Council have been a cause for concern for some years past, mainly owing to the progressive decline in gold revenue payable to the Council and the fact that the rateable value of the borough is too low to enable the loss to be made up from rate revenue. Other factors relevant to the difficulties of the Council are the large area of the borough, the annual loss incurred in maintaining the gasworks, and the lack of adequate machinery and plant to undertake essential public services. The Government agreed to give every possible assistance to the borough in providing suitable employment in the town in the event of the closing down of the Martha Mine, which employed 350 men. Cabinet further agreed to refer to the Local Government Commission for investigation and report those aspects which related to the local government of the borough. The necessary directive has now been issued pursuant to section 12 of the Local Government Commission Act, 1946, and it is anticipated that the Commission will commence its inquiries in the near future. During the year the populations of the Boroughs of Timaru and New Plymouth reached the figure of 20,000 required for city status, and Proclamations were issued declaring these boroughs to be cities, thus increasing the number of cities in New Zealand to twelve.

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Preliminary action was taken in connection with the receipt of a number of petitions praying for the alteration of boundaries of districts. These petitions were in due course forwarded to the Local Government Commission for consideration, and following the issue by the Commission of final schemes under the provisions of the Local Government Commission Act, 1946, the boundaries of the City of Hamilton and the Boroughs of Balclutha and Huntly were altered by the inclusion of areas of land previously under county control. The boundaries of the City of Dunedin and Borough of Port Chalmers were also altered by the exclusion of certain areas. The boundaries of the City of Christchurch and the Boroughs of Balclutha, Rotorua, and Waimate were redefined consequent on previous alterations of boundaries. Preliminary action was taken with reference to a proposal to constitute the Town District of Otorohanga a borough. This proposal was referred to the Local Government Commission for investigation. As the Commission's finding was unfavourable, the proposal was not proceeded with. The Foxton Borough Council was authorized to raise a loan under section 7 of the Local Bodies' Finance Act, 1921-22, for the purpose of meeting extraordinary expenditure. The Hamilton and Nelson City Councils were authorized to purchase certain areas of land on the instalment system. The Auckland, Invercargill, and Lower Hutt City Councils were authorized to publish booklets containing information and publicity regarding their respective districts. It is noteworthy that local authorities are paying more attention to public-relations work, and this promises to be a phase of local government which will develop. Members were appointed to Assessment Courts under the Urban Farm Land Rating Act, 1932, for the Boroughs of Carterton, Masterton, Mount Roskill, Patea, Rangiora, Stratford, Taihape, Takapuna, Upper Hutt, and Whangarei. Judges were appointed to the Assessment Courts for the City of Lower Hutt and the Boroughs of Rangiora and Upper Hutt. Members were appointed to the Assessment Court under the Rating Act, 1925, for the City of Lower Hutt, and Judges were appointed to the Assessment Courts for the City of Lower Hutt and the Auckland Districts. By-laws of the Christchurch and Invercargill City Councils and the Te Awamutu Borough Council were confirmed under the By-laws Act, 1910. A Board of Appeal to consider an appeal against the refusal of the Wanganui City Council to approve a subdivisional plan for an area in the City of Wanganui was set up in terms of section 332 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933. As a result of a substantial increase in the general rates levied by the Upper Hutt Borough Council, certain ratepayers of the borough made representations to the Government and subsequently petitioned Parliament with a view to having legislation enacted to bring rating by local authorities within the stabilization policy of the Government. The petition was referred to the Department by the Local Bills Committee of the House of Representatives for examination and report, and the Department was also represented at meetings of the Local Bills Committee, while the petition was under consideration. The Committee,, after hearing extensive evidence, made no recommendation. As a result of representations made by the Municipal Association of New Zealand, the Government agreed to the New Zealand Standards Institute undertaking the work of preparing a Standard Code of General By-laws for adoption by Borough Councils. This Department is represented on the various Committees of the Standards Institute which have been set up to prepare such model by-laws. (2) Counties The twenty-third Annual Conference of the New Zealand Counties Association was held in Rotorua on the 16th and 17th June, 1948. The Conference was officially opened by the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, who addressed the delegates on local-government matters. In conjunction with the Conference, the annual Conference

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of tlie New Zealand Institute of County Clerks was also held. This Conference was ■opened by Mr. A. G. Harper, Acting Under-Secretary. The Department was officially represented throughout the proceedings of both Conferences. Following the submission •of remits arising from the Conference, the necessary action was taken to circulate the remits to the Departments concerned, and to obtain decisions thereon for transmission to the Association. It was necessary during the year for further attention to be given to the financial difficulties of the Buller County Council. Owing to a number of factors, such as delay in the revaluation of the county and abnormally heavy expenditure on flood-damage-restoration work, the Council's financial position was seriously affected. Discussions were held with representatives of the County Council, the Treasury, and the bank. As a result of these discussions the bank agreed to fund the excess overdraft liability of the Council, subject to suitable provision being made for repayment over a period of years. This arrangement was subsequently put into legislative effect by section 3 of the Local Legislation Act, 1948. It is anticipated that the rating position of the county will be materially improved by the revaluation referred to. The usual close contact was maintained with the Matakaoa County Commissioner regarding problems arising in the county. During the year, Mr. J. V. Meech, Officer in Charge of Local Government, made a visit of inspection to the county, when a number of outstanding matters were fully discussed with the Commissioner and the County •Council. The collection of rates in the Gounty has been maintained at a high level. In accordance with past practice, the overdraft limit of the County Council for the year was fixed by the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Department was represented at a conference called by the New Zealand StandardsInstitute to consider the question of the adoption of the Standard Code of Building By-laws by County Councils. The work of amending the Standard Code to make them suitable for application to county areas is proceeding, and will be circulated in due •course for review and comment. The boundaries of the Counties of Kairanga and Pahiatua were altered by the exchange of areas of land. The boundaries of a number of other counties were redefined consequent on the alteration of the boundaries of cities and boroughs. The Ellesmere and Rangitikei County Councils were authorized to levy rates on a uniform scale over internal drainage districts. Certain powers of Borough Councils with regard to drainage and sanitation were conferred by Order in Council upon the Amuri County Council. The Hawera, Patea, Waimarino, Waipawa, and Waitotara County Councils passed special orders under the authority of the Counties Amendment Act, 1931, abolishing the system of separate riding finance. A total of eighty-six County 'Councils have now availed themselves of this legislation. The Egmont County Council was declared to be a leasing authority under the Public Bodies Leases Act, 1908. An important matter arising from the Counties Conference held in Rotorua is the improvement and development of urban settlements situated in counties. Proposals emanated from the Conference designed to enable such settlements to be provided with the amenities necessary for closely settled areas without the necessity of constituting new local districts and of charging farm lands with the cost involved. The Department is fully in accord with the principle of avoiding the constitution of new districts wherever possible, and it is considered the proposals put forward will form the basis of a suitable scheme to deal with the problem of expanding urban areas in counties. The proposals generally are along the lines of authorizing County Councils, upon a petition of ratepayers, to levy an annual separate rate over urban areas to provide the finance necessary to enable public services and amenities to be installed. The draft proposals have been fully discussed by the New Zealand Counties Association with the Department, and .agreement has been reached in regard to the form in which they should be submitted to the Government for.legislative consideration.

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(3) Town Districts Proposals to constitute the settlement of Foxton Beach a town district, and to constitute the dependent Town District of Onerahi an independent town district, were referred to the Local Government Commission for investigation. The Commission's finding was unfavourable in the case of Onerahi, and the proposal was not proceeded with. The Commission decided to take no action in the case of Foxton Beach until certain adjustments had been made in regard to titles of property in the area. The boundaries of the Town District of Otorohanga were altered by the inclusion of an area of land previously under the control of the Otorohanga County Council. Preliminary action was also taken in regard to a petition praying for the extension of the boundaries of the Town District of Howick. Members were appointed to the Assessment Court under the Urban Farm Land Bating Act, 1932, for the Howick To'wn District. (4) Drainage Districts Preliminary action was taken in connection with a petition for the inclusion of an area of land in the Christchurch Drainage District. A member of the Board of Trustees for the Hauraki Plains West Drainage District was appointed. A trustee of the Wiri Drainage District was also appointed. (5) River Districts Following the issue of a final scheme by the Local Government Commission in terms of the Local Government Commission Act, 1946, the boundaries of the Hutt River District were altered by the inclusion of that portion of the Borough of Petone not already included in the district. Incidental provisions of the scheme provided for the subdivision of the river district into two subdivisions, comprising the Borough of as one subdivision with a representation of two members on the Hutt River Board, and the remainder of the district as the other subdivision with a representation of five members on the River Board. Legislation was necessary to enable effect to be given to these provisions, and is contained in section 37 of the Local Legislation Act, 1948. The question of the abolition of the Manawatu - Oroua River District was again prominent as a result of action initiated by the Manawatu Catchment Board. The latter Board presented a petition in terms of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Amendment Act, 1946, praying that the Manawatu - Oroua River Board be dissolved and that its powers and functions be transferred to the Catchment Board. In accordance with the normal procedure, the petition was referred to the Local Government Commission for consideration. The Commission held a public inquiry into the proposal, at which the River Board strenuously opposed the petition. On 26th April, 1948, the Commission issued a final scheme providing for the dissolution of the River Board and the transfer of its powers and functions to the Catchment Board. The final schemewas referred to the Department for action. During the course of the public inquiry, questions of law were raised by the River Board as to the jurisdiction of the Local Government Commission to deal with the petition under the powers contained in the Local Government Commission Act, 1946. This matter was again raised by the River Board subsequent to the issue of the final scheme, and the Department was advised by the Crown's advisers that there was considerable doubt as to the jurisdiction of the Commission to deal with the cas£ of a River Board constituted by special Act. At the same time, the River Board informed the Government that it would be prepared to go out of office on 31st March, 1950, on the understanding that the Catchment Board will have completed its classification, or nearly so, by that date. In view of the circumstances, it was decided that the whole question should stand over for further review in 1950. An appointment was made under section 6 of the River Boards Amendment Act,. 1910, of a person to hold inquiries and make awards consequent on the abolition of the-Benmore-Limehills, Winton, and Upper Winton River Districts.

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(6) Fire Districts The Royal Commission which inquired into the disastrous fire at the premises of Messrs. J. Ballantyne and Co., Ltd., Christchurch, on the 18th November, 1947, ■continued hearing evidence until the beginning of July, 1948, having held sittings over a total period of more than six months. The Commission reported to the GovernorGeneral on the 19th August, 1948, the result of their findings, and this report was later presented to both Houses of Parliament and published for general information. As a result of the Commission's report, action was initiated by the Department in respect of its recommendations, and negotiations are in progress with a view to their implementation. Legislation was provided with respect to the adoption by local •authorities of those parts of the model Code of Building By-laws having relation to fire protection and fire-prevention and means of escape. Prior to the report of the Royal Commission a Bill had been drafted covering the reorganization of the Fire Service. In view of a recommendation of the Royal Commission relating to the future control of the Service, the legislation was held over for further consideration by Government and negotiation with the various interests concerned. As a result of one of the recommendations of the Royal Commission, a Technical Committee was set up to advise on a proposed scheme of training for fire brigadesmen. The Committee held several meetings during the year but has not yet furnished its report. During the year steps were taken to make new appointments in respect of eighteen extraordinary vacancies on Fire Boards which occurred through resignations and various other reasons. Of these new appointments, two were in respect, of Government members, five were insurance-company representatives, and eleven were elected by contributory local authorities. Application was made by the Te Kuiti and Eastbourne Borough Councils for the •constitution of fire districts, and a provisional scheme for the constitution of the Te Kuiti Fire District has been issued by the Local Government Commission. An extension of borrowing-powers was granted to the Hamilton and Nelson Fire Boards, both in respect of new building proposals. Loan authorities were issued to several Boards, and consents were also given to a number of agreements for fire protection outside fire •districts. The usual list of fire-insurance companies carrying on fire-insurance business in New Zealand was published, and by notification in the Gazette the date was fixed for furnishing returns to Fire Boards by fire-insurance companies in respect of premium income. 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-T2) will be published as a separate report. •(7) Local Elections and Polls The legislation relating to local-body elections continues to be a matter of interest to local-body organizations, particularly in view of the local-body elections to be held towards the end of 1950. The New Zealand Counties Association set up a special •committee to report on the effect of recent legislation upon election procedures and to suggest improvements designed to simplify the conduct of local elections. The committee has made certain recommendations to this end, and the Association has asked that the Department should convene a conference of all interested parties to discuss the report and any other relevant suggestions. In particular, it is suggested that consideration should be given to the unification in one Act of all provisions dealing with local-body -elections, which now appear in numerous local-government Acts. A conference has now been called for 16th August, 1949, to discuss the foregoing matter.

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B. Legislation (1) Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1948 This Act gave legislative effect to a number of remits passed at Conferences of the Municipal Association, and approved by the Government, since the last amending Act in 1938. The Act is divided into two Parts. Part I extends the powers of Borough Councils in relation to housing, and should be a material factor in assisting to relieve the housing shortage. The provisions in question are lengthy and complicated, but their general purpose is to enable all Borough Councils—(a) To enter into arrangements with financial institutions under which, any Council may either advance, or guarantee repayment of, a proportionate part of moneys advanced on mortgage to approved persons for the purpose of erecting dwellinghouses ; and (b) To acquire areas of land for subdivision and development as building allotments and to sell such allotments on certain conditions. Part II contains a number of miscellaneous provisions which cover the followingwide range of subjects : Vacation of office of Mayor ; qualification of Councillors ; signing of cheques ; accounts ; new boroughs ; sale or lease of lands ; streets ; drainage and sanitation ; waterworks ; ruinous and dilapidated buildings ; subdivision of land ; by-laws ; contractors' bonds ; fire protection ; and schemes for primary production: purposes. (2) Statutes Amendment Act and Finance Act, 1948 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 levy a uniform annual charge to cover the cost of cleansing closets or privies not connected with a public drain on the basis of each convenience installed in a property, where this service is provided by the Council. Another provision authorized County Councils to expend moneys for the purchase of land to serve as accommodation paddocks for driven stock. Local authorities were authorized in a further section to fix the number of working dogs which may be registered at a reduced fee under section 8 of the Dogs Registration Act, 1908. The maximum registration fee for each working dog was raised to 3s. Another provision increased the maximum amount up to which a member of a local authority may contract with his local authority without incurring disqualification. In another section local authorities rating on the annual value were authorized to amend the valuation roll during the currency of the roll where alterations or conversions of buildings had been made. Local authorities were authorized to make donations towards the funds of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society Inc. up to the 31st March, 1949, and donations made by local authorities towards the fund established by the United Nations Organization for the purpose of providing food for distressed children in overseas countries were validated. A further section authorized local authorities, Transport Boards, and Tramway Boards which are members of the Public Passenger Transport Association of New Zealand (Incorporated) to pay annual subscriptions to the Association, and such additional funds by way of levies as might be required to meet the Association's expenses, and also to pay the travelling-expenses of representatives attending meetings of the Association.

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In anticipation of the Royal visit, provision was made authorizing local authorities to incur expenditure in connection with the reception, welcome, or entertainment of Their Majesties the King and Queen and Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, the ■officers and men of H.M.S. " Vanguard," and the King's Flight. Provision was also made for local authorities to contribute to the Hamilton Tornado' Relief Fund. The powers of mutual fire-insurance associations were extended by a further section to ■enable them to undertake the personal accident insurance of their members. ,(3) Local Legislation Act, 1948 As finally passed, this Act contained thirty-seven clauses covering a wide field of local-government activity. '(4) Local Acts Fifteen local Bills were submitted to the Department for examination and report. In accordance with the usual practice, the Department was represented at the meetings •of the Local Bills Committee when these Bills were under consideration. One of these Bills amended the general powers of the Auckland Metropolitan Drainage Board, and made certain of the Board's actions liable to claims for compensation. •Consequent on an increase in the number of subdivisions in the Christchurch Drainage District, a Bill was passed increasing the number of members of the Christchurch Drainage Board. An amendment to the New Plymouth Borough Council and the New Plymouth Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1933, brought an additional area of reclaimed land under the provisions of that Act, thus enabling it to be developed for recreation purposes. The Auckland Community Centre Welfare Board was authorized to take land under the Public Works Act, 1928, for the purpose of carrying out its functions. The Auckland City Council was authorized to acquire and develop land suitable for housing purposes, and to sell or lease building allotments. This measure was subsequently repealed consequent on the passing of the Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1948. Power was conferred on the Invercargill City Council to amalgamate its gasworks and electricity undertakings, and the separate accounts previously kept for each undertaking. A further measure repealed the Christchurch City Empowering Act, 1946. Another Bill extended the leasing powers of the Greymouth Harbour Board. An area of land held by the Corporation of the Borough of Levin under the will of the late Henry Playford was constituted a public domain by another measure, which also vested the residuary estate in the Corporation and varied the terms of the trust. A further Bill validated the reclamation by the Auckland City Council of tidal lands of the Manukau Harbour and empowered the Auckland Harbour Board to transfer these lands to the Corporation of the City of Auckland. The Nelson Harbour Board was empowered to reclaim tidal lands in the Nelson Harbour and to borrow moneys for the purpose of carrying out the reclamation of land and other extensive harbour-works. Another measure transferred the Canterbury Public Library from the Canterbury University College to the Corporation of the City of Christchurch. A measure of some importance provided for the constitution of the Hutt Valley Drainage District comprising the City of Lower Hutt, the Boroughs of Petone, Upper Hutt, and Eastbourne, and parts of the Hutt County, and set up the Hutt Valley Drainage Board, comprising representatives of the constituent local authorities, to administer the district. The Board is responsible for the disposal of sewage from the district, and for the adequate and efficient provision and maintenance of all main drains, main sewers, pumping-stations, storage tanks, outfalls, and treatment works vested in the Board.

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(5) Patriotic and Canteen Funds Amendment Act, 1948 The purpose of this Act was to remove the staff of the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board and the Canteen Fund Board from the control of the Public Service Commission and, while preserving the principle of a common Secretary to both Boards, to permit each Board to appoint its own staff. Provision was also made in this Act for both Boards to contribute to superannuation schemes for their respective staffs. (6) Subsidiary Legislation (a) Revocation of Emergency Regulations.—Provision was contained in the Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1948, for the continuance of vegetable-production schemes and pig-farms established under the authority of the Local Authorities (Primary Production) Emergency Regulations 1944. In consequence, these Emergency Regulations, in accordance with Government policy, were revoked. (b) Regulations. —During the year the necessary action was taken in connection with the making of the following regulations : (i) Amended regulations made by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Incorporated. (ii) The Explosive and Dangerous Goods Regulations 1914, Amendment No. 17. (iii) The Explosive and Dangerous Goods Regulations 1914, Amendment No. 18. (iv) The Mutual Fire Insurance Amending Regulations 1948. C. Local Government Book Mention was made in the last annual report that approval had been given to the publication in book form of the lectures given at the two refresher courses in local government for ex-servicemen employed in the local-government service. This book is to be entitled " Local Government in New Zealand." Considerable progress has been made with the preparation of the book for publication, and it was originally planned to have it published before the end of the year. However, owing to the unfortunate demise of the editor, the late Mr. F. B. Stephens, publication has been delayed, but it is expected that the book will be issued at an early date. D. Rating of Site Values In June, 1948, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom wrote to the Department requesting certain information on behalf of an Inter-departmental Committee on the Rating of Site Values appointed by the Minister of Health and Secretary of State for Scotland. The Committee had as its function to inquire into the practicability and. desirability of rating site values, and wished to obtain information on the working of this system in other countries. In particular, the Committee desired to obtain the comments of a number of local authorities which levied rates on the unimproved value, together with some which had abandoned this system of rating. To this end a comprehensive questionnaire had been prepared, and the Department's help was solicited in selecting suitable local authorities from which the required information should be obtained. The Department suggested that inquiries be directed to a representative selection of local authorities known to ■ have had experience with the system of rating on the unimproved value. This was done, and full co-operation was secured from each of the local authorities concerned.

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Further material was supplied by the Department in order that the Committee might have some information regarding the development of the three systems of rating operating in this country. % E. Patriotic Purposes Consequent on the severance from the Public Service of the staff of the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board by the enactment of the Patriotic and Canteen Funds Amendment Act, 1948, the responsibility for the departmental administration of the Patriotic and Canteen Funds Act, 1947, has been assumed by the Local Government Branch. During the year, approval was given to the constitutions of twelve Provincial Patriotic Councils. The boundaries of all provincial patriotic districts were specified for the purposes of the Patriotic and Canteen Funds Act, 1947. Preliminary discussions were held with the interested parties to explore the possibility of amalgamating the Sick and Wounded Funds of both world wars. These negotiations are proceeding. A separate report of the proceedings and operations of the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board and the Canteen Fund Board will be presented to Parliament. F. Miscellaneous The Glencoe and Hokonui Rabbit Boards were authorized to borrow moneys by way of overdraft for the first year of their existence. The necessary arrangements were made for the appointment of members to fill vacancies occurring on the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum. The Holy .Trinity (Otahuhu) Parish Trust Board was declared to be a leasing authority under the Public Bodies' Leases Act, 1908. V. LAND-AGENTS AND AUCTIONEERS During the year, 720 (762) land-agents' licences were issued and 9 (9) transfers granted ; 515 (527) auctioneers' licences were issued and 3 (2) transfers granted (last year's figures in parentheses). VI. ROYAL TOUR The announcement that the King, the Queen, and the Princess Margaret would pay a visit to New Zealand at the end of February and during March, 1949, was first made in March, 1948. The Government decided that the arrangements for the tour and the management thereof should be in the hands of the Department of Internal Affairs in consultation with other Departments who would be concerned, and the then Under-Secretary of the Department, Mr. J. W. Heenan, was appointed Manager of the tour. The work was begun immediately, and within a month a preliminary itinerary had been prepared. Early in April last, Air Commodore Fielden, Captain of the King's Flight, flew to New Zealand, and within ten days had inspected and passed judgment on all the aerodromes likely to be used on the tour in accordance with the draft itinerary. At that time, too, a message was received from the King requesting a visit to England by the officer in charge of the tour, and that he bring Home for the King's approval the proposed itinerary and programme. Mr. Heenan was directed to proceed to London, and left New Zealand on 16th June, returning on 10th August. He was

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in England from 28th June to 28th. July, and during that period had numerous discussions with Sir Alan Lascelles, the King's Private Secretary, Major Adeane, the Assistant Private Secretary, and other Palace officials, and Rear Admiral William-Powlett and other Admiralty officers. Mr. Heenan was privileged to have two lengthy audiences with the King and Queen, during which the whole of the programme and itinerary was thoroughly discussed and the desires of the King and Queen met. After Mr. Heenan's return there were further cable communications with the Palace authorities, and the final itinerary and programme as approved by the King was published in September. The arrangements for the tour involved a vast amount of work not only by this Department, but also by large numbers of other Government Departments, and contultations with local authorities throughout the Dominion. Before Mr. Heenan left, a sour was made of the towns likely to be visited and hotel accommodation inspected and negotiations entered into with hotel proprietors for improvements of accommodation and hotel amenities generally. In September last, with the approval of the King, Brigadier Norman Gwatkin, Assistant Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain's Office, paid a visit to New Zealand, and in four weeks visited, with the exception of New Plymouth and Hawera, every place in New Zealand to be visited by the Royal party. In every town during Brigadier Gwatkin's visit opportunity was taken to inspect hotels and interview local authorities concerned, and conferences were held at Gisborne, Rotorua, Ngaruawahia, and Waitangi with those who would be in charge of the four proposed Maori celebrations. Brigadier Gwatkin was unsparing of both valuable advice and practical help not only to the Department, but to local authorities and other public bodies concerned. His visit at that early stage resolved many doubts and difficulties. At the time the regrettable news of the abandonment of the tour was received, practically all the arrangements for the tour, which was to have lasted from 28th February to 31st March, 1949, were completed. This Department is deeply indebted to all other Government Departments concerned for their outstanding help and co-operation, including particularly the Air Department and National Airways, Army, New Zealand Broadcasting Service, Education, Lands and Survey, Legislative (including Bellamys), Maori Affairs, Navy, Police, Post and Telegraph, Prime Minister's and External Affairs, Printing and Stationery, Railways,. Transport, Treasury, and Works. Local authorities and public bodies throughout New Zealand entered whole-heartedly into the work of suitably preparing for this first visit to New Zealand by a reigning monarch. The whole itinerary and programme was based on the general principle that the object of the visit was to enable the Royal party to see and be seen by as many of the people of New Zealand in as many places as practicable in the brief period allowed for the tour. The King and Queen both graciously approved this principle, and submitted themselves to an itinerary and programme that admittedly imposed on them and Princess Margaret a very heavy burden. The Department is deeply indebted also to all the Palace officials for their great help to Mr. Heenan on his visit to England, and throughout the whole period of preparation, and for their never-failing courtesy in answering in great detail many requests • for information and advice both by air mail' and cable. The Department is indebted also to the officials at Government House for their never-failing help and co-operation. A feature of the tour was to have been gatherings of -school-children and returned servicemen and servicewomen, and here again not only the Education Department,, but Education Boards and the New Zealand Returned Services Association respectively, were most helpful and co-operative. When a Royal tour does actually eventuate, complete machinery for handling it will be in existence. The vast amount of preliminary work already done in connection with the abandoned tour will be of value to those managing the next tour and save much time and labour.

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VII. PHYSICAL WELFARE AND RECREATION The increase in the number of Physical Welfare Officers by ten over the past twelve months allowed an expansion of work in several directions, notably leadership training, while the general policy of assisting all types of sport on request has been maintained. To degrees varying in each of the seventeen physical welfare districts, virtually all types of sport and recreative activity have again received assistance. Apart from leadership training, the most noteworthy activities of Branch officers have been in connection with those sports and pastimes of recent adoption or those which are experiencing difficulty in becoming firmly established. Chief among these are indoor bowls, archery, cycle-touring, business firms' recreation groups, girls' marching, women's cricket, community centres, and Public Service sports associations. Indoor basketball and softball still receive considerable assistance, but mainly in relation to their establishment in rural areas and the smaller towns. In the larger centres these sports are now very popular and well organized, so that very little assistance is needed from the Physical Welfare Officers, who have done so much to promote these activities. This state of affairs is very satisfactory to all concerned and is in keeping with the Branch policy of leaving well-established organizations to fend for themselves while progress is made in other fields. As in past years, learn-to-swim campaigns have been conducted in various parts of New Zealand, notably Taranaki, Gisborne, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. The campaign in Wellington was particularly successful, in that over five hundred adults were taught to swim. These campaigns, which are co-operative efforts by the Swimming Association, Education Department, and the Physical. Welfare Branch, were revived and extended after the limitations imposed last year by polio restrictions. Major organizational work was undertaken in Wanganui in conjunction with the Junior Chamber of Commerce for the conduct of a "Recreation Week" designed to interest the townspeople in many diverse forms of physical activity. Displays of various games were carried out, and in many of these it was possible for onlookers to take an active part. It is difficult to assess the value of such work, but as a publicity medium it should be of great value in introducing persons of all ages to beneficial physical activity. A similar project is being planned for the Hutt Valley. The recent formation of a National Cycle-touring Association was largely the result of Branch activities. Touring clubs organized by Physical Welfare Officers in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Christchurch, together with clubs from Masterton and Timaru, will now co-operate in producing a national programme for organized pleasure cycling. The game of volleyball, familiar to many servicemen of World War II and which has many advantages as both an indoor and outdoor sport, has been introduced to various groups throughout New Zealand as an informal games activity with marked success. Further experimentation will be undertaken with a view to the wider introduction of this game, which can be played by a wide range of age groups and by both sexes. The activities of Physical Welfare and Recreation Officers are so many and varied that it is not possible in the scope of this report to compile a comprehensive list. Details of major projects and of work which has a national as opposed to a district application are given below. Recreation Leadership Training The multifarious nature of recreative activities makes it impossible for Physical Welfare Officers to give detailed attention to more than a few of the pressing problems which need attention. Foremost among what may be termed " priority projects "is the provision of adequate leadership for recreation groups.

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The year 1948 saw great improvements in this direction, both in the number and type of recreation leader who received training for community recreation work. These improvements are attributable in part to a slight increase in the staff available for this work, but the major factors have been the increase in experience and accumulating information material resulting from a series of leadership training classes conducted in 1947. Pursuing a definite but experimental line designed to ensure that the limited resources of the Branch should be applied in a way which would result in maximum benefit for a wide section of the community, the training of leaders for Church groups nas been continued and extended. Volunteers have been coming forward in increasing numbers and all volunteers have received at least thirty hours concentrated training. The result has been that the number of leaders for Church and allied recreative activities has been more than doubled in the past twelve months, 343 persons having sucessfully completed a full training course. Acting on the principle that it is desirable for the more active and able of these volunteer leaders to carry on the work by instructing members of their groups in teaching method, 58 of the leaders already certificated have been chosen from among over 150 volunteers to undertake an advanced " live-in " course of one month's duration. The first half of the course, which was conducted by six physical Welfare Officers, took place at Nga Tawa Girls College, Marton, in January of this year. Appreciation of the work done has already been forthcoming from the Youth Committee of the National Council of Churches, which collaborated in the initial organization and choice of leaders. This advanced course is essentially an experiment, and as such will be of great value in planning leadership training courses with national application in other forms of recreational activity. The gradual widening in scope in leadership training apparent last year has received further stimulation. Organized courses with national application have been conducted for the Boys' Brigade and Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. Recreation leaders for the whole of the South Island Air Training Corps also completed similar courses. On a district level, leaders have been trained for recreation clubs, Every Boy and Every Girl's rallies, Scouts, Legion of Frontiersmen, and many other organizations ; this is in addition to the standard courses for Church leaders. In addition, there has been organized instruction for coaches and officials of a variety of purely sporting activities. In this category may be placed the Athletic Coaching School held at Tiniaru, the newly formed athletic coaching panel of Otago, and, in various districts, the training of coaches and officials for cricket, soccer, indoor basketball, hockey, swimming, table tennis, softball,' and keep-fit classes. An instructional tour by a well-known and competent archer was sponsored by the Department. The assistance given by Otago Physical Welfare Officers to the recently established School of Physical Education and the Dunedin teachers and training-college students may be classed as leadership training of a high order, since the students concerned will have such ample opportunities for passing on the knowledge thus gained. Grants The allocation for grants made under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, 1937, remained at £50,000 for the period under review. Total expenditure was £46,956, inclusive of grants made conditional on the organization concerned raising its requisite proportion of total cost or complying with any other condition designed to ensure maximum benefit for the whole community or to prevent misuse of grant moneys. Seven hundred and forty-six applications were received, of which 446 were successful.

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The principal beneficiaries from grants were as follows : £ £ Tennis clubs .. .. .. 4,720 Surf life-saving and swimming clubs 1,555 Bands and orchestras .. .. 3,850 Athletic and cycling clubs .. 1,438 Boy Scouts .. .. .. 3,108 Basketball .. .. .. 1,430 Church organizations .. .. 2,875 Sports clubs .. .. .. 1,340 Hall committees .. .. 2,718 Local authorities .. .. 1,000 Golf clubs .. .. .. 2,705 Football .. .. .. 905 Improvement and residents 2,675 Cricket .. .. .. 883 associations Councils of Sport .. .. 600 Bowling clubs .. .. .. 2,438 Tramping, mountaineering, and ski 600 Community centres .. .. 2,400 clubs Miscellaneous .. .. .. 2,218 Wrestling and boxing .. .. 540 Young peoples' clubs .. .. 1,681 Becreation ground committees .. 535 Boating and yachting .. .. 1,665 Y.M.C.A.'s and Y.W.C.A.'s .. 500 On a physical welfare district basis, grants were allocated as follows—(N.B.—These totals are made up of grant moneys actually approved for payment and do not include conditional grants totalling £1,974 yet to be claimed) :

The system of reporting by Physical Welfare Officers which was designed to ascertain as far as possible the extent to which grant assistance affects active participation in Recreative pastimes has provided interesting data in the past twelve months.

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District. ! Total Grants. NORTHLAND (Manganui, Hokianga, Whangaroa, Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Hob,son, £ 2,468 Otamatea, and part Rodney Counties) AUCKLAND (Auckland Metropolitan Area, Eden, Waitemata, Manakau, Franklin, 10,281 Coromandel, and part Rodney Counties) WAIKATO (Waikato, Thames, Hauraki Plains, Ohinemuri, Piako, Raglan, Waipa, 4,243 Kawhia, Otorohanga, Matamata, Waitomo, Taumarunui, and Kaitieke Counties) ROTORUA (Taupo, Rotorua, Whakatane, and Opotiki Counties) 750 POVERTY BAY (Matakaoa, Waipu, Uawa, Waikohu, Cook, and part Wairoa Counties) 1,635 HAWKES BAY (Hawkes Bay, Waipawa, Waipukurau, Patangata, Dannevirke, Weber, 743 and part Wairoa Counties) TARANAKI (Ohura, Clifton, Whangamomona, Inglewood, Stratford, Taranaki, Egmont, 2,396 Waimate West, Eltham, Hawera, and Patea Counties) CENTRAL (Waimarino, Wanganui, Waitotara, Rangitikei, Kiwitea, Pohangina, Oroua, 2,072 Manawatu, Kairanga, and part Horowhenua Counties) WAIRARAPA' (Woodville, Pahiatua, Akitio, Eketahuna, Mauriceville, Castlepoint, 1,870 Masterton, Wairarapa South, and Featherston Counties) WELLINGTON (Wellington Metropolitan Area, Hutt, Makara, and part Horowhenua 5,058 Counties) NELSON (Takaka, Collingwood, Waimea, and part Murchison Counties) 993 MARLBOROUGH (Marlborough and Awatere Counties) 1,215 WEST COAST (Buller, Inangahua, Grey, Westland, and part Murchison Counties) 1,690 CANTERBURY (Christchurch Metropolitan Area, Kaikoura, Amuri, Cheviot, Waipara, 2,790 Tawera, Kowai, Ashley, Oxford, Selwyn, Rangiora, Malvern, Eyre, Paparoa, Springs, Ellesmere, Halswell, Wairewa, Akaroa, Mount Herbert, Heathcote, and Waimairi Counties) SOUTH CANTERBURY (Ashburton, Geraldine, Mackenzie, Levels, and Waimate 2,870 Counties) OTAGO (Waitaki, Waihemo, Waikouaiti, Taieri, Peninsula, Bruce, Tuapeka, Vincent, 2,898 Lake, and part Clutha Counties) SOUTHLAND (Fiord, Wallace, Stewart Island, Southland, and part Clutha Counties) .. 1,010 Total 44,982

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From reports on 530 projects completed and in use for a minimum of six months it lias been found that the average increase in playing members has been 22 for each grant made. This represents an overall increase of 11,660 active participants in sportand recreation from approximately 43 per cent, of the grants made to date. It is not inferred that without grants being available the number of active participants in sport would be 11,660 less, nor is it possible to ascertain whether or not active participation would have increased in any case, bearing in mind the constant work of the Branch in promoting new activities and assisting established ones. The fact remains, however, that no grant is made if it is considered possible that the organization concerned can carry out the project without assistance, so that it is probable that, by making possible the provision or completion of additional recreative facilities, grants have been a decisive factor in increasing participation in recreative activities. Camps and Conferences As in past years, Branch assistance has been made available in regard to recreational activities and various camps, including Y.M.C.A. camps, health camps, and the first New Zealand University Students' Congress. An innovation this year has been the girls' camps organized and conducted throughout by Physical Welfare Officers. Two such camps catering for an average of 70 campers were held at Wanaka in an effort to provide a holiday or complete change and relaxation for South Island business girls. A camp on a similar pattern organized by the Otago district office was held at Glenorchy. Following the success of these camps, consideration is being given to the possibility of making them annual affairs and increasing the numerical scope of the undertaking. Information Service Since it is essential to maintain the efficiency of the increasing number of recreation leaders by a constant flow of up-to-date information and teaching material, the work of this section has expanded considerably. Cyclostyled material on many aspects of recreation has been built up for distribution to certificated and advanced leaders. This material is derived from local services and from overseas recreational agencies, with whom an interchange of information takes place. The- value of the film as a recreative and sports coaching agency is realized by Branch administrators. A small, specialized film library has been built up, and is being supplemented with new material whenever possible. Included in the new material will be recreational films produced by Branch personnel, preliminary work in this direction having already, commenced. To enable full use to be made of the films, projectors are to be made available to Physical Welfare Officers in the main centres, with possible extension of this service to smaller districts in the future. Five Information Service Bulletins covering the fundamentals of soccer, cricket, softball, and athletic coaching have been published or are in course of production. A booklet covering model constitution and rules for clubs and community centres has been produced and distributed. During the past twelve months extensive tests have been carried out using a general-purpose illustrated folder designed mainly to introduce school leavers to adult recreational activities, but also applicable to adults who do not take part in such activities but wish to do so. The reports of tests made are yet to be compiled and co-related.

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Ail experiment in sports coaching using as a media photographs of athletes in competitive action has been embarked upon and the first series will be available at the commencement of next athletic season. Dependent upon the success of this experiment, ■coaching-material for other sports will be devised on a similar pattern. Recreation for Firms' Employees The precedent of many business firms co-operating for recreative and social purposes set by the Branch-sponsored Christchurch Firms' Recreation Association has been followed in Wellington. Thirty-two firms affiliated to form an association which from first accounts of enthusiasm and numerical strength, bids fair to have a powerful and beneficial effect on many hundreds of Wellington firms' employees. Several sports tournaments, including a full scale athletic meeting, have already been conducted successfully, and many winter activities are planned for a programme which it is hoped will result in a substantial increase in the number of firms joining the association. Similar if less spectacular progress has been made in an Auckland suburb, where Physical Welfare Officers followed a rather different but equally efficient pattern. The recreational activities of one firm received all the initial attention until well established, when the example set resulted in a number of firms in the vicinity (an industrial area) writing to form a recreation association. Group Travel The growth of commercial agencies, coupled with the work of the Government Tourist Department, has removed to a large extent the necessity for the publicizing and organizing of specific tours by Branch Officers, though considerable work of this nature is still carried out in the Auckland District, where there is still ample scope for the recruitment of tourists from industry without conflicting with established agencies. Elsewhere group travel organized by Physical Welfare Officers is restricted to ■occasional trips in connection with sporting groups. •Girls' Marching The amazing growth in the popularity of this form of summer recreation for girls continues. Many new centres have been established by the most powerful and efficient organization in the marching field, the New Zealand Marching Association, almost invariably with Branch assistance. Unfortunately, there are still rival claimants to the control of girls' marching in New Zealand, an unsatisfactory state of affairs which Branch officers are taking every opportunity to bring to an end through mutually satisfactory amalgamation. To date this has not been effected. Staff Training- and Physical Welfare Officers Conferences The proximity of the Royal tour and heavy staff commitments of the Internal Affairs Department meant the cancellation of the annual conferences of Physical Welfare Officers. It was found possible, when in time the Royal tour was postponed, for a short and restricted refresher course to be held at Dunedin, but the bulk of the Officers must wait another year before the opportunity presents itself for discussion and evaluation •of work done.

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As part of an extended training course, six junior women officers were placed in major district offices for a period of practical field-work under the direction of experienced officers. Rural Recreation Several new clubs have been formed by Physical Welfare Officers for the sole purpose of providing indoor recreation in rural areas. This work has been particularly effective in the Poverty Bay area, where the innovation has been received enthusiastically by the predominantly Maori population. Fourteen clubs are well established, while the initial steps have been taken towards several others. Work in this direction in other districts is limited to a large extent by heavy commitments in other directions, but there have been satisfactory results in parts of the North Auckland, Auckland, Central, Nelson, and Canterbury districts. Rural recreation in the far South has been promoted mainly through the medium of indoor basketball, which has become firmly established as a winter activity in Central Otago and parts of Southland. Mountain Tracks and Huts The policy of encouraging, where possible, the construction of tracks and erection of huts to enable the back country to be opened up has been limited to preferential treatment of approved applications for financial assistance by tramping, mountain, and ski clubs and similar organizations. The Department's chain of huts through the Arthur Pass (Canterbury to Westland) continues to be used fully both by individuals and organized tramping parties. The recent destruction of a key hut by flood waters and erosion has, however, meant the limitation of trips to fit and experienced trampers or the cancellation of through trips in favour of camping parties based on the easily accessible huts. Highland Academy of Piping and Dancing With very full and lengthy assistance from a woman officer well versed in Highland piping and dancing movement in this country, the above academy has become well established and now functions as a co-ordinating unit and regulator of teachers for this popular mode of recreation. VIII. WILDLIFE BRANCH A. Staff It has been possible to appoint to the field staff several young officers who have proved their suitability during employment as hunters. The incompatibility of service in the back country (as with officers of the deer-control organization) with present-day demands of home life and social amenities, especially with officers getting married, still presents a serious problem, in that it results in a steady loss of highly trained and fairly senior officers. Still further recruitments are required to bring the staff up to full strength. Owing to the high standard required for wildlife work in the rugged terrain covered, and under the difficult conditions encountered, only those have been selected who fully measure up to the calibre required. A shortage of trained biologists has limited the amount of research work which can be undertaken. Several suitable students are in training and an improvement is anticipated. Three technical trainees seconded to the Marine Department for training in freshwater fisheries work, have made excellent progress.

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B. Field Investigations and Research (1) Waterfoivl The biologist assigned to this work was absent 011 special leave for purposes of study for several months. During the remaining period, work continued in the Manawatu area as under : (a) One thousand wild ducks were trapped and after being sexed and aged were banded and released. Over 22 per cent, of the 570 grey and mallard ducks banded the previous year were accounted for as the result of excellent co-operation bv sportsmen in returning the bands. (b) An ecological survey of local lakes was carried out in conjunction with the Botany Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. (c) Two field parties assembled data from shooters' bags during the opening days of the game season. The Wellington Acclimatization Society again gave invaluable assistance through I;he services of its ranger, Mr. T. Andrews. A report on the results to date is in preparation with a view to publication. (2) Wallabies A field survey was conducted over a wider area of the Hunter's Hills, South Canterbury. Sufficient data was recorded as to their significance in respect of soil erosion for the publication of a short paper. (3) Opossums Satisfactory methods of preparing poison baits in bulk for use by control parties were evolved in co-operation with the Dominion Laboratory. A survey of the distribution and significance, of the opossum has continued. Mount Egmont, the south Taranaki and Wellington provinces, the Poverty Bay Catchment District, and Stewart and Codfish Islands have now been covered. An ecological paper on the effect of the opossum on the indigenous vegetation was presented at the Seventh Pacific Science Congress. A further paper, mainly on reproduction, is in preparation. Arrangements were completed to ensure wide coverage by the early publication in the Journal of Agriculture of the material prepared as a wild-life bulletin on the opossum, prior to its issue in bulletin form. (4) DeerSurveys were made in the Tararua Mountains as follows : (а) Southern Portion : Preliminary work in the assessment of deer-population density by a browse survey method. (б) Higher Watershed of the Ruamahanga River: An illustrated report on the relation of deer and other wildlife to this catchment was supplied to a committee studying the control of this river. (5) Native Birds Surveys of certain island sanctuaries to serve as possible refuges for some of the rarer species were made. Research into the habits of the takahe was initiated by an expedition led by Dr. R. A. Falla and including members of the staff. Signs of a further colony of the birds have since been found in a valley near to the. scene of the original discovery. Further research and surveys are planned.

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(6) Fisheries (Rotorua and Southern Lakes Acclimatization Districts) A report on the Southern Lakes District was furnished by the Fresh-water Fisheries Branch of the Marine Department. This has proved of great value in the formation of an immediate fishery policy there. The new system of data recording and reporting had its first trial. Although a greater volume is required for statistical purposes, some data submitted by anglers and members of the field staff has proved of value. The scheme has been developed and improved during the 1948-49 season. In this manner, an analysis of comparative data over several successive seasons will gradually furnish a positive background on which to base future policy. During eel-trapping operations in the Southern Lakes District records of all catches were taken for use by the Marine Department in its research programme. A study of the movement of migrant eels from the lakes has commenced. (7) Field Records and Library The standard of reports submitted by field observers shows improvement and an indexed collection of photographs dealing with wildlife data continues to grow steadily.. Better use of the library facilities is being made by members of the Field staff. (8) Other Research Work (a) Several members of the staff are participating in research with Dr. 0. J. Murie,. Scientific Leader of the Fiordland Expedition. Dr. Murie's work on the ecology of the wapiti and red deer in the Fiordland area, apart from its intrinsic value, will be very valuable as a demonstration of recent overseas wildlife technique. General observations are being made on the bird-life and incidence of small mammals. (b) Safety precautions and suitable equipment required for the use of carbon bisulphide as a poison for wild-pig control were worked out in conjunction with the Industrial Hygiene Section of the Health Department. (c) Further clutches of eggs were collected and forwarded to Cambridge University for a research project. (d) Opportunity was taken during the visit of overseas wildlife experts for the Seventh Pacific Science Congress to consult with them as to the research methods required for the many local problems. (e) The personnel of the Animal Ecology Research Advisory Committee set up by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research includes a representative of the Wildlife Branch of this Department. C. Administration of Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22 (1) Absolutely Protected Birds The first meeting was held of a committee of qualified field ornithologists set up toadvise the Department on measures required for the protection of rare native species. Action has been taken to give effect to the committee's recommendations. Carunculated or King Shag : This species, greatly reduced in numbers, has a very restricted range in the Marlborough Sounds. An appeal was made to local residents to assist in protecting the birds.

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Takahe : Following on tlie splendid discovery by Dr. G. B. Orbell and party that a colony existed in the Te Anau district, consultations took place with the Lands and Survey Department and other interested organizations. Special legislation was brought down by the Lands and Survey Department restricting access to portions of the Fiordland National Park. Action is planned to control deer and stoats in the area prior to next nesting season. Suggestions that the birds should be reared in captivity or brought out for exhibition will be considered when the requisite data on which to base such proposals has been obtained. Protection of Sea-birds on Otago Peninsula. —Fencing, experimental cover plantings, and the erection of notices have been carried out. Despite satisfactory progress elsewhere, disturbance of the nesting royal albatross at Taiaroa Head continues. Further work has been planned in co-operation with local interests. To assist with the preservation of native birds, a full-time ranger has been appointed for the three South Island west coast acclimatization districts. Portion of the salary is being provided by the acclimatization societies concerned. (2) Sanctuaries Two new sanctuaries were declared. A sand-dune area near Woodhill, in the Auckland Acclimatization District, and Sandfly Bay and the Gull Rocks, on Otago Peninsula. The boundaries of the Tutira Sanctuary were amended. Inspection was made of further island sanctuaries, including a visit to the Great King Island of the Three Kings group, where the goats were destroyed in 1946. No goat signs were found and a marked improvement was noted in the state of the vegetation. (3) Imported and Native Game An animal protection Warrant was issued declaring guinea-fowl to be imported game in the Waimarino Acclimatization District. With the exception of the Hobson district, shooting seasons were declared in all acclimatization districts. As the result of suggestions that stubble quail should be introduced from Australia, extensive inquiries were made in Australia as to their habits and food. Permits were again issued in considerable numbers for the destruction of pukeko and Canadian geese where property-owners showed that the birds were damaging property. Paradise duck continue to increase in the North Island, where open seasons were observed in seven districts. Permission to destroy these birds had to be granted to one farmer where large numbers of the birds were doing extensive damage to young crops. (4) Importation of Animals and Birds An increased number of applications was received and close liaison was maintained with other interested Departments with a view to preventing the importation and establishment of undesirable species or diseases.

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(5) Opossums The control of these animals remains a difficult problem. Consideration has been given to many suggestions put forward by interested organizations. Payment of a bounty for control of such a wild animal population is, both from New Zealand and overseas experience, no solution. The special situation at Mount Egmont has been investigated with a view to interim assistance being given to the Park Board. D. Noxious Wild Animals Control Operations (1) Operations General operations were undertaken covering large areas of deer- and goat-infested country. Skins recovered amounted to : deer, 13,246 ; goats, 1,188. Some of the areas worked in previous years were made available for private stalkers, as the numbers of deer had greatly decreased. It is considered that the animals in these areas can now be kept under control by private persons, subject to regular inspection. The arrangement operated successfully, and will be developed when and where circumstances permit. (2) Special Campaigns The experimental campaign against opossums in a limited area was continued with satisfactory results and further data was obtained on suitable control methods. A winter campaign against wallabies was conducted in the Hunter's Hills region of South Canterbury with good results, and their early control is anticipated. (3) Wild Pigs Control work in east Taranaki and western King-country was continued during the winter with satisfactory results. It is considered that the poisoning method evolved will meet the situation both here and elsewhere, should further work be found necessary. (4) Tahr and Chamois Operations were again undertaken in the Mount Cook region, where the tahr situation is now satisfactory.. Chamois continue to present a problem and much remains to be done before these animals can be considered as being under control. Operations during the year resulted in an increased number being killed. (5) Stewart Island The cutting of tracks to facilitate access by deer-hunters to infested areas is now producing good results in the way of increased tallies. The building of accommodation for personnel was completed on a. section kindly presented by Mr. Gr. M. Turner. Operations continue with increasing attention to the preservation in a natural state of the small islands in Patterson Inlet. (6) Noxious Animals Destroyed The table set out opposite covers the numbers destroyed in the various operational districts. For comparative purposes a similar table covering the year ended 31st March, 1948, is also included.

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Descriptions of Districts Referred to Above 1. The Central North Island District embraces the country lying to the north of a 4. Canterbury District.— All that portion of the South Island to the south of the line commencing at Wanganui, running thence due east to the Manawatu Gorge, and southern boundary of the Nelson-Marlborough District and bounded in the west by the thence in the same direction to Napier, and bounded on the north by a line running due Southern Alps from the point where that range is crossed by the southern boundary of east from Kawhia Harbour to Tauranga. the Nelson-Marlborough District to Mount Cook, thence due east to Timaru. 5. Southern Lakes District.— All that portion of the South Island lying to the south 2. Southern North Island District.—All that portion of the North Island lying to of the Canterbury District and including the west coast south of a line turning due west the south of the southern boundary of the Central North Island District. from Mount Cook to the sea. 6. Canterbury-Westland District (in table for year ended 31st March, 1949, only).— 3. Nelson-Marlborough District.—That portion of the South Island lying to the north All that portion of the South Island bounded on the north by the southern boundary of of a line commencing at the mouth of the Grey River on the west coast, thence following the Nelson-Marlborough District and on the south by a line commencing at Makawhio the left bank of that river to its source, thence along the summit of the Spencer Mountains Point, on the west coast (north of Bruce Bay), and thence along the divide between the to the watershed between the sources of the Clarence and Sabine Rivers, and thence in Makawhio and Karangarua Rivers to the main divide at the head of the Mnller Glacier, a straight line to the mouth of the Conway River. thence in a direct line to Timaru, and on the west and east by the sea.

For Year Ended 31st March, 1948

For Year Ended 31st March, 1949

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Operational District. Deer. Tahr. Chamois. Goats. Pigs. Wild Sheep. Wallabies. Opossums. Wapiti Cross.* Wild Cattle. Wild Cats. Rats. Hares. Totals. Central North Island Southern North Island Nelson-Marlborough Canterbury-Westland Southern Lakes Stewart Island Special campaigns — Poverty Bay (opossums) .. Waimate (wallabies) 3,680 1,069 1,020 14,718 13,004 415 '883 4 5 1,707 146 6,322 209 10,967 35 391 688 64 864 139 38 14 274 1 j 639 2 6^790 50 ' '27 16,809 ' 16 2 8 ;; 8 525 60 11,016 1,342 14,495 17,482 13,601 472 17,394 6,790 Totals 33,906 887 1,858 17,924 1,807 1,915 6,790 16,886 16 ' 2 8 533 60 82,592 ♦Wapiti x Red Deer.

Operational District. Deer. Goats. Chamois. Tahr. Wild 1 Pigs. 1 Wild Sheep. Wapiti Cross.* Wild Cattle. Wild Cats. Opossums. Wallabies. Totals. Central North Island Tararua Range Nelson-Marlborough Canterbury .. .. .. Southern Lakes Stewart Island Special campaigns —• Poverty Bay (opossums) Waimate (wallabies) 3,071 946 1,375. 6,769 13,830 340 10,821 228 4,000 17 j804 73 3 1,092 169 1^467 565 934 5 682 549 33 2 707 2 j 622 ' 55 5 56 8 16 5,061 4,521 15,538 1,179 8,682 9,877 32,456 412. 5,142 4,523 Totals 26,331 32,926 1,264 2,032 2,205 3,329 55 5 . 64 5,077 4,521 77,809 * Wapiti x Red Deer.

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The previous figures show a marked increase over those for the previous year, and with respect to deer are the greatest since 1939-40. The main contributing factors were — (a) The resumption of operations in Central Westland, where heavy reinfestation had developed following a cessation since before the war necessitated by shortage of hunters. (b) Increased use of air transport. This made more effective operations in the more remote and rugged regions. (c) Increased availability of hunters, enabling extension of operations. (7) Personnel All officers have had a strenuous year and the efficiency of their work under difficult conditions is most commendable. (8) Accidents While employed with a deer party in the Burke Valley, Southern Lakes District, a promising young hunter, Mr. B. F. Grady, was accidentally killed. The Department's sympathy is extended to his bereaved relatives in their loss in this unfortunate accident. E. Rotorua Acclimatization District (1) The 1948-49 Fishing Season Many limit bags of excellently conditioned fish were taken during the season, more especially in the Taupo Fishing District, where fishing was particularly good at the mouths of the main rivers and streams. Good fishing was also to be had in the Rotorua Fishing District. Again large numbers of anglers visited both districts, and as compared with the previous season there will again be a marked increase in the number of licences sold. In all, for the 1947-48 season 6,251 licences were sold for the Rotorua Fishing District and 8,801 for the Taupo Fishing District. An analysis of the sales was made according to the angler's address given on the licences. The extent to which anglers from neighbouring acclimatization districts visit the Rotorua Acclimatization District is shown by the following table : Rotorcta Fishing District . Tatxpo Fishing District Place of Residence, TSTnmhpr of Place of Residence, Number n f by Acclimatiza- I fences Sold Acclimatize Licences Sold tion Districts. Licences bold. tion Districts. Licences Sold. Auckland.. .. .. 2,735 Wellington .. .. 2,948 Rotorua Fishing District .. 1,953 Auckland .. .. .. 2,137 Tauranga .. .. .. 390 Hawkes Bay .. .. 1,225 East Coast .. .. 332 Waimarino .. .. 539 Wellington .. .. 321 | Taupo Fishing District .. 489 Hawkes Bay .. .. 208 | Rotorua Fishmg District .. 282 Numbers of excellent conditioned fish were taken, as will be evident from the following records of fish for both districts : —■ (a) Taupo (b) Rotorua Weight. Numbers of Weight. Numbers of lb. Fish Recorded. lb. Pish Recorded. 9 .. .. .. 37 10 .. .. .. 8 10 .. .. -. 29 12 .. .. .. 10 11 .. .. .. 36 16 .. .. .. 2 12 .. .. -. 17 18| .. 1 13 .. .. .. 4 14 .. .. .. 3 15 • 2

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(2) Fisheries Conservation (a) Ova were recovered and laid down in the two hatcheries for " eyeing" or complete incubation as follows : No. 1 (Ngongotaha) Hatchery (Rotorua area) .. .. 3,069,000 No. 2 (Tongariro) Hatchery (Taupo area) .. . . 6,016,000 Of the above ova, 2,877,000 were sold to acclimatization societies and 2,780,000 were despatched to the Department's Southern Lakes District.

(b) Restocking of Waters. —Fry were liberated in the district as under :

In addition, 103,136 fingerlings (83,136 rainbow and 20,000 brown) were liberated in the Rotorua area. (c) Trout Food. —Smelt are still abundant in most of the lakes throughout the district and especially so in Western Bay, Lake Taupo. (d) Anti-poaching Measures. —Last year's intensive operations against out-of-season taking of fish .were continued this year. Again considerable numbers of persons committing offences were prosecuted, and twenty-nine fines, amounting to a total of £125, with Court costs in addition, were imposed. (e) Black Shag Control. —The following black shags were destroyed : (i) Under bounty paid by the Department .. .. .. 395 (ii) Destroyed by departmental officers .. .. .. 34 (3) The Game-shooting Season The sum of £1,906 10s. was received from the issue of 1,285 game-shooting licences. (4) Game Conservation (a) Game Farm. —A total of 461 pheasants and 100 mallard duck were liberated during the year.

(b) Vermin Control. —The table hereunder shows the numbers of the various species oil which bounties were paid under the scheme operated by the North Island Vermin Control Board and those destroyed by departmental, officers :

25

Waters. Hatchery. Rainbow. Brown. Totals. Rotorua area No. 1 2,484,000 260,000 2,744,000 Taupo area No. 2 684,000 684,000 Totals 3,168,000 260,000 3,428,000

— 1 Hedge1 hogs. 1 Hawks. Stoats. (i) Destroyed under North Island scheme (ii) Destroyed by departmental officers 72 4 552 7 110 8

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(c) Anti-poaching Measures. —The intensive operations against illegal taking of trout were extended to cover operations against persons committing breaches of the Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22, and the regulations thereunder. ; (5) Absolutely Protected Birds The intensive operations referred to in 4 (c) above also covered illegal takings of absolutely protected birds, special attention being paid to the protection of the native pigeon. Fines inflicted as a result of convictions for offences in both instances amounted to £124. <(6) Taupo Waters Claims The hearing of claims for compensation by Maoris in the Taupo district in respect •of certain rivers and streams commenced at Taupo in November, 1948. Sir Harold Johnston was the Commissioner appointed to hear and determine the claims, and associated with him as assessor was Judge E. M. Beechey, of the Maori Land Court. After hearing the evidence submitted and the Crown's reply, the Commission awarded the sum of £45,600 in full satisfaction of the claims advanced. At the end of the year arrangements for payment of the sum awarded were well advanced. The award made represents the solution of a long-standing problem in connection with the administration of the Taupo Trout-fishing District. (7) Taupo Harbour Regulations As the result of representations from the Taupo Commercial Launch-owners' Association that no further licences be issued for launches to ply for hire on Lake Taupo, a committee representing the Marine, Transport, and Internal Affairs Departments, with the Secretary for Marine as Chairman, sat at Taupo in February, 1949, for the purpose of hearing evidence. The committee has reported to Government as follows (i) That in its opinion launch-owners in the area are not receiving a reasonable income from their operations ; and (ii) That the charges imposed for launch hire are on too low a scale. The committee recommended that consideration be given to the provision of legislation in respect of the licensing of launches in this area. At the end of the year the committee's report and recommendations were still under consideration. F. Southern Lakes Acclimatization District (1) The 1948-49 Fishing Season Though, in the early portion of the season, conditions were suitable and good bags of well-conditioned fish were taken, the weather during the greater part of the season was very unfavourable. Floods 'and high lake and river levels militated against good fishing and results as a whole were disappointing. It is evident, however, that fish generally are plentiful and increasing, and with better weather conditions good fishing can be had. Considerable numbers of young fish have been taken in all parts of the district, indicating that the policy of restocking these waters with fry from ova obtained from Taupo waters is resulting in a decided and increasing improvement in the fishing potentialities of the district.

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In all, for the 1947-48 season 1,251 licences were sold. An analysis of the sales was made according to the angler's address given on the licences. The five districts showing the highest figures were : Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. 468 Southland .. .. .. .. .. 379 Southern Lakes .. .. .. .. .. 203 North Canterbury .. .. . . 62 South Canterbury .. .. .. 41 (2) Fisheries Conservation (a) Fish Salvage.—Owing to the wet season the Lindis and Mataura Rivers carried a good supply of water and the salvaging of fish from these streams was not necessary. (b) Hatchery Operations.—The hatchery at Lake Hayes commenced operations on 28th April, 1948. A total of 2,700,000 brown-trout ova was collected and disposed of as follows : (1) 500,000 to the Wellington Acclimatization Society. (2) 250,000 to the Department's Rotorua Acclimatization District. (3) 700,000 to the Federation of West Coast (North Island) Acclimatization Societies. (4) 200,000 to the Hawkes Bay Acclimatization Society. (5) 200,000 to the Westland Acclimatization Society. (6) 260,000 to the Otago Acclimatization Society. (7) 590,000 were hatched at Wanaka, Lake Hayes, and Te Anau Hatcheries, from which 466,000 fry were liberated. From the Department's hatcheries in the Rotorua and Taupo districts a total of 2,974,000 rainbow-trout ova were received, and these were distributed as follows : (1) Te Anau hatchery .. .. .. .. 860,000 (2) Queenstown hatchery .. .. 815,000 (3) Wanaka hatchery .. .. .. .. 1,299 ,000

(c) Restocking of Waters. —Liberations of fry were made as follows :

In nearly all the streams in which liberations were made young fish in good condition are to be seen.

27

Waters. Rainbow. Brown. Totals. Lake Hawea system 155,000 155,000 Lake Wanaka system 382,000 382,000 Lake Wakatipu system 491,000 116,000 607,000 Lake Te Anau system 629,000 81,000 710,000 Lake Manapouri system 134,000 134,000 Kawarau River system .. 133,000 86,500 219,500 Clutha River system 511,000 71,000 582,000 Small lakes 38,000 38,000 ■ Hollyford River 55,000 55,000 Lake Hayes 18,500 18,500 Grand totals 2,435,000 466,000 2,901,000

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(d) Destruction of Black Shags.—Sixty-three black shags and 4 eggs were destroyed by departmental officers and 22 heads of these birds were presented by private persons for payment of the bounty. The birds were much scarcer in the district during the year than in former years. (e) Destruction of Eels. —Eel-trapping was continued during the season and a total of 2,945 eels were caught, all catches being in the Lakes Wanaka and Wakatipu systems. (/) Introduction of Smelt.—ln an endeavour to provide more fish food in the lakes in the district, 7,000 smelt were brought from the Department's Rotorua Acclimatization District in February, 1949, and liberated in Moke Lake and in Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka. A further consignment arrived in March and was liberated in the same localities. Owing to the special provisions made for transport from Rotorua and to the care taken on the journey, the percentage of loss was very light. The liberation areas will be kept under special observation with a view to ascertaining whether the planting will succeed. (g) Ranging.—Four offences were detected, prosecutions, being taken in each case and convictions secured. The fines imposed amounted to £25. (3) Animals Protection and Game Act (a) The Game-shooting Season, 1948. —The season opened in fine weather. Paradise and grey duck were numerous over most parts of the district, but very few birds were shot after the first few days of the season owing to the large expanses of water to which they migrate and remain in safety by day. Californian quail were plentiful in all parts of the district during the year. There was again a good breeding season, and future prospects are brighter than they have been for some time. Chukor are increasing in most parts of the district other than the Te Anau area. Canadian geese are still plentiful, mainly in the Hunter and Matukituki Valleys. Pukeko are plentiful. The sum of £284 10s. was realized from the issue of 228 game-shooting licences in respect of the 1948 open season. The tendency for the increase in sales noted in connection with the 1947 season continued in regard to the 1948 season. (b) Game Conservation. —The table hereunder shows the number of various species on which bounties were paid under the scheme operated by the South Island Yermin Control Board : Stoats .. .. .. .. .'. 747 Polecats .. . . .. .. . . 9 Ferrets ' .. .. .. .. .. 645 Hawks'feet (pairs) .. .. .. ..2,114 Hedgehogs .. .. .. .. .. 660 German owls .. .. .. .. .. 179 (4) Absolutely Protected Birds Officers of the Department are vigilant in preventing the illegal taking of absolutely protected birds. It is interesting to note that these birds are doing well in such, areas as Paradise (Glenorchy) and in the Eglington Valley. An orange-wattled crow, now a very rare species, was sighted in the area where the takahe were found by Dr. Orbell. Kakapo have also been seen by departmental employees in the Fiordland National Park.

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<G. Fiordland Expedition During the year Cabinet approved of an expenditure of £7,000 to enable an -expedition to be conducted into the Fiordland National Park on behalf of the following Departments and for the following purposes : Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: Scientific knowledge of botany, geology, and entomology. Department of Lands and Survey: Surveying the area and investigating proposals regarding hydro-electric power possibilities. State Forest Service : Conduct of a forest survey. Marine Department: Investigations of fresh-water fishery matters. Department of Tourist and Health Resorts : Opening up of further area for trampers and other tourists. Department of Internal Affairs : Matters in connection with deer control and absolutely-protected birds. Dominion Museum : Obtaining of specimens for exhibition. The proposal to form such an expedition arose from visits made to the area by Colonel J. K. Howard, of the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, in order to ascertain the environmental changes in the wapiti in its new habitat. It was considered that valuable scientific data in the fields of botany, entomology, geology, and fishery biology could be obtained from what was virtually an unknown area. United States personnel forming part of the expedition are— Dr. Olaus J. Murie, President of the Wilderness Society of America. Dr. Murie is a world authority on deer and their habits and has evolved a technique for estimating wildlife animal populations ; Mr. D. Murie ; and Colonel J. K. Howard. The expenses of Dr. Murie and Mr. D. Murie in coming to New Zealand and while in this country, except while actually wjth the expedition, are being met by grants under the Fullbright Act by the American Board of Foreign Scholarships. It was considered that this Department would gain valuable data through biologists i of the Wildlife Branch working in collaboration with Dr. Murie. The officers concerned would gain a thorough grounding in the methods used in the United States for this work which would facilitate similar future studies in New Zealand. The assessment of populations is urgently required in connection with the control of several of the worst animal pests in this country, and techniques used in connection with wapiti should be readify adaptable to other species. It was also considered that participation in- the expedition would — (a) Provide a unique opportunity for the study of the development of an animal transported to an entirely new environment and, until recently, isolated from animals of related species. ■(b) Permit of the further extension of the studies of the Fiordland National Park area which have already been carried out over a considerable number of years and would be particularly advantageous in enabling a study of means of communication and other facilities. (c) The study of other forms of wildlife should provide useful information as to present numbers and distribution of such rare species as kakapo and kiwi. (d) Enable the continuation of studies already commenced as to the effect of exotic animals on the native vegetation. The expedition, of which the field leader is Mr. R. Y. McKane, of the State Forest Service, commenced work in the area in February, 1949, and was continuing at the ■close of the year.

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H. Inter-departmental Committee on River Pollution A report on a fact-finding survey of the pollution of waters in New Zealand was completed. Good progress has been made with the drafting'of proposals to meet the complex problems disclosed by the report. I. Glossary Royal albatross (Diomedia epomophora). Orange-wattled crow (Calleas cinerea cinerea). Black shag (Phalacrocorax carbo). Opossum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Carunculated or king shag (Leucocarbo Wallaby (Wallabia rufogrisea). carunculatus carunculatus). Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Paradise duck (Tadorna variegata). Hare (Lepus eurdpaeus). Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos). Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Grey duck (Anas poicilorhynchos). Polecat (Mustela foetidus). Canadian goose (Branta canadensis). Ferret (Mustela foetidus). Hawk (Circus approximans). Stoat (Mustela erminea). Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus and P. Wild cattle (Bos taurus). torquatus). Wild sheep (Ovis spp.). Californian quail (Loplnortyx californicus). Goat (Capra hircus). Chukor (Alectoris chukor). Pigs (Sus scrofa). Guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris). Tahr (Hemitragus jemlaicus). Kea (Nestor notabilis). Chamois (Rupicapra tragus). Takahe (Notornis Jiochstetteri). Red deer (Cervus elaphus). Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). Wapiti (Cervus canadensis). German owl (Athene noctua). * Smelt (Retropinna lacustris). IX. CINEMATOGRAPH THEATRES A. Film Censorship A total of 1,573 films of all classes, totalling 4,274,700 ft., were examined. Of this number, 85 were passed subject to excisions, 154 were passed with the recommendation that they were more suitable for adult audiences, and 28 were passed with the warning that they were not suitable for children. Four films were rejected outright in the first instance. Appeals were lodged against rejection in the case of 3 films, but disallowed by the Board of Appeal. These included 1 film rejected after 31st March, 1949. An appeal was also lodged against certain eliminations ordered, but was subsequently withdrawn, and the excisions were then made.

An analysis of the work shows :—-

Quota Films : Countries of origin of the quota or feature films examined were as follows : Great Britain, 65; Australia, 1 ; United States of America, 290; France, 5 ; Russia, 1 ; Italy, 3 ; Austria, 1, and India, 2.

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Origin. Quota or Long Films. Non-quota or Short Films. Number. Length. i Number. Length. British Foreign 66 - 302 Ft. 581,180 2,526,320 563 642 1 Ft. 589,750 577,450 Totals 368 3,107,500 1,205 1,167,200

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General Remarks : During the year, as compared with the previous year, films in which excisions were made were 85, as against 93 ; the number recommended as more suitable for adults was 154, as against 151, and the number considered to be definitely unsuitable for children was 28, as against 17. Miniature films increased —viz. : 95, as against 83 in the previous year —while certificates totalling 287 were issued for 16 mm. prints, copies of standard films (features and featurettes) which had been previously released. Last year 324. certificates were issued, and this particular phase of the work continues to increase. British quota films submitted for censorship during the year showed an increaseviz., 65, as against 54 in the previous year —while foreign quota films also showed a slight increase—302, as against 298 in the previous year. It was noticeable that films of the " gangster " type were not very much in evidence, and those that were submitted were not quite so lurid in theme and treatment as those examined in previous years. During the year a Parliamentary Film Inquiry Committee investigated matters relating to this censorship and the members were shown samples of eliminations made from films of all types. Publicity matter relating to 340 films (features) was examined during the year, as against 308 films in the previous year. Only minor amendments were found necessary. B. Licensing of Cinematograph Operators One hundred and thirty-six new applications for provisional and assistant operator's licences were considered, as compared with 104 for the previous year. Forty-four new provisional licences and 92 new assistant operator's licences were issued. Since the coming into force of the Cinematograph Operators Licensing Regulations 1938, 1,434 operators and 1,058 assistant operators have been licensed. X. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS The most distinguished people who came to New Zealand last year were Lord Listowei, Minister of State for the Colonies, and Mr. W. A. C. Mathieson, M.B.E. ; Right Hon. Anthony Eden, M.C., M.P., Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, and Commander A. H. P. Noble, D.5.0., R.N., Member of Parliament for Chelsea ; Lieutenant-General Sir Willoughby Norrie, K.C.M.G., C.8., D.5.0., M.C., Governor of South Australia, Lady Norrie, and party; Mr. E. M. Hanlon, Premier of Queensland, and party ; Sir Peter Buck, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., M.D., Ch.B., D.Sc., Lady Buck, and Mrs. E. A. R. Ross ; Queen Salote Tufou, G.8.E., H.R.H. Prince Tugi, Hon. Ulukalala, Governor of Vavau, and the Hon. Tuna Ulukalala ; .Mr. Eamon de Yalera, ex Premier of Eire, and Mr. F. D. Aicken, ex Minister of Finance of that country. Other distinguished visitors were Lord Rowallan, M.C., T.D., D.L., British Empire Chief Scout, and Mr. Peter Cooke, Secretary, Imperial Headquarters, London ; Right Hon. Lord Beveridge, K.C.8., and Lady Beveridge ; Lord Douglas, G.C.8., M.C., D.F.C., late Marshal of the Royal Air Force and present Director of British Overseas Airways Corporation ; Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. A. H. Dennett, M.L.A., Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Victoria, Mrs. Dennett, and Miss D. Dennett; His Eminence Cardinal Spellman, His Grace Archbishop Bergin, His Lordship Bishop Walsh and party ; Mr. Arthur Blenkinsop, M.P., Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions, Miss S. Cox, Deputy-Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions ; Hon. R. S. Richards, Leader of the Opposition, South Australia ; Mr. T. G. Moore, M.P., Isle of Man ; Mr. Albert V. Thompson, M.H.R., Federal Parliament of Australia, and Mrs. Thompson; Mr. T. W. Mitchell, M.L.A., Victoria ; Hon. F. Bethem, M.L.A.,

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and the Hon. Amando Stowers, M.L.A., Western Samoa ; Sir Alexander (Mackenzie) Livingstone and Lady Livingstone; Sir Henry Tizard, K.C.8., A.F.C., F.R.S., F.R.Ae.S.., F.lnst.P., Chairman and Managing Director of British Overseas Airways Corporation-; Sir C. P. Ramaswami Aiyer, late Prime Minister of Travancore ; Sir Datar, Singh. - The following came to New Zealand after the E.C.A.F.E. Conference in Australia r Hon. Hamid Ul Haq Chaudri, Minister of Finance and Industries, Pakistan, and Mr. W. A. Kaudri, Deputy Secretary, Pakistan Government; Hon. Tuan Mahomed Eusoff, of Malaya ; Major-General Rana and Mr. T. Singh, of Nepal; Mr. B. R. Devarajan, Assistant Secretary, Minister of Commerce, Ceylon. Further guests were Mr. G. P. Pillai, Trade Commissioner for India in Australia,. Mrs. and Miss Pillai; Sir Gilbert Campion, G.C.8., former Clerk of the House of Commons,, Lady Campion, and party ; Mr. F. Rowe, Director-General, Social Services, Australia, Mrs. Rowe, and Mr. R. Fyfe, Assistant Director-General; Dr. H. C. Coombs, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia ; Major-General K. W. D. Strong, C.8., 0.8. E., and Lieutenant-Colonel H. R. Greenwood ; Major-General Wootton, Commanding General, Pacific Air Command, United States ; Mr. M. E. Denning, Foreign Office official ; Mr. J. C. O'Dwyer, British Consul, Honolulu ; Dr. E. Yrisakis, Consul-General for Greece in Australia, and Mrs. Yrisakis ; Miss Helen Keller, the famous blind and deaf lecturer and authoress, with her aide, Miss Polly Thomson ; Professor Spence, Professor of Paediatrics, Newcastle-on-Tyne; Mr. David Owen, United Nations Secretariat; Mr. Charles Wilmot, 0.8. E., representative of British Council in Australia ; Dr. J. B. Grant, International Health Division, Rockefeller Foundation ; Mr. Howard J. Critchfield, Visiting Lecturer, State University of Washington ; Mr. Duncan W. Moir, Otaki Shield Winner, 1948 ; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Norman, Montreal, Canada ; Mr. H. Rabling, Managing Director, Vacuum Oil Co., Australia, and Mrs. Rabling ; Mr. S. G. Marshall, Technical Representative, Short Bros, and Harland, Ltd., London ; Miss M. Murray, English and Scottish Trainer Girl Guides Association ; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Perkins,. Maadi, Egypt; Miss Joan Vickers, past member London County Council and British Government welfare worker. The leading newspaper men to visit New Zealand were Mr. F. Bartholomew, Pacific Vice-President, United Press of America, and Mrs. Bartholomew, and Mr. S. Murray,. Editor, British Insurance papers. Most notable photographers were Mr. Rupert Leach, Director of Photography, United States ; Mr. A. R. Saidman, of the Illustrated Magazine ; and Mr. and Mrs. Selwyn Kip Farrington, of the United States. This Department arranged accommodation and other facilities for certain Councils,. Commissions, and meetings of officials from other countries. Among these were the South Pacific Air Transport Council —two of the members of this Council were guests — Brigadier-General Sir Harold Hartley, K.C.V.0., C.8.E., F.R.S., M.C., M.A., and Lady Hartley, and the Hon. A. S. Drakeford, Minister of Civil Aviation, Commonwealth of Australia ; United Kingdom Civil Aviation Commission —Sir Frederick Tymms, K.C.1.E.,, M.C., F.R.Ae.S., Lady Tymms, Mr. K. T. Spencer, M.C., B.Sc., A.M.1.C.E., A.C.G.1., A.F.R.Ae.S., and Mr. G. J. Warcup ; South West Pacific Commission International Meteorological Organization (IMO) ; visit of Australian Police officials. Four members of the Seventh Pacific Science Congress received special facilities : Dr. B. Gutenberg, Director of the Seismological Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena ; Dr. C. Skottsberg, representative of the Swedish Academy of Science ; Dr. A. B. Walkom, Director of the Australia Museum, Sydney; and Mr. C. M. Yonge, Professor, Glasgow University. The stage brought to New Zealand Sir Laurence and Lady Olivier (Vivien Leigh) and Miss Cicely Courtneidge. Officers and ratings of the visiting French sloop, " Dumont d'Urville," were given the usual courtesies at Auckland.

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State Functions. —Luncheons were given in honour of the Hon. Robert M. Scotten, Minister for the United States Government; Mr. J. B. D. Pennink, Netherlands Minister ; Messrs. N. Tattersall and N. Wood, members of the Co-operative Wholesalers' Society of Great Britain; Mr. Lan Warren, Assistant Traffic Manager, Canadian Pacific Railways, and party. Morning or afternoon tea receptions were held in honour of the birth of Prince Charles to H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth ; the Australian delegation of ex-servicemen ; Ballet Rambert and Queensland State String Quartet; Miss Janet Howe and Mr. Arthur Servent, leads in " Carmen " ; Mr. Richard Farrell; Rev. Dr. George McLeod ; Miss Mary Wootton (" Miss New Zealand," 1948); a visiting party of farmers from New South Wales and one from South Australia,. Receptions were given for the following sporting teams : English Women's Cricket; Australian Women's Hockey ; All-Australia Basketball; Australian Athletes ; Australian Men's Association Football; and Australian Men's Hockey. Farewells were tendered to the New Zealand Olympic Team and the New Zealand Cricket Team. Additional luncheons and functions were held in honour of distinguished visitors mentioned in the previous section. As on past occasions, all local authorities and the Maori people in particular co-operated whole-heartedly with the Department. XI. WAR HISTORY BRANCH Considerable progress in research for both the service and civilian volumes of the official history of New Zealand's part in the Second World War and in the writing of preliminary narratives was made during the year. On the publication side, the first six of the Branch's productions in the illustrated popular series were produced, and others will follow at regular intervals. Other volumes in the unit history and documentary series are in the printer's hands and should be published within the next few months. A. Documents The first volume of the series of official documents relating to New Zealand's participation in the Second World War is at present being printed. The work is making good progress and it is expected that the volume will be published in July. The typescript of the second volume has been sent to the Commonwealth Relations Office in the United Kingdom, and printing will proceed when approval to publish is obtained. Research for the third volume in this series is progressing. B. Popular Series Six numbers in this series have been published, two more are with the printer, and a further seven have been written. Sales are reported to be satisfactory. C. Official History The research for the Army campaign volumes and the writing of narratives have made good progress. As they are completed, sections of these narratives are being sent to the historians, several of whom have begun work on their volumes. The exchange of narratives and information with the other War History Organizations of the British Commonwealth is operating satisfactorily. The prisoner-of-war history is the most advanced and should be published next year.

2—H 22

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For the two projected volumes on the Royal New Zealand Navy and on New Zealanders in the Royal Navy the research is well advanced. Several of the sectional narratives have been completed and good progress is being made with the writing of the main narrative. Preliminary research for the Royal New Zealand Air Force is well under way. The greater part of the narrative been completed or is nearing completion and the writing of the first drafts of the history is proceeding. Work is continuing on the medical and dental volumes, and the research for the civilian histories is also progressing well. D. Unit Histories The first of the twenty projected volumes in this series has been in the printer's hands for some months and should be published about the end of July. The printing firm handling this series has undertaken to complete the production of a second volume before the end of the year. The authors of the other volumes report varied progress. E. History of New Zealand" Contingents in the South African War This volume is with the printer. One of the chief production difficulties has been the lack of suitable photographs to illustrate the text. An appeal for the loan of photographs was made through the South African War Veterans' Association early this year. It is estimated that the history will be published about September. F. Translation of Enemy Documents material has been obtained by the translation of captured German documents lent to the Branch by the Historical Division of the United States Army. To expedite this work arrangements have been made to attach one of the Branch's research assistants to the staff of the New Zealand Embassy at Washington. XII. WAR GRAVES 1. Burials in New Zealand

The total number of burials in New Zealand recorded by the Department stood, as at 31st March, 1949, as follows :—-

These burials are distributed amongst public and servicemen's cemeteries and Maori burial-grounds in New Zealand. Of the total number of burials shown, 1,229 were cremated. A total of 1,806 deaths of ex-servicemen was registered by the Department during the year, as compared with 1,566 for the previous year. Cremations during the year showed a percentage increase over those recorded for the previous year.

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— War Graves. 1 ' Non-war Graves.; | Total. War, 1914-18 4,556 13,044 17,600 War, 1939-45 1,404 935 2,339 South African veterans 1,180 Historical graves — i.e., Maori War 2,415 A Hipr! TPoTPPft X r P V Otl/luilIOj IliilCU X 1 UluuOj U.U. Total .. .. 23,534

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2. Servicemen's Cemeteries in New Zealand Considerable work in the construction of servicemen's cemeteries in New Zealand was carried out during the year, and at the 31st March the total figures were as follows (1) Old type—-graves covered with concrete, using upright headstones ~ 14 (2) Semi-lawn, using upright headstones set on narrow concrete beams .. 30 (2a) Semi-lawn, using sloping bronze plaques set slightly above ground-level 5 (3) All lawn, with plaques at ground level .. .. .. 54 (4) Proposed new cemeteries or others under construction .. .. 26 Total .. .. .. .. .. . . 129. (>f the above figures, particular attention is drawn to the large numbers of cemeteries, which now use bronze plaques at ground-level. Although these types of cemeteries are,, as yet, somewhat in their infancy in New Zealand, it can be said that most, if not all, are in excellent condition. Some of the best of these new types of cemeteries can be seen at Whangarei, Russel, Eawene, Thames, Otaki, Opunake, Woodville, Dannevirke, Wairoa, Paeroa, Haveloek South, Nelson, Opotiki, Waipu, Manaia, and Waitara. Generally speaking, a very high standard of maintenance of servicemen's cemeteries was carried out by local bodies and branches of the U.S.A. concerned. Officers of the New Zealand War Graves Division of the Department inspected many of the cemeteries during the year, and only in two instances was it found necessary to defer payment of grants towards the cost of maintenance. 3. Historical Cemeteries Renovations and improvements to several historical cemeteries were carried out following inspections made by officers of the New Zealand War Graves Division of the Department. 4. Granite Headstones and Bronze Plaques Orders for granite headstones, which were considerably in arrears by contractors during the recent war years, were disposed of by the end of March, and the contractors; who now supply headstones and plaques are both executing current orders with promptitude. 5. Maintenance of Servicemen's and Historical Cemeteries Due to the additional number of servicemen's cemeteries laid down, grants towards theifi- maintenance, including historical cemeteries, increased, and the total annual payment at the end of the year was £2,667 14s. 6. Overseas Burials The Department has maintained during the year a very close liaison with the Imperial War Graves Commission, London, in connection with matters affecting overseas graves and war cemeteries. The Commission's programme of work connected with the completion of overseas war cemeteries is proceeding very satisfactorily. Final architectural plans were approved for the layout of the New Zealand Military Cemetery at Bourail,. New Caledonia, which cemetery is under the jurisdiction of the Commission's Anzac Agency at Melbourne. The Commission made considerable progress during the year in finalizing arrangements for commemorating the names of those deceased who have no known graves. 3—H 22

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7. Miscellaneous Durmg the year a visit to New Zealand was made by Brigadier A. E. Brown, Secretary-General, Imperial War Graves Commission, Anzac Agency, Melbourne, lor the purpose of discussing war-graves problems with the Department. During his brief stay in New Zealand, Brigadier Brown visited a number of servicemen's cemeteries. At the various centres which he visited, Brigadier Brown stated to representatives of the New Zealand Returned Services Association that New Zealand, in connection with its servicemen's cemeteries, was doing something unique in the British Empire. He commented, too, that perhaps in some cemeteries there was yet insufficient " colour " —that is, the cemeteries required more shrubs and ornamental trees. He realized, however, that many of the cemeteries were of recent construction and that ultimately, no doubt, the cemeteries would be properly beautified. Brigadier Brown mentioned that the Commission, in dealing with war cemeteries under its jurisdiction, always endeavoured to create the maximum garden-like effect so that such places would be seen in perpetuity as splendid Gardens of Remembrance. He thought that excellent progress had been made to create such cemeteries in New Zealand. XIII. HISTORICAL BRANCH Staff The staff of the Branch now numbers five, but will be reduced to four almost immediately with the loss of one research officer working on economic maps. Historical Atlas The research is proceeding steadily. The Economic Section has been reorganized, and most of the distribution maps are being revised to incorporate post-war statistics. The preliminary missionary map has been photostated, and copies circulated among authorities on Maori nomenclature for their comments. Research on the Maori Wars maps is nearing completion, the early settlement map of the South Island is being ■overhauled, and the final selection made of early charts and maps for reproduction. The maps on Pacific exploration, post-Cook navigators, and inland exploration await draughting. It has been decided, particularly as it proves very difficult to get draughting work done, to produce the maps separately, with their accompanying texts, as they are finished. The next step is draughting, and further progress depends very much on the acquisition by the Branch of the services of a skilled draughtsman. Book-production During the year G. Leslie Adkin's " Horowhenua," produced by the Branch, was published by the Polynesian Society. Sir Peter Buck's " The Coming of the Maori" is almost ready for publication. Roger Duff's " Moa-hunters of Wairau "is approaching completion of printing-work. Historical Buildings At the end of 1948, Pompallier House, at the Bay of Islands, with the restoration of which the Branch has been intimately concerned, was opened to the public. Its restoration, as an example of early colonial architecture, has proved well worth while, and it has been visited since by a great number of people. General The Branch has continued to serve as a sort of historical clearing-house, and has been able to answer many queries and give advice on a large miscellany of matters.

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XIV. ELECTORAL OFFICE Registration of Electors Until the end of December, 1948, current enrolments, removals, and notifications of change of address were maintained at a volume considered to be normal for nonelection years. However, approaching the special polls in March, 1949, there was considerable activity in district registry offices in the handling of increased enrolments, &c., due to the growing public interest in the polls. At the closing of the rolls on the 14th February the total voting strength was 1,072,713. Legislation Electoral Amendment Act, 1948 Several sections in this Act deal with Maori representation and apply to the Maori a system of enrolment similar to that of the pakeha. There is also provision for the rolls for the Maori electoral districts to be prepared in the Chief Electoral Office. Other sections are devoted to overcoming certain difficulties apparent from the hearing of the Raglan election petition. Further sections dealing with miscellaneous matters amend the Electoral Act to modern requirements. • Gaming Poll Act, 1948 The purpose of this Act was to ascertain the will of the majority of Euopean and Maori electors by holding a general poll on the question whether the law should be extended to permit off-course betting on horse races. The scheme of off-course betting to be put to the people was the one recommended by the Gaming Commission in its report. The Commission recommended that such a scheme be instituted and that it should be handled by the New Zealand Racing and Trotting Conferences through the totalizator. Provision was made for bringing up to date and using at the poll the rolls compiled for the last election and for the preparation and use of a further supplementary roll. The Act further provided for the European and Maori vote to be taken simultaneously, under the appropriate rules of the Electoral and Licensing Acts, on a date to be fixed by the Governor-General by Order in Council. Licensing Amendment Act, 1948 The Parts of this Act relating to local restoration polls and special polls on certain other issues were prepared in consultation with representatives of this Branch. Part V provides for the taking of a vote on the question of trust control in conjunction with the vote on the question of restoration of licences at the usual triennial polls in no-licence districts. Part VI provided for a special general poll of electors on a question as to hours to be appointed for the sale of liquor in hotel bars ; also for special local polls on questions ■ of the restoration or the issue of licences for the sale of liquor, together with a further question of trust control in defined areas of Ashburton, Geraldine, and the King-country. Provision was made for these special polls to be taken in similar manner to and -on the same day as the " off-course betting " poll under the Gaming Poll Act, 1948.

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The Special Polls On the 9th March, 1949, polls were taken in all electorates on the "off-course betting " question under the Gaming Poll Act, 1948, and on the " liquor hours " issue under the Licensing Amendment Act, 1948. Simultaneously therewith, the special local licensing polls were taken in the Ashburton, Geraldine, and King-country areas. Valid votes polled on the two general issues amounted to 56 per cent, of the number of electors enrolled. Returns of votes polled and declarations of the results of these several polls were gazetted on the 31st March, 1949. Maori Rolls Assisted by the Welfare Officers of the MaOri Affairs Department in the enrolment of Maoris eligible to register as electors, good progress has been made in the preparation of Maori rolls for use at future parliamentary elections. The roll-preparation work is being carried out in the Chief Electoral Office, and up to the 31st March, 1949, over 26,000 enrolments had been recorded. XV. EXPLOSIVES AND DANGEROUS GOODS Licences The following licences were issued during the year : Importation of Explosives. —Polar gelignite, 786,600 lb. ; polar gelatine dynamite, 30,350 lb. ; polar ajax, 119,500 lb. ; polar quarry monobel, 230,000 lb. ; polar A2 monobel, 959,350 lb. ; blasting-powder, 117,500 lb. ; sportingpowder, 42,950 lb.; plain detonators, 1,360,000 ; E.D. fuses, 565,850 ; safety-fuse, 11,304 lb. ; fireworks, 67,675 lb. Other licences issued during the year were : Conveyance, 181; sale,. 552 ; storage, 471. Dangerous Goods. —During the year, 2,328 licences were issued, as against 2,287 for the previous year. Cinematograph Films. —Licences issued under the Cinematograph Films Act for the year ended 30th September, 1948, were as follows : Exhibitors', 561 (465) ; itinerant exhibitors', 25 (23); renters', 17 (19) ; storage, 12 (14); miscellaneous, 7 (17). The figures in parentheses are, the corresponding ones for the previous year. Re organization of Branch A small amount of the explosives-testing equipment referred to in the last annual report has come to hand, but great difficulty is being experienced in securing delivery dates within a reasonable period. In most cases it has not been possible to secure a better delivery date than twelve months from time of placing of the order. Fire-testing Station Some progress on this proposal has been made during the year under review. Final plans mutually satisfactory to the parties concerned have been approved and tenders called for.

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Use or Explosives During the year, officers of the Branch have continued to act in an advisory capacity to the Post and Telegraph Department in respect of problems concerning the use of explosives for laying of cables, erection of poles, &c., and have periodically carried out examinations of trainees who have completed the course on explosives conducted at the Post and Telegraph Department's training-school, Trentham. Reports to hand disclose that substantial savings in man-hours have been effected by the use of explosives on various works, and it is pleasing to record that there have been no accidents due to the use of explosives amongst employees of the Post and Telegraph Department. Inspection Work A more complete inspection coverage in the future was forecast in the last annual report. It is satisfactory to be able to report that this forecast has been realized, and although the amount of inspection work has not yet reached pre-war levels for reasons mentioned in earlier reports, the training of additional Inspectors has progressed to the point where an even fuller inspection coverage is anticipated in the forthcoming year. Local-authority Administration The number of local-body licensing authorities under the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, still stands at 163. In June a conference of departmental officers and inspecting officers of the major local authorities administering the Act was held in Wellington over a period of three days. Suggestions for amendments to the regulations were received and fully discussed, problems encountered by local-authority Inspectors were, exhaustively considered, and substantial progress in the direction of unanimity of application of the regulations was achieved. From the expressions of opinion volunteered by local-authority Inspectors at the conference it is evident that it was an outstanding success and that great benefit from it accrued to all those attending. Amendment op Legislation Following on the conclusion of the conference mentioned above, a start was made on the complete revision of the Dangerous Goods Regulations 1928. The task is one of considerable magnitude and it will probably be some twelve months before the regulations are ready for enactment. However, it is anticipated that the first section of the draft will be ready for circulation shortly, and the remainder will be submitted for comment as early as possible thereafter. Industrial Efpiciency Act The volume of work performed by this office in connection with the Industrial Efficiency Act as it applies to resellers of motor-spirit shows no diminution and tends to hamper the Branch in the performance of its more proper technical functions. Negotiations were recently opened with the Bureau of Industry with a view to simplifying the present procedure in handling and routing applications, annual returns, &c. If satisfactory arrangements can be made in this direction, much of the existing burden will be lightened. Staffing Though the position has improved as against previous years, fluctuations and changes of staff continue to some extent to militate against the most efficient operation, and substantial amounts of overtime have still to be performed. It is realized that difficulties of this nature are not peculiar to this Branch, but until the staff position does become stabilized, efficiency must suffer to a greater or less degree..

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Cinematograph Theatres The parliamentary Committee which, as mentioned in the previous report, was set up to investigate various phases of operation of the motion-picture industry commenced its sittings in June. 80 voluminous was the evidence offered the Committee that it was not able to complete its inquiries in the year under review, and adjourned. It is understood that the Committee proposes to resume its sittings before the next session of Parliament. Applications for licences to exhibit 16 mm. commercial entertainment film have continued to come in in substantial numbers. This factor in itself has. thrown a heavier strain than normal on the staff of the Branch. Many of the problems raised by such applications have been complex, and in certain cases what may appear to be inordinately long delays in coming to decisions have of necessity occurred. Despite this, a considerable number of applications was determined during the year, and questions of grant of licences are being handled as expeditiously as is practicable having regard to the extensive inquiries which often have to be made into particular applications. r XVI. RAFFLES AMD ART-UNIONS Five hundred and eighty-three licences under the authority of section 42 of the Gaming Act, 1908, were issued during the year. Of these, 320 were for works of art and 263 for amounts of alluvial gold, only 6 being in excess of £5O. In addition, 13 licences were issued in respect of the regular £5,000 alluvial gold art-unions, the aggregate result of these being as follows : £ Gross sales . .. .. .. .. 286,494 Commission on sales .. .. .. .. 42,974 Expenses .. .. .. .. .. 31,948 Prizes .. .. .. .. 65,000 Lottery duty .. .. .. .. 28,649 Net profit .. .. .. .. . . 117,923 . . Of the net profit, £39,468 was distributed to various Mayoral and other recognized central relief of distress funds, £30,385 to charitable and philanthropic organizations, £11,419 to children's health camps, and £3,500 to Patriotic Funds. XVII. PASSPORTS New passports totalling 6,540 were issued, and 292 renewals were granted where the traveller was already in possession of a passport. During the year, authority for the issue and renewal of New Zealand passports was granted to the High Commissioner for New Zealand at Canberra and to the ConsulGeneral of New Zealand at San Francisco. XVIII. NATURALIZATION, NATIONALITY, AND CITIZENSHIP The law relating to British nationality was radically changed by the passing of the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act, 1948, which came into force on Ist January, 1949. This statute is founded on the agreement reached in 1947 between Commonwealth countries that each country was to enact its own citizenship law defining what classes of persons were its citizens, and to declare its willingness to accept the citizens of other Commonwealth countries, as well as its own, as British subjects. Thus a common code of British nationality still exists throughout the Commonwealth, but it is now based on the regional status of citizenship.

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Following are tlie chief features of the new Act: — (a) New Zealand citizenship is acquired by birth, descent, registration, or naturalization (and also, in the- transitional period, by residence —see the next paragraph). (b) The chief classes of British subjects who "became New Zealand citizens at the commencement of the Act are those born in New Zealand, their wives and their children ; those naturalized in New Zealand ;. and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand throughout the year 1948. (c) New Zealand citizenship is transmitted automatically through the male line to the first generation born overseas ; subsequent generations born in a foreign country may retain New Zealand citizenship by registration of the birth at a Consulate, (d) Citizens of other Commonwealth countries who become ordinarily resident in New Zealand may claim New Zealand citizenship as of right after one year. In the case of wives, or minor children of New Zealand citizens there is no stipulated term of residence. In these cases citizenship is- granted by registration. (e) Naturalization now proceeds in two stages, notice of intention being given at least one year before the application proper ; and applicants are required to show knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. These are additional to the former requirements of good character, knowledge of English, and firm settlement in New Zealand. There are- easier conditions for British-protected persons and ex-servicemen. Alien- married women and minor children become citizens by registration, as. above. (/) A New Zealand citizen possessing a second Commonwealth citizenship, or a foreign nationality, may make a declaration at any time renouncing his New Zealand citizenship. If he voluntarily exercises the privileges or performs the duties of a foreign nationality possessed by him, hs may be deprived of New Zealand citizenship. The grounds on which a naturalized citizen may be deprived of citizenship remain substantially as heretofore. Aliens who served with the New Zealand Forces in World War II 'were previously granted a special form of naturalization certificate under the 1943 Act. Aliens in this category will now be issued with the standard type of certificate. During the year it was decided to resume the naturalization of Chinese nationals, and in implementation of this an accumulation of applications were preliminarily dealt with. The following table shows the number of applications granted in the various categories:— Period Ist April to 31st December, 1948 Naturalization certificates granted under 1928 Act .. .. 126 Naturalization certificates granted under 1943 Act .. , .. 7 Naturalization certificates granted to married women under 1946 Act .. .. .. .. .. 38 Period Ist January to 31st March, 1949 : British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act, 1948 Naturalization certificates granted .. .. .. .. 8 Registrations of alien married women.. .. .. .. 2 , Registrations of British subjects as New Zealand citizens .. 3 Registrations of alien minor children .. .. .. 1

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XIX. WAR MEMORIALS Progress has been made with the approval of community centre war memorials for subsidy. At the close of the year, 17 schemes, involving approximately £133,000 in subsidy, had been approved, and a further 59 schemes were under consideration. Of the latter, many had not advanced sufficiently to enable a decision to be made, and others were temporarily held up through some technical difficulty—e.g., over the vesting of the land—or awaiting the architect's sketch plans. XX. RACING For the current racing year ending 31st July, 1949, the allocation of totalizator permits is again the maximum of 240 days for racing and hunt clubs and 80 days for trotting clubs. Non-totalizator permits for meetings on 170 days "were issued for the year ended 31st March, 1949. Inspectors of the Department attended all totalizator meetings to ensure compliance with the law regarding the operation of the totalizator. Particulars of the investments and the details of the taxation thereon are published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. On the 9th March, 1949, a referendum on the proposal "that provision be made for off-course betting on horse races through the totalizator, by means to be provided by the New Zealand Racing Conference and the New Zealand Trotting Conference," was held. Of the total number of valid votes recorded throughout New Zealand, 424,219 were for the proposal and 199,406 were against the proposal. XXI. WAR FUNDS, 1914-18 The following figures summarize the number of and assets held by the 48 War Funds still registered under the War Funds Act, 1915 : £ s. d. 22 incorporated societies .. .. .. 216,427 11 11 7 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. 38,551 9 2 2 blind soldiers'and veterans'home funds .. 65,078 5 4 10 unincorporated societies .. .. .. 5,586 1 6 6 returned soldiers clubs .. .. .. 16,100 5 5 1 National War Funds Council .. .. .. 68,974 11 5 48 funds £410,718 4 9 Last year's figures were 50 funds holding £433,040 ss. 2d. XXII. ADVERTISING BRANCH The amount recorded for casual newspaper advertising over the twelve months ended 31st March, 1949, is £41,438 10s. 7d., which is an increase of £8,857 10s. over the total listed for the previous year. The Press Section sent an average of over 4,900 newspaper clippings weekly to Ministers of the Crown, Government Departments, and overseas posts. This is an increase of over 20 per cent.

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XXIII. ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY General Remarks The year has been a busy one in service to the public, and particularly so 'for the staff, which suffered several losses which have not yet been made good. Additions have been maintained in the same fields and in much the same quantity as before, but it was possible to make a number of important acquisitions in the realm of English literature and ancient and modern fine printing. It is very satisfactory to report the inestimable service done by Professor James Shelley in cleaning and, in some instances, repairing a number of oil-paintings of the eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries in the Library. Information disclosed in this process was sometimes most important, and added usefully to our knowledge of the pictures concerned. One of these, for example, was Webber's painting of the death of Captain Cook, upon which Cleveley's well-known aquatint engraving was based. In this and in other respects, Professor Shelley proved himself a good friend of the Library, and our indebtedness to him is here acknowledged. The photograph collection has shown greatest development in the year. It is realized that photographs are an adjunct, hitherto insufficiently appreciated, to the printed and written word. At the same time, it has been a growing conviction that material of this kind has been lost or destroyed. It was decided to make a vigorous effort to collect and save the more important groups of negatives that could be discovered. Gratifying success attended this programme, as the notes under that heading will show. Accommodation for both books and staff has become a still greater problem, and temporary and emergency shelving practices have had to be adopted to cope with the position, which will need further and more effective attention in the coming year. Through a research grant from the Carnegie Corporation, the Librarian was enabled to visit Australia in June-September, 1948, to work on a forthcoming bibliography of Pacific ethnology, and to study library methods and processes in the greater libraries of Australia. Those of Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney were visited, and useful contacts made and information gathered. Cataloguing During the year, 2,400 volumes were catalogued, bringing the total up to 79,000. It is estimated that about 20,000 volumes yet remain to be catalogued in formal fashion. About 80 per cent, of this year's cataloguing were new, the remainder being books recatalogued. In this key branch of the Library's work is felt most acutely the loss of two cataloguers, whose place has had to be taken by the MS. specialist and the English literature specialist. Reference Work The increased use of the Library is felt most in the reference work involved. University, training college, and library school students, as well as the ordinary reader, frequently tax reading-room space, so that people have to be placed in the stacks. For this reason, stack privileges are more frequently accorded than before. Among the subjects covered by research students are the following : Akaroa, Wellington city and suburbs, Asiatics in New Zealand, labour legislation in New Zealand, Fiji banks, whaling in Marlborough, Barnet Burns and John Rutherford, Australia - New Zealand relations, Chatham Islands', development of transport and communication in Hawkes Bay, James Busby, flags of the Pacific, Otaki history, Waikanae, St. Stephen's College, Sir Roger L'estrange, English Augustin literary criticism, John Milton, Antarctica. Apart from such protracted studies, however, there are hosts of mere questions, and in particular requests for genealogical information, that involve together more time than the present staff can well afford. It is the more unsatisfactory in that searching by the staff is not infrequently. without avail, in that the ancestors in question are simply not recorded.

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Photographs and Microfilm The collection of negatives now exceeds 100,000 and is probably the largest in Australasia. Because of the rapid rate of development, cataloguing is far from complete, but a temporary system gives ready access to most material. The use of these photographs grows steadily as knowledge of the resources and their potentialities grows. Most of the additions have been by presentation, the most important being those of Miss Thelma Kent, donated by Mrs. C. Kent, of Christchurch (New Zealand scenery) ; J. H. Kinnear, by Mrs. M. Kinnear, of Auckland (sailing-ships) ; Schmidt studios collection, by Mr. Dunstan Ely, of Auckland (New Zealand notables), W. A. Price, by Mrs. W. A. Price, of Auckland (New Zealand towns) ; Samuel Head, by. Miss Head, of Christchurch (press photos all over New Zealand) ; and the Weekly Press photos, by the Christchurch Press. As far as possible, where original MSS. of historical importance are not themselves available, the practice is being followed more and .more of obtaining photographic copies on 35 mm. (micro) film. This is being extended to the copying of rare printed books as well. The supplying of texts to readers at a distance, both in New Zealand and overseas, is being done in this medium, though upon occasion by photostat or other comparable methods. This is a growing side of the Library service, and probably presages a revolutionary development in the recording and preservation of research materials in the future. This work is at present done by other Governmental services, and up-to-date reading facilities for such film is available at the library. Manuscripts Section The physical arrangement of the manuscripts has been practically completed, and all sets of papers are now in folders on the shelves, roughly indexed and ready for mere detailed analysis. As at present np full-time staff is engaged on this work, the process is likely to be protracted. Nevertheless, the material is conveniently usable and is of frequent value in reference work, apart from the researches of students. The miscellaneous manuscripts and " signed letters " series have been brought up to date, checked, and indexed, and the formal cataloguing of bound MSS. is in progress. Of new acquisitions, the following are important: The papers, personal, official, and scientific, of Sir Julius von Haast, comprising substantially the background of the monumental biography published by Dr. H. F. von Haast in 1948 ; the private papers of James Edward Fitzgerald, upon whose life is thus shed much new light; the miscellaneous reliquiae of James Cowan, of which the greater part have been published ; the MS. diaries of James I. Wilson and his son, Andrew Wilson, surveyors in the Auckland and Waikato districts, 1855-76 and 1910 respectively ; the diary of Rev. John Aldred, 1846-90, who was a Wesleyan missionary in New Zealand in 1840 ; a diary and account book of Jane Anne Moorhouse, wife of William Sefton Moorhouse, for 1868-69 ; letters of J. D. Bidwell and John Powdrell, Hawkes Bay, 1857-59, from Mr. A. 13. Powdrell, Hawera. From the French Legation, through the interest of M. A. Gazel, came a photographic copy of that part of de Surville's journal relating to New Zealand. Mrs. A. C. W. Mantell-Harding presented several sketches and watercolours done by Dr. Gideon Mantell at an early age. The Mantell collection, presented twenty-two years ago, is one of the richest ornaments of the Library, and this new association is doubly appreciated. Further letters written to Rev. Henry Williams were presented by Mr. Algar Williams, of Christchurch. • Through the courtesy of Canterbury College a volume of typed copies of letters between the Richmond and Atkinson families was deposited here. Printed Books, Acquisitions, and Donations The selection of books, new and old, is careful and within well-defined fields. Of older works, particular satisfaction is felt in the addition of twelve volumes of fifteenth 7 x century printing from presses in German, French, and Italian cities not hitherto

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represented in the Library. Some fine examples of modern fine printing are headed by the handsopie Golden Cockerel edition of " The Four Gospels." The drama section benefited by the addition of scarce editions of Dekker, Heywood, and others. A fine series of original editions of John Gait, the Scottish novelist, brought the Library holdings near to completeness. The works of Walter Savage Landor, much admired by Mr. Turnbull, were improved by one of his earliest works, the " Gebir," 1798, in its first edition. For many years the Pacific section has lacked one of the rarest and most important sources, the privately printed papers on Fiji of Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. Of these four portly volumes, two were bought ten years ago and the others were acquired this year. Gordon was Governor of New Zealand, 1880-83, and of Fiji 1875-80. He was made Lord Stanmore in 1893, and must be regarded as one of the greatest of colonial administrators in the Pacific. Alexander Turnbull early envisaged embracing the full colonial empire, and early material on South Africa, Canada, and the West Indies is not wanting. This plan was later circumscribed to the Pacific, but a survival of this wider interest remains in the noble and scholarly series of the Champlain Society of Canada. This great set was brought up to date, overtaking the arrears of the war years. Good collected editions of the works of Thomas Hardy and William Hazlitt built out nineteenth century English literature. Some attempt was made to purchase representative musical works and source materials of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as background to the literature and dramatic material. An early geography (1709) by de Medrano, with descriptions and maps of the Pacific before Cook, was an interesting addition to the geographical collections. The bibliographical reference section, already notable, was strengthened in several fields. For donations the Library is grateful to many good friends. Among a considerable contribution this year may be. mentioned the fine set of works on Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, presented by the First Church of Christ Scientist, Wellington. From the estate of the late Edmund Anscombe the Library was invited to select a collection of books on exhibitions and kindred subjects. The Catholic Mission Press of Guadalcanal renewed its depositing, so tragically interrupted by the war, of its texts in the languages of the Solomons, and the Melanesian Mission continued with its series in the native tongues of the New Guinea area. Duke University made a gift of its useful series of " Library Notes." Dr. H. F. von Haast accompanied' his gift of the MS. papers of his famous father with a specially bound volume of the biography itself. Potentially the most considerable group of papers received were those of the late Professor A. M. Hocart, one of the most eminent scholars and writers on the ethnology of the Western Pacific. These came from his executors, Lord Raglan and Professor Evans Pritchard, through the mediation of Mr. J. D. Freeman, writer and research scholar in Pacific anthropology. The material includes many original unpublished notes on philology, genealogy, and folklore, the text of books in preparation for the press, and of books that have been published. It is probable that some of this matter will be published by the Polynesian Society, but in any event it will prove a rich quarry for students of the native lore of the Western Pacific islands.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (713 copies), £BB.

By Authority: R. E. Owen, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 949,

Price 1.9.]

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