H.—22

12

coast from Wanganui to Waitara. The east coast from Mohaka to Waiapu remains to be visited for notes on the Hauhau campaigns. Existing published histories of the wars in New Zealand are necessarily fragmentary owing to the fact that they consist mainly of personal narratives by participants in particular campaigns or episodes, and it is difficult for the ordinary student of New Zealand's pioneering period to gather from such books a comprehensive idea of the character and extent of the wars. From the many sources now available, however, it is possible to construct a complete and accurate survey of the great crucial era in our history, the thirty years of close contact and conflict between British and Maori; and the historian's task is to present this literary survey in convenient, compass. Volume lof the history, with a large number of original drawings, portraits, sketches, and plans not hitherto published, is now almost ready for the press, and work on the other volumes is well advanced. Tho historian has been fortunate in meeting and obtaining notes from veterans of every campaign in New Zealand from 1845 onwards. The last of the old " Black Cuffs," the 58th Regiment, who was a member of the storming party at Ohaeawai in 1.845, died at New Plymouth only recently ; and a Maori survivor of the defence of that pa is still alive and was able to describe vividly to Mr, Cowan the repulse of the British redcoats. It is important, for the sake of future generations of NewZealanders, who will treasure every scrap of our early fighting history and pioneering adventure in settlement, surveying, gold-mining, and coast trading, that the work of gathering original material of tins kind should be continued. A very few years will see the last of those who are able, from actual personal experience, to supplement or correct the existing documentary material which otherwise would be the only evidence available for the historian. (12.) Old Soldiers' and Historical Graves. Despite the interruption of her work by the epidemic, the Inspector visited twenty-six cemeteries in the North Island, and, in addition to this and reporting on graves of members of the Expeditionary Force, visited the South Island. Some idea of tho extent to which the Department's operations have grown may be gathered from the fact that at present it has the care of graves in no fewer than seventy-eight cemeteries. A list of the soldiers known to be buried in these cemeteries has been prepared. Now that thejwar is definitely over the question of proceeding with the erection of headstones and small monuments in a number of cemeteries can be considered. An even more difficult task than the location of the graves of soldiers killed during the Maori War will bo the tracing of veterans' graves. Generally they have been buried as civilians, and the Department is dependent for tho most part on information supplied by old comrades of the veterans. By continued inquiry, however, it is hoped that in time a fairly complete list may be obtained, and all graves will be cared for that are not attended to by relatives or friends. Among other contracts entered into during the year was one for the renovation of graves in Ivydale Cemetery. This cemetery, situated a few miles from Horeke, on the banks of the Hokianga River, is the only relic of what a hundred years ago was a thriving mission station founded by the Wesleyan Mission. One stone bears a date which is either 1813 or 1815. Several others date from 1.830 to 1837. It is estimated that an expenditure of £30 will be sufficient to restore all the graves and clean up the cemetery generally. I cannot conclude this part of the report without reference to the work done by the Women's National Reserve in the care of graves of members of the Expeditionary Force. At Wellington in particular they have spent much time and labour at the memorial plot in the Karori Cemetery, where there are more soldiers buried than in any other one plot in New Zealand. (13.) Censorship of Films. During the year 1,739 films, amounting to 3,479,860 ft., were examined by the Censor, and fees amounting to £1,159 13s. 7d. received, this being in excess of the expenditure. Approval was refused in 14 cases, while 138 films were approved only after excisions had been made to the satisfaction of the Censor. No appeals were made against the Censor's decisions. Mr. James McDonald, Assistant Director of the Museum, was appointed Assistant Censor of Cinematograph Films to relieve the pressure on the Censor. (14.) Hector Observatory. The Government Astronomer's report shows that good work was done at the observatory. Now that the war is over I recommend that the question of providing adequate accommodation and equipment for the Government Astronomer and his staff be seriously considered. As a State institution the Hector Observatory has an importance in the scientific world that it must soon lose unless it can undertake the work expected of it by astronomial institutions the world over. And it is plainly impossible not only to undertake fresh work, but to carry out satisfactorily the present work under existing conditions. (15.) Miscellaneous. Auctioneers Act. —'Several requests for a reduction in the fees payable for auctioneers' licenses were received, and one from the Cambridge Borough Council for the. constitution of a special district. The former were declined since legislation was necessary, and the latter because a borough can hardly be deemed a sparsely populated portion of the county. A request for the abolition of a special district —Rodney County—was granted.