11

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the work of the Inspector of Offices and other officers connected with staff matters have greatly aided in this direction. The preparation of the many annual reports to Parliament, and special returns and other reports for the information of the Government, necessitated much care. There was no falling-off in the volume of correspondence throughout the year, the letters received and despatched (165,000) being a little more than in 1919-20, and 300 per cent, in excess of the correspondence in 1914-15. A large number of Proclamations, Orders in Council, warrants, and notices under the various enactments mentioned previously were prepared, executed, and published in the Gazette, and the work of opening lands for selection was dealt with as speedily as possible. Reservations of land for public purposes, issue of warrants for certificates of title, execution of leases and other instruments by the Governor-General, issue of licenses to persons of enemy origin to enable them to acquire land under the War Legislation Act, 1918, and a number of documents under the Public Domains and Reserves Act, Scenery Preservation Act, &c, were duly attended to. Under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act there were again many Proclamations and other documents to be issued, and these. of course, were prepared and completed with the utmost expedition. The quarterly edition of the Land Guide was published as usual, together with monthly sale posters, indicating the lands opened each month, and 145 land-sale plans, covering each block or settlement opened for selection or offered by auction, were prepared and printed for the information of intending selectors. The work in connection with the departmental accounts, balance-sheets, and moneys dealt with under various authorities necessitated very rigid scrutiny and consideration. The annual receipts and expenditure are still increasing, and the responsibilities devolving on all officers of the Department in connection therewith must be recognized as being very onerous.