H.—22

5

Chartered Clubs. There are forty-six chartered clubs throughout the Dominion, as compared with forty-seven in the year 1906, wlion the issue of fresh charters ceased. Various police officers throughout the Dominion have been appointed inspectors of chartered clubs under section 262 of the Licensing Act, 1908. The reports furnished by the inspectors are, with one exception, of a satisfactory nature. Cinematograph- film Censorship. During the year 1,805 pictures, of a total length of 4,416,940 ft., have been censored. Of these forty-two wore rejected and 115 wore passed subject to excisions. The Board of Appeal set up in accordance with the regulations made under the authority of the Act, as previously intimated, comprises Mr. H. M. Gore (Chairman), Mrs. K. Preston, and Mrs. F. Righton. Four appeals were heard during the year, three of which were disallowed, and one allowed subject to an excision. Fire Brigades Act. Fire districts have been constituted for the boroughs of Foxton and Kaiapoi. The number of Fire Boards is now thirty-six. In addition to the usual statutory work concerning estimates, loans, ike, the Department has indented and. distributed to the various Fire Boards and to the United Fire Brigades' .Association 18,950 ft. of fire-hose of various descriptions, and placed orders with the High Commissioner, on behalf of different Boards, for the supply of various fire appliances not manufactured in New Zealand. With the object of attaining greater efficiency in the various fire brigades throughout the Dominion certain amending conditions in respect of the biennial fire brigades' competition and demonstration were suggested to, and adopted by, the United. Fire Brigades' Association. Naturalization. In accordance with the provisions of the Aliens Aot, 1908, naturalization has been granted to 333 persons, as compared with 170 last year. The issue of letters of naturalization to persons of alien enemy origin is restricted to cases where it is established that the memorialist, or his near relatives, served with the British Forces in the Great War. During the year naturalization has been granted to a number of old, German colonists whose sons, and in some instances grandsons, served with the New Zealand. Expeditionary Forces. The War Disabilities Removal Act, 1922, provides that no person who, in New Zealand, is a British subject by naturalization shall be subject to any disabilities or disqualification imposed by any Act or War Regulations, or other enactment in respect of alien enemies or persons of enemy origin, as those terms are defined by any such enactment. War Funds Act, 1915. —The activities of patriotic organizations have assumed a comparatively stable character. During the year twenty-two societies were closed, involving a transfer of £10,700 to either the parent body or the National War Funds Council. This leaves ninety-seven organizations open, including thirty-five incorporated societies. Excluding the funds administered by the National War Funds Council, the sum of £1,221,517 is held by societies operating under the provisions of the Act, as follows : — £ Incorporated societies .. .. .. .. .. .. 995,429 British Red Cross headquarters and branches and sundry other Red Cross organizations, including St. John Ambulance .. .. 167.446 Blind Soldiers'Hostels and Veterans' Homes .. .. .. 29,216 Collecting and administering societies .. .. .. .. 8,850 Memorial funds .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,879 Navy League, funds .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,817 Returned Soldiers'Clubs and building funds .. .. .. 3,569 Social funds .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,311 £1,221,517 Stores.— In accordance with the regulations issued by the recently constituted Stores Control Board, all of'this Department's requisitions are now transmitted through one channel. The work of the Accountant's office has thereby been increased, but the system of centralization has led to more effective control. Economy. —Owing to the continued necessity for reduction in expenditure the efforts of the Department have been directed towards maintaining the economies effected last year, and, where possible, towards making further reductions. The total saving effected, as compared with the preceding year, is slightly in excess of £22,000. Thermal Fisheries. Hatchery. —During the past year 2,300,000 rainbow-trout ova were dealt with at the Rotorua hatchery, of which number 1,121,000 were disposed of as eyed ova, while the remainder were reared as fry and sold to various acclimatization societies. Large consignments of eyed ova were forwarded to the State Fisheries, Sydney, and to the Government of Fiji. Fisheries. —The great majority of fish caught by anglers during the season were found to be in excellent condition. It is pleasing to record that the improvement effected by reason of former