9

H.—22

Mechanical Appliances. —The mechanical appliances obtained in 1921. have continued to give thorough satisfaction. In addition to the census work, they have been utilized in the compilation of the migration statistics, and will also be used to cope with the immense amount of material to be handled in connection with the fire-risks classification, and the compilation of statistics of incomes. The use of the machines will be extended in other directions as opportunity offers, though any great extension will require to be accompanied by an increase in the capacity of the plant. New Work. —Reference has already beem made to the new system of port statistics, and to the introduction next January of the collection of data in connection with the fire-risks classification. Another new branch of inquiry will be. the compilation, in conjunction with the Department of Inland Re;venue, of statistics of income, a matter in regard to which our statistics have hitherto been sadly deficient. The preparation of life tables from the results of the 1921 census and the death statistics is also being put in hand. Publications. —The Year-book was out of the Printer's hands early in December, and the bulk of the distribution oompleted before Christmas. It is hoped to keep future issues up to the new standard, of punctuality, and thus to enhance the value of the Year-book. The first series of " Statistical Reports," replacing the former statistical volume, was also published expeditiously and without any hitch, in spite of the considerable amount e.f work involved in writing up the explanatory letterpress for the nine reports. A new issue of the " Municipal Handbook," last published in 1919, has been approved, and the necessary material for the preparation of the book is now being collected. Registration of Aliens. —At the 30th April, 1923, there were 8,621 names on the Dominion Register of Aliens, as compared with 8,984 twelve months ago. The principal nationalities concerned were- - Nationals of China, 2,916 ; United States, 835 ; Jugo-Slavia, 673 ; Germany, 729 ; Denmark, 579 ; Sweden, 446 ; Norway, 394 ; Italy, 284 ; Switzerland, 268 ; France, 203 ; Finland, 1.65 ; Syria, 155 ; Poland, 131 ; Russia, 127. Registrar-General. Registrations of Europeans. —Births, 30,597; deaths, 11,019; marriages, 9,649. A total of 9,612 marriages were solemnized, of which number 1,815 were conducteel by Registrars. Registration of Maoris. —Births, 1,423; deaths, 881 ; marriages, 218. Medical Register. — Total number, 1,073. During the year there were 34 additions, 21 having New Zealand qualifications. There were 32 removals. Dentists Register. —Total number, 749. During the year 5 additions and 2 removals were made. Officiating Ministers. —- On the 31st December last there were 1,812 ministers authorized to solemnize marriages in New Zealanei, as follows : Church of England, 442 ; Presbyterian Church, 419 ; Roman Catholic Church, 287 ; Methodist Church, 264; Congregational Independents, 37 ; Baptist, 69 ; Church of Christ, 38 ; Salvation Army, 175 ; other denominations, 81. Searches. —Those on behalf of Government Departments number 11,666, and 7,246 for the general public. Certificates. —6,1.47 certificates were issued. Finance. —The revenue of the Department is in excess of the expenditure. Government Astronomer and Seismologist. The Observatory builelings and equipment have been kept in gooel order. Additional accomoelation has been provided in the cellar for the new seismograph. Time Service Equipment. —Consequent on the inauguration of the wireless-telegraph time service, it is found that the astronomical clocks are not quite suitable for this duty, and steps are now being taken to obtain precision clocks. Time Service. —The following time-signals are sent out from the Observatory. Most of the signals are automatically sent by the Observatory mean-time clock. Automatic time-signals : (1) To the General Post Office, Wellington, by galvanometer daily, except Sundays and public holidays ; (2) to some of the watchmakers of Wellingtem, by galvanometer daily, except Sundays and public holidays ; (3) to ships and general public at Wellington, by extinguishing electric lights at the Observatory daily, except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays ; (4) to the Auckland Harbour Board, by extinguishing electric lights at Auckland, on Tuesdays and Fridays ; (5) to the Lyttelton Harbour Board, by dropping the time-ball at Lyttelton on Tuesdays and Fridays ; (6) to the; South Island telegraph-offices, by galvanometer, on Tuesdays and Fridays ; (7) wireless time-signals, through the Wellington Radio-station, on Tuesday and Friday evenings ; (8) wireless time-signals, through the Wellington Radio-station, every morning except Sundays and public holidays. All the automatic time-signals are sent at the exact hour of Greenwich moan time, and are automatically repeated at the first, second, fourth, and fifth minutes. Each signal begins at the 0 second and lasts approximately one second.

2—H. 22.