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was shown in the steamer bookings covering the tourist season, when all available accommodation was taxed to its utmost. The holding of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at Dunedin was, of coarse, a contributing factor to the increased number of visitors from this side, and advantage was taken to direct attention to our southern tourist resorts and the special attractions they afforded. " The literature and general advertising-matter so liberally supplied by the Department, the Railways, and the Publicity Office proved most useful, and has wonderfully helped in disseminating news regarding the Dominion's resources. It not only met our office requirements, but enabled us to keep kindred bureaux exchanging publications with us, as well as the railways, hotels, shipping offices, dentists' and doctors' waiting-rooms, fully supplied. The distribution of our literature in this way is an important feature, as it keeps New Zealand well before those it is desired to reach. " Interest was also aroused by radio talks on such subjects as ' New Zealand, the Scenic Wonderland,' and ' New Zealand, the Fisherman's Paradise,' &c. This means of broadcasting information is most effective, and it is my intention to deliver further lecturettes on popular subjects as time and opportunity offer. " The placing of the ' Manuka ' on the Melbourne-Bluff run filled a long-felt want so far as the tourist traffic was concerned, and many people from this part of the Commonwealth availed themselves of the opportunity thus provided to get a glimpse of Milford Sound and to visit our southern resorts. " General matters appertaining to the welfare of New Zealand have received careful attention, and no effort on our part has been spared to meet the requirements of all and sundry so far as Dominion affairs are concerned. Duties have been performed for all the State Departments." The Sydney Agent (Mr. Blow) reports : — " It gives me very much pleasure to report that we have had a record year as regards booking tourists through New Zealand. For the year ending 31st March, 1925, we collected £881 13s. 7d., but for the year under review we have taken the large sum of £2,709 95.. Bd., which is an increase over last year of £1,827 16s. Id. " I had 126 enlarged photographs of New Zealand scenery framed and exhibited in the leading hotels, clubs, and boardinghouses in New South Wales. The permanent display of pictures referred to in the above paragraph has done, and will continue to do, much to bring New Zealand before the travelling public. " I am pleased to report that I succeeded in obtaining a number of advertisements for the Department in general, and this office in particular, the best of which were —(a) by lecturettes on New Zealand's scenic resorts, which I personally delivered through Farmers' broadcasting service, of Sydney ; (b) by the display of transparencies showing New Zealand views in the windows of the Kodak Limited, of Sydney and Newcastle ; (c) by the publication of photographs and illustrated articles in the Country Life newspaper, New Nation magazine, and the Millions Journal. " I am pleased to report that other Government Departments in New Zealand have, as in the past, made great use of the offices during the year. As in past years, the Departments that used the offices most were the Public Works, Customs, and Industries and Commerce, and for these Departments a great deal of very important work was carried out. For the Public Works Department alone accounts were paid during the year amounting to £67,000, and the total amount of money which was accounted for for this Department was £75,000. Although the above three Departments made the greatest use of this office, practically every Department in New Zealand instructed me to carry out work during the year." Satisfactory reports have also been received from the Agents in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and South Africa. Little Barrier. The Caretaker (Mr. Nelson) has sent in an interesting report, from which the following is extracted : — " I have employed a very considerable time in travelling into the interior of the island and in walking round the coast. Along the coast I have travelled up many of the gullies for a long distance, going almost to the base of the high mountains. I have also been to the top of the highest peaks. I have travelled over much new ground during the past year, and am pleased to report on the large supply of food for the birds. I have confidence in saying that there is an ever-constant supply. Everywhere I went the birds were feeding, singing, screaming, and fighting. Both in the bush and round the flat near the house the birds have been seen in large numbers. I mention the native pigeon and the native robin. The robin is more than holding its own, and is increasing every year : there are some to be seen or heard in every part of the island. The stitch-bird is always to "be seen and heard in the dense forest. lam glad they are increasing, as it would be a great loss to the country if the rare and lovely stitch-bird became extinct. The long-tailed and shining cuckoos have been very much in evidence during the summer. Since the fruit commenced to ripen we have had many visitors in the tuis, bell-birds, white-eyes. It has been very interesting watching them on the figs. The blackbirds and starlings were few in number. I have seen only a few kiwis during the past year : they have gone more into the interior of the island —I believe, in search of water, as some of the gullies are dry. I occasionally hear a kiwi or two in the evening, and have seen evidence of them in my travels. I have destroyed seven or eight wild cats during the past year. " In the beginning of August, 1925, the mail-carrier took me round the island in his boat, and I found everything clear. He took me round the island again in January of this year. I examined some of the parts on the northern side, and found everything safe. " Mr. Hamilton (Wellington Museum), Mr. Wilkinson (Caretaker, Kapiti Island), and Captain Saunderson arrived on the 18th October from the Hen Island, and liberated eight native birds (saddlebacks). One of these died, but the others were lively and began to search for food at once. Since then I have both seen them feeding and heard their songs in the bush."

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