H.—22

includes the whole of the fees payable for the year 1926-27 (the 1926-27 relieensing was not commenced until the 6th April, 1926) and the greater portion of the relieensing fees for the year 1927-28. " The increase in the number of motor-vehicles registered between the 31st March, 1925 (99,233), and 31st March, 1926 (132,811), was 33,578. The total number of motor-vehicles registered on the 31st March, 1927, was 162,341, an increase of 29,530 over the previous year. " The number-plates issued for the year 1927-28 (orange numerals on a black background) were manufactured by the Precision Engineering Co., Ltd., of Wellington. The plates bear a good appearance, and, in view of the absence of complaints, it may be assumed that the standard of workmanship meets with the approval of motor-vehicle owners. " The following figures show the distribution of motor-cars, commercial vehicles, and cycles, respectively, registered as on the 31st March, 1927 : North Island—Cars, 65,470; commercial vehicles, 15,774; cycles, 19,186 ; a total of 100,430 vehicles : South Island —Cars, 40,443 ; commercial vehicles, 7,072 ; cycles, 14,396 ; a total of 61,911 vehicles : making a grand total of 162,341 vehicles registered in the Dominion." Naturalization . Certificates of naturalization were granted to 148 persons during the year, including seven Samoans. In addition, certificates were issued to one person previously naturalized and to two persons concerning whose nationality a doubt had existed. Thermal Fisheries. Trout-hatchery.—Hatchery operations for the year commenced, on the 9th June, 1926, when the first ova were collected, and daily collections were made until the 16th September. Of the ova thus obtained 1,402,000 were disposed of. in the eyed stage, the State Fisheries, Sydney, took 570,000, and the balance was distributed throughout the Dominion. 150,000 ova and 250,000 fry were delivered to the Tourist Department for the purpose of restocking the local waters of the thermal district. The Auckland Acclimatization Society was supplied with 580,000 fry for liberation in that society's waters. An effort was also made to supply a number of fry from ova collected at Taupo, but, owing to the rough nature of the journey from Tokaanu to National Park, the " green " ova were not strong enough to successfully withstand transport. The result was that only some 100,000 ova were reared as fry, and these were liberated in Lake Rotorua. In continuation of the policy of improving the fishing in the lake waters, a consignment of 250,000 Lake Hawea ova were reared to the fry stage and liberated in Lakes Taupo and Rotoiti. A trout-hatchery has been constructed in the vicinity of Tokaanu, and will be in full operation during the next spawning season. This hatchery, it is believed, will be of very considerable benefit not. only to the fisheries in the thermal district, but to fisheries generally throughout the Dominion, as the fish from which the ova will be taken cannot be surpassed in any part of New Zealand. Fish-curing. —The curing of fish for anglers at Taupo has again been the means of saving a considerable number of fish that would not otherwise have been available as a food-supply. During the season 290 separate lots were cured, totalling J,316 fish. On the representation of anglers at Tokaanu, similar arrangements have now been made there also to cure trout for anglers and others. Shags.—The increase of the bonus for shags' heads from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. resulted in an increased number of these birds being destroyed. During the past season 935 were accounted for. Lake Taupo. —During the year the Department took control of the fishing on Lake Taupo, and many improvements for the convenience of anglers have already been made. Tracks have been cut along the sides of various rivers, clearings made for camping-sites, and notice-boards erected, and a ranger has been appointed to control the district. In order to enable the Department to maintain and improve the fisheries, periodical reports are being obtained from the Department's ranger relative to the waters in the district, giving particulars regarding the fish therein, the food-supply, the condition of fish, and other matters in connection therewith. There is little need of fear for the future of the district as a fishing resort. Every effort will be made not only to keep up the fisheries, but to improve them, and in this connection the Department will consult from time to time with the experts of the Marine Department. Cinematograph-film Censorship. During the year 2,751 films, of a total length of 5,415,370 ft., were censored. Of this number, thirty-two were wholly rejected and 202 were passed subject to excisions. There was only one appeal against the decision of the Censor, and the Board of Appeal upheld the Censor's decision. Commencing on the Ist August, 1926, a record has been kept of British-made films submitted for censoring. Between that date and the 31st March, 1927, 356 British films, of a total length of 427,250 ft., were examined, out of 1,978 films of all makes, of a total length of 3,649,490 ft. The average length of British-made films examined was 1,200 ft., as against an average of 1,987 ft. for all other makes, showing that the majority of the British films were short in length; in fact, they were mostly " topicals " and " scenics." It is with the deepest regret that I have to record the death of Mr. W. Jolliffe, the Censor of Cinematograph-films, which took place on the 22nd April, 1927. The late Mr. Jolliffe was first appointed Censor in September, 1916, on the coming into force of the Cinematograph-film Censorship Act of that year, and he filled the position with conspicuous ability. Few of his decisions were questioned, and the majority of those appealed against were upheld by the Board of Appeal. Due steps are being taken to appoint a successor.

6