H.—22,

10

Inquiries for Statistical Information. —A feature of recent years has been the growing demand on the part of the public, professional men, educationists, business firms, public and semipublic organizations, &c., for statistical information of all kinds, and it says much for the high standing of the statistical service of the country that in general information desired can be supplied. This applies also to inquiries from international organizations, particularly those which either are branches of the League of Nations or have had delegated to them the League's authority in regard to individual divisions of statistics. Some of the numerous inquiries from these organizations require very detailed statistical information, and involve considerable time and labour. Cinematograph-film Censorship. During the year 1,671 films, of a total length of 4,373,200 ft., were censored. Of this number, thirty-one were rejected in the first instance, 147 were passed subject to excisions, and sixty-five were passed with recommendations for adult audiences only. One appeal against the Censor's decision was lodged in December last, but up to the end of March the appellant had taken no further steps to have the film reviewed by the Board of Appeal. The total number of British Empire films examined was 474, including features, topicals, gazettes, &c., and the total length was 828,250 feet. Of this total sixty-one films were produced in New Zealand, representing 69,830 ft. Feature films—viz., those exceeding 3,000 ft. in length— totalled 448 ; while the remaining 1,223 films comprised topicals, scenics, comedies, industrials, &c., rarely exceeding 2,000 ft. each. Of the feature films, sixty-four were produced in the British Empire, 361 in United States of America, nineteen in Germany, two in Italy, and two in France. The Cinematograph-films Act, 1928, came into operation on the Ist January, 1929, and 787 films have been registered under the provisions of the Act intended to secure a 7i-per-cent. renters' quota of British films for 1929. The quota films registered between the Ist January and the 31st March, 1929, number 205, and of this number forty-one are British and 164 are foreign. The remaining 582 films are registered as non-quota films for the purpose of the Act. These registration figures include a certain proportion of films which were examined by the Censor but not released for public exhibition before the 31st December, 1928. The registrations of quota film for the first three months equal 80 per cent, of foreign features and 20 per cent, of British features. The British feature films submitted during the year under review compare very favourably with the films originating elsewhere. No British feature film was rejected except " Dawn," which was an exceptional case. Inland Fisheries. Facilities for Anglers and Visitors.—A great deal of work was done during the year to further provide for the convenience of anglers and visitors, in making access to fishable waters, campingsites, and huts, erecting an Anglers' Information Bureau, inaugurating a system of issuing fishing bulletins, erecting notices relative to local restrictions, tracks, bridges, fishing-pools, danger-points, camping-grounds, smoking of trout, &c., and clearing banks and streams, &c. A foot-track and cleared fishing-spaces were formed for over a mile along the eastern bank of the Waikato River above the Huka Falls. Also another track and over three-quarters of a mile of foot-bridge were constructed across a swamp to provide direct access from Tokaanu Township to the Tongariro River. Further tracks were formed along the Tongariro and Tauranga-Taupo Rivers and at points along the lake foreshore, and tracks and motor-access roads previously made by the Department were improved by the provision of culverts, clearing, widening, &c. The road leading to the Tokaanu Wharf was metalled, and approaches improved and strengthened against erosion by waves. A property on the bank of the Tongariro River was acquired by the Department and a camp (the Tongariro Hatchery Camp) was established, which includes four huts, each providing accommodation for two persons, and an almost unlimited number of attractive camp-sites. This camp has proved very popular. A very attractive building was erected on the Taupo Landing Reserve for use as an Anglers' Information Bureau and branch office. It is confidently anticipated that this provision will fill a long-felt need, and will be very highly appreciated by all visitors. To enable boats to proceed further up-stream, and thus provide better access to the lake by water, the bed of the Tokaanu Stream was cleared of weed. The Aotea Maori Land Board and the Tuwharetoa Trust Board contributed towards the cost of the work. Taupo Landing Reserve.—A start was made on the Department's policy to make a beauty-spot and scenic attraction of the Taupo Landing Reserve by planting some shelter and ornamental trees and shrubs and fencing the reserve. • Hatchery Operations.—As the result of extensive improvements to both hatcheries, especially providing for better aeration of the water-supplies, most satisfactory results were obtained. A certain amount of additional hatchery space was provided at each hatchery to cope with the very extensive restocking programmes undertaken, especially in the Rotorua district, and the large orders for ova and fry received. The supply of fish of excellent quality and stamina again proved to be plentiful, resulting in an abundant supply of ova being available for all requirements. The quality of the ova obtained and of the fry reared was of the highest, and letters expressing commendation were received from the Department of State Fisheries of New South Wales and several acclimatization societies in New Zealand. A total of 5,429,000 rainbow-trout ova was taken from fish in Taupo district waters, of which 3,120,000 was sold, 2,139,000 was hatched and the fry reared, and 170,000 " planted." Of the fry reared, 1,384,000 was liberated by the Department, as shown under the heading of " Conservation Operations." Of the ova " planted," 30,000 was planted in Rotorua district waters and 140,000 in Taupo district waters. In addition to the above, 179,000 eyed ova was purchased from the Otago Acclimatization Society, and from this 177,000 fry was reared.