H,— 22,

Overseas.—All New Zealand graves and memorials overseas have been maintained by the Imperial War Graves Commission out of the income derived from the Endowment Fund of £5,000,000, established for that purpose, and to which the Imperial and Dominion Governments contributed in proportion to. the number of graves of their dead. War Funds. Of the 559 patriotic societies in existence at the 31st March, 1919, there are now only fifty-four in operation. The following figures summarize the balance of their funds as taken from the latest annual statements received :— £ s. d. Twenty-seven incorporated societies .. .. .. .. 451,704 18 7 Twelve unincorporated societies .. .. .. .. 7,928 16 8 Seven Red Cross organizations .. .. . . . . 95,300 8 1 Three Blind Soldiers'and Veterans' Homes Funds .. .. 70,218 410 Six Returned Soldiers' Clubs (one being subsidiary to an incorporated society) .. .. .. .'. .. .. 28,355 17 8 653,508 5 10 National War Funds Council .. .. .. .. 110,952 2 7 £764,460 8 5 This total comprises advances to soldiers (the greater portion of which will eventually be written off as grants), farm property (Flock House), Red Cross and Veterans' Homes ; other fixed assets and special funds ; so that approximately 50 per cent, is represented by investments readily convertible into liquid funds. A perusal of various annual reports show that the calls made upon the funds are still fully maintained, and that the general policy of the trustees in conserving ample funds for later needs has been justified by experience. Totalizator Inspection. A representative of the Department was present at each totalizator race meeting. A new electric totalizator of the barometer type has been installed by the Canterbury Jockey Club, and at a number of meetings a manual type of barometer machine has been in use. Another type of totalizator which has been used shows both the investments on the respective horses and expectant dividends. There has been a tendency towards a return to the " Win and Place " system of investment. Raffles. Eight hundred and twenty-two licenses under authority of section 42 of the Gaming Act, 1908, were issued during the year. Of these, 530 were for works of art, 281 for small amounts of alluvial gold, 2 for alluvial gold to the value of £1,000 in aid of the funds of the Territorial Force Associations in the Wellington and Canterbury Districts respectively, and 9 for alluvial gold valued at £5,000, principally for the relief of distress. The following table shows the results of the £5,000 gold art unions : —

Of the net profits, £4 f 1,725 was distributed for the relief of distress through the various lfiayoral' or other recognized relief funds throughout the Dominion, making a total of £180,000 set aside for that purpose during the past three years and a half. Fire Brigades Act, 1926. The area of the Borough of Morrinsyille was declared to be a fire district under the Fire Brigades Act, 1926. A joint application from the Boroughs of St. Kilda and Green Island for the merging of the respective borough areas with the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire District was approved, and was given effect to as from the 31st March last. This fire district now comprises the areas of the City of Dunedin and of the Boroughs of Mosgiel and St. Kilda and Green Island. The number of Fire Boards now operating stands at 54.

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License No. and Name. Gross Sales. Expenses. Prizes. Net Proceeds. Lottery Duty. Net Profit. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 40. My Turn of Luck .. 17,764 17 6 2,664 14 8 2,817 19 2 5,000 7,282 3 8 1,776 9 9 5 505 13 11 41. Golden Treasure .. 15,706 5 0 2,355 18 9 2,761 1 5 5,000 5,589 4 10 1,570 12 6 4,018 12 4 42. Lucky Black Cat .. 17,489 17 6 2,623 9 8 2,927 3 8 5,000 6,939 4 2 1,748 19 9 ō!l90 4 5 43. Happy Thought .. J6,379 2 6 2,456 17 5 2,920 8 1 5,000 6,001 17 0 1,637 18 3 18 9 44. Better Prizes .. 16,785 0 0 2,517 15 0 2,959 15 3 5,000 6,307 9 9 1,678 10 0 4 628 19 9 45. Lots of Luck .. 17,097 12 6 2,564 12 11 2,872 0 11 5,000 6,660 18 8 1,709 15 3 4'951 3 5 46. My Good Fortune .. 18,072 5 0 2,710 16 9 2,949 4 0 5,000 7,412 4 3 1,807 4 6 5,604 19 9 47. Lucky New Year .. v 19,771 5 0 2,965 13 9 2,946 9 2 5,000 8,859 2 1 1,977 2 6 6 881 19 7 48. Leap Year .. J.8,696 5 0 2,804 8 9 2,921 18 8 »-5,000 7,969 17 7 1,869 12 6 6,100 5 1 Totals .. 157,762 10 0 23,664 7 8 26,076 0 4 45,000 63,022 2 0 15 776 5 0 47 ?45 17 0 .-k_. / t 7