H.—22.

V. TOWN-PLANNING. The term of office of the nominated members of the Town-planning Board expired during the year. Messrs. E. V. Blake, F. E. Greenish, W. Marshall, and Dr. L. S. Talbot were appointed for a period of three years. Thanks are due to the retiring members, Messrs. A. H. Bogle, W. M. Page, J. W. Beanland, and Dr. C. E. Hercus for their valuable service. Mr. F. C. Widdop, who had performed valued service for a period of six years, died during the year, his place being taken by Mr. F. W. Furkert, C.M.G. The progress in town-planning foreshadowed in the last annual report has been maintained, and the year has been one of marked activity. A number of local authorities have sought the assistance and advice of the Department in regard to the initiation and preparation of schemes for their districts, and indications are that local authorities generally are taking steps to fulfil their statutory obligations in this respect. Three meetings of the Board were held during the year, and four schemes came up for consideration. The Borough of Matamata Town-planning Scheme was provisionally approved, and the Christchurch, Auckland, and Invercargill Schemes were received for the consideration of the Board. Committees were set up to go into the latter three schemes and report back to the Board thereon. An important development from the point of view of combined rural and urban planning is the decision of the South Invercargill Borough Council and the Southland County Council to prepare a combined scheme for the Borough and an adjoining area of the County, which has developed to such an extent that orderly and planned development is necessary. The Hutt County Council has decided to prepare an extra-urban planning scheme in respect of the Epuni Riding of the county, and an Order in Council has been issued requiring the Council to prepare such a plan. Evidence of the increasing desire on the part of County Councils to control urban development in their areas was apparent during the year, particularly in areas adjacent to the City of Christchurch. The extra-urban planning scheme for the Lake Tekapo Township advanced to a satisfactory stage during the year. The Town-planning Board set up a Committee for the purpose of considering in detail the provisional model town-planning clauses issued by the New Zealand Standards Institute. That Committee duly reported to the Board, and the considered comments of the Board thereon have been forwarded to the Institute in connection with the issue of the clauses as a standard code. The Department circularized local authorities for the purpose of ascertaining what progress had been made in the preparation of town-planning schemes, and when replies have been received it will be possible to indicate the extent to which local authorities are co-operating in the preparation of schemes. Work in connection with the Hutt Valley Development Scheme, concerning which a full report was made last year, proceeded steadily during the year, and it is anticipated that the report will be presented early in the current year. VI. LAND-AGENTS. Seven hundred and twenty-one licenses were issued and 11 transfers granted, as compared with 713 licenses issued and 16 transfers for the previous year. One case of a defaulting land-agent was dealt with, and a settlement was effected by arrangement with the parties. VII. AUCTIONEERS. Four hundred and sixty licenses were issued and 4 transfers granted, and 158 changes of endorsement of seller made, as compared with 459 licenses, 7 transfers, and 204 changes of endorsement for the previous year. VIII. EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS. Following on the submission of the provisional emergency precautions scheme to selected local authorities for comment, the scheme was revised and finalized, and then forwarded to each territorial local authority under cover of a letter from the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs requesting the full co-operation of the local authorities. The response was very gratifying, and in practically all cases steps have been taken to form committees as suggested. The inauguration of the local schemes has inevitably raised numerous fresh problems which could not be foreseen, but it is pleasing to record that the majority of these have been straightened out, and in a number of cases the Department has been advised that local organization has been completed. It is evident from the schemes already received that considerable thought and careful organization has been exercised. The elaborate organization provided for in the full scheme was not suitable for all local authorities, particularly for small and isolated counties. Accordingly, a summarized version of the scheme was prepared for rural localities on behalf of the Committee by Colonel J. Pow, Secretary of the New Zealand Counties Association. This scheme was forwarded to all County Councils, together with the principal scheme. IX. DOGS REGISTRATION : PREVENTION OF HYDATID DISEASE. The campaign against hydatid disease in dogs is proceeding satisfactorily. Owing to existing war conditions, which affected the delivery of supplies of the remedy, it was necessary to postpone the date of registration from Ist January until Ist April. The printed instructions have been revised, and are now incorporated in a booklet containing other information of interest relating to hydatids.

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