H.—22

1942. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by L,eave.

Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 3rd July, 1942. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1942. I have, &c., J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary. The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT.

I. CENTENNIAL BRANCH. The following Centennial historical surveys were published during the year 1941-42 : — " New Zealand Now," by Oliver Duff. " Educating New Zealand," by A. E. Campbell. In addition, a comprehensive index was prepared to accompany bound volume No. 2 of the " Making New Zealand " series of pictorial surveys. An official art catalogue was prepared in connection with the Exhibition of British and New Zealand War Art, and work was also done, in connection with the issue of a second edition of " The Gael Fares Forth," by N. R. McKenzie. During the year the staff continued to answer requests for information relating to New Zealand history. Research in the preparation of the " Centennial Atlas " has continued throughout the year, but on a much reduced scale due to staff depletions and general war conditions. Some work has been done in relation to historical memorials, and the erection of a series of monuments at Captain Cook's landing-places actually begun. 11. CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS. Among the responsibilities of the Department in the constitutional field were the following : — (а) Action by the Under-Secretary as Clerk of the Writs in connection with the issue and return of the writs for the by-elections in the Waitemata, Bay of Plenty, Mid-Canterbury, Temuka, and Hauraki Electoral Districts : (б) The terms of appointment of eleven Legislative Councillors expired during the year, and one vacancy occurred through death. Twelve appointments were made to the Legislative Council: (c) The promulgation of emergency regulations and orders following on the declaration of war with Japan. 111. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. A. General Organization. (1) Counties. The Springs County Council passed a special order under the Counties Amendment Act, 1931, abolishing the system of separate riding finance in its district. This made a total of seventy County Councils to avail themselves of that legislation. (2) Boroughs. On two occasions there was an adjustment of boundaries as between the Christchurch City Council and the Heathcote County Council. The boundaries of three other boroughs were altered by the inclusion of lands previously under County Council control. The boundaries of five boroughs were redefined in accordance with law. A proposal that certain land should be excluded from the Feilding Borough was submitted to a Commission, which reported against the proposal. (3) Land Drainage and River Districts. The boundaries of the Christchurch Drainage District were altered on two occasions by the inclusion of certain areas of land. (4) Local Elections and Polls. During the year the triennial local elections were held, this being the first occasion on which they were held "on a Saturday. The general elections for members of the Christchurch Drainage Board and for the Auckland Electric-power Board respectively were postponed for one year because of the prevailing conditions.