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interests of the debenture-holders, Commission control should be continued for a further period of five years. The Government gave very careful consideration to both points of view, and decided that the time had arrived when the administration of the borough should be handed back to the elected representatives of the people. The Commissioner -therefore went out of office on 19th November, 1947, and as from that date the Council resumed full control of the affairs of the borough. Certain of the special legislative provisions relating to Thames were continued in force by sections 19 and 20 of the Local Legislation Act, 1947. The Department has been closely associated with the administration of Thames since its financial collapse and the institution of Commissioner control in 1932. Throughout the intervening period the objective has been to bring about financial stability in the borough. It is most gratifying to record that this stage has now been reached. The results achieved reflect very great credit on the two Commissioners, Messrs. C. L. Grange and A. L. Burk, who held office at different periods •during the years of Commissioner control. Both these gentlemen carried out their functions with conspicuous success, and there is no doubt the present financial position •of the borough is largely due to their prudent administration. <G. Miscellaneous The Kauana, Dipton, Ettrick, and Kawhia Rabbit Boards, the Marlborough Nassella Tussock Board, and the Masterton Licensing Trust were authorized to borrow moneys by way of overdraft for the first year of their existence. The necessary arrangements were made for the appointment of members to fill vacancies occurring on the National War Funds Council, the Petone and Lower Hutt •Gas Board, and the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum. 111. LAND-AGENTS AND AUCTIONEERS During the year, 762 (752) land-agents' licences were issued and 9 (3) transfers granted; 527 (512) auctioneers' licences were issued and 2 (2) transfers granted (last year's figures in parentheses). IV. PHYSICAL WELFARE AND RECREATION 'General The policy of encouraging and assisting all forms of recreative activity progressed perceptibly over the past twelve months, despite the fact that health restrictions were in force almost throughout the period in various districts. The reports from Physical Welfare Officers show that all sports, without exception, have received practical assistance from the Branch. The assistance given varied in each district according to local needs, but no reasonable request for aid was refused. As would be expected, those recreational Activities received most assistance which were not yet firmly established in every area. Activities particularly assisted in this way included indoor basketball, indoor bowls, softball, marching, outdoor bowls (women's), archery, learn-to-swim campaigns, folk-dance groups, volleyball, recreational programmes at Church camps and conferences, -drama groups. Leadership Training The thirty-hour recreation leadership course initiated by the Branch is recognized by the Church groups supplying trainees to be of the greatest assistance in the organization ■of the recreational programmes of Churches throughout New Zealand. In the twelve

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