DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1922.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1922 Session I, H-22

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1922. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1922.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 17th July, 1922. Sir,— f ; i T have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1922. , I«have, &c, J. HISLOP, Under-Secretary. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Minister of Internal Affairs, Wellington. Passports and Pkrmits. During the year 3,231 passports were issued, as against 4,313 for the preceding year, while renewals of passports increased from 350 to 528. The amended visa regulations of the United States Government, dated 12th May, 1921, which permit of British passengers on vessels calling at American ports to land for the limited period of the stay of the vessel in port without obtaining a passport visa, has been much appreciated by the New Zealand travelling public. British subjects who desire to land in American territory and who do not continue their journey by the same vessel require to obtain a visa of their passport by an American consular officer. Nationality. Prior to 1730 British nationality could only be acquired by birth within His Majesty's allegiance, but the British. Nationality Act of that year conferred British nationality to the first generation born abroad, and an amending Act of 1772 extended the principle so as to confer the status of British subjects also upon the grandson born abroad. These statutes remained in force until the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, which became operative on the Ist January, 1915, and which once more limited British nationality to the first generation born abroad. The main considerations in favour of that limitation were —(1) that in normal circumstances the closeness of association with the British Empire of families of British descent resident in a foreign country tends to diminish with each generation born abroad, more especially if marriages with foreign women take place ; (2) that the transmission of British nationality through successive generations born abroad necessarily and automatically produces many instances of dual nationality. In many foreign countries there are strong British communities which during and since the conclusion of hostilities have shown a very marked desire to maintain their British character. The question received attention at the Conference of Prime Ministers held during June August, 1921, when it was decided to recommend that Part I of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act be amended to allow of the acquisition of British nationality by successive generations born abroad, subject to registration at a British Consulate within one year of birth by parent or guardian, and renewed within one year after the child attains his majority. It may be necessary in cases of dual nationality to make a declaration of alienage as well as renewal of registration, The proposal of the Imperial Government to give effect to the recommendation of the Conference has been agreed to by the New Zealand Government. Naturalization. Letters of naturalization were issued to 170 persons. The matter of the adoption in New Zealand of Part II of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, is under review.

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Fire Brigades Act. By the union of the City of Christehurch and the Borough of Woolston the district of the Woolston Fire Board ceased to exist. There are thirty-four fire Boards in operation. OINEMATOGRAPH-FILM CENSORSHIP. During the year 2,432 pictures, of a total length of 5,672,720 ft. have been examined ; of these forty-one were rejected and 203 were passed subject to eliminations. Nine appeals against the decision of the Censor were heard, of which number live were dismissed and four were allowed subject to certain excisions. The personnel of the Board of Appeal is as follows —Mr. H. M. Gore, Chairman, Mrs. K. Preston, Mrs. F. Righton. Boxing Associations. Several applications for approval under section 58 of the Police Offences Act, 1908, have been received from boxing association •, and dealt with. In three instances the applications emanated from clubs formed within a radius of twenty miles of an approved club. As a result of correspondence with the New Zealand Boxing Council it was decided to disallow each application, it being considered that all boxing clubs or associations within a radius of twenty miles should be affiliated to and controlled by one association. Consuls. The following named countries have arranged for consular jurisdiction in New Zealand : Finland ; Latvia ; Danzig (Free City of) ; Poland ; Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. The Consulate-General of the United States of America has been removed from Auckland to Wellington. Motor Regulation Act. The following additional County Councils have been approved as registering authorities under Part II of the Motor Regulation Act, 1908, viz : Coromandel ; Hokianga ; Tawera. The registering authorities throughout the Dominion now total 143. Soldiers' and Historical Graves. Inspections of old soldiers' and historical graves, which now total 1,000, have been carried out in the majority of cemeteries in the Dominion, this work being done in conjunction with inspections of " war graves " of the Great War. Where necessary, suitable arrangements have been made for the maintenance of the graves, and photographs have been taken for record purposes. There arc , 1608 " war graves " in the Dominion, on approximately 400 of which permanent work has been completed by the relatives, and the Government will therefore have to provide headstones for the balance, plus those graves on which relatives desire the universal headstone to replace the existing stone. The total cemeteries containing " war graves" is 290, all of which have been inspected, with the exception of those north of Kaikohe, North Auckland, and arrangements made for upkeep where necessary. Pending the erection of the universal headstones, temporary crosses (wooden) are being erected, and 1,050 such crosses have been placed in position. The universal headstones, which are of tin; same design as those being erected over the graves of New Zealand soldiers buried abroad, will be of Coromandel granite, and the contract for the supply of 1,200 stones within three years has been let. The first constructional work at the Soldiers' Cemetery, Featherston, where there are 182 "war graves," has been completed. The headstones for Feathers on will be erected before the close of 1922, and headstones will also be placed over the graves in Palmerston North Cemetery. In addition to the two memorials, the "Cross of Sacrifice" and the "Stone of Remembrance," to be erected in Soldiers' Cemeteries at Auckland, Foatherston, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, special memorials to those members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force buried at sea between Egypt and New Zealand, and between Europe and New Zealand, will be erected at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, bearing the names of the men from the respective provinces. The names of other soldiers buried at sea will appear on a memorial at Gallipoli. On the recommendation of the N.Z.E.F. War Graves Committee, it has been decided to letter ages on the headstones where relatives so desire. Land Agents Act. There were 1,215 licenses issued and ten transfers granted during the year, as compared with 1,466 licenses and three transfers during the previous year, A new Land Agents Act was passed last session, repealing the 1912 Act, which contained many defects. The new Act sets out a new procedure, relative to the obtaining of a license, and provides for objections to be lodged with and heard by a Magistrate along with the application. The land agents' year was altered, and now commences on the Ist April in each year. Local Government. The past year has again been a particularly active one in matters affecting local government, especially the latter part of the year, on account of the amount of local-government legislation passed during the last session. One of the Acts passed namely, the Local Bodies' Finance Act—was of considerable importance both to the finances of local bodies and to the country in general. Counties. The most important move in county government was that contained in the, Waikato and King-country Counties Act. This Act was the outcome of the report of the Commission set up to consider generally the question of the local government in the Waikato and King-country districts,

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mention of which was made in my last report. By means of this Act two new counties namely, OtoTohanga and Taumarunui —were constituted, the Awakino and Waitomo Counties were, united, and important adjustments were made between the boundaries of five counties. Five road districts were abolished, and one now road district constituted at Taupo, where there was no local govc ning authority. In addition a considerable portion of the West Taupo County, in which the Counties Act was not in force, was brought under county control, and the remainder of the county united with the East Taupo County, forming now only one county in that district in which the Act is not in force, The abolition of the Road Boards was brought about as the result of the bringing of that portion of the West Taupo County under county control, and of course means a considerable step forward in the local government of that district. It is, however, fitting to place on record here the useful work done by the Boards of these road districts as a temporary expedient pending county control. The boundaries were adjusted between ten counties, and the necessary action taken to alter the riding boundaries consequent thereon ; the boundaries of eight counties were redefined consequent upon the alteration or constitution of boroughs ; six County Councils passed special orders altering the boundaries of ridings ; certain ridings in the Southland County were altered by Order in Council so as to bring them into conformity with the Counties Act. An extension of time was granted for holding the annual meeting of Councillors in three counties, and for the preparation of the valuation rolls of one county. The Rodney County adopted the system of rating on the unimproved value. The Counties Conference was held in September, and, as usual, various remits were; forwarded to the Department for consideration for legislation. It was not found possible to bring down legislation dealing with all these matters last session, but a Counties Amendment Act was passed containing some of the more important matters. The remainder have been noted for consideration when it is found possible to deal with the measures affected thereby. Boroughs. —Two new boroughs, Raetihi and Avondale, were constituted, and the Woolston Borough was united with the City of Christchurch. The boundaries of four boroughs were altered, and ten redefined. The Geraldine and Timaru Boroughs adopted the system of rating on the unimproved value. The number of members of the Whangarei Borough Council was increased. The Wellington City milk-supply was declared a trading undertaking as defined by the Municipal Corporations Act. There has been considerable activity in regard to municipal, boundaries, and several matters involving somewhat comprehensive alterations in the boundaries of a number of boroughs were under consideration at the close of the year. Road Districts. In my last report I made reference to the rapid decrease in the number of road districts in the Dominion, and the past year has been no exception to this rule, for during tin , year no less than thirty-three road districts were either merged in their respective counties or included in some other district, leaving only forty-nine in existence, as against eighty-two at the close of last year. The power given by section 30 of the Counties Act, 1920, has been exercised in merging some of the smaller road districts in counties where the total area covered by such districts comprised only a smalJ portion of the county. One of the principal objections to this form of control is that the existence of Road Boards means increased administrative expenses. Nevertheless, it is impossible to say too much of the valuable work performed by Road Boards in the early development of the country districts. A short Road Boards Amendment Act was passed containing purely administrative provisions, but it is not considered necessary to bring down any comprehensive amendment in view of the rapid decrease of this form of local government. The Avondale Road District was raised to the status of a borough. Town Districts. —Four town districts were constituted, the boundaries of two town districts were altered, one town district was declared not to form part of the county in which it was situated, and the number of Commissioners of one district increased. Power was taken to increase two districts beyond the statutory limit of two square miles. The Town Boards Act was not dealt with last session, but it is recognized that it must be dealt with at the earliest possible moment, as it is now very obsolete. The finances of Town Boards were temporarily dealt with by the insertion of a clause in the Finance Act of last session, increasing their rating-powers so as to bring them into line with those of Borough Councils ; but apart from this it is of the utmost importance that the whole Act bo remodelled. Land Drainage Districts. Two drainage districts were constituted and two were united, whilst three were abolished. The boundaries of five districts were altered. The cost of reconstruction of the Mangapiko Stream, and the cost of maintenance of the Gordonton-Motumaoho Road drain was apportioned among the various local bodies concerned. A question which is of considerable importance and which has caused the Department much concern is the conflict of powers which frequently exists by reason of both a Drainage Board and a River Board controlling the one area. This position exists in several parts of the Dominion, but more particularly in the Waikato and Manawatu districts, and it has been exercising the attention oi the officers not only of this Department, but also of the Public Works and Lands Departments, as to how such positions could be overcome. The ultimate solution appears to be a comprehensive scheme embracing both river-conservation and land-drainage under one Board, and reports have frequently been obtained recommending the adoption of such a course in certain districts. This object has, however, been defeated in the past, and is still being defeated by the formation of small Boards, brought about, by reason of the fact that settlers whose lands are low-lying and require, drainage cannot wait for a larger scheme, and form themselves into small Drainage Boards for the purpose of providing a temporary means of draining their lands. Whilst this is in many cases very necessary the unfortunate part of it is that very often the drainage-works carried out by these small Boards

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conflict witli the larger schemes either being carried out or proposed to be carried out by River and other Boards. There can be no question that the position will have to be dealt with comprehensively throughout the Dominion, and a scheme on the lines of that recommended by the Auckland Canals and Inland Waterways Commission in regard to the Waikato River Board will require to be adopted in the areas which are principally affected by drainage and. river operations. River Districts. —No new river districts were constituted, and the boundaries of only one district were altered. In addition to this, a united district was formed in Marlborough, involving the abolition of four river and two drainage districts formerly controlling the Wairau River and its tributaries, mention of which I made in my last report. The district was subsequently subdivided, and representation fixed. The union of these districts, it is hoped, will solve many problems in the vital question of river-control in Marlborough. The control of the Rangitata River was again brought under notice, and legislation was passed constituting the Geraldine County Council a River Board, with jurisdiction over the whole of the Geraldine County, and giving it wide powers, with the object of effectively controlling the river. The legislation brought down involved the repeal of the Orari and Waihi Rivers Act, 1918, and the Rangitata River Act, 1918 (and the abolition of the districts constituted thereunder), these Acts never having been brought into operation. Despite these few actual results of the administration of the River Boards Act, river-control was the subject of much consideration by the Department's officers, arising primarily out of a petition for the constitution of the Manawatu-Oroua River District, and the dual river and drainage control in the parts of the Waikato district. The Mangawara River District, for example, is also covered by nine drainage districts, this notwithstanding the fact that the River Board possesses also certain powers of a Drainage Board, and should be able to cope with the question of land-drainage. The best means of overcoming this difficulty appears to be in the direction indicated under the heading " Land-drainage Districts " —viz., a comprehensive scheme embracing both river-conservation and land-drainage under one Board. The constitution of the proposed Manawatu-Oroua River District disclosed a similar position. A further difficulty in this case arose by reason of the fact that the proposed river district is within the Foxton Harbour District, and the proposal was thus complicated because section 73 of the River Boards Act precludes a River Board from exercising jurisdiction over a harbour district. A similar position recently arose in connection with the control of the Kaituna River: in this case the Kaituna River Board found that it was precluded, by reason of the above section, from controlling the river —the very purpose for which it was formed. Legislation was passed last session exempting the Board from the provisions of that section. The section of the Act will be repealed at the first opportunity, as section 86 of the River Boards Act amply safeguards a Harbour Board's powers. It is very necessary that the River Boards Act be amended, and the exact position of River Boards be defined, both in relation to land-drainage and the necessity for having complete control of the whole of a river from either the gorge or the source to the mouth. War Memorials.- Fourteen local bodies were authorized to erect war memorials under section 15, Finance Act, 1919. Local Bodies' Finance Act. —An important measure dealing with the finances of local bodies was passed last session. The law has for many years allowed local bodies to borrow money in anticipation of revenue, but the money had become in many cases practically a permanent debt. From time to time power had to be given to local bodies to borrow money for the purpose of paying off this debt. The last occasion on which this was done was in 19T3, but since then the debt has been again accumulating, and many local bodies were, in consequence in financial difficulties. The local Bodies' Finance Act compels local bodies which have an overdraft or temporary deposits to capitalize their liability, forming what is known as an " antecedent liability," and to pay off this liability either (a) by seven annual instalment out of revenue, or (b) by a direct loan, or (c) by levying a special rate in each of seven years sufficient to cover each annual instalment. The powers of a local body to borrow by overdraft or by temporary deposit are limited to three-fourths of its total revenue for the preceding year, and at the end of a year there shall not be owing a greater sum than the amount of revenue then outstanding. This will, of course, compel local bodies to live within their income, and will also ensure that money borrowed by overdraft or temporary deposit will simply be a temporary expedient in anticipation of revenue. Whilst some difficulty is being experienced in complying with the Act, a large proportion of local bodies have already, by one or other of the means provided, taken steps to extinguish their liability, and I feel quite confident that the Act, which is generally approved, will result in establishing a sounder position in local bodies' finance. Animals Protection and Game Act. During the session 1921—22 a new Animals Protection and Game Act was passed, and, generally speaking, meets with the approval of all those interested in the matters dealt with therein. The Act contains schedules of absolutely protected birds and of imported and native game, provision being made to enable these lists to be varied by the inclusion of other birds or animals therein or by the exclusion of any now included. Wide powers have been taken to enable regulations to be made, and it is proposed to submit in due course draft regulations to acclimatization societies. Deer. —Open seasons for deer-stalking were, as usual, provided in a, number of acclimatization districts, and it becomes year by year more apparent that a comprehensive scheme of deer-culling will have to be carried out, both on account of the falling-off in the quality of heads and of the damage that is being done in some districts by these animals, it having been found, necessary to grant permission in several cases to the occupiers of property to destroy deer committing damage.

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Opossums. —For the first time provision was made for an open season for the taking or killing of opossums during the month of June last year. Large numbers of these animals were taken, principally in the Otago, Wellington, and Southland Acclimatization Districts, comparatively few being taken in other parts of the Dominion. Special provision has been made to enable orehardists to destroy opossums at any time in any registered orchard, and also in certain areas in fruitgrowing districts, and in addition provision is being made to enable the destruction of those animals on any land within half a mile of any orchard. The whole question is being very carefully studied with a view of ascertaining relatively the possible value to the Dominion of the opossum as compared with any damage likely to be caused to property of fruitgrowers and others by that animal, and in the meantime it has been decided not to authorize the capture of opossums for the purpose of liberation in any district. Government Statistician. The activities of the Office during the last twelve months have been directed principally towards the compilation of the 1921 census results, and beyond the inauguration of a new system of migration statistics, referred to in my last report, no new branches of statistical work have been undertaken. Census of 1921. — Part 1 of the Census Results, dealing with the distribution of the population throughout the Dominion, was published last January, and appendices have also been published containing statistics of the Maori population, the population of Cook Islands and Western Samoa, libraries, religious denominations, poultry, and bees. Owing, however, to the immense amount of coding work involved in connection with the utilization of mechanical appliances for census work, it will be some considerable time before the social statistics to be compiled from the census schedules are available. Mechanical Appliances for Census Work.- -The mechanical appliances ordered for use in connection with the census work arrived in New Zealand in May, 1921, and were installed on the return, a few weeks later, of the officer who had been sent to Now York to obtain knowledge and experience of the machines. The appliances have given thorough satisfaction, though a proportion of faulty cards in the consignment obtained from England has caused a certain amount of trouble and delay. The machines have been utilized both for census work and in the compilation of the new migration statistics, and it is intended to extend their use in other directions as opportunity oilers. Publications. —The remodelling of the Year-book authorized last year by the Hon. the Minister has been satisfactorily carried out, and the book has. been well received. This year the new policy authorized at the same time in connection with the annual volumes of Statistics of New Zealand will be inaugurated. Hitherto the Statistics have been published as a single comprehensive volume (in four parts), and in addition to statistical matter prepared in this Office have included statistical tables extracted from parliamentary reports. In future the statistics compiled in this Office will be published annually in the form of separate Statistical Reports with some introductory explanatory matter, while a saving of some two hundred pages will be effected by the non-inclusion of extracts from parliamentary papers. Nine volumes will be published annually, as follows : —

The prices quoted represent a considerable increase on those hitherto charged for the corresponding parts of the statistical volume. Increases in price have also been made in the case of the Year-book (now 7s. 6d. per copy) and the Monthly Abstract (Is. per copy, or 10s. 6d. per annum), this being in pursuance of the policy recently laid down by the Government with a view to making statistical publications more self-supporting. As a further step in this direction the free-distribution list of all the publications of the Office have been drastically curtailed. Registration of Aliens. —At the 30th April, 1922, there were 8,984 names on the Dominion Register of Aliens, as compared wtih 9,021 a year ago. The principal nationalities concerned were—China, 2,971 ; United States, 800 ; Jugo-Slavia, 793 ; Germany, 784 ; Denmark, 582 ; Sweden, 473 ; Norway, 421 ; Italy, 285 ; Switzerland, 2(50 ; France, 206 ; Finland, 185 ; Syria, 151. Registrar-General. Statement of the business transacted for the year 1921 : Birth entries, 30,075 ; death entries, 10,734 ; marriages solemnized, 10,674 ; marriages by Registrars (included in the 10,674), 1908. Particulars in respect of Maoris are as follows : Births, 1,040 ; deaths, 789 ; marriages, 210. Medical Register. —Number on Register, Ist January, 1921, was 1,064, and at 31st December was 1,071.

Volume. Approximate Number of Pagea. i'rioo. J opulation fatal Statistics lustice [rade and Shipping Ygricultural and Pastoral Production Manufacturing Production .. 30 160 75 400 40 60 20 160 s. d. 1 6 3 G 2 0 10 0 1 6 2 0 1 6 3 6 nsurance .. jocal Governing Bodies Miscellaneous : Meteorology, Bankruptcy, Building Societies, Prices, Statistical Summary 40 1 0

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Denl/isle Register.-— Number on Register, Ist January, 1.921, 747, and at 3]st December, 746. Officiating Ministers. —On the 31st December last there were 1,735 names on the list of officiating ministers under the Marriage Act having authority to solemnize marriages in New Zealand, as follows : Church of the Province of New Zealand (commonly called the Church of England), 447 ; Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, 400; Roman Catholic Church, 276; Methodist Church of New Zealand, 254 ; Congregational Independents, 31 ; Baptists, 65 ; Church of Christ, 35 ; Salvation Army, 146 ; other denominations, 81. Dominion Analyst. During the year 4,804 samples for analysis were received from various sources, which number is 913 higher than that dealt with during the preceding year. The Geological Survey forwarded twenty-five coals, three oil-shales, fourteen limestones, eight clays, twenty-eight rocks for superior analysis, four iron-ores, three ochres, several mineral specimens for identification and partial analysis, and twelve samples of natural gas. The latter came from Ihungia and Te Puia, in connection with a search for petroleum in those districts. The Head Office and inspection staff contributed fifteen coals, two oil-shales, two limestones, four clays, several ores of copper, iron, and mercury, six samples of coaldust from mines, thirty-six mine-airs, and thirty-six parcels for assay for gold and silver. The percentage of recoverable asbestos was determined in serpentine from Takaka, a full description being given the detailed report. Prospectors' samples included several varieties of useful clay, good copper-ore from D'Urville Island, and manganese-ore of marketable quality from Bombay. Quartz containing gold in payable amounts came from Wairau Valley, Marlborough ; Poerua, Westland ; The Reefs, Central Otago ; and Waipori. Beach sand from between Lake Ellesmere and the mouth of the Rakaia River was found to contain in places a few grains of gold per ton. A great variety of foodstuffs was submitted by the Department of Health. The list comprises aerated waters, baking-powder, bloater-paste, butter, " butterlac " " cakolene," canned fruit, cheese, chocolate liquers, cider, cocoa, cofiee, coffee and chicory, cofiec-and-chieory essence, container for preserved fish, cordials, cotton-seed oil, cream, cream-of-tartar, custard-powder, " oremonne," disinfectant, " egglite " colouring, egg-powder (so called), egg-yolk, Epsom salts, essence of lemon, food flavours, " foodlac," fruit-jolly, ginger, ground rice, herrings, honey, ice-cream, ices, jam, " kine," lard, lemonade, liquors, malt-extract, margarine, nut chocolate, oatmeal, pepper, pickles, pork and beans, prunes, sardines and silds, sausages, tea, " thomasine" tomato-sauce, vinegar, wheat, salts. Two of the baking-powders were below the required strength, and one contained a large amount of alum. Only two of the butter-samples did not comply with the regulations, both containing more than the 16 per cent, of water allowed. Eleven cream-of-tartars contained more than the permitted amount of lead, and one exceeded the limit for arsenic. Thirteen samples of ice-cream were deficient in butterfat, and six of these had been thickened with starch. Starch had been added to two others also. Cordials and aerated waters well repaid examination. Salicylic acid was found in twenty-four lemonades, and one each of lemon-squash, lime-juice, and .raspberry. Saccharin was detected in lemonade purchased in Wellington, and subsequently in samples obtained from all parts of the Dominion. Approximately one-half of all examined Contained saccharine, in contravention of the regulations, and the practice, of using this sweetening substance in lieu of wholesome sugar received a necessary check. Considerable attention was paid by Health .Inspectors during the year to canned goods, all blown tins being condemned, and doubtful tins submitted for examination. Decomposition was evident in three lots of fruit, three of fish, and one of cheese. The labelling of foodstuffs still requires attention ; for example, custard-powders, coffee, and coft'ee-essence were frequently found to have misleading statements on the outside labels. A total of 2,506 samples of milk, taken under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, was analysed during the year. Almost three-fourths of these came from Wellington City, and the balance from numerous towns in the central portions of the Dominion. Four check samples from other districts were analysed by direction of a Magistrate. The Wellington City Corporation inspector is credited with 1,660 out of 1,724 official samples taken in Wellington. Most of these represented milk sold under municipal control. The number of adulterated samples was very small. Four had been partly skimmed, five watered, four were decidedly stale, and one contained an excessive amount of dirt. Warnings' were issued in sixteen other cases where the milk was rather stale, and in thirteen instances when it was slightly deficient in butterfat. Samples were occasionally taken at the railway-stations on arrival of trains conveying milk, to check supplies coming into the city. Adulteration of milk is more common in the country districts, and with a view of checking it the Inspectors have taken samples not only in the larger centres, but also in the smaller towns. The results are summarized as follows : Samples received, 609 ; seriously skimmed, 11 ; watered, 35 ; slightly below standard, 23. The number of analyses made for Plunket nurses was 114, an increase of 61 over the previous year. Research. Clay. —The work on clay has been continued on the same lines as in previous years, and it has become apparent that New Zealand possesses a considerable variety of very useful clays. Ochre. —Very little is known at the present time about our resources in ochres. A few samples forwarded during the year compared well with imported ochre for brightness of colour and tintingpower, and the methods of testing are being extended, with promising results. Lignite. —With a view to the fuller utilization of New Zealand lignites, a few representative samples were submitted to low-temperature distillation. The yields of oil would be insufficient by themselves to repay the cost of the process, working on a commercial scale, but if the residues after distillation could be rendered marketable—for example, by briquetting— a considerable industry might be built up. The work is in abeyance pending the purchase of a suitable experimental briquetting-press.

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Fusain, —Samples of very fine coal, resembling in appearance the fusain separated by Dr. Marie Stopes from British coals, were collected by the Inspecting Engineer of Mines from mines in which there is a tendency to spontaneous ignition of the coal. The samples have proved to be different in composition from British fusain, and work on them is being continued as opportunity offers. Under present conditions, however, of limited staff and accommodation this problem, and others of considerable prospective value to the Dominion, cannot be investigated as fully as is desirable. Explosives and Dangerous Goods. The following amendment has been made to the regulations during the year : Amendment No. 10 —Definition of " Gelignite " : 'Phis is simply a machinery clause revoking amendment No. 6 made last year. Gelignite is now being made in Britain by the " cold-gelatinization " process, and the definition prescribed by Amendment No. 6 was not sufficiently wide to cover this explosive. The British Home Office list of authorized explosives now defines gelignite as an explosive containing potassium nitrate, and the definition as amended will be effective for the purposes of the Amendment No. 6. Importation. —Licenses were issued for the importation of the following explosives during the year : Gelignite, 416,200 lb. ; gelatine-dynamite, 35,300 lb. ; blasting-gelatine, 45,350 lb. ; A 2 monobel, 238,6001b. ; quarry monobel, 3,7501b.; ligdynitc, 25,0001b.; 60 per cent, gelatine (sodium-nitrate gelignite), 15,0001b.; T.N.T., 701b.; blasting-powder (grain and pellets), 182,500 lb. ; sportingpowder, 11,740 lb. ; total, 973,5101b: detonators, 1,699,200 ; fireworks, 2,359. Manufacture. —The only factories licensed for the manufacture of explosives were the fireworksfactory of Mr. H. F. Bickerton, at Wairioni Park, Christchurch, and the Colonial Ammunition Company's small-arms-ammunition factory at Mount Eden, Auckland. Storage. —The total number of magazines licensed for the year was 299, being an increase of seventy-two on the previous year. This increase is accounted for by the fact that many of the magazines at mines and quarries which during the war were left under the control of the Inspectors of Mines have now been brought into compliance with the Act. The following are details of the licenses issued : 142 for quantities up to 300 lb. ; 98 for quantities between 300 lb. and 2,000 lb. ; 42 for quantities between 2,0001b. and 10,000 lb. :17 for quantities over 10,000 lb. There are still three Government magazines available for public use— at Wellington, Greymouth, and Dunedin. The new magazine at Greymouth, situated on Marsden Road, was brought into use during the year. In view of the financial stringency, no action was taken regarding tin; proposed magazines at Auckland and Bluff. In addition to the Government magazines, the local authorities at Paeroa and New Plymouth maintain magazines for public use. During the year 621. licenses were issued in respect of premises on which the sale of explosives was licensed. This is a decrease of nineteen on the previous year. No accidents in connection with the storage or transport of explosives have come under the notice of the Department during the year. The following explosives have been condemned and destroyed during the year —all on account of moisture-absorption : 50 per cent, gelignite, 65 lb. ; Viking powder, 501b. Inspection and testing, — Owing to the amount of work involved in organizing the administration of the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, it has not been possible to make a very complete inspection of private magazines. Most of the large magazines have been inspected during the year, and also the majority of the premises licensed for the sale of explosives. As in past years, shipments of explosives arriving in New Zealand have been physically examined and tested for stability, and occasional tests made on explosives stored in Government and private magazines. The usual silvered-vessel tests have also been made on military explosives for the Defence Department. During the year a considerable improvement has been, made in the explosives-testing station at Shelly Bay. A ballistic mortar has been erected, and. the old explosion-pit, which had become badly silted vtp, has been replaced by a new concrete structure. One of the buildings previously used as a magazine at Dunedin has been re-erected at Shelly Bay for use in the preparation of samples for test. Local Authority Administration. —As stated in my last report, the Act provides for administration by such local authorities as are declared to bo licensing authorities, and all the Borough Councils and Town Boards have been given the opportunity to become licensing authorities. Of the 116 boroughs in New Zealand, 107 have undertaken the administration of the Act, five have the matter at present under consideration, and in only four boroughs has the local authority definitely declined to act. In the town districts the Department is administering the Act in twenty-four of the smaller districts, in three cases the matter is still under discussion, and the remaining thirty-eight Town Boards have agreed to administer the Act. Licenses. —186 licenses to store dangerous goods were issued during the. year, the total revenue obtained being £129. The regulations under the Act provide that licenses issued by any local authority under by-laws previously existing should be deemed to be licenses under the Act. Pending a decision by the local authority regarding the administration of the Act, no licenses were issued within the districts of boroughs or Town Boards. The Act provides that licensing authorities shall pay into the Public Account a proportion of the fees received for licenses. This proportion amounts, on the average, to between one-fourth and one-fifth of the total revenue. Inspection. —ln all, 145 towns have been inspected, and every effort is being made to make the inspection reasonably complete. This will ensure that the Act and regulations are administered in a uniform way ; but it is anticipated that it will be several years before a complete inspection can be made of all the premises on which dangerous goods are stored. The Department is receiving the active co-operation of local-authority officers, and it is satisfactory to record that second-inspection visits which have been made in a number of towns show a very considerable advance in the methods of storage.

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The Dominion Museum. General. —The year 1921-22 has witnessed the steady and continuous growth of the Museum in usefulness. Although it is unmarked, by any conspicuous gifts or accessions by purchase, many additions have been made to the existing collections. The exhibits, particularly those of the natural-history sections in the upper galleries, have been overhauled and reclassified, and are now being relabelled. The ornithological collections are being enriched and extended by specimens drawn from, store. Libraries. —The representations made by the President of the New Zealand Institute and Wellington Philosophical Society after the outbreak of fire in the Museum led to arrangements for the removal of the Carter Collection to the Turnbull Library, and the accumulated scientific works to Victoria College University. Publications. —During the year two important works —viz., Manual No. 2, " Wild Life in New Zealand : Part I, Mammalia," and Bulletin No. 2, " The History of the Portobello Marine Fish-hatchery," were published. Both are by the Hon. George M. Thomson, M.L.C., and each has received not only highly appreciative Press reviews, but has been dealt with in leading articles. Over nine hundred copies of Manual No. 1, " New Zealand Plants and their Story," by Dr. L. Cockayne, have now been sold, and this edition (the second) will probably be exhausted within a comparatively short date. Manual No. 3, " Geomorphology of New Zealand," by Professor C. A. Cotton, is now in the hands of the printer and will be published very shortly. Bulletins Nos. f>, 7, 8, and 9 have been completed by Mr. Elsdon Best, who is now engaged on No. 10, " Maori Myth and Religion," a work of considerable importance, in which is given an exhaustive account of the cosmogony, anthropogeny, mythology, religious beliefs and practices of our Native folk. To permit the publication in convenient form of a number of shorter papers, a new series— Dominion Museum Monographs —has been designed, and the first four written by Mr. Best are now in the press. The titles of these are : No. 1, " Some Aspects of Maori Myth and Religion " ; No. 2, " Spiritual and Mental Concepts of the Maori " ; No. 3, " Astronomical Knowledge of the Maori" ; No. 4, " Maori Division of Time." Museum Lectures to School-children. —Classes in charge of their teachers have visited the Museum in larger numbers than before, and talks followed by an inspection of the exhibits have been given. During March last Mr. Joseph Keele, Ceramic Engineer of the Mines Depratment, Ottawa, Canada, gave an address here on " Clays and the Ceramic Industry " to an audience of students from the Training College, the Girls' College, and others. Ethnographical. —Work done during the past year has consisted of the preparation of further material for the series of Museum Bulletins dealing with Maori ethnography, and also the compilation of the major work authorized some time back. In addition to these, two general works on the old time life of the Maori were authorized. One of these was to be a small work that could be sold to tourists and others at a small price, a class of publication that is much needed. This work has been completed, and is in the hands of the Government Printer, awaiting authority for publication. The larger work is one for the use of students, and such a work as this is also needed in view of the interest now being displayed in Polynesian ethnology. The highly interesting aspects of Maori cosmogonic myths, religious beliefs, &c, his strange conception of a supreme deity, his singular institution for conserving esoteric lore, together with the inner meaning of his mythological concepts all appeal strongly to anthropologists. It is the inner meaning of such things, the superior knowledge of the Maori, that sadly needs to be recorded ;of bald translations and inferior folk-lore we have had an abundance. The following divisions of this work have been written : 1, Cosmogony and Anthropogony ; 2, The Homeland of the Polynesian Race ; 3, The Polynesians as Deep-sea Voyagers, Explorers, and Colonizers ; 4, The Maori School of Learning ; 5, Maori Mythology ; 6, Maori Folk-lore ; 7, Religious Beliefs of the Maori ; 8, Social Customs ; 9, Customs pertaining to Birth. Other papers written during the past year are as follows: 1, The Maori Division of Time; 2, Asiatic Polynesian Parallels ; 3, The Settlement of the Wellington District ; 4, Notes on the Early History of New Zealand. Herbarium. —Several valuable additions in plant-specimens have been made during the year. The greater part of the work on the herbarium has been the classification of the large collection presented by Mr. Aston last year, involving the examination of ninety boxes of specimens representing about 1,050 species. Zoological Collections,— Early this year a start was made at classifying the zoological collections on view in the Museum, and good progress has been made. Reptiles and Batrachians have now all been collected in two cases at the north end of the gallery. Additions during the year include a collection of lizards and frogs of the Western United States, received from the Californian Academy of Sciences, San Francisco. A few specimens from South Africa were presented by Mrs. E. Stairmand, and a specimen of the Australian slowworm, found in Taranaki Street, Wellington, by Mr. P. Scoringe. Six specimens of the Stephen Island frog {Liopelma hamiltoni were obtained. Echinoderms. —A collection is now on view, amongst which is a largo-branched brittle-star, the first to have been taken in New Zealand waters. Cetacea.— A complete overhauling of the bones of cetaceans belonging to the Museum resulted in identifying a skelton of the rare whale Mesojdodon bowdoini in the storeroom at the back of the Museum. The only other skeleton known is in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Expedition to Stephen Island. —A visit to Stephen Island last January disclosed that tuataras were plentiful and apparently increasing. The rare frog Liopelma hamiltoni is still to be found in one locality. Specimens ofjjeach were obtained, and brought to the Museum. Entomological. —A series of typical insects has been prepared, in a form convenient for exhibition in the Museum hall, and arranged so that the various orders and classes may be compared as a glance,

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Very little collecting has been done in the last summer, the Museum expedition to Stephen Island being the only opportunity, beyond local excursions, for securing fresh specimens. The ornithological collections have for the last six months received more than the ordinary attention consequent on a general rearrangement of the exhibition cases. Fish Collections. —Numerous additions to the New Zealand fishes have been made. The most important acquisitions were received from the late Dr. Moorhouse, Bay of Islands, and Mr. W. B. Braddon, Hokitika. Thermal trout-fisheries investigation :An endeavour has been made to correlate the water constituents with the nature and condition of the higher organic life of the lakes. To this end an analysis of water-samples has been carried out. A paper entitled " The Geochemistry of the Thermal Lakes in relation to Problems bearing on the Trout," by Mr. Grigg of the Dominion Laboratory, and Mr. Phillips (Museum Staff), has been prepared. Marine Fisheries Investigation.—-Special attention has been directed to the commercial fisheries of Auckland, and much new data has been collected regarding the seasonal migrations of North Island fishes generally. The stomachs of some ninety edible fishes have been analysed. It is hoped that in this manner a more accurate knowledge of their general life-history and food-supply may be obtained. Other Collections.— From the stomachs of the various fishes small collections of Crustacea, molluscs, echinoderms, and annelids have been made. Part of this material remains yet to be worked out; but there _can be no doubt that many of the organisms found will be of utmost interest. The Pelecypoda in the show-cases have been remounted, and correctly named. As far as possible either specimens or figures of each genus are shown. Work on the Gasteropoda. &c, is, however, hung up until labels can be printed. Fish and Game. On account of the unsettled conditions generally, together with the high cost of material and cartage, it was decided that no fishing operations should be conducted this season at Taupo or Rotorua. The result of the past netting operations for the improvement of the fisheries has been clearly demonstrated this season. Fish are being taken from Lake Taupo weighing up to 15 lb., and the average weight of the fish obtained has risen to 7 lb. The small fish liberated in this lake to provide a food-supply for trout have increased in millions, and are to be found in all the shallows around the lake. A great improvement has also been made in the fish in Lake Rotorua. Here fish are taken up to 7 lb. and 8 lb. weight. But on account of the thinning operations not being carried out for a year or two there are still a large number of ill-conditioned fish that should be removed from these waters. If netting operations can be carried out, say, for another two seasons, and further consignments of small fish liberated, together with the introduction of new ova, there is no reason why the fishing cannot be brought back to the original high standard. As in the past, arrangements were made whereby visiting anglers could have their surplus trout smoked and cured at Taupo. Shags. —During the past season 762 shags' heads were received and destroyed. Trout-hatchery. —The ova-collecting season started as usual in June, but the fish were very late in running up the streams in any number. Sonic very fine fish were penned later. Many hens were taken weighing up to 11 lb. A little over two million ova were collected, which were disposed of as. follows : 981,000 were forwarded as eyed ova, and 832,500 were reared as fry. A large consignment of fry was liberated in the waters of the Tongariro National Park rivers, 500,000 were purchased by the Auckland Society, and other consignments were forwarded to Opotiki, Tauranga, and Katikati. The eyed ova were sent to Sydney, Hobart, Fiji, Napier, Motu, New Plymouth, Masterton,. Westland, Bay of Islands, and Gisborne. Alexander Turnbull Library. Cataloguing. —At the 31st March, 1922, over 17,000 volumes had boon classified, numbered, and placed on the shelves. The cards prepared for these volumes, including cards for the printed catalogue, now number considerably over 100,000. About 350 volumes were sent to the Government Printer for lettering or binding. Whilst the work of classifying and preparing cards has been confined to thePacific section, a considerable part of the English literature has been arranged according to classes, largely for the convenience of students and readers, since it is found that English literature engagesas much attention as colonial or Dominion history. Amongst other volumes dealt with during the year where the pamphlets of New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific, of which there are several thousands. Whilst much of the matter they contain is of an ephemeral nature, much is of historic value. A mass of material, articles, &c, extracted from magazine literature is also being dealt with. Additions. —During the year about 350 new books have been added to the library, including the first nineteen volumes of the Linschoten Society publications, the Dutch equivalent of the Hakluyt Society. The additions comprise new publications and old miscellaneous publications not already in the library. Donations. —The thanks of the Government are due to numerous donors, many of whom are not residents of New Zealand. Historical Records.--A number of the early despatches relating to New Zealand have now been, deposited in the library. It is hoped that the library may in time include an Office of Public Records.. Readers. —Fuller advantage is now being taken of the facilities offered. In addition to local residents, students from the South Island, New South Wales, and the United States of America have spent periods, varying in duration, in reading up New Zealand subjects and early English drama.. One student is engaged in research into the drama of the Restoration.

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Miscellaneous. —About five hundred visitors have signed the visitors' book, and various schools, primary and secondary, have brought classes. At the request of the brother of the donor, the name of the library has been changed to the " Alexander Turnbull Library," and he has generously presented a bronze name-plate to be affixed to the iron entrance-gate. With a view to the sorting-up and completion of the already considerable section of Pacific Island dialects, correspondence has been entered into with various missionary bodies and private collectors, from whom much assistance is being obtained. Government Astronomer and Seismologist. Astronomical Observations. —Observations of meridian transits of stars and the sun have been made for the purpose of controlling the time service. The interval between observations is sometimes unduly long owing to unfavourable weather conditions. Time-service Equipment.-- -The astronomical clocks on which the time service depends are not sufficiently accurate for this duty.. The need of precision clocks has been recognized by the Government, and specifications have been prepared for the clocks, and it is expected that orders will soon be placed for them. Time Service. —The following time-signals are sent out from the observatory. Most of the signals are automatically set by the observatory mean-time clock : — Automatic time-signals :— (I.) To the General Post Office, Wellington, by galvanometer, daily, except Sundays and public holidays : (2.) To some of the watchmakers in Wellington, by galvanometer, daily, except Sundays and public holidays : (3.) To ships and to the general public at Wellington, by electric lights at the Observatory, daily, except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays : (4.) To the Auckland Harbour Board, by electric lights at Auckland, on Tuesdays and Fridays : (5.) To the Lyttelton Harbour Board, by dropping the time-ball at Lyttelton, on Tuesdays and Fridays : (6.) To the South Island telegraph-offices, by galvanometer, on Tuesdays and Fridays : (7.) Wireless time-signals, through the Wellington Radio-station, on Tuesday and Friday evenings : (8.) Wireless time signals, through the Wellington Radio-station, every morning, except Sundays and public holidays. All the automatic time-signals are sent at the exact hour of Greenwich mean time, and are automatically repeated at the first, second, fourth, and fifth minutes. Each signal begins at the 0 second, and lasts approximately one second. Non-automatic time-signals :— (1.) To ships in Wellington, by telephone, on application to the Observatory. (2.) The Observatory time-signals sent to the General Post Office are distributed by telegraphic hand-signals to some 2,300 telegraph and telephone offices distributed all over New Zealand, at 9 a.m. daily, except on Sundays and holidays. (3.) Similar hand-signals are also sent to all railway telegraph-offices in New Zealand at 9 a.m. daily, except on Sundays and holidays. (4.) The Wellington Telephone Exchange distributes time-signals by telephone to exchange subscribers, generally to the nearest minute of time : the clock in the exchange is checked by comparing it with the Observatory automatic time-signal. The wireless time-signal sent from the Observatory have been received by many ships at considerable distances from New Zealand. The signals are transmitted by the Wellington Radio-station (41° 16' south, 174° 46' east of Greenwich), on a wave-length of 600 metres, and are Telefunken quenehedspark signals. The type of signal sent from the Observatory consists of long dashes of about one second duration, and it is probably due to this long dash that the signal reaches so far. The longest distance reported to the Observatory was 4,320 miles, for the wireless-telegraph time-signal received by the s.s. " Tainui." The s.s. " Waimana " reported the reception of the time signal at a distance of 3.638 miles. In order to meet tin , , demand made by the officers of ships for daily wireless time signals, arrangements have been made to send out a signal every day, except Sundays and Government holidays, at 11 hours G.M.T. (= 10-30 a.m. N.Z.T.). In addition to these signals, others are sent every Tuesday and Friday evening at 21 hours G.M.T. (= 8-30 p.m. N.Z.T.). The signals are sent from the Observatory as follows : The operator at the radio-station sends out a warning a, few minutes before the hour, and then connects the observatory circuit to the wireless sending-key. The Observatory operator sends a series of signals by hand, beginning at 59 minutes 10 seconds and finishing 10 seconds before the automatic time-signal is sent at the 0 minute of the hour. Similarly, other hand-signals are sent before the automatic signals at the other minutes. Tn each case the hand signals terminate 10 seconds before the automatic ones, and in this way the navigator receives a useful warning-signal which enables him to get a very precise result. Judging by the numerous reports of the reception of these signals by the navigating officers, the wirelesstelegraph time-signals are made increasing use of. Reception of other Wireless Time-signals at the Observatory. —The Observatory has been equipped with a single-valve wireless receiving-outfit. The aerial consists of two wires, 0-120 in. in diameter, spaced 4 \ ft. apart, and each about 190 ft. long, with down-leads at the northern end of about 40 ft. With this outfit the time-signals from Pearl Harbour (NPM), Hawaii, and from Bordeaux (LV),

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France, have been heard ; but those from Annapolis (NNS), Washington, have not been heard. The International Bureau of the Hour, Paris, and the Naval Observatory, Washington, issue bulletins every month giving the exact times of their radio time-signals. Longitude. —The reception of the Bordeaux time-signals at the Observatory will provide a moans of determining the longitude of this Observatory by direct connection with Greenwich. The adopted longitude of this Observatory is that determined by the use of the electric cable some years ago, and it is now desirable that a direct check should be obtained on the former observations. The matter has received the serious attention of the Bureau dcs Longitudes, Paris, which in the course of its studies has drawn up two principal documents—in March, 1919, a report entitled " Determination dun Keseau Mondial de Longitudes," and in March, 1921, a second, entitled " Projet sommairc d'Etablissement dun nouveau Canevas dcs Positions geographiqucs dcs Points principaux de la Surface de la Terre." The proposal is to determine with the highest attainable accuracy the positions (latitudes and longitudes) of the following fundamental points : Greenwich, Paris, Algiers, Shanghai, San Francisco, and Wellington in 1923-24. It will be seen that Wellington is the only point selected in the Southern Hemisphere, and, being nearly at the antipodes of Greenwich, its position as a fundamental point is unique. It is expected that, in addition to the main investigations, much useful information will be gained on the mode of propagation of the radio-waves round the earth, and that possibly the influence of the earth's rotation on these waves may be detected. Publications. —The following Observatory bulletins have been published : — No. 36, " The Spiral Nebulae," by A. C. Gifford (July, 1921.) No. 37, " Ephcmoris of a Comet," by C. E. Adams. No. 38, " Brief Notes on the Theory of New Zealand Earthquakes," by G. Hogben. No. 39, " Earthquake-origins in the South-west Pacific in 1910," by G. Hogben. No. 40, " Notes on some Recent Earthquakes in New Zealand," by G. Hogben. No. 41, " A Note on East Coast Earthquakes (N.Z.), 1914-17," by G. Hogben. No. 42, " Earthquakes in New Zealand," by C. E. Adams. No. 43, " On the Variations in Size of a Comet's Head," by A. C. Gifford. No, 44, " Annual Report of Government Astronomer and Seismologist for 1921." No. 45, " Wireless Time Signals," by C. E. Adams. As in past years, the Observatory is again indebted to individuals and to institutions for valuable gifts of publications. Some of these are presented in exchange for the Observatory bulletins. Seismology. —The Milne Seismograph No. 20 has been in use during the year. The new MilneShaw seismograph, No. 13, was received in September, 1921. It is a much improved instrument, well designed and well made, It is the standard instrument recommended by the Scismological Committee of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. It is expected that this instrument will be installed at an early date. War Funds. During the year the policy of amalgamating the funds held by the various approved patriotic organizations throughout the Dominion with the incorporated provincial associations was followed, as a preliminary to the ultimate administration of war funds by the National Council, in accordance with the provisions of the War Funds Act. As a result, but 111 of the 983 organizations active at the time of the Armistice remain, thirty-two of which are now in course of being merged into the incorporated funds which number thirty-three. B At the close of the financial year ended 31st March, 1922, balances held by approved funds were as under :— £ Incorporated societies .... .. 1,048,735 Local administering societies . . .. .. .. .. 9,049 Collecting societies .. . . .. .. .. 6,645 Red Cross organizations .. .. 211,017 Social funds . . .. 3,567 Returned soldiers building funds . . .. . . .. 11.066 Memorial Park funds .. . . . . .. 3,335 Blinded soldiers funds .... .. 3,779 Navy relief funds .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,524 Maori organizations . . . . . . . . .. .. 2,807 Crippled Soldiers' and Sailors' Hostel . . . . .. . . 3,774 Total held by approved war funds .. .. .. 1.309.298 National War Funds Council .. .. .. .. .. 127,623 New Zealand War Relief Fund . . . . .. .. 661 Convalescent Home Account . . .. 1,280 War Expenses Account .. . . . . . . . . 1,437 New Zealand Comforts Fund Account .. .. .. 1,475 Sundry small accounts . . . . . . .. .. 86 High Commissioner .. .. 9,657 £1,451,517

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The number of soldiers suffering from war disability who are inmates of hospitals, sanatoria, and! convalescent homes (who are supplied with extra comforts from Red Cross Funds) is happily decreasing, the matter of reorganizing the service has received the attention of the governing body of the New Zealand Branch of the British. Red Cross and Order of St. John (Incorporated), and the closing of the Red Cross and Social War Funds at an early date has been undertaken. The provision of relief and assistance to Maori soldiers having fallen almost entirely upon the War Relief Associations in the past, principally through the capital of the trustees of the Maori Soldiers Fund Council being locked up, a policy of transferring such funds to the National War Funds Council for administration has been formulated, and received by the Maori societies concerned with approbation. All these amounts are properly invested and secured under the provisions of the War Funds Act, and, though applications for relief are at present very numerous, largely attributable to the economic conditions existing throughout the Dominion, the administration of the funds is on a sound basis,, and it is expected that the moneys available will be sufficient to meet claims for relief and assistance to soldiers and their dependants so long as it is needed. National War Funds Council. —During the year the personnel of the National War Funds Council was reconstructed with a view to providing the fullest representation to the approved Incorporated War Funds Societies and also to the Returned Soldiers' Association. The Council at 31st March, 1922, had funds invested, at short call, amounting to £127,623, and is fully carrying out the functions set out under the provisions of the War Funds Act. A system of uniformity in the granting of relief is aimed at. Relief to Imperial, Australian, and other Allied soldiers is met from Council funds, and in every case where the needs of a soldier or his dependants are not covered by the functions of an approved fund, provision for his care is made by the Council. The Council assembles as near as possible quarterly, and urgent matters are the care of an executive committee which meets fortnightly. The operations of the various local advisory committees and their relationship with the Council have been very satisfactory, and during the } r ear the funds of the Foxton Patriotic Society were transferred to the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and a local advisory committee was set up and is supplied with funds by means of imprest, on the principle adopted with the Westland and Buller organizations. Staff. It is with pleasure that I acknowledge the true-hearted co-operation of my executive officers, heads of sub-departments, and staff. I regret to record the continued absence, through illness, of Dr. J. Allan Thomson, Director of the Dominion Museum. The generous assistance rendered by other Departments is gratefully acknowledged.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (535 copies), £15.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 922.

Price (id.)