H.—2B

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Inquiries made on subjects other than those relating to the prospects of intending settlers have been very numerous, and the official publications belonging to the library of the Department have been in constant requisition in respect to matters relating to New Zealand legislation, powers of attorney, intestate estates, old-age pensions, mining, formation of companies, Customs duties, education, labour legislation, and other matters relating to the Dominion. Shipping and Immigration Branch, With reference to this branch, I desire to draw attention to the financial results as shown by the report herewith, and how, if desired, the number of immigrants can be increased to any number required by the Dominion; and lam of opinion that a trial should be made of sending out lads who come from agricultural districts, and therefore would be better suited for colonial life than those selected from towns. The addition of this branch has, of course, entailed increased work and responsibilities to the other branches of this Department. Every effort has been made to carry out the work efficiently and economically, with a view to ensuring that the branch should pay its way, and this, I am glad to say, has been the case. I do not propose to go into further detail here, as the matter is fully dealt with in the report by Mr. Donne attached hereto. Reduced-rate Passages. The number of persons to whom reduced-rate passages were granted and who embarked for New Zealand was 3,300, taking with them £33,922 declared capital, making a total of 25,208 persons, taking with them £769,315 declared capital who have gone out under the reduced-rate passages regulations since March, 1904, when new regulations came into force. Under the regulations in force prior to March, 1904, 3,091 persons went out thereunder, taking with them £623,450 capital. The total number, therefore, of reduced-rate passengers since the system was recommenced is 28,299, taking with them £1,392,765 capital. As I have before remarked in previous reports, there is no doubt that many persons take with them a larger amount of capital than that which they name on their applications, so that the actual amount which has been taken out by the reduced-rate passengers materially exceeds the above amounts. The carrying into effect of the regulations under which these passages are granted involves a large amount of work and correspondence. In the first place, the requests for information have to be dealt with; then comes the work of considering the applications sent in by those who decide to apply, correspondence with the persons named by the applicants as references, the consideration of their replies and of the medical examiners' reports as regards the applicants' health; and, after finally approving or declining, the arrangements have to be made for passages and embarkation of those who have been approved. The advertisements directing attention to these passages appear in nearly two hundred newspapers and other periodical publications circulating in the various parts of the United Kingdom, and they have the effect, no doubt, of keeping the Dominion well before the public of this country. I may mention that in selecting the newspapers, &c, in which to insert the advertising matter preference is given to those circulating in agricultural districts. During the last three years and a half the granting of reduced-rate passages has been limited to persons of the agricultural and dairying classes, domestic servants, and those nominated through the Government Immigration Office in the Dominion. I may add, in respect to this part of the work of this Department, that it is gratifying to note that almost invariably the reports of the Immigration Officers in the Dominion concerning the reduced-rate passengers are favourable as regards their appearance and general character. During the lecture season numerous applications were received for the loan of lantern-slides to illustrate lectures on New Zealand. More than one hundred lectures on New Zealand in various parts of the United Kingdom were illustrated in this way. New Zealand Produce and Exhibitions. Mr. Cameron has prepared, as usual, a special report dealing with the work carried out by ahd under his direction during the year 1911. A copy of this report is attached hereto. Veterinarian. Mr. Crabb's report upon the work carried out by him during the year 1911 is attached. Dairy Inspector. The report by Mr. Wright upon the work carried out by him for the portion of last year commencing with his arrival in this country is attached. Special Work for Local Bodies, etc. A considerable amount of business has been transacted by the Department on behalf of public bodies and institutions and others outside the Government Departments, as follows : For the Auckland City Council, obtaining arms and supports for City of Auckland : for the Auckland Acclimatization Society, obtaining and shipping pheasants and partridges; for the Otago Harbour Board, obtaining tenders for tug and salvage steamer : for the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association, obtaining and shipping forty little owls, food, crates, &c. : for the Lyttelton Har-