5

H.—2B

bour Board, completion of order for dredge "Canterbury" (value nearly £40,000): for the Canterbury Acclimatization Society, obtaining and despatching 900 salmon-marks : for the Kaponga Defence Rifle Club, obtaining and forwarding two telephone sets: for the Auckland Education Board, obtaining — (1) Chief Lady Instructor for Domestic Department, Auckland Technical College; (2) Woodwork Instructor for Hamilton and Cambridge Manual Training Schools; (3) second Art Master for Auckland Technical College: for the University of Otago, obtaining Professor of Chemistry: for the Wellington Education Board, assisting Mr. J. S. Tennant in connection with appointment of Instructress in Domestic Economy : for the Auckland Art Gallery and Government House, Wellington (per Hon. E. Mitchelson), obtaining photographs of former Governors of New Zealand from their relatives : for the Canterbury Association, obtaining further photographs, letters, papers, and interesting records relating to the early history of this association. Coronation and Imperial Conferences. The Coronation and the visit to this country last year of the Prime Minister and the AttorneyGeneral to attend the Imperial Conference naturally added a good deal of work to this Department, much clerical help being required by them in dealing with the heavy correspondence which they had during their stay. Distressed New-Zealanders. Many applications are still made to this office by distressed New-Zealanders for assistance to enable them to return to their homes in the Dominion, and the necessary inquiries into their cases entail a considerable amount of correspondence. In most cases the men come over to this country with very little prospect of obtaining funds sufficient to enable them to pay their passage back to their homes; consequently application has to be made to the various shipping companies trading with New Zealand to allow them to work their way, and, although these stranded persons often cause discontent amongst the regular crew, the .companies are generally ready to find working passages if possible. In some cases it is necessary to supply these men with board and lodging, and also with clothing. Appointments. In addition to his position as representative of New Zealand in this country, the High Commissioner holds the appointments of Stock Agent, Commissioner under the Public Revenues Act, Loan Agent under the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908, and various authorizing Acts, Sinking Fund Trustee and Custodian under the Public Securities Act. He also acts as representative of New Zealand on the Pacific Cable Board and as New Zealand representative on the Advisory Committee assisting the Board of Trade in the management of the Imperial Institute, and member of the Board of Trade Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence. Mr. Palliser, in addition to the duties appertaining to his appointment of Secretary to this Department, holds also the appointments of Stock Agent, Commissioner under the Public Revenues Act, Loan Agent, Custodian and Sinking Fund Trustee. In conclusion, I beg. to state that the brief particulars and statistical information given in this report show that the business of this Department increases year by year in variety and amount, and in reference thereto I deem it right to place on record that the officers whose duty it is to carry into effect the Government's and High Commissioner's instructions continue to do so loyally and efficiently, notwithstanding the inconvenience experienced in these offices. lam still hopeful that the Government will authorize removal to a more central thoroughfare, where, in addition to improved office arrangements, an effective display of New Zealand's products can be made. I have, &c, Wm. Hall-Jones. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, New Zealand.

APPENDIX. High Commissioner's Department: Details of Work, 1911. Number of letters received from Dominion and elsewhere .. .. .. .. 99,662 Number of letters sent to Dominion and by hand .. .. .. .. .. 68,006 Number of letters received for visitors and readdressed .. .. .. .. .. 21,436 Book packets sent .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,290 Rail packets sent .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,141 Number of despatches, memos, and letters received from Government Departments in New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,935 Number of despatches, memos, and letters sent to Government Departments in New Zealand.. 6,601 Number of standing orders .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 415 Number of cablegrams to and from the Dominion — Outward .. '.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 622 Inward .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 636 Amount of receipts into Public Account in London .. .. .. £10,050,924 Is. Bd. Amount of payments therefrom .. .. .. .. .. £9,966,053 6s. 2d. Number of Treasury vouchers passed for payment on Foreign Imprest Account .. .. £6,489. Amount of payments made through Foreign Imprest Account .. .. £1,933,775 18s. 9d. Amount of pensions paid .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £1,697 Bs. Number of orders for goods and material from Government Departments in the Dominion .. 639