H.—22

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Albeit no field-work has been done during the past year, yet by means of correspondence a fair amount of interesting mailer pertaining to Native customs, industries, &c, has been obtained, such matter usually tilling the place of missing links in chains of evidence. In connection with these contributions we owe special thanks lo Messrs. T. W. Downes, of Whaugarei; IL.Tikao, of Rapaki; the Rev. H. J. Fletcher, of Taupo; Karaka Tarawhiti, of Huntly; and Te Manihera Waititi, of Cape Runaway. Apart from the above work the following papers bave been prepared during the past year : "Social Usages of the Maori" (for Workers' Educational Association); "Some Place-names of Islands of the Society Group (Journal of Polynesian Society); "The Maori Genius for Personification "; "The Maori System of Measurement" and "On Ngahirrii as a Term of ''fen ' ' (for New Zealand Journal of Science anil Technology); "The Discover)' of Wellington Harbour" (Wellington Philosophical Society). Miss A. Castle reports as follows on I he entomological collection : — Lepidoptera. —The collections made by the Director and Mr. H..Simnionds during (he summer months added considerably to the New Zealand reference collection. Mounting these and identifying small collections sent, in foi general information occupied some months, and gave satisfactory results. The exotic collection of Lepidoptera, (hough on view at stated hours, often absorbs much additional time, as visitors from other centres in New Zealand make special application, and a lime is appointed to suit their convenience. By request, a small class of boys has been formed, who show a keen desire to study the lifehistory of butterflies and moths. They attend regularly, once a week for half an hour, to record and arrange their captures. It is hoped that this effort to develop their boyish tastes may result in some future entomologists being drawn from their ranks. Coleoptera. —A considerable number were collected by the Director in Wellington and ils environs, and at Lake Coleridge. Canterbury. Mr. 11. Sinimonds sent collections from Auckland and other places en route to Wellington. These have not yet been incorporated with the classified collection of New Zealand Coleoptera. Diptera. —Comparatively few specimens have been recorded during the past year. This and other poorly represented orders in the Museum collection of New Zealand entomology give scope for vigorous collecting in the near future. llymcuoptera. —A number of specimens were sent by Mr. 11. Simnionds, and some also have been acquired through exchanges. The Department desires to cordially thank Messrs. G. V. Hudson, 11. W. Simnionds, I). Miller, and C, O'Connor for their willing assistance, and Mr. Sinimonds for his liberal contributions in many groups.

V. REPORT OF OFFICEB IN CHARGE, WAR FUNDS OFFICE. Di.'i-tiNi; the year the number of the patriotic societies throughout the Dominion coming under (he supervision of the War Funds Office has steadily increased, anil al the 31 si March 568 societies were, forwarding the returns and particulars required under the War Funds Acts and Regulations. These were classed as follows :— Societies or centres incorporated under the War Funds Act ... ... 27 Unincorporated societies administering their own funds ... ... (i.'l Societies collecting and transmitting but not administering ... ... 478 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 508 In addition to these there were 415 sub-centres acting as feeders for the Red Cross central bodies, the majority of whose collections are included in those of the main centres, thus giving 983 separate committees collecting and cent rolling war funds. Quarterly statements of transactions are regularly furnished by 46G societies, whilst, by special arrangement, half-yearly or yearly returns are furnished by 219 smaller committees and subcentres, whose funds, though individually small, amount, to a fair sum in the aggregate. At the 31st March, 1917, there were 507 accounts being rendered, so lhal (he present number represents an increase of 31 per cent, during the year. In June, 1917, a change was made in the method and form of sending returns—monthly statements were discontinued, and all societies which up to that time hail sent in monthly statements now furnish quarterly returns. As with all changes of system, some time elapses before those concerned therewith adapt themselves to the new conditions; and, although considerable correspondence was entailed in dealing with inquiries as to the filling-in of the necessary details, lam pleased to report that, (he system is now working smoothly, As pointed out in my previous reports, the work of furnishing these returns devolves in a large majority of cases upon voluntary officials, many of whom are of necessity not skilled in accounts; and I am glad of an opportunity of thanking these ladies and gentlemen for their earnest endeavours to meet the requirements of the office, and the care now generally shown in compiling (he returns. In Ihe comparatively few instances where treasurers have experienced difficulties they have at my request forwarded their books and papers to Wellington to enable their returns to lie made up. In such cases duplicate copies of the necessary statements, and full instructions for future guidance, have been returned to them, thus enabling them to make out subsequent statements correctly.