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ABSTRACT OF ANNUAL REPORT— continued. 2, The Ordinary Work of the Head Office —continued. 2. The Ordinary Work of the Head Office —'continued. (15.) Miscellaneous. (15.) Miscellaneous— continued. Auctioneers Act. Maori Antiquities Act. British Life Annuity Certificates. Messenger Service. Cemeteries Act. National Efficiency Board. Chartered Clubs. information and Inquiries. Conferences. (Hi.) Accounts' Section. Consuls. Despatches. '). The Work of the Bub-departments during the Year. Epidemic. Census and Statistics Offieo. Fencing Act. Registrar-General's Office. French Monuments. Dominion Laboratory Land Agents Act. Dominion Museum. 11. Staff. , 111. Assistance rindirhd by otiiioh Departments: APPENDIX. I. Report of Government Statistician. V. Report of Advisory Director, Turnbull Library. IT. Report of Registrar-General. VI. Report of Officer in Charge, War Funds Office 111. Report of Dominion Analyst and Chief Inspector of VII. Report of the Government Astronomer. Explosives. VIII. Report of Conservator of Fish and Game. IV. Report of tho Director, Dominion Museum IX. Report of Inspector of Totalizators.

REPORT. I. THE WORK OF THE YEAR 1. Work arising out of the War. A heavy volume of correspondence with the Government Statistician and the Defence Department respecting persons drawn in ballots lias been dealt with. The Military Service Act, 1916. —The year was almost equally divided between the drawing of ballots and the winding-up of the Military Service Branch of the Government Statistician's Office consequent upon tho signing of tho Armistice. This latter work was duly completed. The records are kept available for reference as required. A number of applications by Reservists under section 42 of the Act for permission to change their names were received and dealt with. Permits and Passports. —During the first half of the year the issue of permits and passports remained normal, the number of passports issued being 238. With the signing of the Armistice, however, and the consequent removal of the various restrictions upon travel (particularly those prohibiting the passage of women and children through the danger-zone), there was a very considerable increase in the number of applications for passports, and 1,108 were issued during the period Ist October, 1918, to 31st March, 1919. There is at the present time no indication of relaxation on the part of the various countries of their requirements in regard to travellers ; in fact, the contrary appears to be the case, and passports are required for travel to ail countries with the exception of British possessions in the Pacific, where, by arrangement, a permit to leave New Zealand is accepted as sufficient. As there still appears to be some misconception in regard to passports and permits, it may be explained that a passport, being merely a document establishing the nationality and identity of the holder, does not confer the right to leave New Zealand, it being necessary to obtain a special permit for that purpose as provided by War Regulations. The issue of passports must be continued as long as they are demanded by other countries. Special vigilance is being exercised by the Department to see that those desirous of leaving the Dominion have fulfilled their obligations in regard to military service and maintenance of dependants, and cases have not been uncommon where it has been found necessary to prevent from leaving the Dominion persons endeavouring to evade such obligations. Advice having been received from the High Commissioner in London that hotel accommodation in England, was taxed to its utmost limits, a pamphlet was prepared and is being issued to intending passengers warning them of the position. r