7

F.—l

REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, DEATHS, AND MARRIAGES. In connection with the work done by the Post Office in registering births, deaths, and marriages, arrangements were made for my Department to retain, as from the Ist July, 1926, per cent, of the fees received. Formerly the rate of payment was 50 per cent, of the fees received. MOTOR REGISTRATION. The system of motor registration is still working very smoothly ; and, judging from the absence of complaints, it is not only meeting the requirements of the police and traffic officers, who have to investigate the ever-increasing number of accidents, breaches of by-laws, thefts, &c., but it is also proving to be of considerable value to motor-dealers and the general public. Tenders for the supply of registration-plates for the year 1927-28 (orange numerals on a black background) were invited from New Zealand manufacturers. The specifications called for plates to be made within the Dominion from materials of British origin. Only two tenders were received. The successful tenderer was the Precision Engineering Co., of Wellington, and it is gratifying to report that the contractor delivered the whole of the plates before the 31st January, 1927. Notwithstanding that arrangements to issue motor-vehicle plates for the year 1927-28 were completed by the Ist February, 1927, comparatively few vehicles were relicensed before the middle of March. In view of the publicity given to the early arrangements made to accommodate motor-owners it was anticipated that advantage would be taken of the facility to relicense vehicles early. The result was very disappointing, however, and the apathy of owners was responsible for a certain amount of avoidable congestion during the last week of March, 1927. MOTOR TRANSPORT. The policy of Government in the matter of purchasing vehicles of English manufacture is given effect to as far as possible. The majority of the vehicles at present employed by the Department for heavy transport are of English manufacture. These have proved very efficient, both for conveying mails and for telegraphline construction-work. The Department's light transport vehicles—l-ton trucks and J-ton utility trucks —are chiefly of Canadian manufacture. These vehicles have proved to be satisfactory for the work they are called upon to perform, frequently over the worst backblock roads in the Dominion. By way of trial, twelve 1-ton truck chassis and four light chassis of English manufacture were purchased during the year. It is hoped that the result will justify the purchase of additional vehicles of these types. As mentioned elsewhere in the report, the fleet of cars used in connection with the tour of the Dominion by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York consisted wholly of cars of English manufacture. With a fleet of over five hundred vehicles the Department cannot expect to escape accidents. It is gratifying that none of the accidents which occurred during the year was of a serious nature. The purchase of vehicles on behalf of other Departments continues to be a function of my Department. CREATION OF STORES DIVISION. The reorganization of the Stores Branch has been carried another step by setting up in the Secretary's Office a division to purchase supplies and to arrange for the maintenance of necessary stocks at various points. The creation of the new division enables the permanent head of the Department to keep in closer touch with the more important aspects of stores work and to exercise closer supervi&icn over purchases. Purchases in Wellington on behalf of the smaller Departments are arranged by the Stores Division under the Stores Control Board Regulations. OPENING OF STORES BRANCHES AT CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN. In the report of last year reference was made to the opening of a Stores Branch at Auckland. Results clearly demonstrated that the system should be extended, and district stores have now been opened under Stores Managers at Christchurch and Dunedin. The Stores Manager, Christchurch, controls stores in the Canterbury District and on the west coast of the South Island, while the Stores Manager, Dunedin, controls stores in the Otago and Southland Districts, Under the new