H.-22

4

The preparation of regional planning schemes, as a precedent to the completion of statutory town-planning schemes for urban areas, necessitated an extension of the time within which such schemes have to be finally submitted for the approval of the Town-planning Board, and wider powers to enable the town-planning authorities to control interim developments. With this in view, the time for the submission of schemes has been extended until the 31st January, 1932, and section 34 of the principal Act amended to permit either an urban or rural authority to prohibit the carrying-out of any work or the erection of any building which would be likely to contravene its town-planning scheme if completed and approved. It was not found to be possible to deal with the question of compensation and betterment at the same time, but the Board has continued to give very serious study to the matter and is now in a position to make definite recommendations for the amendment of the compensation and betterment provisions of the principal Act. Six meetings of the Board have been held during the year, and many important questions dealt with in addition to the further amendment of the Town-planning Act, including four appeals by property-owners, under section 34. One of these appeals raised the question of adequate light and air space around habitable buildings, and the Board, in collaboration with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, is attempting to define minimum standards for the future guidance of local authorities. The first Board, which was appointed in 1927 for a period of three years, went out of office in January, and a new Board was appointed on the 13th March, 1930. There were two changes only in the personnel, Mr. G. A. Troup and Mr. T. Jordan taking the place of Mr. F. J. Nathan and Mr. C. J. B. Norwood as representatives of the executive committee of the Municipal Association, An event of considerable interest and importance during the year was the establishment of a Town-planning Institute for the Dominion, on similar lines to the English and Canadian Institutes. Although not in any sense a Government or departmental activity, it is believed that the work of this institute will be of great value in educating and formulating public opinion throughout the Dominion on all matters relating to town-planning, and will greatly facilitate the work of the Board and the Director of Town-planning. Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22. Importations.—Cases have arisen where the requirements as laid down by the Act and regulations in regard to the importation of birds and animals (other than domestic) have not been complied with. Persons desirous of importing such birds or animals are required to make application, giving particulars as to the birds or animals, number, the country of origin, the reasons for importation, and such other particulars as may be required to enable the Department to make inquiries before recommending the granting or otherwise of permission for importation. Where necessary, this Department consults the Department of Agriculture, and the views of that Department are a valuable guide in matters of this nature. It has happened that persons have failed to comply with the necessary provisions, and birds or animals have arrived without the prior authority having been obtained. This fact cannot influence the Department in recommending the granting of authority for landing, as it is necessary to consider the interests of the country, and in a number of cases the consignments have had to be taken back. It has been decided, owing to outbreaks of parrot-fever in other countries, not to grant any further authorities under the Act for the importation of birds for a period of twelve months from March, 1930, when the matter will be again reviewed. Prior to this decision, in view of the damage caused to crops by Californian quail, it had been decided not to grant any further permissions to import these birds, and a number of requests to transfer from one locality to another were not agreed to. Deer. —The question of dealing with the increase in deer has been the subject of much discussion. Protection was removed from deer in the Grey District Acclimatization District. The policy of issuing authority to acclimatization societies and the State Forest Service to destroy deer has been continued, and, in addition, similar authorities have been granted to the Tongariro and Arthur's Pass National Park Boards in respect to the areas under their jurisdiction. The payment of the bonus on deer-tails in certain South Island districts has been continued, and payment on 16,423 tails was made during the year. Where stalking seasons were declared no limit was placed on the number of deer which could be taken under a license, and there was no restriction as to points on a head or to sex. Some acclimatization societies have sent out special parties to assist landholders in deer-destruction, and free ammunition has been supplied in other cases. Numbers of persons have been operating in localities where the deer are most plentiful, and selling the hides. The Department, after giving the matter very serious consideration, is of opinion that the marketing of hides, and possibly other deer-products, will go a long way towards rendering an avenue of dealing with the deer, in the same way as has happened with rabbits. It is understood that the ruling rate of good deer-hides is about ss. 3d. at railway, and that persons are able to make a financial success of deer-destruction on this basis. It is realized that the rights of property-holders as to persons going on their properties have to be respected, and the endeavour of the Department has been to create a spirit of co-operation between acclimatization societies and the property-owners, so that as far as possible only accredited persons will enter properties to destroy deer, otherwise it is realized that damage to stock may result. A conference to fully consider the question of dealing with the deer problem was convened, but, as the date does not come within the year under review, it is not necessary to further refer to the matter in this report. Birds. —An Inspector for the purposes of the Animals Protection and Game Act has been attached to the Head Office staff. He has visited various localities, and has furnished valuable reports on deer and other animal life and also birds. In addition to his reports, the Department is receiving reports