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Census and Statistics Office. The need for economy has led to a restriction in the activities of the Census and Statistics Office, and to a further reduction in the bulk of its publications. Nevertheless, a high standard of statistical treatment and presentation has been maintained, and certain important and necessary special work has been carried out. Revision of Retail-price Index Numbers.—Reference was made in last year's report to the printing and distribution of household-account books, with a view to the collection of data for the revision of the Dominion's retail-price index numbers. The response from the public was considerably more satisfactory than in the case of a similar inquiry undertaken in 1919, some 318 budgets sufficiently accurate and complete for inclusion in the compilations being received, as compared with only 109 in 1919. Most of the books were excellently kept, and considerable difficulty was experienced in adjudicating on these for the allocation of the prizes offered. The immense amount of work involved in the working-up of the wealth of data for the revision of the " weights " has been completed, and the new index numbers have now been computed. Agricultural Statistics.—The taking of the somewhat extended census of agricultural and pastoral production, in accordance with the desires of the International Institute of Agriculture for a world agricultural census to be taken on uniform lines, was successfully carried out for the season 1929-30. The increasing inability of the Police Department to provide sub-enumerators, combined with the high cost and the demand for economy, led to a decision being made to attempt a postal collection in 1930-31, and an inter-departmental committee was set up to revise the form of inquiry and to reduce and simplify the questionnaire. The forms for the 1930-31 collection were duly posted to all farmers, and the great bulk of the replies are to hand, but it is too early yet to make a pronouncement as to whether the new system will yield such good results as that of the personal canvass by sub-enumerators. Census.— The Census Postponement Act, 1930, provided, as an economy measure, that the quinquennial census due to be taken in 1931 would be abandoned, unless a Proclamation were made to the contrary. It was subsequently decided not to issue such Proclamation, and the census was accordingly not taken. Unemployment Act. — The appointment of the Government Statistician as Unemployment Commissioner and administrative officer to the Board set up under the Unemployment Act, 1930, has imposed a huge volume of additional work on the Census and Statistics Office. This part of the Office's activities, however, does not come within the purview of this report. Town-planning." The progress during the year has been somewhat disappointing, due no doubt to the economic depression and the approach of the municipal elections, there being a natural disinclination on the part of the retiring Councils to enter into commitments. A series of inquiries in connection with the definition of the boundaries of regional areas—to which reference was made in the last annual report—was concluded on the 4th June, and, as a result of the recommendations of the committee of the Town-planning Board which had conducted the inquiries tentative proposals have been submitted to all local authorities concerned for their further consideration' and, so far, the replies received are, on the whole, satisfactory. Three meetings of the Town-planning Board were held, and three appeals under section 34 of the Town-planning Act were heard and decisions given. It is satisfactory to be able to report the continued growth of the Town-planning Institute and the widespread support which, it has received from local bodies throughout the country. The publication of a quarterly journal by the Institute is proving to be a very valuable medium for the dissemination of information on all matters relating to regional and town planning, and is performing an educational function which would otherwise have had to be undertaken by the Department. Alexander Turnbull Library. Cataloguing— -The number of volumes classified, numbered, and arranged in order on the shelves now exceeds thirty-five thousand. The greater part of the books classified deal with Pacific literature. About five hundred volumes have been bound. Additions.— One hundred and thirty-three volumes, including those donated, were added to the library. Donations.— These include the following: " The Book of the Queen's Dolls' House "(2 vols) autographed by Her Majesty the Queen, and presented by His Excellency the Governor-General' Lord Bledisloe. Mrs. W. G. Mantell donated a Carlyle walking-stick inscribed to W B D Mantel! and a painting of a Christ's head by Duppa. Mrs. Lezard, Hataitai, " International Library of Famous Literature" (20 vols.). Mr. W. Ferguson, Silverstream, three autographed volumes of Beatrice Potter. The Department is gratefully indebted to the above-named and to some fortv-four others for valuable donations. It has been noted that a large number of adults and children have called to see " The Book of the Queen's Dolls' House."

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