H.—29.

Publications and Publicity. Publication activities have been well maintained during the year, with the Journal of Agriculture as the Department's chief medium for information and record, supplemented by a steady output of matter in pamphlet form. A full amount of miscellaneous printing connected with the Department's varied services has also been handled. Radio broadcast lecturettes " for the man on the land" have continued to be delivered weekly from Station 2 YA, Wellington, by the Live-stock, Fields, and Horticulture Divisions in rotation. Topical or seasonal subjects are usually selected, and the service appears to be well appreciated by the farming community. A considerable amount of agricultural matter has also been broadcast from other radio stations in the Dominion. The usual number of ordinary instructional lectures, many with lantern illustrations, were given by field or specialist officers at the request of various farmers' organizations and others. Staff. Since the 31st March, 1931, the personnel of the Department has been further reduced in number by twenty-five permanent and seventeen temporary officers (a reduction of twelve permanent and thirty-six temporary had been made in the preceding year). During the year the Department sustained a severe loss through the death of Mr. 11. Munro, Manager of the Ruakura Farm. He was an exceedingly able officer, with a record of thirty-four years' good work in the Service. Another loss occurred through the resignation of Mr. G. F. Y. Morgan, Dairy Bacteriologist, who decided to return to England. During his engagement here he did excellent work, which was of material assistance to the Dairy Division. I must express my appreciation of the really good service rendered by the Divisional Directors and all members of the departmental staff, all of whom have co-operated heartily in carrying on the activities of the Department to the best possible advantage, while at the same time exercising every care in keeping down expenditure. C. J. Reakes, D.V.S., M.R.C.V.S. Director-General.

NAURU AND OCEAN ISLANDS PHOSPHATE. Repobt op A. F. Ellis, C.M.G., New Zealand Commissioner, British Phosphate Commission. The twelfth year of operations at Nauru and Ocean Islands since the industry came under Government ownership terminated on the 30th June, 1932, with the following shipping results, as compared with the two previous years : — 1929-30. 1930-31. 1931-32. Tons. Tons. Tons. Nauru .. .. .. ..296,310 240,855 289,340 Ocean .. .. .. ..207,863 145,122 142,200 504,173 385,977 431,540 It will be noted that there is an increase of 45,563 tons in shipments compared with 1930-31. Of the quantity in 1931-32, 273,365 tons were shipped to Australia, 146,270 to New Zealand, and 11,905 to other countries. The proportion of output coming to New Zealand, as compared with the previous two years, is as follows: 1929-30, 25-21 per cent.; 1930-31, 31-85 per cent.; 193T-32, 33-89 per cent. Importations of phosphate to the Dominion, as compared with the two previous years, were as follows : — 1929-30. 1930-31. 1931-32. Tons. Tons. Tons. Nauru-Ocean .. .. .. 117,826 112,873 148,530 Outside .. .. .. .. 49,983 22,935 20,437 167,809 135,808 168,967 During the year under review generally fine weather and satisfactory health and labour conditions were experienced at the two islands. Similarly to the previous year, the output of phosphate was materially restricted owing to the trade depression existing in the countries taking the phosphate. There has, however, been a very material improvement in demand during the last six months, and the islands are now working up to their present capacity. For the current year a larger output than hitherto reached is aimed at, and towards this end some important constructional developments in the plant, now approaching completion, are expected to help materially. The Nauru cantilever for mechanical loading during fine weather conditions continues to give very effective service. All the phosphate shipped from that island during the year under review was loaded by means of this plant, thus effecting a material saving in labour and in steamers' time, besides other advantages, as compared with the previous system of lightering. The Commission's steamer " Triona " is proving quite up to expectations in regard to phosphate carrying, facilities for laying and lifting deep-sea moorings, labour recruiting, &c. Since her arrival at the islands in May, 1931, she has carried eleven phosphate cargoes, totalling over 62,000 tons, besides being occupied at other duties in connection with the moorings and labour recruiting.

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