H.—22.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1936.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Sin, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 13th August, 1936. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1936. I have, &c., The Hon. W. E. Parry, J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary. Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT,

Local Government. Counties. —Six County Councils passed special orders under the authority of the Counties Amendment Act, 1931, abolishing the system of separate riding finance in their respective counties. This made a total of forty-one County Councils to avail themselves of that legislation. Certain powers of Borough Councils with respect to water-supply were conferred on the Waipa County Council. The time for the preparation of the valuation roll of mining property in the Grey County was extended. The Counties Conference was held in Wellington on the 28th and 29th August, 1935. A number of resolutions were passed recommending alteration in the law relating to county government. Representatives of the Department, as usual, were present at the Conference. Matakaoa County : The close contact established with the County Commissioner in connection with the administration of the Matakaoa County was maintained during the year, and he made regular reports thereon to the Department. Further substantial progress towards restoration of the financial position of the county was made. A tour of inspection of the county was made by an officer of the Department in company with the County Commissioner. One meeting of the committee representing the principal local creditors of the county was held, the Commissioner attending this meeting. Boroughs. —The boundaries of the Borough of Eastbourne were altered by the inclusion of lands therein ; and lands were excluded from the Borough of Motueka. The Taumarunui Borough Council passed a special order reducing the number of councillors from nine to seven. The Wellington City Council was authorized to expend sums totalling £11,797, from the compensation-moneys held under the Thorndon Reclamation Act, 1921-22, for the purpose of providing additional bathing facilities in Wellington City. The scope of investment of Depreciation Funds and Reserve Funds was extended so as to include securities of the Mortgage Corporation of New Zealand. The annual Municipal Conference was held in Napier on the 4th and sth March, 1936. The Conference was opened by the Minister of Internal Affairs, when an address was given relating to certain aspects of the Government's policy as more particularly applied to local government. Subsequently, by request, the Minister repeated to the Conference an address which he had given as Chairman of the Centenary Conference at Wellington on the 2nd March, 1936. As usual, the Department was represented throughout the whole of the proceedings of the Municipal Conference. Thames Borough : Close contact was again maintained with the Thames Borough Commissioner in connection with the administration of the Borough of Thames. Four quarterly reports were received from him and necessary action taken thereon. It js pleasing to record the further progress made towards restoring Thames to normal financial conditions. Thames Harbour Board. —An important conference respecting the future administration of the Thames Harbour District was held in Wellington on the 17th and 18th September, 1935. This I—H. 22.