H.—22.

Following on the outbreak of war, certain films which were considered to be unsuitable for exhibition during the present situation were, by arrangement and with the courteous co-operation of the film exchanges, withdrawn from circuit for the time being. B. Licensing of Cinematograph Operators. Satisfactory progress was made during the year in connection with the licensing and examination of cinematograph operators. Owing to the nature of the examinations it has not yet been possible, to finalize the applications for the definitive licenses of a special grade —namely, A, B, 0, and D. It is anticipated that finality will be reached in a number of cases in the near future, when the issue of the grade licenses will be commenced. Pending the issue of grade licenses, provisional licenses have been issued to all operators who are at present employed. B grade or assistant operators' licenses are issued on application, and there are no qualifications required for this particular grade of license. Sixty-five provisional licenses and 36 E grade licenses were issued, making a total of 640 operators and 167 assistants licensed since the inception of the Cinematograph Operators Licensing Regulations 1938. The consideration of applications and matters incidental to the examination of candidates involved a great deal of correspondence. Two prosecutions for non-compliance with the regulations were instituted, and in both cases the offenders were convicted and fined. C. Exhibitors' and other Licenses. The following licenses under the Cinematograph Films Act were issued for the year ended 30th September, 1939. Corresponding figures for the previous year are shown alongside in each case : Exhibitors', 444 (436); circuit exhibitors', 42 (42); renters', 18 (20) ; storage, 9 (5) ; miscellaneous, 31 (29). XII. ANIMALS PROTECTION AND GAME. A. General. (1) Bird-life. Reports are still being received as to increases in some species of our native birds, particularly tuis and bell-birds, and it seems evident that these species at least are adapting themselves to the conditions imposed by the settlement of this country. Native pigeons are also reported to be increasing in some districts, and they have been described as visiting suburban gardens. The decrease in numbers of wild ducks is still giving cause for concern. Canadian geese have again been declared to be imported game. (2) Shooting Seasons. Open seasons for game-shooting have been declared in all acclimatization districts. The provision in the North Island for the supply to persons in receipt of an age benefit or a miner's benefit under the Social Security Act, 1938, of licenses to take or kill imported game and native game at a reduced fee has been continued. In the hope of arresting the decrease in the numbers of wild duck, the season for all waterfowl has been limited to the period 4th to 18th May, 1940 (both days inclusive). Furthermore, it hjis been decided to observe a close season for all waterfowl in connection with the 1941 game-shooting season. Open seasons for Canadian geese have been declared in certain South Island acclimatization districts. (3) Opossums. Limited open seasons for opossums were observed in certain acclimatization districts. The number of opossum-skins stamped was 112,754. (4) Sanctuaries. Three Gisborne Borough reserves, approximating 70 acres, and the Morrinsville Borough Council's Waterworks Reserve, were declared as sanctuaries. (5) Royal Albatross Colony. Mr. L. E. Richdale and the committee of the Otago Branch of the Royal Society, with the whole-hearted support and co-operation of the Otago Harbour Board, have continued their activities in the matter of re-establishing the colony of royal albatross on the area declared a sanctuary at Taiaroa Head, Dunedin. Five pairs of birds nested on the area, one outside the fence which was erected to insure that the birds would be free from molestation. (6) North Island Vermin-control Scheme. Hedgehogs have been added to the list of vermin on which bonuses are now being paid. The rates of bonus are 2s. each on stoats, ferrets, polecats, and weasels, fid. on hawks, and 3d. on hedgehogs. Bonuses were paid under the scheme on 21,661 hawks, 823 hedgehogs, and. 4,491 stoats, ferrets, polecats, and weasels.

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