H.—2B

4

Officers in the Dominion are invariably favourable as regards the health, appearance, and genera] character of the reduced-rate passengers sent out by this office. Great care. is always exercised at this end in the selection of those to whom assisted passages are granted, and the most thorough, inquiry is made as to their occupation, health, and character, and the concession is not granted unless the applicants are satisfactory in every respect and comply with the conditions now in force under the reduced-rate passage scheme. Where, therefore, an adverse report is received from the Immigration officials in the Dominion upon the unsuitability of an immigrant 1 would submit that in nearly every instance it will be found that it was a case not dealt with by this office, but one in which the passenger proceeded to New Zealand as an ordinary paying passenger, and over which, of course, I have no jurisdiction. The work in connection with advertisements directing attention to these passages is also attended to by this branch. These advertisements are inserted in newspapers and other periodicals circulating in the various parts of the United Kingdom; and, in selecting the periodicals in which to insert the advertising matter, preference is given to those circulating in agricultural districts. The cost of advertising emigration for 1912 amounted to £475 net. During the lecture season numerous applications were received by this branch for the loan of lantern-slides for the purpose of illustrating lectures given in this country on New Zealand. It is estimated that during 1912 many hundreds of lectures were given in various parts of the United Kingdom, and were illustrated in this way. In a number of instances New Zealand visitors also avail themselves of the loan of slides when giving lectures in this country on the Dominion. There are from four to five thousand lantern-slides at this office available for loan purposes. There is, in addition, a small number of cinematograph films depicting New Zealand scenery, industries, tic, which have been publicly shown on many occasions at the various picture-palaces in towns in this country. Many matters of importance have been dealt with on general military questions and the supply of Defence materials. In connection, therewith I have received advice and considerable assistance from Colonel A. W. Robin, C.8., C.M.G., who on the 4th November, 1912, took over the duties of Major-General E. H. Steward, C.M.G., as Adviser and Inspector of Warlike Stores, thereby effecting the saving of the hitter's salary to the Defence Department, in addition, he has been very helpful in supplying information and facts to enable me to combat attacks as to the New Zealand scheme of general training. I may here remark that it is of advantage both to the High Commissioner's Department and. the Dominion that the Military Adviser is on the War Office staff, as it enables correspondence to be much facilitated and ensures early acquaintance with the latest changes in war materials, &c. In addition, advice can be given which often saves needless correspondence, and by prompt information considerable savings may be effected, as in the case of the recent purchase of secondhand but serviceable rifles for use in the Dominion. Special Work for Local Bodies, etc, A considerable amount of business has been transacted by the Department on behalf of public bodies and institutions and others outside the Government Departments. Particulars as follows :— New Plymouth Borough Council: Obtaining information respecting petrol tramway-car. Lyttelton Harbour Board : Obtaining and forwarding meteorological instruments. Otago Acclimatization Society: Six red deer to next year owing to foot-and-mouth disease); woodcock and snipe (unobtainable here; recommended to try India). Auckland Acclimatization Society : Twenty pairs French red-legged partridges (birds collected died before shipment). Canterbury Acclimatization Society : Obtaining and forwarding particulars respecting salmon-marks. Auckland Acclimatization Society: Obtaining and forwarding ten pairs Mongolian pheasants. Auckland Grammar School Board: Distribution, &c, of competitive-design conditions. Timaru Navy League : Two silk flags for H.M.S. " New Zealand." Auckland Technical Education Board : Advertising for, selecting, appointing, and arranging passage of the Chief Instructor in Physics and Electrical Engineering for the Seddon Memorial College. Wellington Technical School : Advertising for, selecting, appointing, and arranging passage of Assistant Art Instructor. Canterbury College, Christchurch : Advertising for, selecting, and appointing Professor of Classics. Christ's College Grammar School, Christchurch : Assisting the Warden and other members of the governing body of Christ's College in drawing up and-inserting the necessary advertisement for headmaster of the school, compiling for them the statement of particulars for candidates and forms of application, and receiving and arranging the applications. Distressed New-Zealanders. Many applications are still made to this office by distressed NVw-Ze'alanders for assistance to enable them to return to their homes in the Dominion, and the necessary inquiries into their cases entail a considerable amount of correspondence. In most cases the men come over to this country with very little prospect of obtaining funds sufficient to enable them to pay their passage back to