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position regarding the mortality of the New Zealand population during the last twenty-two years, as there are no tables in existence covering a later date than 1892. In order to remedy this a mortality investigation is now being undertaken in quinquennial periods from 1891 to 1911, and the results, which I hope will be available shortly, will be brought out in such a form as to show progressively the trend of the mortality from period to period. Following the example of the English, Scotch, Indian, and other Census Departments, actuarial advice in this important work has been sought, and I wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance given by Mr. A. T. Traversi, A.I.A. (London), Actuary to the Friendly Societies Office, who, though under no obligation in the matter, has gone to considerable trouble to devise processes suitable to the circumstances, and otherwise assist. Orphanhood. Statistics of orphanhood have been prepared in New Zealand for over twenty years, and they have at various times been commended by actuaries in different parts of the world. They were used by the actuaries in the preparation of the Right Hon. D. Lloyd George's national-insurance scheme. Hitherto we have simply recorded the number of children left at each age according to the age of deceased, with separate tables showing the age of the youngest child. These have now been extended to show sexes, birthplaces, certain causes of death, number in family under fourteen and under twenty-one. Last year steps were also taken to obtain age of widow (if any), so that for the future statistics will be compiled as to number leaving widows and age of widow. So much attention is now being given to pension and superannuation schemes that it is important to observe and tabulate all facts relative to widows and orphans. It is hoped that with the further particulars now being added these statistics will be found even more valuable in this connection in the future than they have been in the past. Diseases in Hospitals. Full particulars as to patients treated are obtained direct from the hospitals by means of cards, from which accurate and reliable statistics of diseases, operations, &c, could be compiled, but so far full use has not been made of the information obtained. It is, however, much too valuable and important to the community to be left unused, and it is proposed to recast these statistics this year with the view to their extension and improvement. I intend conferring with the Hospitals Department in regard to them. Law and Crime. Three years ago these statistics were reorganized, and by arrangement with the Justice Department the compilation is now made in this office from individual cards received from the Courts and gaols. By means of these cards it is now possible to compile statistics as to " distinct offenders " as well as to the number of offences, besides giving particulars as to age, &c. Last year, also, provision was made for obtaining the grounds alleged in divorce cases, and these will be tabulated in future. Imports and Exports. In accordance with the recommendation in the report on my return from Australia and your subsequent instructions I conferred with the Comptroller of Customs, and as a result arrangements have been made for placing these statistics on a footing which will, I hope, for the future satisfy the needs of all interested. For 1914 and onwards the "country of origin" as well as the "country of shipment" will be obtained and shown with the principal ports of entry into New Zealand for each commodity. A classification of imports and exports (hitherto shown in alphabetical order) has also been constructed and adopted, giving more details than has ever previously been attempted. The classification follows as far as practicable the lines of that adopted in the Commonwealth of Australia. The close connection existing between, and the similarity of conditions, &c, in, the fcwo countries render it advisable that our statistics should harmonize for comparative purposes a> far as possible. This factor is being kept in view whenever any portion of our statistics is being revised. An important advance in connection with our trade statistics is the proposed publication in a monthly summary of statistics (referred to later) of details of imports and exports, with comparative and cumulative figures, so that within a month of the close of each year the total Bgures for the year will be available. Production. Agricultural and Pastoral. No proper and complete collection of these statistics has been made since that taken in conjunction with the census of 1911. There has been a collection of returns through the post for the principal grain and root crops each year, but the results have not been satisfactory. In accordance with the recommendations made on my return from Australia, and your instructions in connection therewith, I conferred with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Police as to the reorganization of these statistics. As a consequence recommendations were made for the collection and tabulation of very complete statistics of agricultural and pastoral production, at an estimated cost of £3,000 per annum. The system, which will be practically similar to that adopted with success in Victoria, will involve the utilization of the police in the collection of the statistics. The recommendations made have, as you are aware, recently been approved, and the first collection under the new system will take