H.—l2a

4

volumes, giving full detailed tables as to population, vital statistics, law and crime, and trade and interchange, within six months of the close of the year. Municipal Handbook. This book contains very detailed information in regard to every municipality in New Zealand, and in the 1913 issue particulars concerning twenty-six of the principal harbours of the Dominion are included for the first time. It is a reliable record of municipal activities, and its usefulness and value would be largely increased if it were made an annual instead of a biennial publication. In time also its scope might be enlarged to include particulars in regard to other local districts, so as to make it a Local Authority Year-book. Parliamentary Record. In accordance with your instructions, following an order of the Legislative Council on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Jenkinson, the various early records, Gazettes, &c, of the Dominion were searched, and the Parliamentary Record compiled and issued. Monthly Statistical Summary. Since your approval for the issue of a statistical summary by this office monthly, the compilation of the tables, &0., to be included has been taken in hand, and is now well under way. The first number will probably be issued for July or August. The aim of the summary is to give in a handy form very briefly and without comment a summary of the various statistics of the Dominion, new figures being added each month where available, so that it will always be up to date and contain the very latest statistics ascertained. Similar monthly publications in Australia are greatly valued by merchants and others, and it is hoped the New Zealand one will also be found of practical value. General. In conclusion, I may say that the aim of the office is to make the statistics of the Dominion as complete and comprehensive as possible, with particular care as to their accuracy. Every effort is also made to expedite the issue of the statistics to the public at the earliest possible date. Malcolm Fraser, Government Statistician.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,525 copiee), £2 17s. 6d.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l4.

Price 3d.]