H.—22

1928. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1928.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representativec- by Leave.

Sib, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 25th June, 1928. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1928. I have, &c., J. Hislop, Under-Secretary. The Hon. Sir. M. Pomare, K.8.E., C.M.G., V.D., M.D., M.P., Acting Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT. Local Government. The year has again shown considerable activity and interest in matters relating to local government. Counties. —No new counties were cbnstituted, but the boundaries of eight counties were altered. In addition, the boundaries of several counties were altered consequent upon the inclusion of lands in, or exclusion of lands from, boroughs. A number of County Councils passed special orders altering riding boundaries and adjusting representation, and the usual action was taken in gazetting these. The question of the desirability or otherwise of the union of existing counties was prominent, but no definite steps were taken towards this end. Regulations were issued prescribing the rate of travellingallowances and travelling-expenses of County Councillors in attending Council or committee meetings or business of the Council. Boroughs.—One new borough—namely, Martinborough—was constituted. There was considerable activity in the matter of borough boundary alterations, no fewer than fourteen, alterations being made. Commissions of Inquiry were set up in a number of these cases. The Borough of Avondale was united with the City of Auckland, and later on the Tamaki Road District and the Orakei Road District were united with that city. A proposal was under way also to unite the Mount Roskill Road District with that city, but the poll of electors taken in the road district was adverse. The Municipal Conference again met, this time in Nelson, and, as usual, passed a number of resolutions asking for amendment of the law relating to boroughs and town districts. Legislation to give effect to some of these resolutions is being considered. Town Districts.—The Putaruru Town District, which I nlentioned in my last report as having been constituted, was subsequently declared not to form part of the County of Matamata. Whilst several matters concerning town districts were under consideration, 110 constitutions or alteration of boundaries were made during the year. Road Districts. —The year was an important one as regards road districts, in that a further step was taken towards the merging of the few remaining road districts throughout the Dominion. I have already referred to the union of the Tamaki and Orakei Road Districts with the City of Auckland, and in addition the six remaining road districts in the Waimea County and the three remaining ones in the

I—H. 22.