11

H.-22

Marriages.—ll,l32 marriage notices were received by Registrars on which certificates authorizing marriage were issued, and 11,097 marriages were solemnized. Of this number 2,194 (nearly 20 per cent.) were solemnized by Registrars of Marriages. Five hundred and sixty-six dissolutions of marriage were recorded. Three hundred and one marriages of Maoris were solemnized under the provisions of the Native Land Act. Officiating Ministers. —On the 31st December last there were 1,985 names on the list of officiating ministers authorized to solemnize marriage, of the following religious denominations : Church of England, 497 ; Presbyterian Church, 420 ; Roman Catholic Church, 320 ; Methodist Church, 265 ; Congregational Independents, 31 ; Baptists, 70; Church of Christ, 35 ; Salvation Army, 110; Ratana Church, 96 ; Ringatu Church, 32 ; other religious bodies, 109. Dentists. —Twenty-four dentists were registered, and eight names removed on account of death. Of those registered, the qualifications were : Bachelor of Dental Surgery, University of New Zealand, 10 ; Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Surgery, University of New Zealand, 5 ; and L.D.S., F.P.S., Glasgow, 1. Eight were registered under the special provisions of section 2of the Dentists Amendment Act, 1926. Searches and Certificates. —The total number of searches made and certificates issued in the Head Office amounted to 34,354, made up as follows : For Pensions Department, 4,767 ; for National Provident Fund, 2,582 ; for Labour Department, 1,794 ; for Education Department, 1,038 ; miscellaneous, 844; other searches (for public), 12,584; certificates issued, 10,745. CINEMATOGRAPH-FILM CENSORSHIP. During the year 2,626 films of all classes, of a total length of 6,474,990 ft., were examined. Of this number, 102 were rejected in the first instance, 274 were passed subject to excisions, and 167 were passed with recommendations that they were more suitable for adult audiences. Eleven appeals were lodged against the Censor's decisions. In two cases the Censor's decisions were reversed, and the films were released with recommendation for adult audiences. In the other nine cases the Censor's decisions were upheld. An analysis of the work shows —

The countries of origin of the quota films were as follows : United States of America, 569 ; Great Britain, 58 ; Germany, 12 ; Italy, 2 ; Austria, 1 ; France, 1 ; Norway, 1 : total, 644. Of the British-quota films, fifty-one were silent and seven were synchronized for sound, while the foreign-quota films were 276 silent and 310 synchronized for sound. All the foreign sound films originated in the United States of America. Rejections.—Of the films rejected, fifty-five were quota and forty-seven were non-quota. All the quota films rejected were of foreign origin, while of the non-quota films rejected five were British and forty-two were foreign. Sound Films. —The year under review has seen the introduction of sound synchronized with the moving pictures, which has created many new problems for those engaged in the film industry. The work of the Censor is more exacting, and any alteration or amendment is most difficult, and in some cases impossible. When amendment is impossible the Censor has to decide whether an offending portion is sufficiently objectionable to justify the total rejection of what may otherwise be a good production. With the addition of sound to the films, the pictures now approximate and in some ways are superior to the legitimate stage. For instance, the breaks necessary for shifting scenery or for changing the apparel of the actors are obviated, and the mind follows the play without interruption. Again, great mass scenes with people, animals, trains, motors, also shipwrecks, can be presented with ease in the pictures in a manner that would be impossible on the stage. The addition of colour makes the presentation even more lifelike. Films recommended for Adult Audiences.—The regulations provide that where .a film is recommended as being more suitable for adult audiences, that fact must be advised to the public in every newspaper advertisement relating to the film. Unfortunately, a slackness in the observance of this regulation forced the Department to take action against an exhibitor. A conviction was obtained, and it is hoped that the regulations regarding this matter will be fully complied with in future by all exhibitors. The pictures of to-day frequently deal with present-day problems, and the more vivid presentation of life made possible by the addition of sound and colour has made it necessary to issue an increased number of certificates recommending films as being more suitable for adult audiences. It would not be proper to attempt to curtail cinema entertainment to the mental level of minors, and parents and guardians must accept the responsibility, which is a real one, of selecting the class of entertainment that their children may be permitted to attend. Alexander Turnbull Library. Cataloguing.—The number of volumes classified, numbered, and arranged in order on the shelves now exceeds thirty-three thousand. The greater part of the books classified deal with Pacific literature. About a thousand were sent for binding. Over three hundred engraved and other portraits were catalogued —these relating to people connected in some way with the history of the Dominion.

3—H. 22.

Quota, or Long Films. Non-quota, or Short Films. Origin. Number. Length, in Feet. Number. Length, in Feet. British .. .. .. .. 58 402,000 454 380,000 Foreign .. .. .. .. 586 4,116,600 1,528 1,576,390 Totals .. .. .. 644 4,518,600 1,982 I 1,956,390