H.—22.

Land-agents. Eight hundred and eleven licenses were issued and nine transfers granted, as compared with 956 licenses and nine transfers last year. Three cases of alleged default on the part of land-agents were investigated, but no action in respect of any of the relative bonds was necessary. Atictioneers. Four hundred and seventy-eight licenses were issued and sixteen transfers granted, as compared with 483 licenses and no transfers last year. Two hundred and eighty-nine changes of endorsement of seller were made. Four cases of defaulting auctioneers were dealt with and the bond enforced in each case. Fire Brigades Act. There are at present fifty-five Fire Boards in operation, and no fresh districts were declared to be fire districts during the year. Several plans and specifications for the erection of or additions to fire-stations in the various districts were submitted and approved. Legislation was promoted enabling the Auckland Fire Board to undertake fire-prevention in the Newmarket district. The Birkenhead Fire Board was empowered to make an agreement for protection by the Northcote Borough Council's equipment pending the erection of the Birkenhead Fire-station. The Dominion's economic loss through fires was prominently brought under public attention by means of addresses from the wireless broadcasting stations, and by way of a " Fire-prevention Week " organized in December last in all the principal centres. Cinematograph-film Censorship. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three films of all classes, of a total length of 4,870,820 ft., were examined. Of this number forty-three were rejected in the first instance and 190 were passed subject to excisions, while 123 were passed with recommendations that they were more suitable for adult audiences. Six appeals were lodged against the Censor's decisions. In three cases the. Censor's decision was reversed, and in three cases it was upheld. An analysis of the work shows :—

The countries of origin of the quota films were as follow : Great Britain, 90 ; United States of America, 373 ; Germany, 8 ; France, 1 : total, 472. Rejections.—Of the rejected films thirty-two were quota and eleven were non-quota. One of the quota films rejected was of British origin, one was from Germany, one from France, while the remaining 29 were from the United States of America. One British non-quota film was rejected while the remaining ten non-quota films rejected originated in the United States of America. Silent Films.—The year under review has witnessed the passing of the silent films, only two quota films of the silent variety being presented for examination, and thirty non-quota. Posters.—The examination of posters during the past year has evidently met public requirements, for complaints and correspondence in reference thereto have been negligible. Distinguished Visitors. Distinguished visitors included General Ē. J. Higgins, the head of the Salvation Army ; the Hon. H. F. Walker, Minister for Agriculture and Stock, Queensland ; the Hon. J. P. Jones, Minister for Public Works, Victoria; and Major-General the Hon. Sir Newton Moore, a member of the House of Commons. Representatives of foreign countries included an official visit of the Chilian training-ship " General Baquedano," under the command of Captain Luis Alvarez.

3

Quota or Long Films. Non-quota or Short Films. Origin. . J . Number. Length. Number. , Length. British .. .. 90 590,420 276 289,620 Foreign .. .. .. 382 2,860,700 1,085 1,130,080 472 3,451,120 1,361 | 1,419,700