H.—22.

Deer-skins. During the year the Department accepted- 2,674 deer-skins from private commercial hunters and others and marketed the skins at the same time as skins saved by the departmental parties. There has been a very keen demand for skins, and, by the sale of 9,430 skins, the Department disposed of practically the whole of its stock. General. The policy of granting special permits to enter the sanctuary at Waikaremoana to shoot deer, wild pigs, and wild cattle has been continued. Returns received show that 125 deer, 30 pigs, and 23 cattle were destroyed during the year. There still seems to be some misunderstanding in some quarters as to the legal position in regard to deer, chamois, thar, moose, and wapiti. All protection on these animals has been removed, and there is no reason why they may not be destroyed at any time, subject, of course, to the consent of the owner or other controlling authority of the land. Opossums. Open trapping-seasons were observed in a number of acclimatization districts. The number of skins stamped was 252,556, an increase of 73,951 over the number for the previous year. N ATURALIZATION. During the year sixty certificates of naturalization were granted, including two certificates issued to persons naturalized under the provisions of previous Acts in New Zealand, and who took advantage of obtaining certificates under the Act of 1928, conferring the more complete status of a British subject both in and beyond the Dominion. Two British-born women who had married aliens were readmitted to British nationality. One certificate of naturalization was revoked, and this was done with the consent of the grantee, who is now advanced in years and has returned to his native land for the remainder of his days. During the year Parliament passed the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Amendment Act, 1934-35. This Act adopts the recent amendment to the law of England relative to the nationality of women, whereby it is provided mainly that a British woman shall not lose her British nationality on marrying an alien, unless by reason of the marriage she automatically acquires the nationality of her husband. In future, also, the wife of a naturalized alien does not acquire British nationality by reason of the husband's naturalization unless she makes the prescribed declaration that she desires to acquire British nationality. The New Zealand Act went further than the Imperial Act, by allowing women who have married aliens and thereby acquired the husband's nationality to make a declaration that they desire to retain in New Zealand the rights of British subjects, and, upon such declaration being duly made, while they are not granted the status of a British subject, they are entitled to all rights, such as the franchise and pension rights. Passports. During the year 3,383 new passports were issued, as compared with 2,245 last year and 2,882 for the year ended 31st March, 1933. Renewals for varying periods were granted to 724 passports, as compared with 605 last year and 663 for the year ended 31st March, 1933. Visas were granted to 53 aliens leaving New Zealand, in order to enable them to land in other portions of the British Empire. It was found necessary to institute two prosecutions for false declarations, and in each instance the prosecution was successful. In one case an attempt was made to obtain a passport for a man and a young woman, posing as his wife, in order to travel to the United States. The man in question had a wife and family living in another part of New Zealand. A fine of £2 was imposed on the man, the woman being convicted and ordered to pay costs. In the other case a recent arrival from Australia obtained a passport by inducing a Justice of the Peace to certify as being correct false particulars regarding his name, age, birthplace, and conjugal condition. A conviction was recorded by the Court, and a fine of £7 10s. was imposed. The passport which had been falsely obtained was duly recovered and cancelled. The matter was investigated by the Justice Department, and the irregularity of his action was pointed out to the Justice of the Peace concerned. As there was evidently no guilty intent on his part, it is not thought that a recurrence is likely. . Land-agents. Six hundred and sixty licenses were issued and 6 transfers granted, as compared with 671 licenses and 4 transfers for the previous year. Auctioneers. Four hundred and five licenses were issued and 262 changes of endorsement of seller made, as compared with 412 licenses and 285 changes of endorsement for the previous year. Chartered Clubs. From reports submitted by the Inspectors, the indications are that all the clubs which have charters under the Licensing Act, 1908, are being conducted in a proper manner and are carrying out the conditions upon which their charters were granted. No proceedings were taken against any club during the year. The total number of clubs still stands at 46, no new club charter having been granted since the year 1908.

2—H. 22.

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