H.—34.

Table VII. —Distances (Averages) from Various Services.

VI. Conclusion. This outline of the results of the survey of the standards of life of dairy-farmers by no means gives the complete picture which the final analysis and tabulation of the data will make available. A considerable proportion of the material has not yet been analysed, and, in particular, the results of the family-budget inquiry are not yet available. As stated above, it is hoped at an early date to publish the results in full. This study has been comprehensive both in the sense of securing from individual families a wealth of useful material and in covering families in many parts of the Dominion. Closer attention could now be given to more intensive regional research in which soil, pasture, farm-management, and standards-of-living surveys are closely linked. Significant relationships could then be studied as to the possibilities for regional developments. Survey of Standards op Living op Urban Workers. A start has been made on a survey similar to that conducted in rural districts of standards of living of two groups of urban workers : (a) Tramway employees, and (b) boot and shoe operatives. An inquiry as comprehensive as that undertaken in regard to dairy-farmers will be made, and the schedule to be used has been drawn up and field workers appointed. The nutrition survey mentioned above forms part of this project. Conclusion. The organization and promotion of scientific inquiry in a field hitherto comparatively neglected presents many difficulties —breaking new ground is never easy for the social scientist —and a new research department dealing primarily with human problems and human material must secure the ready and willing co-operation of the people with whom it is dealing. Social science research can rarely rise above the ability of the people to appreciate its value and its significance. Greater appreciation of this type of work has steadily developed in other countries —in the United States, for example, it is a significant fact that since 1931 the total grant from foundations for research in the social sciences has for the first time in history exceeded the amount spent for physical sciences. If the development and work of the Bureau during the past year can be taken as an indication of the possibilities for useful social science research in New Zealand, the future prospects are very favourable. The response given by the people concerned has been sympathetic and real, and the interest in the work and objects of the Social Science Research Bureau has greatly increased. RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS. Two National Research Scholarships of an annual value of £100 were awarded during the year. The holders of the scholarships and the researches upon which they are engaged are as follows :— Mr. S. C. B. Gascoigne, M.Sc. (Auckland University College) : " The Variation of Frictional Electric Charges with the Pressure of the Surrounding Medium." Mr. T. H. Kennedy, M.Sc. (Otago University, Dunedin) : " Synthesis of Methyl Isopropyl Phenanthrenes, with Special Reference to the 1.6 Compound which is believed to be Iso-retene." PUBLICATIONS. Monthly publication of the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology was continued during the year, and the following departmental bulletins were published : — No. 55 : " The West Nelson Earthquakes of 1929," by J. Henderson. No. 56 : " Fourth Annual Report of the Wheat Research Institute." No. 57 : " Report of Inter-departmental Committee on Silicosis." No. 58 : " Farm-management Survey, Plains Area, Ashburton County," by J. R. Fleming. No. 59 : " The Manufacture of Sodium Chlorate : A Possible Electrochemical Industry for New Zealand," by S. H. Wilson. No. 60 : " Petroleum in New Zealand," by J. Henderson. The editing and printing of the report of the Auckland (1937) meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science, which was undertaken by the Department, was completed.

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I aSSU. S waikat0 - I Ranald. j Manawatu. To^^ rtL I 1 I I Number of dwellings . . . . 84 208 129 41 462 Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Distance from primary school.. .. 2-5 2-2 2-4 2*1 2-3 Distance from post-primary school .. 5-1 7-0 10-3 8-2 7-7 Distance from hospital .. .. 6-9 22-0 10-3 9*6 14-9 Distance from family doctor .. .. 6-3 9-4 5-3 8-5 7-6 Distance from nearest doctor . . .. 5*9 7-0 3-4 6-6 5-5 Distance from dentist .. . . 5-8 7-3 5-3 8*1 6*5 Distance from public library .. .. 3-8 5-9 3-4 5-8 4-8 Distance from general store .. .. 3-7 4-2 2-5 2-7 3-4 Distance from dance-hall .. .. 3-1 2*2 2-3 2-9 2*5 Distance from picture-theatre. . .. 3-7 6*3 3-3 6-2 5-0 Distance from post-office .. .. 3-4 4-2 2-9 2*5 3-5