H.—22

The following figures show the number of rainbow fry planted in the various waters : — Taupo Fishing District. —Tongariro, 27,000 ; Waitahanui, 295,000 ; Tauranga-Taupo, 230,000 ; Waiotaka, 155,000 ; Hatepe, 75,000 ; Waikato, 105,000. Rotorua Fishing District. —Rotorua, 512,000; Rotoiti, 350,000; Rotoma, 132,000; Rotoehu, 65,000; Tarawera, 286,000; Rotokakahi, 166,000; Okataina, 171,000; Okareka, 143,000; Okaro, 63,000; Eerewhakaitu, 72,000; Taahunaatara, 35,000; Whakatane, 60,000 ; Waioeka, 42,000 ; Waimana, 63,000. Brown-trout Fry as under were planted : Waioeka, 20,000; Waikato, 25,000; Hamurana, 45,000 ; Ngongotaha, 16,000 ; Taahunaatara, 30,000. (2) Gulling of Trout. The number of trout culled during hatchery operations at No. 2 Hatchery was 16 males and 26 females. (3) Food-supplies for Trout. The hatch of green beetle was of short duration. Smelts in all the lakes appear to be in lesser numbers than in the previous season. (4) Black Shags, Hawks, &c. Bonuses were paid on 337 black shags, 440 hawks, 45 stoats, 4 ferrets, 5 weasels, 5 polecats, and 110 hedgehogs prior to the bonus scheme being suspended. The Department's officers destroyed 16 shags, 16 hawks, 1 stoat, 6 weasels, 5 cats, 185 pigs, 35 deer, and 25 wild cattle. (5) Game Farm. The rearing of game-birds was largely curtailed. The numbers of pheasants and mallard ducks liberated were 501 and 275 respectively. Domestic fowls have been kept and 755 cockerels and pullets raised, 362 of the former having been sold. Hen and duck eggs to the number of 19,248 were marketed. Portion of the game farm grounds was used for production of potatoes and vegetables. (6) Bird-life generally. There was a marked increase in ducks and pheasants. Generally Californian quail did well in the Taupo area. Black swans have again increased, and black teal are on the increase at Hamurana and can be seen in several bays in Lake Rotoiti. (7) Opossums. The number of skins stamped in the district was 8,733. (8) Ranging. With the absence of several officers on military duties, ranging activities have been reduced. Fines for breaches of the Animals Protection and Game and Fisheries Acts (23 in all) amounted to £90. XIII. WAR GRAVES. Seven hundred and thirty (730) notifications of deaths of returned soldiers were recorded during the year, and temporary wooden crosses were placed on 569 graves. Owing to the inability of the headstone contractors to obtain supplies of Coromandel granite, only twelve war grave headstones were supplied during the year, the contractors still having 177 unfulfilled orders on hand, with more waiting to, be placed. Endeavours are being made to have the position in regard to the stones placed on a more satisfactory basis. Additional constructional work was carried out in the soldiers' cemeteries at Bromley (Christchurch), Masterton, Taumarunui, Eastern Necropolis (Dunedin), Omaka (Blenheim), Waihi, Martinborough, Rotorua, Kaiapoi, Taruheru (Gisborne), Taihape, and Eastern (Invercargill). Veterans' graves continue to be attended to. New Zealand war graves overseas are being attended to by the Imperial War Graves Commission. XIV. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS. During the year many notable people visited the Dominion. Among them were Admiral W. F. Halsey, Commander of the South Pacific Area ; Dr. Charles O. van der Plas, Major-General L. P. van Temmen, Mr. J. van Hoist Pcllekaan, and Lieutenant-Commander H. V. Quispel, who comprised the Netherlands delegation to the Tasman Tercentennial Celebrations; Sir Harry Luke, late Governor of Fiji and his successor Sir Philip Mitchell; His Excellency Contre-Amiral G. Thierry d'Argenlieu, High Commissioner for France in the Pacific ; the Imperial Communications Commission, comprising Sir Campbell Stuart, Mr. R. J. P. Harvey, and Colonel Zambra ; Dr. Douglas A. Oliver, Dr. Knowles A. Ryerson, Mr. R. H. Fiedler, and Major S. Krikac, of the United States Economic Warfare Commission; and Mr. W. Bankes Arnery, United Kingdom Ministry of Food Representative in Australia. Arrangements were made for the unveiling of the M. J. Savage Memorial, Auckland ; the laying of the foundation stone of the Disabled Servicemens' Vocational Training Centre, Wellington ; the official opening of the Allied Services Club, Wellington ; and the United Nations Flag Day celebration. The arrangements in connection with the launching of several mine-sweepers were also made. Receptions to all sick and wounded returned soldiers were also organized. Several allied warships visited the Dominion during the year, and hospitality was extended to the officers and men. The State funeral arrangements necessitated by the death of the Hon. H. T. Armstrong were also dealt with in this section.

6