THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEAR-BOOK, 1916

THE Dominion of New Zealand consists of three main islands, with several groups of smaller islands lying at some distance from the principal group. The main islands, known as the North, the South, and Stewart Islands, have a coast-line 4,330 miles in length: North Island, 2,200 miles; South Island, 2,000 miles; and Stewart Island, 130 miles. Other islands included within the Dominion are the Chatham, Auckland, Campbell, Snares, Antipodes, Bounty, and Kermadee Islands. The Cook Group of islands and certain neighbouring islands were included in the Dominion by proclamation of the 10th June, 1901.

The total area of the Dominion proper (i.e., excluding the islands annexed in 1901) is 66,292,232 acres or 103,581 square miles. The land area of the Cook Group is about 150 square miles, and of the other islands annexed in 1901 about 130 square miles. Full information as to boundaries and area, together with descriptive matter relating to the physical features of the various portions of the Dominion, will be found in the 1913 issue of this book.

The geologic structure of New Zealand, so far as it has yet been determined is, owing to its complexity, difficult to summarize. For a fuller account than can be given here the reader is referred to the article in the 1914 Year-book, pages 943–47, and to the various works on geology mentioned therein.

The oldest fossiliferous rocks are the Ordovician argillites (“slates”) of North-west Nelson and Preservation Inlet. At Baton River Silurian fossils, at Reefton Devonian fossils, and in the limestone near Nelson Carboniferous or Permo-Carboniferous fossils, show that these systems are all represented in the Palæozoic sequence. Included in it are marble, sandstone, shale, greywacke, quartzite, schist, and gneiss. The auriferous lodes of the South Island are almost always found cutting through rocks of Palæozoic age.

Rocks belonging to the Mesozoic periods occur over a large area in both slands. The Trias-Jura system of greywacke and argillite forms the main mountain-ranges, but contains few workable mineral deposits. It is fossiliferous in only a few localities, and cannot be easily subdivided.

While all these foregoing rocks were being deposited the New Zealand area was probably the foreshore of a great continent, but after the Trias-Jura sediments were deposited far-reaching changes, involving the breaking-up and disappearance of the continental land, took place. The New Zealand area was necessarily involved in these earth-movements, and as the result the existing strata were folded, broken, and raised above sea-level. After extensive denudation of its surface had taken place New Zealand was again, probably several times, depressed and elevated either in whole or in part. During the periods of subsidence Cretaceous and Tertiary strata were laid down. These contain all the workable coal-seams of the Dominion.

Pleistocene and Recent deposits are well represented by fluviatile, glacial, marine, and wind-blown material.

Plutonic rocks of various types, but mainly granitic, occupy a large area in the western parts of the South Island and occur also in North Auckland. Volcanic rocks, chiefly of Tertiary age, are found in scattered areas throughout the eastern part of the South Island and occur extensively in the North Island, where volcanic activity still continues on a small scale.

The maps illustrating the article on the geology of New Zealand in the 1914 Year-book are reproduced in this volume, and will serve as a supplement to these brief notes. (See page 32).

The rivers of New Zealand were fully discussed in the 1914 issue of this book in an article (pages 948–56) supplied by R. Speight, Esq., M.Sc., F.G.S., Curator of the Canterbury Museum. Considerations of space in the present book prevent more than a list of the more important rivers being given. These are as follows, the lengths shown being in most cases only approximate. Very few of these rivers are navigable by vessels of any size.

In a further article in the 1915 issue of the Year-book Mr. Speight dealt at length with the lakes of the Dominion. A summary of the statistics of the chief lakes of New Zealand is here given:—

In the 1913 issue of the Year-book (pages 32 to 34) appears a short account of the Flora of New Zealand, supplied by Dr. L. Cockayne, F.R.S. The article covers briefly the various points of interest in connection with the flora of the main Islands, and deals also with that of the outlying islands.

For information re the fauna of New Zealand the reader is referred to the article by James Drummond, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S., appearing on pages 957 to 961 of the Year-book for 1914. The article, though brief, contains a fairly comprehensive account of the Dominion's fauna.

The 1915 issue of this book contains considerable information concerning the history and constitution of New Zealand, with lists of successive occupants of important offices. Particulars as to present occupants are given below.

Liverpool, His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William de Brito Savile, Fifth Earl of Liverpool. Born 27th May, 1870, succeeded 1907. Educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Formerly Major in the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own) and subsequently Major of its 6th Battalion. Sometime an A.D.C. to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland (Earl Cadogan, K.G.), and Staff Captain, Dublin District. Is a J.P. for Kesteven and Lindsey Divisions of Lincolnshire, and Lieut.-Colonel 8th Battalion London Regiment (the Post Office Rifles). Served in South Africa 1901–2 (Queen's Medal with three clasps). Was State Steward and Chamberlain to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland (the Earl of Aberdeen, K.T., G.C.M.G.), 1906–8. Comptroller of His Majesty's Household, 1909–12. Appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Dominion of New Zealand, 1912. M.V.O., 4th Class, 1900; K.C.M.G., 1912; G.C.M.G., 1914.

Seat: Hartsholme Hall, Lincoln.

London residence: 44 Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.

Residences: Government House, Wellington; Government House, Auckland.

Private Secretary: Gavin M. Hamilton, Esq.

Official Secretary: A. Cecil Day, Esq.

Aides-de-Camp: Captain J. Gage Williams, 19th Hussars; Honorary Lieutenant H. G. Helmore.

Extra Aide-de-Camp: Lieut.-Colonel J. H. Boscawen.

Honorary Aides-de-Camp: Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., I.S.O., V.D.; Colonel (temp. Major-General) Sir A. H. Russell, K.C.M.G.; Colonel R. Logan; Colonel V. S. Smyth; Colonel J. C. Nichols, V.D.; Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, V.D.

The Executive Council now consists of:—

                                   Speaker—Hon. C. J. JOHNSTON.

                              Chairman of Committees—Hon. W. C. F. CARNCROSS.

                              Speaker—Hon. Sir FREDERIC WILLIAM LANG, Kt. Bach.

                                   Chairman of Committees—ALEXANDER SCOTT MALCOLM.

Isaac Earl Featherston, Esq., appointed Agent-General under the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870, by Warrant dated 5th April, 1871. Appointment to date from 25th March, 1871. (Gazette, 1871, page 155.)

(Note.—Sir W. Tyrone Power was appointed on 20th June, 1876, by the Crown Agents as temporary Agent-General on the death of Dr. Featherston.)

Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., appointed Agent-General under the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870, by Warrant dated 19th September, 1876. Appointment to date from 9th September, 1876, vice I. E. Featherston, deceased. (Gazette 1876, page 721.)

Sir Francis Dillon Bell, appointed Agent-General under the Public Revenues Act, 1878, by Warrant dated 7th December, 1880, vice Sir Julius Vogel, resigned. (Gazette, 1881, page 311.)

Westby Brook Perceval, Esq., appointed Agent-General under the Public Revenues Act, 1891, by Warrant dated 25th September, 1891, vice Sir F. D. Bell. (Gazette, 1891, page 1071.)

The Hon. William Pember Reeves, appointed Agent-General under the Public Revenues Act, 1891, by Warrant dated 23rd December, 1895, vice Sir W. B. Perceval. (Gazette, 1896, page 50.) Appointed High Commissioner under the High Commissioner Act, 1904, by Warrant dated 14th June, 1905. (Gazette, 1905, page 1509.) Reappointed High Commissioner as from 14th June, 1908. (Gazette, 1908, page 1921.)

The Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones, K.C.M.G., appointed High Commissioner from 1st December, 1908, vice Hon. W. P. Reeves. Assumed office 18th January, 1909. (Gazette, 1909, page 27.) Appointment extended to 31st December, 1911. (Gazette, 1911, page 2720.) Appointment further extended to 31st March, 1912. (Gazette, 1912, page 45.) Appointment further extended to 31st May, 1912. (Gazette, 1912, page 1227.)

Charles Frederick Wray Palliser, appointed High Commissioner from 1st June, 1912, for one month. Reappointed from 1st July, 1912, and again reappointed from 1st August, 1912.

The Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, appointed High Commissioner from 23rd August, 1912, for a term of three years. (Gazette, 1912, page 2612.) Assumed office 9th October, 1912. Reappointed from 22nd August, 1915. (Gazette, 1915, page 2283.)

                         (Downing Street, London, S.W.)

Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies—Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., M.P.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary—Right Hon. Lord Emmott, P.C., G.C.M.G.

Permanent Under-Secretaries—Sir John Anderson, G.C.M.G., K.C.B.

Assistant Under-Secretaries—Sir H. W. Just, K.C.M.G., C.B.; and Sir G. V. Fiddes, K.C.M.G., C.B.

There is no State Church in the Dominion, nor is State aid given to any form of religion. Government in the early days set aside certain lands as endowments for various religious bodies, but nothing of the kind has been done for many years past.

The principal churches, with the names, &c., of the present heads or officers, and the places and times of holding the annual or periodical assemblies or meetings, are as follows:—

By an Act passed during the year 1912 and intituled the Public Service Act, 1912, the Public Service of New Zealand was placed under the direct and sole control of a Commissioner and two Assistant Commissioners, who were appointed in the first place for a term of seven years, are responsible only to Parliament, and can be dismissed from office only for misbehaviour or incompetence.

The Act became operative on the 1st April, 1913, and applies to all members of the Public Service with the exception of the Controller and Auditor-General, officers of the Railway Department, members of the Police and Defence Forces, Judges and Magistrates, officers of the House, certain officers of the Legislative Departments, and persons paid only by fees or commission, as well as any officer to whom the Governor in Council declares the Act shall not apply.

The powers vested in the Commissioner are very wide. They include the inspection of offices, the appointment, promotion, transfer, and dismissal of officers, and the framing of regulations.

An entrance examination is provided for youths desirous of entering the service, and efficiency and educational tests for promotion have been established.

In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1914, Inspectors appointed by Education Boards, and in office on the 1st January, 1915, are deemed to be Inspectors of the Education Department as if they had been appointed under the Public Service Act, and will in future come under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner. Under the same Act the Commissioner is empowered to appoint to the Clerical Division of the Public Service any person who on the 1st January, 1915, was permanently employed by any Education Board for more than twenty hours a week in clerical work.

All information will be regarded as strictly confidential.

Please do not fold this schedule except where marked.

MALCOLM FRASER, Government Statistician.

Statistics as to material resources may be compiled under the Census and Statistics Act, 1910, as amended in 1915.

The Land Transfer Acts Compilation Act (1915, No. 35).—This Act is a compilation of the Land Transfer Act, 1908, and its amendments, made pursuant to the provisions of the Statutes Compilation Act, 1908.

The Finance Act (1915, No. 39).—This Act comprises all the special legislation passed with a view to increasing the public revenues for the purpose of meeting the extra demands occasioned by the war. It is divided into seven Parts, as follows: Part I, Land-tax and Income-tax; Part II, Customs Duties; Part III, Beer Duty; Part IV, Stamp Duties; Part V, Death Duties; Part VI, Aid to Public Works; Part VII, Railway Charges.

Part I (Land-tax and Income-tax) contains the annual taxing proposals. The tax is assessed at the same rates as formerly, but a supertax of 33 1/3 per cent. is added to the income-tax. Income-tax is also made payable for the first time in respect of income derived from the use or occupation of land.

Part II (Customs Duties) amends the tariff generally by way of increasing the several rates of duties payable on imported goods. In addition, an extra duty of 1 per cent. ad valorem is imposed on all goods (with certain limited exceptions) imported into New Zealand after the commencement of the Act.

Section 28 contains authority for imposing a surtax of 50 per cent. ad valorem on goods that may hereafter be imported into New Zealand being the produce or manufacture of any country that is now at war with His Majesty.

Part III (Beer Duty) repeals the Beer Duty Act, 1908, and makes new provisions for the imposition and collection of duty in respect of beer manufactured in New Zealand. Under the repealed Act duty was assessed on the quantity of beer after the process of manufacture was completed; under the new system the duty is assessed on the beer before it is pitched for fermentation. The rate of duty varies with the specific gravity of the worts: the heavier the quality of beer produced the higher the rate of duty to be imposed.

Part IV (Stamp Duties) is designed to increase the public revenue produced by way of stamp duty on legal documents. It also makes several other important amendments of the law intended to increase the revenue. In particular—

Part V (Death Duties) amends in various details the provisions of the Death Duties Act, 1909. Section 93 makes provision for very considerable exemptions from duty in respect of the estates of deceased soldiers, so far as any such estate is acquired by the wife or by a lineal ancestor or descendant of the deceased.

Part VI (Aid to Public Works) provides for the raising of a loan of £2,000,000 for purposes of local public works.

Part VII (Railway Charges) provides for the variation of contracts of carriage in consequence of a recent increase in railway and wharfage charges.

The Cook Islands Act (1915, No. 40).—This Act not only repeals the Cook Islands Act, 1908 (a New Zealand enactment), but, so far as the Parliament of New Zealand has authority and jurisdiction, it repeals all the Acts, Ordinances, regulations, and other enactments and laws whatsoever (including Native customs and usages in so far as they may have the force of law), and re-enacts in their place a criminal and civil code of law for the government of the Cook Islands. The Act is divided into twenty-four divisions (or Parts). The following statement repeats the titles of the several Parts, and indicates generally the nature of their provisions:—

Part I (Executive Government of the Cook Islands): This Part of the Act provides for the appointment by the Governor of a member of the Executive Council to be known as the Minister of the Cook Islands; it also provides for the appointment of an Administrative Officer (the Secretary for the Cook Islands) to hold office in New Zealand, and for the appointment of a Resident Commissioner and Deputy Resident Commissioner of Rarotonga, and a Resident Commissioner and Deputy Resident Commissioner of Niue, to hold office in the Cook Islands. For islands other than Rarotonga and Niue the Governor may appoint Resident Agents. Provision is also made—

Part II (Island Councils): This Part of the Act provides the necessary machinery for purposes of local government. It establishes an Island Council of Rarotonga and an Island Council of Niue. The Governor may establish other Island Councils if necessary. The Councils so established are given authority to make Ordinances for the peace, order, and good government of the respective islands. No such Ordinance has any force or effect in so far as it may be repugnant to any law passed by the New Zealand Parliament applicable to the Cook Islands.

Part III (the High Court of the Cook Islands): The existing High Court is continued, and the Governor is empowered to appoint a Chief Judge and such other Judges, Commissioners, Registrars, and other officers as may be necessary for the conduct of business. The High Court has all jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, which may be necessary to administer the laws of the Cook Islands.

Part IV (the Supreme Court of New Zealand) confers original jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, on the Supreme Court of New Zealand with respect to matters arising in the Cook Islands. Provision is also made for appeals from the Island Courts to the Supreme Court, and for the hearing by the latter Court of cases stated by the Island Courts. Judgments of the New Zealand Supreme Court may be enforced in the Cook Islands by the High Court.

Part V (Criminal Offences): This Part contains a penal code of about a hundred clauses.

Part VI (Criminal Procedure) contains rules of criminal procedure to be observed by the High Court.

Part VII (Law of Evidence) relates to the rules of evidence to be observed in civil or criminal proceedings. Section 316 empowers the Court to receive such evidence as it thinks fit, whether such evidence is or is not admissible or sufficient at common law. Section 317 gives to the Court a discretionary power to reject any secondary evidence which it considers to be needless, irrelevant, or unsatisfactory, whether such evidence would be admissible or not at common law. Section 318 makes all persons competent witnesses.

Part VIII (Extradition) makes the necessary provision for the extradition of offenders from the Cook Islands to New Zealand and from New Zealand to the Cook Islands.

Part IX (Crown Suits) provides for the filing of petitions under the Crown Suits Act, 1908, in the Supreme Court of New Zealand or in an inferior Court (including the High Court of the Cook Islands). Petitions filed in the Supreme Court may, on the request of the Attorney-General, be removed into the High Court.

Part X (Crown Land) declares to be Crown land all land in the Cook Islands which is not vested in any person for an estate in fee-simple. Any such land may be disposed of by way of rent, or by way of lease, license, easement, or other limited estate. Crown lands may be reserved for public purposes, and private land may, on payment of compensation, be taken for any such purpose.

Part XI (the Native Land Court) establishes the Native Land Court of the Cook Islands, provides for the appointment of Judges and officers, defines its jurisdiction, and determines its procedure.

Part XII (Customary Land) and Part XIII (Partition and Exchange of Native Land) are based on corresponding provisions of the Native Land Act, 1909 (New Zealand).

Part XIV (Succession) prescribes certain conditions to be fulfilled in the case of wills executed by Natives, and provides for the distribution, according to Native custom, of property not disposed of by will.

Part XV (Adoption of Children by Natives) imposes certain restrictions with respect to the adoption of children.

Part XVI (Alienation of Native Land) imposes certain restrictions on the alienation of land by Natives, and prescribes certain formalities with respect to the execution and confirmation of instruments of alienation.

Part XVII (Trustees for Natives) relates to the appointment by the Native Land Court of trustees for minors, or for persons of unsound mind, or in prison, or subject to any physical or mental infirmity rendering them unfit to have the management of property.

Part XVIII (Marriage) and Part XIX (Divorce) relate respectively to the marriage and divorce of Natives in the Cook Islands.

Part XX (Maintenance and Affiliation) relates to maintenance and affiliation orders

Part XXI (Persons of Unsound Mind) relates to the custody of persons of unsound mind and the administration of the estates of such persons. It also makes provision with respect to criminal lunatics.

Part XXII (Intoxicating Liquor) prohibits the manufacture in the Cook Islands of intoxicating liquor and restricts its importation and sale.

Part XXIII (Roads) relates to the construction, maintenance, and control of roads.

Part XXIV (the Laws of the Cook Islands: General Provisions) applies to the Cook Islands, with modifications, a considerable portion of the statute law of New Zealand, and also several rules of the common law.

The War Funds Act (1915, No. 41).—The object of this Act is to ensure the proper administration and control of moneys that have been raised by public subscription for purposes arising out of the war. An important feature of the Act is the invitation to the holders of funds to transfer their obligations to a National War Funds Council, to be charged with the administration of the funds for the purposes for which they were respectively raised. As an alternative to this proposal the trustees of any fund are authorized to transfer their fund to any society or trustees administering another fund for substantially the same purpose.

A further safeguard against the misuse of funds is provided for by section 19, which provides for the audit of all funds by the Government Audit Office or by an approved auditor at intervals not exceeding one year.

The final provision of importance is contained in section 22, which prohibits the collection of moneys for the purposes of a war fund except by persons who may be the holders of permits issued by responsible persons authorizing the making of such collections.

The Military Manœuvres Act (1915, No. 42).—This Act is similar in purpose to the Military Manœuvres Act, 1897 (Imperial). It provides for the setting-aside, by Proclamation, of land that may be required for purposes of military manœuvres. While any such Proclamation remains in force the land to which it relates may be used for the execution of military manœuvres. The right to exercise such manœuvres includes the right to enter on, pass over, or encamp on any land and to construct military works thereon. Compensation is payable, out of moneys to be appropriated by Parliament for the purpose, in respect of loss or injury suffered by any person by reason—

Compensation is not payable, however, for loss or injury that may be due to the failure of the complainant to take necessary precautions to protect himself from such loss or injury.

The Expeditionary Forces Act (1915, No. 44).—The object of this Act is to provide statutory authority for the raising of Expeditionary Forces for military service beyond New Zealand during the present war. Section 3 provides as follows: “At all times and from time to time during the present war with Germany it shall be lawful for the Governor to raise by voluntary enlistment, and to organize, administer, and maintain in such manner as he thinks fit, an Expeditionary Force for service out of New Zealand with or in aid of His Majesty's Forces.” In the case of non-commissioned officers and men the period of enlistment is expressed to be for “the duration of the present war with Germany and six months thereafter, or such shorter period as the Governor in any case thinks fit.” With respect to the discipline of the Forces it is provided by section 17 that the Army Act, so far as it relates to offences and to the trial and punishment of persons subject to military law, shall apply to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of an Expeditionary Force at all times and in all places while out of New Zealand. Provision is also made for the trial by court-martial in New Zealand of offences committed out of New Zealand where the offender is afterwards found in New Zealand. Offenders tried and sentenced to penal servitude or imprisonment out of New Zealand may be sent in military custody to New Zealand, there to be imprisoned in accordance with the terms of the sentence.

By section 25 the provisions of the Act are made applicable to the Samoan Force and other Forces despatched from New Zealand before the commencement of the Act.

Of certain miscellaneous provisions following the main provisions of the Act the following are the more important:—

The Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act (1915, No. 45) makes provision for the settlement of discharged soldiers on areas of Crown land and on lands that may be specially acquired by the Crown for the purpose. In the selection of ordinary Crown lands discharged soldiers are accorded a certain preference over other applicants, but the main feature of the present Act is the authority vested in the Governor to set apart areas of land, to be subdivided into suitable allotments, capable of being selected only by discharged soldiers.

In addition to the facilities provided for the acquisition of land by soldiers authority is given to enable the Crown to assist soldier settlers in respect of—

The Minister of Finance is empowered to borrow such amount as he thinks fit, not exceeding £50,000,^* for the purposes of the Act, not including the acquisition of land by the Crown.

The Miner's Phthisis Act (1915, No. 50) provides pensions for miners who may be totally incapacitated for work by reason of miner's phthisis or pneumoconiosis contracted while working as a miner in New Zealand. In the case of a married man, or a widower with young children, the pension is at the rate of £1 a week; in other cases it is fixed at 15s. a week. The widow of a miner who may die of pneumoconiosis is entitled for two years to a pension of 12s. 6d. a week. The administrative provisions of the Pensions Act, 1913, are applied.

The Prisoners Detention Act (1915, No. 52) provides for the establishment of prison hospitals for the treatment of convicted prisoners suffering from venereal disease. Any prisoner committed to a prison hospital may be detained therein until free from disease, although in the meantime his sentence of imprisonment may have expired.

The Gaming Amendment Act (1915, No. 57) temporarily suspends to a limited extent the operation of the provisions of the principal Act prohibiting the holding of lotteries. This Act allows the Minister of Internal Affairs to consent to the disposition of any property by raffle or chance if the proceeds are intended to be donated to a patriotic fund.

The Destitute Persons Amendment Act (1915, No. 58).—This Act is designed to provide better means for the enforcement of maintenance orders under the principal Act. It provides for the appointment of an officer of the Court, whose duty it shall be to receive moneys paid under any such order, and to take further proceedings in cases where default is made in complying with the terms of the order.

* Increased to £100,000 by section 7 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1916.

The Mortgages Extension Amendment Act (1915, No. 59).—This Act considerably modifies the provisions of the Mortgages Extension Act, 1914. By the last-mentioned Act a mortgagee, during the continuance of the war, is debarred from calling up his principal or exercising his powers of sale or other rights under a mortgage unless and until he has first obtained the leave of the Supreme Court so to do. So long as the mortgagor continues to pay interest at the rate reserved by the mortgage the Court had no authority to grant the required leave to the mortgagee. The consequence was that in many cases mortgagors, relying on the protection afforded them by the Act, failed to pay moneys owing under their mortgages, which they held at a comparatively low rate of interest, and themselves invested the money at the current rate. By the amendment Act last passed the Court, in considering an application by a mortgagee for leave to call up the principal or otherwise to exercise his powers, is directed to take into consideration the following matters:—

If, having regard to these and to all other relevant considerations, the Court is of opinion that it is just and equitable that leave should be granted it is directed to grant such leave accordingly.

The Friendly Societies Amendment Act (1915, No. 64).—The most important provision of this Act is contained in section 4, which validates certain rules providing for the consolidation of benefit funds. Such rules had been declared by a judgment of the Supreme Court to be ultra vires, and, as the rules had been acted on and funds actually amalgamated beyond any possibility of restoration to their original condition, it was deemed expedient to validate the amalgamations that had already been effected, and by the repeal of section 40 of the principal Act tacitly to authorize the adoption of such rules by societies.

The War Regulations Amendment Act (No. 2) (1915, No. 66) makes provision principally with respect to the requisition by the Crown of military supplies. The delivery of a requisition by the Minister of Defence to the owner or occupier of a factory is deemed to constitute a contract for the supply of the goods named therein. In default of agreement as to price the matter is to be determined by a Judge of the Supreme Court. The wilful failure to comply with the terms of a requisition constitutes an offence punishable by fine, and in any case of failure to supply the goods required the Minister may take possession of the factory or workshop and use the same, as the agent of the owner or occupier, for the purpose of manufacturing or producing the military supplies to which the requisition relates.

The obligations imposed by a requisition on the owner or occupier of a factory or workshop may be pleaded by him in any proceedings for breach of any contract entered into by him before the delivery of the requisition.

The Alien Enemy Teachers Act (1915, No. 67) prohibits the employment or the continuance of the employment as a teacher in any public educational institution of any person who, not being a British subject by birth or by naturalization or otherwise, is or at any time has been a subject of a State with which His Majesty is now at war. As compensation for loss of office occasioned by reason of the Act, authority is given to the governing body of any such institution to pay to any person whose services are so terminated a sum not exceeding one year's salary.

The Cost of Living Act (1915, No. 69) provides for the establishment of a Board of Trade, to consist of a Minister of the Crown and three other members. The duties of the Board are to investigate, inter alia, the following matters:—

Section 12 of the Act extends the provisions of the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, to all articles of food for human consumption and to the ingredients thereof. The Act formerly applied only where the alleged monopoly (in the case of articles of food) related to meat, fish, flour, oatmeal, and other products of milling, or sugar. The amendment makes illegal any combination or association to control the price or the supply or demand of any article of food.

The Post and Telegraph Amendment Act (1915, No. 70) authorizes the Postmaster-General to receive fixed deposits of not less than £50, for periods not less than twelve months, in the Post Office Savings-bank. Formerly all deposits in the Post Office Savings-bank were withdrawable on demand.

The New Zealand University Amendment Act (1915, No. 77) confers on the Senate of the University powers to award degrees, diplomas, certificates of proficiency, scholarships, prizes, bursaries, and exhibitions to students who have enlisted for military service, notwithstanding that such students may not have fully complied with the statutes and regulations of the University. The exercise in any case of the power so conferred is conditional upon the student having attained such a standard of proficiency that but for his enlistment he would have qualified to receive the degree or other distinction that the Senate may award.

The Public Service Superannuation Amendment Act (1915, No. 81) relates wholly to the investment of the Superannuation Fund. Under the principal Act (prior to the present amendment) the fund was paid into the common fund of the Public Trust Office, and interest was paid at the rate for the time being payable on moneys invested in that fund.

The amendment provides for the separate investment of the fund by the Superannuation Board, authority being given to invest in any form of security in which trust funds may be invested.

The Defence Amendment Act (1915, No. 83).—Section 2 of this Act extends the provisions of the War Pensions Act so as to apply in the case of members of Expeditionary Forces who may die or be disabled in New Zealand as the result of their employment as members of any such Force. The War Pensions Act, prior to the passing of the Defence Amendment, applied only in the case of men who were killed or disabled after having actually left New Zealand. In computing the amount of pension payable under the present Act the Pensions Board “may take into consideration the fact that the death or disablement of the member occurred in New Zealand.”

The Appropriation Act (1915, No. 85).—Section 26 of this Act prohibits local authorities from exercising any borrowing-powers during the continuance of the war, except with the precedent consent of the Governor in Council. To this extent the section overrides any statutory provisions conferring borrowing-powers on local authorities.

The total rainfall was slightly in excess of the average in the northernmost portion of the North Island and in the west coast and southernmost districts of the South. All other parts of the Dominion experienced less than normal, the deficiency being most pronounced in Canterbury and Hawke's Bay.

Following is a short summary for each month of the weather and the chief atmospheric systems which were in evidence:—

January.—The general character of the weather was, on the whole, seasonable, warm and fair conditions predominating. Rainfall was excessive on the west coast and in the southern half of the South Island, and also at a few isolated stations in the northernmost districts, where the average was also exceeded owing to heavy falls on the 28th and 29th, but elsewhere the total was below normal. The atmospheric depressions, which were more numerous in the latter half of the month, were chiefly centred in higher latitudes, and were therefore responsible for a prevalence of westerly winds. Between the 28th and 30th, however, a subtropical “low” passed in the north, and, as before mentioned, this principally affected the northern districts of the North Island.

February.—The aggregate rainfall for February was considerably below normal over the North Island, but in the South, with the exception of portions of the east coast district, it was nearly everywhere in excess. In Westland the percentage above was greatest, several stations recording over 100 per cent. in excess of the mean of previous years. This was owing to the character of the disturbances being chiefly of the westerly type, with centres passing in higher latitudes and accounting for a prevalence of north-west to southwesterly winds. On the 2nd a small atmospheric depression passed off East Cape, and some beneficial rains fell at this time in most parts of the Hawke's Bay and Gisborne districts. Although many days were cloudy and frequently threatening in the North Island, beyond a few showers the weather remained dry and generally warm. In and southward of Cook Strait dull weather was also very prevalent, and in the west coast and southernmost districts often very unsettled. The wettest days were generally between the 3rd and 6th and the 21st and 28th. These periods, and also about the 14th, were notable for strong winds over the South Island, and on the latter date stormy conditions ruled in many parts.

March.—The month of March was rather an unsettled one, especially in the North Island, where, in consequence, most places reported a total rainfall considerably above the average. In the South Island, although dull and threatening conditions were frequent, days with heavy rain were not so numerous, and the total was generally below the mean. The west coast portion showed the greater deficiency, as there fine weather was the predominating feature. On the 4th good general rains accompanied a depression of a cyclonic type, the central region of which travelled across the South Island. During the night of the 10th a small secondary “low” passing through Cook Strait accounted for heavy rain in the Wairarapa, Wellington, and Marlborough districts. From the 18th to the 25th a persistent low-pressure area held sway northward of the Dominion, and continuous unsettled and at times stormy conditions prevailed in the North Island and in the north-east portion of the South. Easterly to south-easterly winds prevailed, and considerable rain fell during this period. Many stations in the northern districts recorded over 2 in. on both the 19th and 20th. The observer at Waihi, for the six days, 17th to 22nd, measured 17.44 in., 7.18 in. falling on the 18th. Between the 27th and 31st a reversal of atmospheric conditions to the above was experienced, the “low” being to the southward, and bringing strong westerly winds generally and rain in the west coast and southern districts of the South Island. During the month two intense storms prevailed in higher latitudes—viz., between the 6th and 11th, and (as above mentioned) from the 27th to the end of the month, and both were responsible for strong westerly winds.

April.—In the beginning and towards the close of the month conditions were unsettled, rain falling generally between the 1st and 3rd and the 26th and 29th. The remainder of the month was characterized by fair weather. On the night of the 2nd the centre of a depression passed in the neighbourhood of Cook Strait, in conjunction with an intense antarctic storm. On the 26th a subtropical “low” was noted in course of development. This approached the Dominion from the north-west, being centred off Cape Egmont on the 28th. Its centre passed through Cook Strait on the evening of the latter date. The above two disturbances were the most important in influencing weather conditions. Two storms passed to the southward—viz., between the 13th and 15th and the 19th and 21st. These, however, had but slight effect. Between the 5th and the 12th an anticyclone held sway, and it was during this period that some of the most settled weather prevailed. The whole of the Dominion, with the exception of some stations north of Auckland, recorded a total rainfall below the average, and this deficiency was most pronounced in the east coast districts.

May.—During May the rainfall was below the average over the Dominion as a whole, and the weather was generally fair and mild. No very intense atmospheric depressions were in evidence, and in consequence strong winds were exceptional, and no heavy falls of rain were experienced.

June.—Until the 10th of the month anticyclonic pressure accounted for fair weather, and thereafter to the close of the month frequent and persistent areas of low pressure held sway. Consequently the weather was continuously unsettled during this period, and a considerable number of dull, misty, and wet days were experienced over the Dominion. The weather was, however, on the whole not unseasonable, and many parts of the country did not benefit to the extent required in the amount of rainfall. Hawke's Bay and the Bay of Plenty districts recorded considerably above the average rainfall, but most of the South Island and the west coast and southern portions of the North Island generally experienced less than the normal June rainfall. In the North Island those of our chief climatological stations showing the greatest difference from the mean were Greenmeadows (near Napier) and Wellington, the former recording considerably over double its average rainfall, while the latter did not attain half its normal.

July.—The only atmospheric depressions affecting the weather unfavourably were one of moderate intensity which passed in the south on the 10th, and an intense and extensive westerly “low” ruling between the 19th and 24th. The latter was responsible for some very heavy rains in all the western districts, and on this account those portions of the Dominion had a total rainfall for the month much above the average. In the eastern half of the Dominion conditions were dry, and the aggregate rainfall was below normal. On the whole the weather was mild and fair for a winter month.

August.—All parts of the Dominion, with the exception of the extreme north, experienced less than the average August rainfall, the east coast and southern districts of the South Island having the largest deficiency. Atmospheric depressions ruled to the northwards during the first three days, and were persistent between the 14th and 23rd, when they were accountable for changeable weather with frequent showers along the east coast of the North Island and some moderately heavy rains about the 14th and 19th. Two other disturbances were in evidence, both of the westerly type, with centres of low pressure passing in the south on the 7th and 30th respectively. These were responsible for unsettled weather with rain, more particularly in the western half of the country. Fair weather was, however, more generally the rule during the month, and cold frosty nights were somewhat frequent in those districts most subject to them.

September.—Except in the northernmost portion of the North Island and the west coast of the South, rainfall was below the average. The east coast districts again experienced very dry conditions, and many places reported a serious deficiency in the amount of water in the streams. Several westerly atmospheric disturbances passed over the Dominion, with centres to the southward, and a low-pressure area was also in evidence off East Cape on the 20th. The latter was accountable for strong southerly winds generally. Fair weather predominated during the month, although cloudy skies were much in evidence, particularly in the northern half of the North Island.

October.—In the east coast districts between Napier and Timaru the total rainfall for the month was below the average, but elsewhere there was an excess, except at a few stations, more particularly along the west coast of the North Island. Atmospheric pressure was high between the 6th and 13th, although on the 6th and 7th relatively low pressure ruled in the north, accounting for rain in the east coast districts. From the 16th to the 19th, and again between the 26th and 28th, westerly areas of low pressure held sway, and very unsettled, and in parts stormy, weather was experienced. On the latter date a secondary “low” in the north was responsible for some severe thunderstorms in the northernmost districts. Generally the weather was dull and showery in the west coast districts, but fair and mild in the east coast districts, especially in the first half of the month.

November.—On account of an unusual number of atmospheric depressions passing over or within effective distance of the Dominion, the weather of November proved very unsettled. The principal disturbances may be briefly mentioned: A triple-centred westerly area of low pressure prevailed between the 3rd and the 10th, during which period stormy conditions at times prevailed. In conjunction with the second centre a secondary “low” passing in the neighbourhood of Cook Strait in the early morning of the 6th was productive of thunderstorms accompanied with heavy rain in various districts, and these were particularly severe about Cook Strait. Antarctic depressions also passed in the south on the 11th, 15th, 19th, 25th, and 30th, and on the 22nd a cyclone passed off East Cape. All these disturbances accounted for more or less unsettled weather with rain, but owing to a predominance of westerly winds South Canterbury experienced less than the average rainfall. The east coast of the North Island, owing to heavy rain accompanying the cyclone off East Cape, had an excessive rainfall, and a fall above the average was also recorded in all other parts of the Dominion, with the exception of South Canterbury before mentioned.

December.—The west coast of the South Island and also a small portion of the Wanganui district again experienced more than the average rainfall, but elsewhere there was a deficiency in the total for the month. The various atmospheric disturbances were mostly of slight intensity, and therefore not favourable to general rains. Fair and warm weather prevailed generally, and between the 15th and 20th many districts experienced particularly high temperatures.

The following table shows the difference, above or below the mean, for each month in the year:—

THE estimated population of the Dominion on the 31st December, 1915, was 1,102,794 persons, an increase of 6,800 during the year. The total shown does not include Maoris or residents of the Cook and other Pacific islands annexed in 1901. The Maori population at the census of 1911 was found to be 49,844, while the annexed islands had at the same date a population of 12,598, of which number only 232 were classified as Europeans or as half-castes living as Europeans.

The details of the population as estimated at the 31st December, 1915, are as follows:—

It has hitherto been impossible to prepare intercensal estimates in regard to the Maori population or of the population of the Cook and other Pacific islands, on account of the fact that registration of births and deaths of Maoris has only recently come into operation, while hitherto no registration has been in force in the annexed islands. Regulations have, however, now been gazetted to provide for registration of births and deaths in these islands as from the 1st July, 1916.

The Cook Islands are not included in any of the statistics of New Zealand quoted throughout this book. Figures re Maoris are included in the general details in a few cases—i.e., imports and exports, savings-bank deposits, &c—but in other cases are either not taken into account or are shown separately. In cases where Maoris are included they swell totals to a much less extent per head than the European population. The figures given below therefore do not include Maoris and residents of Cook Islands, information concerning whom is given at the end of this section.

The estimated population, excluding Maoris, &c., at the end of each of the past ten years, and the numerical and centesimal increase during each year, are given in the following table. The mean population for each of the ten years is also shown.

The smallness of the increase in 1915 is due in great part to the war, immigration being considerably restricted, while the emigration figures were swelled by the departure of troops for the front. Figures of emigration quoted later on in this section do not include members of Expeditionary Forces.

The increase of population at successive census periods has been,—

Intercensal estimates of population are made from the records of births and deaths and the returns of migration. These estimates, especially of late years, are found to be remarkably near the truth, as will be seen from the following table, showing the estimated population as at 31st March in each of the last seven census years compared with the population as ascertained by the census in the same years:—

The population of New Zealand has shown a continuous though not a regular increase in each year since 1855, the first year in which accurate records of births and deaths were obtained and used in conjunction with the returns of immigration and emigration. The greatest increase in any year was in 1874, when 32,118 assisted immigrants were brought into the country in accordance with the immigration and public-works policy of the Government. The next greatest increase of population was in 1863, following the discovery of gold in Otago. The accompanying diagram shows the fluctuations in the yearly increase of population (male, female, and total). The diagram represents numerical increase, and not the percentage of the increase on the population at the end of the preceding year.

It will be noticed that there is a much greater fluctuation in the male increases than in the female. In the earlier years of the period the increase of population was much greater among males than among females. In 1863 especially is this noticeable. For later years, however, the curves for the two sexes run largely very close together, with the male and female elements preponderating in alternate series of years. The increase of female population has been greater than that of males in each year since and including 1909. The year 1914 saw the first actual decrease of male population, a result wholly attributable to the departure of troops. The decrease was repeated in 1915. In 1804 and again in 1888 the increase of males was less than 1,000, due in each case to an excess of emigration over immigration. The annual increase of female population has never fallen below 3,000 in any year since 1860.

An examination of the increase for each quarter of the past ten years discloses a considerable amount of irregularity, due to fluctuations in migration.

The natural increase of population is shown in the following table:—