granted to the Meat Board. Such legislation was introduced towards the end of the session, but owing to the opposition met with and the short time available, it was left over to be brought forward again in the new Parliament. A Bill similar in practically every respect to the Meat Export Control Act was duly submitted to Parliament, but feeling both for and against the proposed legislation was so keen that a provision for a referendum of the Dairy Producers was inserted, such referendum to declare in favour of the measure before it was brought into operation by Proclamation. The Ballot resulted in the Act being ratified by a large majority, and the Governor-General accordingly declared that it should be enforced as from November 3.

An official visit was made to the Dominion early in the year by the French Trade Mission, which had spent some time in Australia. The members of the Mission were entertained and shown evidences of New Zealand's industrial progress, they in their turn giving illustrated lectures showing French reconstruction activities.

Anzac Day (April 25) was again observed to all intents and purposes as a Sunday, the public services being practically suspended and no newspapers published, while a special message from the King was given prominence in the newspapers on the previous day. Anzac Day is the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and is observed in New Zealand as a day of mourning for those who died in the war. Well-attended parades of ex-service men and nurses proceed to special services held in memory of their lost comrades.

The farming year which was brought to a close by the winter of 1923 was satisfactory for all branches of the industry (with the exception of that of beef production), wool, frozen mutton and lamb and dairy produce finding ready markets at reasonable prices. The spring brought with it bright prospects for the new season, lambing being heavy on both islands, and the early flow of milk being almost equal to the record established in the previous spring. In an endeavour to improve the outlook for the cattle grazing industry an interesting experiment is to be made in January, 1924, an English firm of meat importers having made arrangements for a trial shipment of a thousand quarters of chilled beef to London.

In the world of sport the chief events to be chronicled are the visit of a team of athletes from the Universities of the United States and a visit of a New South Wales representative team of Rugby footballers. The three test matches of the tour were all won by the New Zealand representatives, but a team of Maori footballers who visited New South Wales were not so fortunate. They did not win a match until after their return to the Dominion. The lawn tennis authorities have decided to send a New Zealand team to compete in the next Davis Cup contest. Hitherto the Dominion has been included with Australia in the entry for the competition.

PART II.

CHRONICLE OF EVENTS

IN 1923.

JANUARY.

1. The New Year Honours were limited to the Departmental lists only: the Prime Minister's list was to be issued later (see under February 7). The list includes two baronetcies, on Sir Nevil Macready and Mr. Panton. The Times announced that the Ken Wood Preservation Council had completed the purchase of 100 acres of the Ken Wood Estate for the extension of Hampstead Heath.

Second Test Match between England and South Africa commenced at Cape Town.

2. Paris Conference on Reparations opened.

3. A Company was formed to establish an express train ferry service between Harwich and Zeebrugge.

4. Paris Conference on Reparations broke down, the French and British proposals being found irreconcilable.

wicket.

England beat South Africa in the Second Test Match, by one

5. Mr. James MacNeill appointed High Commissioner in London of the Irish Free State.

The Second Test Match between New Zealand and the M.C.C. team began at Christchurch.

7. Labour demonstrations held in London and in some 150 provincial centres on behalf of the unemployed.

8. Part of the performance of The Magic Flute at Covent Garden was broadcasted by wireless.

-The first train conveying French troops to the Ruhr passed through Cologne.

The Second Test Match between New Zealand and the M.C.C. team ended in a draw.

9. The will of the late Lord Spencer was proved at 1,197,8261. gross.

The Ilford murderers, Mrs. Edith Thompson and Frederick Bywaters, were executed.

A

10. The Metropolitan Railway celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. 11. President Harding ordered the complete evacuation of the American Army from Germany.

16. Official announcement of the betrothal of the Duke of York to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne.

17. A dense white fog invaded London.

At the bye-election in East Newcastle to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. J. N. Bell (Labour), Mr. Arthur Henderson, one of the Labour leaders, was returned by a majority of 4,384.

19. First Conference of delegates of the International Society of Contemporary Music opened in London.

Mr. Dan Radcliffe promised 50,000l. for the benefit of the University of Wales.

20. The left-handed personal salute abolished by the Admiralty.

Dr. G. M. Vevers appointed superintendent of the staff of the Zoological Gardens.

22. The Third Test Match between South Africa and England, at Durban, ended in a drawn game.

23. A tablet commemorative of the benefactors to the Bodleian Library was unveiled at Oxford University by the Vice-Chancellor.

24. The removal of the treasures from Tutankhamen's tomb resumed; a magnificent couch was brought out.

25. The Archbishop of Canterbury consecrated, in Westminster Abbey, Dr. A. C. Headlam as Bishop of Gloucester, and Dr. J. H. B. Masterman as Bishop Suffragan of Plymouth.

27. The farm of Ellisland, near Dumfries, where Robert Burns wrote some of his poems, was presented to the nation.

Mr. D. M. Dalal appointed High Commissioner for India.

31. Mr. W. A. Valentine appointed Controller of the London Telephone Service in succession to Mr. G. F. Preston, retired.

British Government accepted terms of American Commission for the funding of British debt to the United States.

FEBRUARY.

2. The British Government sent an invitation to the Channel Islands to make an annual contribution of 600,000l. to the Imperial Exchequer.

The Times published particulars of the late Lord Northcliffe's will, the value of which is expected to be about 5,000,000l.

3. The Times announced the resignation of Mr. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia since 1915.

5. At Bow Street Police Court, Arthur Henry Benson was fined 40,000l. for defrauding the Exchequer of 20,3001. by making false returns. for the purpose of super-tax.

Lord Curzon returned to London from Lausanne, where the Conference with the Turks broke down.

6. The engagement announced of Princess Yolanda, eldest daughter of the King and Queen of Italy, to Count Calvi di Bergolo.

The estate of the late Sir Walter Wilkin, Lord Mayor of London 1895-96, was proved at 388,8481.

7. The British Government sent an invitation to the Legislature of the Isle of Man to increase its contribution to the Imperial Exchequer. The Prime Minister's Honours list included three new peers, viz. : Sir George Younger, Bart. (Viscount Younger of Leckie), the Rt. Hon. Herbert Pike Pease (Baron Daryngton), and Sir Owen Philipps (Baron Kylsant).

Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles, gave birth to a son.

8. The estate of the late Sir William Hartley of Liverpool, jam manufacturer, proved at 1,086,444/.

Mr. H. Gosling (Labour) returned by a majority of 2,200 as member for Whitechapel to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. C. J. Matthew, K.C. (Labour).

9. The estate of the late Mr. George Cadbury [see Obituary, ANNUAL REGISTER, 1923] has been sworn at 1,071,0991.

13. Parliament opened in state by King George.

14. The Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh elected Messrs. Henry Lintott, John Duncan, and George Pirie as painter academicians, and Mr. Percy Portsmouth, sculptor.

15. The Times announced the impending amalgamation of the banking houses of Messrs. Glyn, Mills, Currie & Co., and Messrs. Holt & Co., Army, Navy, and Air Force Agents.

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A great storm swept over America, from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

16. The sealed chamber of King Tutankhamen's tomb at Luxor was opened.

17. Somerset beat Kent in the semi-final round of the Rugby Football County Championship, at Taunton, by 12 points to 5.

19. The ninth British Industries Fair was opened at the White City, Shepherd's Bush.

21. Sir Alfred Yarrow offered the Royal Society 100,000l. for the promotion of scientific research. The gift was accepted.

22. The British Debt Funding Bill passed the United States House of Representatives without a division.

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England beat South Africa, at Durban, in the Fifth Test Match, by 109 runs.

25. The 200th anniversary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren. 26. The Duke of Abercorn, Governor of Northern Ireland, made his state entry into Belfast.

In commemoration of Sir Christopher Wren a special service was held at St. Paul's, and the Royal Institute of British Architects gave a banquet.