H.—l4

88

6. (p. 50.) Record System. —The "series" system of files is noxv in general operation, so far as is consistent with the fact that it has always been found advisable to have a separate file for each tenant. The letter-books have now been abolished in the Department. General indexes are being used. The registering of inward correspondence is being discontinued. The remainder of the files relating to immigration will shortly be taken over by the Immigration Department. General Remarks. 7. (p. 16.) Understudies. —Wherever necessary, understudies have been provided, and the remarks of the Commissioner have been carefully considered and given attention to in all offices. 8. (p. 14.) Attendance-book. —The statutory attendance-book has been in use ever since its issue. 9. (p. 19.) Modern Methods. —The remarks of the Public Service Commissioner have been carefully noted, and, as far as possible, given effect to. It is, hoxvever, a difficult matter to bring the whole Department up to date in all modern requirements in a limited period, but it is hoped that greater efficiency will result by the adoption from day to day of the methods referred to. 10. (p. 19.) Compound Forms, &c. —All new forms required by the Department are now designed for use xvith carbon paper xvherever practicable. The reprinting of a number of forms hitherto in use is deferred, as it is intended to bring them before a conference of departmental Chief Clerks for consideration, xvith a view to devising forms (some compound) that will meet as far as possible the requirements of each district, and thereby ensure a measure of uniformity. It is pointed out, however, that owing to various reasons —viz., geographical, climatic, and the operation of special laws in many localities —absolute uniformity cannot be expected, and special forms for use in some districts will still be necessary. Conclusion. The report of the Commissioner has been perused xvith very careful attention by all officers, and every endeavour has been made to carry out the spirit of his suggestions. It is hoped that the future working of the Department will be greatly benefited by the changes brought about in consequence of his report, and though perhaps many of the results achieved may not be immediately visible, yet I am fully confident that the officers of the Department will do everything in their power to ensure that the administration of the Department is conducted xvith the very greatest efficiency. As is well known, the functions of the Department are of a most varied and, in many cases, complex nature, and have to be carried out by highly trained officers, as probably fifty Acts of the General Assembly deal xvith matters administered by the Department, and every year fresh legislation makes fresh demands on the knowledge, skill, and energy of the officers. Marine Department. As regards the record system, this has been altered in accordance xvith the suggestion of the Commissioner, and the question as to the number of items in the appropriations will be dealt with when the estimates for the next financial year are being prepared. Mental Hospitals Department. With regard to reducing the working-hours, while it is recognized that these are long, and that the work in some cases is objectionable and in most cases anxious, yet, taking the average, it connot be described as arduous. It is very difficult to reduce these hours without the patients suffering, or without disproportionately adding to the cost of their maintenance. I cannot advocate anything that would put the patients under disabilities; and xvith respect to the second solution, a number of extra attendants and nurses would be required for relief duty, and as it is it takes us all our time to accommodate those who are on the staff, and in our experience the supply of suitable persons is somexvhat limited. In any case, the reduction of hours would, as far as the patients are concerned, be best attained by increasing the annual leave, reducing thus the aggregate of hours worked during the year, and preserving as far as possible the continuity of interest in the oversight, care, and control of the patients. Schemes that give every third day off so as to arrive at the eight-hour day have the distinctly bad feature that the observation of the patients and the attendants' knowledge of their idiosyncrasies become patchy, and the very best only can maintain an intellectual interest in their work. We allow half an hour for each of the meals. At the conference of Medical Superintendents the only concession deemed possible under present circumstances was to add a quarter of an hour to the time off for the midday meal; and during this month [May] there is going to be another conference of Superintendents, when this matter will again be brought up. The aggregate of hours worked during the year, with the above concessions, works out as follows: On alternate days —6.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., less one hour and a quarter for meals, and less a quarter of an hour for tidying up; net time worked, 9£ hours. 6.30 a.m. to 8 p.m., less one hour and three-quarters for meals and a quarter of an hour for tidying up; net time worked, 11 \ hours. Average, 10J hours. The amount of leave during the year totals ninety-two days, and therefore the working-days number 273. The actual hours worked, therefore, during the year may be thus expressed : 273 x 10£ - 365 = 7 hours 51 minutes average the whole year round. I have not counted in this calculation the extra time worked on the fortnightly entertainment evenings by those not on leave. One might roughly estimate this at about fifty-five hours scattered over the year.