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Departmental Changes. Obituary. It is with extreme regret that I have to chronicle the deaths of Messrs. A. A. Seaton, W. H. Bentley, A. C. Clarke, and J. L. Dickie. The late Andrew Archibald Seaton was an authorized surveyor, and was first appointed to the service in 1878, but retired on compensation in 1884. He rejoined the Department in October, 1889, as a temporary surveyor, became a permanent officer in terms of the Public Service Classification Act, 1907, being subsequently appointed to the position of District Surveyor. He had been in failing health for some time prior to his death on the 21st April, 1915. When in good health Mr. Seaton carried out his field duties in a highly satisfactory manner; his work was very thorough and complete from every point of view. The late William Henry Bentley was appointed a clerk in the Auckland office in April, 1894, previous to which he was employed for some years in the Public Works Department. He was retired on superannuation in March, 1909, but was subsequently temporarily re-employed from time to time until his death in March last. The late Mr. Bentley was an enthusiastic and willing worker, and carried out the duties allotted to him in a very satisfactory manner. The late Arthur Clarkson Clarke was appointed a clerk in the New Plymouth office on the 9th December, 1897, and became a permanent officer in 1907. Owing to ill health he was transferred to the Auckland office in June, 1914, but the change did not prove beneficial, and whilst on leave of absence his death occurred on the 24th October' last on board the s.s. " Makura " when proceeding from Auckland to Sydney. The late John Lamb Dickie joined the Department as a surveyor for the Wellington District on the Ist October, 1892, being transferred to the Nelson office as Computing Draughtsman in January, 1898. He was appointed Land Transfer Draughtsman, Invercargill, in September, 1904, which position he held up to the time of his death on the 12th November, 1914. Mr. Dickie was one of our ablest professional officers either in the field or office, and, in addition, was a most conscientious, industrious, and intelligent officer, and his loss was much felt by his brotherofficers and those surveyors and the public with whom he came in contact. Retirements. The following officers tendered their resignation or- were retired from the service on superannuation :— Mr. John Charles Mackley, Crown Lands Ranger for- Southland, retired from the service on superannuation on the 30th June, 1914, after over eleven years' service. He was first employed as a clerk in the Invercargill office, being appointed a Ranger in August, 1908. Mr. John Ammunson, Timber Expert and Crown Lands Ranger, Wellington District, was appointed in 1901, and retired on superannuation on the 30th June, 1914, having reached the age-limit. He was a zealous and conscientious officer, with good local knowledge of the Awarua and Waimarino districts. Mr. Walter Sanderson Curtis, Land Transfer Draughtsman, Nelson office, having completed forty years' service, tendered his resignation and retired on superannuation as from the 31st January, 1915. His exemplary good conduct coupled with zeal and ability gave him a fine record in the service. Mr. William Francis Gordon, having reached the age-limit, was retired on superannuation on the 31st May, 1914. He joined the Post and Telegraph Department on the 17th February, 1873, and was transferred to the New Plymouth office of this Department in January, 1883, as a draughtsman. He was an able and hardworking officer. Mr. Robert Alexander Johnston, Chief Clerk and Secretary to the Land Board, in the Dunedin office, retired from the service on superannuation on the 30th June, 1914, having completed over forty years' service. For many years Mr. Johnston was Secretary to the Otago Land Board, and in this connection, while carrying out his duties in a very able manner, also rendered much valuable assistance to the Crown tenants of the district. In February, 1909, he was appointed to the position of Chief Clerk, and up to the date of his retirement held the dual position of Chief Clerk and Secretary to the Board. Mr. Johnston was in indifferent health for some time prior to his retirement, and it is hoped that a well-earned rest from official duties will have the effect of restoring him to a satisfactory state of health. Mr. Thomas William Hughes, District Surveyor, Auckland, was retired as medically unfit on the 31st August, 1914. He was appointed to the service on the 11th November, 1889, and had therefore completed nearly twenty-five years' service up to date of retirement.