U .—ll

27

The classification increments provided on the Ist April, 1915, represent £53,229. as against £42,975 for the preceding year. This is accounted for by— £ Increases following Appeal Board decisions .. .. 1,027 „ under Regulation 207 .. .. .. 3,265 „ under Regulation 108 .. .. . . 630 ~ owing to regrading .. . . .. 250 „ owing to special increment to junior lettcrf* carriers and messengers . . . . .. 810 ~ to additional staff .. .. .. 4,272 £10,254 In the same period the average salary rose from £135 to £138. It is estimated, as at the Ist April, 1915, that classified salaries will Ik; underspent by approximately £85,000 for all Departments, including the Post and Telegraph, owing to the absence of officers at the war ; but it will be necessary to set against this an expenditure estimated at £29,000 for permanent and temporary assistance other than that supplied to the Defence Department for its special work. The difference between these two amounts is principally explainable by the fact that the Post and Telegraph Department has been able to fill the places of absent officers by engaging juniors and arranging temporary promotion for others. It may not be possible to continue this.

All of which is humbly submitted for Your Excellency's consideration. D. Robertson, Commissioner. R. Triggs, I . . , , n A. D. Thomson, I distant Commissioners. Office of the Public Service Commissioner, Wellington, 31st May, 1915.