9

o.—l

and Chief Surveyor for the Marlborough Land District on the Ist October, 191 L After carrying out the duties of this position with success he was further promoted to a similar position for the Hawke's Bay District as from the Ist April, 1914, and a higher promotion was given him when he was transferred to the Canterbury Land District in Marcli, 1916. Here he continued to represent the Department until after service of nearly forty-seven years he voluntarily retired from the Public Service at the close of the last financial year, when he was granted three months' leave of absence prior to retirement. In Mr. Skinner the Department possessed an officer with a great knowledge of Maori lore and traditions. He had made a special study of the Taranaki District, and was a frequent contributor to the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute " and those of the Polynesian Society. It is hoped that he will long enjoy his well-earned leisure after his lengthy period of service in the Department.

Promotions and Transfers.

Expeditionary Force. In addition to those officers mentioned in previous reports, the following joined the Expeditionary Force during the year, though, owing to the sudden termination of the war, some of them did not actually leave New Zealand : — Surveyors. —P. S. Sherratt, surveyor, Auckland; T. Cagney, surveyor, Napier; A. F. Waters, surveyor, New Plymouth; S. T. Burton, surveyor, Dunedin. Draughtsmen. —V. G. B. Burrell, cadet, Auckland; L. J. McKenzie, cadet, Auckland; A. W. Hood, cadet, Auckland; W. G. Harding, Napier; E. Taylor, Napier; C. B. Hodge, temporary draughtsman, Napier; W. Conway, temporary draughtsman, New Plymouth; S. H. Wogan, cadet, Wellington. Crown Lands Rangers. —T. Sheehy, New Plymouth; W. A. Sutton, Nelson; R. D. Campbell, Hamilton. Clerk. —R. C. M. Irwin, cadet, Wellington. Forestry. —C. Snow, Kaingaroa; W. Montgomery, clerk, Whakarewarewa. Casualties during Year. Killed in Action or Died of Wounds,'&c. —J. G. Boyd, clerical cadet, Auckland (killed in action); H. f. Edgecumbe, Land Transfer draughtsman, Dunedin (died of sickness); T. L. Folley, draughtsman, Auckland (died of sickness): P. C. Gannaway, surveyor (died of sickness); W. A. Fraser, forester, Tapanui (killed in action); A. E. It. Bagnell, survey cadet (died of wounds); 11. E. Girdlestone, surveyor (killed in action); T. J. Lang, Cashier, Wellington (died of sickness); 0. D. Pearce, survey cadet (died of wounds). These officers by their deaths, as in their lives, showed they were always ready at the call of duty, and in common with the officers of the Department who had preceded them and other members of the Expeditionary forces of the Empire, gave their utmost for tin- sake of humanity and freedom. The deepest sympathy of their fellow-officers is respectfully extended to their relalives. Discharged from Expeditionary Force during Year. The following officers have now been discharged, and in most cases have returned to duty: A. 1). folley, draughtsman, Hokitika; I. M. Rage, Assistant forester, Whakarewarewa; 11. G. Shannon, surveyor, Auckland; W. Montgomery, clerk, Whakarewarewa; B. Hutton. draughtsman, Auckland; E. Taylor, draughtsman, Napier; R. 1). Campbell, Crown Lands Ranger, Hamilton; A. F. Waters, surveyor, New Plymouth; T. Cagney, surveyor, Napier; S. T. Burton, surveyor, Dunedin; W. A. Sutton, Crown Lands Ranger, Nelson; D. S. B. Heather, survey cadet, Thames;*A. W. Hood, draughting cadet, Auckland; T. Sheehy, Crown Lands Ranger, New Plymouth; A. C. Turnbull, Inspector, Head Office; R. C. M. Irwin, clerical cadet, Wellington; G. I. Beeson, clerk, Auckland; L. J. McKenzie, draughting cadet, Auckland; S. H. Wogan. draughting cadet, Wellington; T. I!. Hancock, survey cadet, New Plymouth; J. A. Chesney, clerk, Hokitika; T. G. Phillipps, draughtsman, Invercargill; R. F. Burgess, survey cadet, Wellington; H. C. Hulme, Cashier, Dunedin; W. E. Cockroft, clerk, Dunedin; J. T. Kenny, Assistant forester, Conical Hills; 0. N. Campbell, Drainage Engineer, Whakatane; R. E. E. McLeod, clerk, Head Office; A. W. Knapp, draughtsman, Auckland; L. J. Poff, survey cadet, Auckland.

2—o. 1.

Position to which appointed. Officer promoted and previous position. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, New Plymouth Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Christchurch Land Transfer Draughtsman, Dunedin Superintending Nurseryman, South Island, Tapanui Chief Officer, Forestry Branch Chief Inspector of Surveys and Computer, Head Office G. W. PalmQr, Receiver of Land Revenue, Christchurch. R. Leckie, Chief Clerk, Christchurch. E. 0. Weir, Draughtsman, Dunedin. D. J. Buchanan, Plantation Foreman, Whakarewarewa. E. Phillips Turner, Inspector Scenic Reserves. W. T. Neill, District Surveyor.