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Provision is made to give effect to an arrangement between the Government, the Public Service Association, and the Public Service Commissioner as a result of an originating summons taken out by the Public Service Association some years ago in respect to matters of procedure on promotion within the Service, and it is also provided that all appointments on promotion should be provisional, pending the determination of appeals, if any, from officers in the Public Service. Provision is made in regard to the constitution of the .Board of Appeal, for the appointment of deputy members in cases where it may be undesirable for either the Government or the elected member to sit on the Board. Provision of the original Act in regard to complaints and charges against officers has been simplified, and an additional right of appeal has been granted officers in regard to the penalty imposed by the Commissioner in respect of an offence by an officer. The other amendments are principally in the nature of machinery clauses and make no alteration in respect to the system of control of the Public Service by the Public Service Commissioner. It is confidently expected that the amending Act will facilitate the administration of the Public Service, particularly in regard to the matter of promotions, appeals by officers, and complaints and charges against officers. # Administrative Changes. Since the last report the following changes have taken place in the Administrative Division : — Internal Affairs Department.- On the 30th June, 1928, Mr. J. Hislop, C.V.0., 0.8. E., Under-Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer, retired on superannuation. On his retirement it was decided to separate the positions, and Mr. G. P. Newton, formerly Assistant Under-Secretary, was promoted to the position of Under-Secretary, and Mr. G. G. Hodgkins, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, assumed the duties of Chief Electoral Officer. Land and Income Tax Department- On the 31st May, 1928, Mr. A. E. Fowler, Commissioner of Taxes, retired on superannuation. He was succeeded by Mr. E. J. R. Cumming, F.1.A.N.Z., who formerly held the position of Deputy Commissioner. External Affairs Department.—On the retirement of Mr. J. D. Gray, Secretary of External Affairs and Cook Islands Departments, it was decided to separate the positions, and the following appointments were made : Mr. C. A. Berendsen, LL.M. (Hon.), in addition to his duties as Imperial Affairs Officer of the Prime Minister's Department, assumed the duties of Secretary of the Department of External Affairs, and Mr. S. J. Smith, Chief Clerk, External Affairs Department, took over the duties of Secretary of the Cook Islands Department. State Forest Service.-- The position of Director of Forestry became vacant through the retirement of Mr. L. Macintosh Ellis, B.Sc. (Forestry). The Secretary, Mr. E. P. Turner, F.R.G.S., was promoted to the position. By their untimely death the Service also suffered the loss of the undermentioned valued officers : — Dr. J. A. Thomson, M.A., D.Sc., A.0.5.M., F.G.S., F.N.Z.lnst., Director of the Dominion Museum, Internal Affairs Department. He was succeeded as Director by Mr. W. R. B. Oliver, M.Sc., F.N.Z.lnst. Mr. P. G. Morgan, M.A., A.0.5.M., F.G.S., F.N.Z.lnst., Director, Geological Survey Branch, Scientific and Industrial Research Department, Wellington. He was succeeded by Dr. J. Henderson, M.A., D.Sc., 8.E., A.O.S.M/ It. is pleasing to note that on a vacancy arising for a Stipendiary MagistrateMr. J. Miller, Registrar, Supreme Court, and Sheriff, Christ-church, was selected for appointment. His resignation from the Public Service took effect as from the Bth July, 1928.

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