H.—l4,

Note. —The following staff changes have been given effect to during the period under review : — Cook Islands became a separate Department (previously shown with External Affairs Department). Tourist Department merged with Industries and Commerce Department. Census and Statistics Branch transferred from Internal Affairs Department to Industries and Commerce Department. Office of Registrar-General transferred from Internal Affairs Department to Justice Department. Immigration Department merged with Labour Department. Native Trust Department merged with the Native Department. Offences by Officers. Offences and irregularities by officers are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of sections 12 and 13 of the Public Service Amendment Act, 1927. The principal classes of cases dealt with and the decisions arrived at are as follows : — Misappropriations (3) : Forfeited office. Irregularities (5) : Surcharged (3); forfeited office (1) ; charge not proved (!)• Unsatisfactory work (9) : Services terminated (3) ; fined (1) ; resignation asked for (1) ; disrated (2) ; transferred (2). Unsatisfactory conduct (11) : Reprimanded (6) ; censured and transferred (1) ; salary reduced (1) ; disrated (1) ; resignation asked for (1) ; appointment annulled (1). Suggestions for Improvement. Although Public Service Regulation 17 is a standing invitation to officers to forward for the consideration of the Commissioner any suggestions for improved or more economical methods of work in the Service, surprisingly few suggestions of any real value are received. The following received during the past year are deserving of mention:—

Public Service Examinations foe Shorthand-typists. The usual examinations for shorthand-typists were held in November and December of last year. The Junior and Senior Entrance Examinations were held in thirty centres and there were 977 entries, an increase of 45 over the previous year. Six hundred and thirty-one candidates were successful in passing the examinations, 337 failed, and 9 did not present themselves. These examinations are competitive. An order-of-merit list of the successfu candidates is prepared for each examining centre, and appointments to the Service are, as far as possible, made from the local pass-list, candidates who have passed the Senior Examination being given preference. The Junior Examination requires a speed of eighty words a minute in shorthand and thirty words a minute in typewriting, while the Senior speeds are 110 words a minute in shorthand and forty words a minute in typewriting.

13

Name. Department. Suggestion. P rkis Ii W f Alteration in working methods enabling School wn • ' I > ' \t > Printing and Stationery Journal to be produced more economically wiiKinson, a. ss. J • : and ex p editiougly . Worthington, E. W. .. Land and Deeds . . Introduction of schedule to facilitate assessment of fees for use in District Offices. Ormandy, A. E. .. Audit .. .. Outlining scheme to assist in relieving unemployment. Woodford, A. J. C. . . Census and Statistics Local manufacture of cyclostyle ink. Office Baker, J. V. T. .. State Advances Office Form of ready-reckoner to facilitate calculation of rents, &c.