H.—l4.

Commonwealth Fund Service Fellowships. The Commonwealth Fund of New York, a philanthropic foundation existing since 1918, and supported by gifts from the late Mrs. Stephen V. Harkness, has established for British subjects a number of Fellowships tenable at American Universities. In creating these Commonwealth Fund Fellowships the directors of the fund have been impelled by a belief in the value of international opportunities for education and travel, and by a conviction that mutual amity and understanding between Great Britain and the United States will thereby be promoted. The scholarships are available to persons holding appointments overseas under the British Government, the Government of India, or the Government of a British dominion, colony, protectorate, or mandated territory. In the selection of candidates for nomination, primary consideration is given to intellectual ability, personality, and initiative, but account is also taken of character and health. Candidates must submit a definite scheme of research work or advanced study to be carried out during their residence in the United States, and must produce evidence of their capacity to pursue it with advantage. These fellowships are handsomely endowed, and they afford unique opportunities for useful and pleasant study in the United States. It is required as a condition of award that persons who enjoy the benefit of a Commonwealth Fellowship should continue in the Government Service for at least two years after the completion of the term of the fellowship. This useful and reasonable provision meets the objection that is commonly raised, with some validity, to the value of other scholarships whose immediate beneficiaries may perhaps not even return to their own country. In view of the limited number of fellowships available each year and of the high standard set, it is particularly pleasing to note that for 1936 two members of the New Zealand Public Service were selected. These officers are Messrs. C. R. Barnicoat, M.Sc, Chemist, Dominion Laboratory, Wellington (seconded for duty with the Dairy Eesearch Institute, Palmerston North), and R. G. Simmers, M.Sc, Meteorological Assistant, Scientific and Industrial Research Department, Wellington. Two further officers are at present absent from New Zealand as holders of these fellowships. These officers are Messrs. C. W. 0. Turner, B.Sc, Assistant Designing Engineer, Public Works Department, Head Office ; and J. G. Gibbs, M.Ag., Dip.Ag., Instructor in Agriculture, Palmerston North. Seconding of Officer for Special Duty with the Falkland Islands Government. With a view to improving the sheep-farming industry of the Falkland Islands, on the prosperity of which the colony is almost entirely dependent, a request was recently received from the Colonial Office as to the possibility of seconding a suitable officer from the New Zealand Service to advise on all matters concerning the industry. The services were required of a thoroughly qualified stock adviser with experience in stock-breeding and the improvement of pastures. The Commissioner was pleased to be able to comply with the request of the Colonial Office and the Falkland Islands Government, and Mr. D. S. A. Weir, Stock Inspector, Blenheim, was seconded for duty. Visits of Commissioners beyond Wellington. It has always been the policy of Commissioners to visit other centres wherever possible in order to give officers stationed at those towns an opportunity for making personal representations. The movements of the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner have been restricted during the past year owing to uncertainty regarding the duration of their terms in the acting positions, but, nevertheless, when special business necessitated the presence of a Commissioner in another town

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