H.—l4,

The value of overseas study has always been emphasized in reports of various Commissioners. The training and experience gained by these officers in this manner must be of great value to the Departments in which they are now serving. Departmental Examinations. Departmental examinations were again conducted in 1938, and the following table shows the results of the various classes of examinations held. m r-c „• Number Number Class oi Examination. . , sat. passed. Departmental Examination, General .. .. ..114 32 Labour Department— Departmental Examination for Inspectors of Factories 4 2 Land and Income Tax Department— Senior Examination .. .. .. 12 8 Junior Examination .. .. .. .. 9 9 Junior Examination (Employment Tax Division) .. 19 16 Lands and Survey Department— Draughtsman's Examination .. .. ..20 <f ! fi rs ' ; graf^e- ° 4 second grade. Computer's Examination (second grade) .. ..21 10 Public Works Department— Draughtsman's Examination .. .. 15 9 The general departmental examination was held in November, 1938, and conducted in twenty-three centres (from Whangarei in the north to Invercargill in the south). Candidates offering for this examination were from twenty-four different Departments. The Public Works Department Draughtsman's Examination was conducted in conjunction with the previously-mentioned examination and was held in nine centres. Both these examinations are held in terms of Public Service Regulation 201 to enable officers not, otherwise eligible to qualify for promotion beyond C, YI. The examinations under the heading of Lands and Survey Department are also held to enable Draughtsmen to proceed beyond C, YI. To do this an officer must pass either the First Grade Draughtsman's or First Grade Computer's Examination, or obtain passes in both the Second Grade Draughtsman's and Computer's Examinations. Officers in the Land and income Tax Department are required to pass various examinations before proceeding beyond certain salaries, and the above-cited examinations are held for that purpose. Inspectors of Factories in the Labour Department may become eligible for appointment to the position of Officer in Charge of certain of the larger centres by passing the prescribed examination. This is held from time to time as fixed by the Commissioner. Owing to the scattered locations of examination centres and the number of Departments with officers participating, considerable arrangement of accommodation and supervision was necessary. The Commissioner appreciates the assistance rendered by Departments and departmental officers in this connection. Entrance to the Public Service. Last year the qualifications of the appointees to cadetships were as shown Portion of degree or professional examination .. .. .. 13 University Scholarship (credit) .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Higher Leaving Certificate .. .. .. .. .. 43 University Entrance . . . . . . <. . . .. . . 318 School Certificate Examination .. .. .. .. .. 63 Public Service Entrance Examination . . .. .. .. 144 Total ... .. ~ ~ .. .. .. 583

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