H.—29

Staff. TJianks are due to all officers of the Division for their loyal and enthusiastic co-operation during another busy year. With the decentralization of the control of the staff of the Division which took place in October last, the Dominion was divided into four separate districts, each being placed under the charge of an officer designated " District Supervisor, Horticulture Division," who is responsible, except in certain specified cases, for the direction and supervision of the duties and services undertaken by all officers in his particular district. For the short period during which it has been operating the new arrangement is working quite smoothly, and should result in more immediate control and greater efficiency than can be exercised from one central office. New appointments to the staff of the Division during the year included Mr. A. A. Powell, Cool Storage Officer (vice Mr. R. Sutherland, deceased) ; Mr. D. K. Pritchard, Assistant Horticulturist; Mr. B. W. Lindeman, Vine and Wine Instructor (vice Mr. J. C. Woodfin, shortly retiring). Mr. W. T. Goodwin, who was seconded to the Cook Islands Department as Director of Agriculture, Rarotonga, for a period of three years, returned to the Dominion and resumed his duties as Assistant Director of the Division in August last. It is with the deepest regret that I have to record the death during the year of Mr. J. A. Campbell, former Director of the Division. During his long association with the Department Mr. Campbell rendered invaluable assistance in the interests of the fruitgrowing, horticultural, and beekeeping industries in the Dominion, and his passing away was a very distinct loss to the general community.

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