H.—l4.

of draughting have been pooled in the main Departments concerned. Formerly there were a number of Departments who had a very small draughting staff that could not offer an adequate training and career to juniors. Now the main Departments, such as the Lands and Survey Department with respect to survey draughtsmen, undertake to service all the smaller Departments who want services of a small number of survey draughtsmen and who are not able to offer either a career or a field training. The Lands and Survey Department therefore seconds the necessary officers for such periods as will not prejudice the officer himself and yet wi'l give acceptable service to the other Departments. It is to be noticed in the matter of training for special occupations two principles are being followed. First, that as far as possible we make use of the educational institutions now in the country. From these we have received the finest co-operation, and each that has been approached has shown a commendable willingness to adapt, if necessary, both the nature of the course and its contents to the needs of the Public Service. In the second place, and with the object of avoiding a leakage of trained officers, we are making a practice of asking for a surety or bond from the officer who has the benefit of the training to remain in the Public Service for periods of three to five years after the training is completed. The need for training in other special groups is under consideration, and plans in several instances are well advanced. Study of Public Administration. The first group of Public Service officers who were awarded scholarships to enable their full-time study of administration at Victoria College have completed their first year's work. The test was a strenuous one, because seven weeks, were lost in the first term, and the full course of reading and lectures had to be covered in a shorter period. However, by dint of hard work, prescriptions were fulfilled, and it is gratifying to be advised that all scholars satisfied the examiners. The development of the officers has been noticed with satisfaction, and in recommending the Government to authorize that a second series of scholarships be granted the Commissioner said, " I am confident that what might formerly be regarded as an experiment is bound to react to the good of the Public Service and consequently to the State. The men have benefited very greatly from the course of study and from their association with one another and with their teachers." An extract from the report of the Professor of the faculty of Political Science and Public Administration (Dr. Leslie Lipson) is here set down :— A high standard has been reached in all subjects, Much of the work submitted throughout the year has been of first-class quality, exhibiting both systematic research and maturity of judgment. At the beginning [some of the scholars revealed such weaknesses as an inability to handle general ideas, a discursive or rambling mode of presentation, and a style permeated with the terminology of official documents. These defects have been largely removed by the seminar discussions and by the detailed criticism of the essays and examination answers. As a result, the average standard at the end of the session is higher than it was at the commencement. The reason of the standard was made possible because the scholars were working full time. Working with each other every day developed a practice of competition inviting their mutual stimulation. At the same time, they have remained a co-operative team with something of that spirit of collegial study which obtains in a residential University. A second group of scholars was sent forward this year. There were some seventy applicants from all the Services, and these were reviewed by the following special Committee ;• — Dr. C. E. Beeby, 'Director of Education. Mr. W. Stewart, President, Public Administration Society. Mr. T. Pound, President, Public Service Association. Professor L. Lipson, Professor of Political Science. Mr. R. S. Parker, Lecturer in Public Administration. Mr. S. T. Barnett, Superintendent of Staff Training. Mr. P. B. Marshall, Public Service Inspector.

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