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Appointment of an Assistant Public Service Commissioner. —For some time the Public Service Association have been asking for t.fie appointment of two Assistant Public Service Commissioners as provided for in the Public Service Act. The present and future problenis of the Service fully warrant such appointments. The Government have now approved of the appointment of one Assistant, and selected Mr. G. T. Bolt for the position. Mr. Bolt has had a wide experience in the work of the Public Service Commissioner's Office and was Secretary of the Office up to the time of his appointment. Administrative Changes. —Mr. J. M. Park retired from the position of Commissioner of Taxes, and was replaced by Mr. F. G. Oborn, previously Deputy Commissioner. Mr. Oborn was succeeded by Mr. F. B. Aburn. Mr. L. B. Campbell, Secretary of Marine, retired during the year. No appointment of a successor has so far been made. Mr. J. S. Hunter, who previously filled the position of Director of National Service, was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer, Organization of National Development. Mr. H. L. Bockett assumed the position of Director of National Service in addition to his previous position as Controller of Man-power. Mr. 0. N. Campbell, Under-Secretary and Native Trustee, Native Department, retired, and was succeeded by Chief Judge G. P. Shepherd. In the Public Works Department the position of Under-Secretary has been separated from that of Engineer-in-Chief. Mr. N. E. Hutchings was appointed to the position of Under-Secretary. Mr. P. G. Pearce retired from the position of Commissioner of Stamp Duties and Secretary for Land and Deeds. Mr. J. Caradus, Registrar-General of Land, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Pearce. Mr. J. H. Jerram, 1.5.0., is retiring from the position of General Manager, State Fire and Accident Insurance Department, and will be succeeded by Mr. R. H. Newbold, at present Deputy General Manager. Mr. Jerram has also served on the Board of Appeal as Government member for the past eighteen years. Mr. G. G. Rose, Assistant Secretary to the Treasury, retired during the year. Mr. E. L. Greensmith, previously Second Assistant Secretary, replaced Mr. Rose, and Dr. A. R. F. MacKay, previously Accountant, succeeded Mr. Greensmith. Mr. W. Stewart retired from the position of Valuer-General on his appointment to the Land Sales Appeal Court. Mr. F. IT. Waters, previously Deputy Valuer-General, was promoted to the position of Valuer-General. Mr. W. E. Arnold, Commissioner, Government Insurance Department, retired during the year, and was replaced by Mr. J. W. Macdonald, previously Deputy Commissioner and Secretary. The position of Director, Rehabilitation Department, was filled by the appointment of Mr. F. Baker, who had returned to duty after distinguished service overseas. Offences by Officers. -The machinery for action taken against officers for offences is detailed in sections 1L and 12 of the Public Service Amendment Act, 1927. During the year under review it was necessary to issue regulations providing for the dismissal from the Public Service of military defaulters —i.e., those employees who as a result of refusal to render military service had been committed to defaulters' detention camps. For this reason the number of offences dealt with is in excess of previous years. Cases dealt with were as under : Misappropriations : 2 (2 forfeited office). Unsatisfactory work : 24 (services terminated, 5 ; permitted to resign, 9 ; rej)rimanded, 6 ; reprimanded and fined, 2 ; fined, 1 ; transferred, 1). Unsatisfactory conduct: 84 (exonerated, 1 ; services terminated, 45 ; permitted to resign, 9 ; reprimanded, 11 ; reprimanded and fined, 6 ; fined, 8 ; transferred, 4). Conclusion. —Despite the difficulties of the past year, the co-operation and willing assistance received from all administrative and executive officers have been excellent. We desire to extend to them and to our own staff our thanks for their loyal co-operation. The executive of the New Zealand Public Service Association have been very helpful in their approach to the various problems coming under review. All of which is respectfully submitted for Your Excellency's gracious consideration. J. 11. Boyes, Commissioner. G. T. Bolt, Assistant Commissioner. Office of the Public Service Commissioner, Wellington, 20th June, 1944.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (BOS copies), £12.

By Authority: E V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 944. Price fid]

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