C—3

20. Recruitment. —During the year two courses in timber-measuring were completed and one commenced at the Rotorua Forest Training Centre with the object of giving workmen the opportunity of qualifying for higher positions. Two of the courses covered mensuration work in indigenous forests and the other dealt with exotic forests. As a result of their efforts, 11 men attending the completed courses, including 9 ex-servicemen, were successful in securing appointments. The recruitment of young ex-servicemen and schoolboys for training under the technical-trainee scheme was continued. Fifteen appointments were made under this category, 6 of the appointees being ex-servicemen and 2 B.Sc. graduates. The total number of technical trainees is now 99, of whom 51 have had service with the Armed Forces. 21. Training. —Technical trainees studying for a science degree number 34, compared with 32 last year. Certain trainees have revealed themselves more suited to field duties and are not continuing with their degree work, which has kept the number studying for a degree comparatively stable. Of these 34 undergraduates, 14 are ex-servicemen on full-time rehabilitation bursaries. In addition to these trainees, two officers are studying for forestry degrees at Edinburgh and Aberdeen Universities respectively with rehabilitation assistance. A number of men not appointed to the staff are also studying for science degrees with a view to taking up forestry as a future career. Fourteen of these are ex-servicemen studying with rehabilitation assistance for a B.Sc. degree in New Zealand, and 5 others for forestry degrees in the United Kingdom. Sixty-five other technical trainees are engaged in training under a schedule of field duties, and for these a system of grading has been introduced. The position with these trainees has been complicated by the return of ex-servicemen, who for the most part have to commence their forestry education from fundamentals. The system of progressive courses which has become the basis of the grading has materially contributed to accelerating the training of ex-servicemen. During the year all technical trainees holding appointments attended a preliminary course for the purpose of grading. Seven were classified as senior grade, 12 as intermediate grade, and the remainder as junior grade. Additional courses will be held to assist trainees in the lower grades to qualify for a higher grade. Special precautions are taken at all courses to safeguard the interests of ex-servicemen. The Rotorua Forest Training Centre undertook during the year a very full programme for the instruction of all staff categories. Courses were held in timber-measuring, cruising methods, working plans, fire-prevention, and tool-maintenance, and additional courses were conducted for clerical officers (refresher), potential leading hands, and technical trainees studying at University. The saw-doctor's school was discontinued and instruction in tool-maintenance substituted. In all, thirteen courses of varying duration were completed and one commenced. At the Tapanui Forest Vocational School, which is smaller than the Rotorua Forest Training Centre, five courses were conducted, three for the instruction of potential leading hands, one for the grading of trainees, and one for trainees studying at University. Particulars of the courses are shown in Appendix XI. 22. Examinations. —Two technical trainees completed the B.Sc. degree during the year and one clerical officer completed the B.Com degree. One clerical officer was successful in completing the Professional Examination in Accountancy and another the examination of the Australasian Institute of Secretaries. 23. Allocation of Duties.—As part of the general staff reorganization, an appointment was made to the position of Assistant Director of Forestry. This officer's duties will include the co-ordination of the activities of each of the divisions of the Forest Service. Inspectors in charge of the divisions have also been appointed, and these

17