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16. PROPOSALS FOR ENSUING YEAR Lengthy consideration lias been given to the Division's future activities and proposals have already been formulated for the acceleration of the housing programme for the ensuing year. 17. ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF The staffing position over the past year has not been wholly satisfactory. The present difficulties of house-construction have placed added burdens on an already heavily loaded staff. The shortage of contractors and materials has meant that the Division must itself employ staff to procure materials or arrange sources of supply, and also to arrange contracts where the normal procedure fails. The programme of decentralization which has been put into effect in the Division's seven housing districts has progressed as far as it is intended for the time being. While this has resulted in a demand for numerically greater staff in the district offices, it has enabled the Division to undertake its housing programme with much greater efficiency. Total staff has shown a decrease over the past year, due to the difficulty of securing suitable appointees and also to the steady loss of staff both to other Departments and to private employment. Nevertheless, in spite of this, all staff have worked enthusiastically and unsparingly and the satisfactory results of the year's operations can largely be placed to their credit. The total staff of 580 (excluding Building Control) at 31st March, 1948, was made up asunder : Administrative and clerical (including stores supply).. .. 245 Architects, draughtsmen, and quantity surveyors .. .. 100 Building overseers .. .. .. .. 87 Land selection, purchase, development, and engineering .. 122 Land-planning .. .. .. .. 26 580 During the year, Mr. G. W. Albertson, who had been Acting Director of Housing Construction from 15th April, 1940, to Ist April, 1942, and Director since that date, retired from his position after forty years' service with the Government. I also regret to record the death of Mr. J. L. Tennet, who held the position of Chief Quantity Surveyor since 1937. In conclusion, I must again place on record the loyal and efficient service given by members of my staff in carrying out the housing policy. Relations with the building industry and general public continue to be excellent. R. B. Hammond., F.N.Z.1.A., M.T.P.1., Acting Director of Housing Construction.

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