ABSORBED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 473, 3 April 1909, Page 6

ABSORBED.

THE DEPARTMENTS. The Prisons Department, which is to bo absorbed by the Justice Department, has heretofore been presided over by Col. Hume, who retires. Its appropriation last year amounted to £46,232. The Police Department, which is also taken in, has had Commissioner W. Dinnie at its head. Its total appropriation last year was £175,242. "The Justice Department also takes in tho Deeds Registry Department, the heads of which have been Judge Batham (retired) and Mr. O. A. Hickson .(retired). Its total vote last year was £26,830. The Crown Law and Law Drafting Department, with Dr. Fitchett at their head, nave also been absorbed. The former was_ estimated to cost £2653 and tho .year. The Stamps and Deeds Department is also being absorbed by the Justice Department. "Stamps" has hitherto been in charge of Mr. C. A. Hickson. Its appropriation was £40,246 last year. Under the heading of Internal Affairs will be included tho Printing and Stationery Department (under Mr. John Mackay), which was (estimated to cost £50,511 last year; and the Registrar-General's Department (lately under Mr. Von Dadelszen), for which £8114 was appropriated last year. The Marine Department, which coalesces with the Customs, has been, in charge of Mr. G. Allport. This Department was estimated to cost £45,499 last year. The Labour Department absorbs the Immigration Department, over which Mr. W. C. Kensington has presided. The Agricultural Department absorbs Industries and Commerce, hitherto presided over by Mr. T. E. Donne. Its appropriation last year was £20,372. The Tourist Department is also to be merged into tho Agricultural Department. It was estimated to cost £52,421 last year. Its late head, Mr. Donne, goes to London. Tho Prime Minister states that the Land and Income Tax Department will probably have to grapple with the State Fire Insurance which has been headless since tho resignation of Mr. Brindley, over a year ago. Tho State Fire appropriation was £13,843 last year. The Public Health Department is to absorb the Hospital and Charitable Aid and Mental Hospitals Department, which has been in charge of Dr. Valintino. This Department was estimated to cost £109,614 last year. The Friendly Societies' Department is to be merged in the Treasury Department. This Department has been headed by Mr. R. E. Hayes as Registrar. Its appropriation was £3656 last year. The Old Age Pensions Department becomes a limb of the Post and Telegraph, Sir. J. E. Smith going over as commissioner. This Department was estimated to cost £9543 for administrative purposes last year. Tho Public Works Department takes in tho Roads Department, which has been in ohargo of Mr. C. W. Hursthouse (retired). It was estimated to cost £636.625 last year. Tho same Department will also tako in the Mines Department, which has been undcrsecretaried by Mr. T. Hamer (who goes to London). The appropriation for "mines" last year was £39,500. The Geological Survey (£12,815) has been a branch of the Mines Department.