Public Service Association of New Zealand. ANNUAL REPORT.

Evening Post, Volume XLIII, Issue 62, 14 March 1892, Page 3

Public Service Association of New Zealand. ANNUAL REPORT.

The annual report and balance-sheet of tho Public Service Association of New Zealand, to be presented at the annual meeting to-morrow night, haa been circulated. Referring to tho Civil Service Bill, the report says: — "The Council resolved somo weeks ago that it would be desirablo to draft a Civil Service Bill, and appointed a committee for the purpose j not as a rival Bill to that prepared by the Government, but for the purpose of exhibiting in a definite shape the condition which would bo most acceptable to tho Service and would be most conducive to its efficiency. That Bill has now been prepared, and has been submitted to the Premier for the consideration of the Government." The report deals with tho work of tho Association during tho year, and concludes as follows .•— " The Council desires to record its greit appreciation of tho courtesy and attention which its communications have received from tho Ministry. The loyal co-operation of_ the Association with tho responsible Ministers of tho Crown in promoting good administration must prove of benefit both to the interests of the public and of the service. The ;Council has to regret that the departure of Lord Onslow ha 3 deprived tho Association of the patronage of the Governor as tho head of the Civil Sorvice, butis in tho hopo that the Earl of Glasgow w^ll consent to occupy the same position as his predecessor in tho Government of tho oolony. On the 31st December, 1801, tho number of members on the roll amounted to 1070. The Council trast3 that the ensuing year will witness further accessions to the ranks of the Association. The balance-sheet annexed to this report shows that on tho 31st December the Association had to its credit after paying all liabilities a sum of .£lls 2s 4d. The subscriptions for the year 1892, whioh are now coming in, are estimated to amount to about .£350 gross. Tho Council has been in communication with the Public Service Associations formed and in conrse of formation in the sister colonies of New Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania. It hm to thank the Associations of Victoria and South Aus- I tralia for information aa to their working, courteously furnished on application. Pull details ;of thell|No*- Zealand Association have been sent to tho Associations now being formed in the other colonies named. The Cauncil proposes to continue steadfastly_ in tho courso pursued since the founding of tho Association. By moderate and judicious action it hopes to retain the respect of the Service ard the public, and to largely extend its sphere of usefulness. It will in the main devote its energies to the passing into law of a Civil Service Bill accoptablo to all parties, and ba3edupon the principle that a loyal, efficient and contented service is essential to the progress and good government of the country. In such a Bill tho groat questions of classification, promotion, and retiring allowances will occupy the chief place. Tho members of the Council take this opportunity to gratefully acknowledge the support which they have received from the Service throughout the oolony. The Council alto desires to thank mombors for the renewal of confidence expressed in tho re-election, without contest, of those members of tho Council whose engagements permitted them to again offer themselves ai candidates.

The finishing touches were recently given to the Civil Service Bill drafted by the Public Service Association, and a copy hia been forwarded to the Government, wtfo intend to take it into consideration at an c Jtly date. We are informed that there are 6ome material points of difference between the Till and the Ministerial measure of last session. The system of classification is different, and there is also a difference in regard to the Board. Tho Public Service Association propose that there shall be eight members, four to be appointed by Order -in - Council holding office during pleasure, and four to be elected by the heads of Department, the term of office being a year. The Association aLo provides for a new prinoiple on which compensation shall be paid. It is propoi'jd that at ihe option of tho officer an amount not exceeding 7 per cent, shall be deducted from his salary and placed in the Public Trust Office, blaring compound interest, the amount to be supplemented by an equal sum from tho Consolidated Fund, the sum standing to bis credit to be p lyable to him when ho retires from tho Service. The public mcouin? to disenss the grave danger of the North Island Main Trunk Railway boing diverted from the central to the Stafford route, which wars to have been held at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday next, hai been postponed for the present. In uhe meantime a thorough organisation of the League is takin-j place, and an appeal is being made to the Wellington public to supply funds^to carry on the agitation, and to further the object 3of the League by their influence pnd assistance. The League hen appointed Messrs. C. J. and W. E. Dasent to canvass for an increased membership, and to receive subscriptions and donations. Charles J. Alexander, clerk, of Wellington, wa.3 to-day adjudicated a bankrupt. His creditors meet on Monday next. The time for the receipt of entries for the Hibernian Society's St. Patrick's Day sports has been extended to to-morrow, at 1 p.m. George Thomas & Co.'s sale by auction (by order of the Registrar of the Snpreme Court) of the 1000-scre farm in the township of S.uidon, has been postponed from the 17th Maroh to the 7th of April. H. Roselle's Surprise Party and Minstrel Combination, who h jVO been playing to good business in the oountry districts, are advertised to re-appear at tho Upper Hutt on Wednesday and Saturday next. Tho company is a very strong one, and ha 3 been strengthened by the addition of three juvenile acrobats, two sonj and dance artists, and two French pantomime clowns. Judging by previous performances, tho combination should draw good houses. Taranaki people are making practical use of the natural advantages presented by Mount Egmont. Their Scenery Preservation Society has just erected a Mountain House bymeana of public subscriptions, 3200ftabovo sea-level.forthe accommodation of travellers. Copies of a pamphlet giving directions tor the ascent of the mountain, and a description of the mountain houso, can be obtained at the Evening Post Office or from tho Union Steam Ship Company. We desire to notify the extension of the traveller'a sample sale for one week longer, at Mr. C. Smith's, the cash draper, Cubastreet. This will be positively the last opportunity this season of bnying samples at Glasgow price, further reduction, aud a final effort will be made to clear the whole lot out during the week.— Advt. ' Just landed, ex Aorangi and Duke of Buckingham, a large assortment of range h.p. boilers, special new design, with heating surface sides and back of furnace ; no trouble with fire-tiles and oheeks burning away, with great saving of fuel. S. Luke and Sons. Manners-street. — Advt. For continuation oj reaamg matter seejourth paa:.