PUBLIC SERVICE RULE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13093, 5 June 1913, Page 4

PUBLIC SERVICE RULE.

(Special to Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. Civil servants in the lower ranks are pleased Avith the Public Service Commissioners' \ decision to rigidly enforce the law limiting to 65 the age at Avhich a public servant may be employed, re-' quiring them to retire at an earlier age if their service has exceeded 35 years. It is understood that the provisions of the Act Avill be strictly complied with by the Public 'Service Commissioners. | The officers affected are to be given six ; months' notice, that is, they will cease | duty on 30th September, after which they Avill have three months' leave of ! absence on full pay as provided by the Act. Those avlio are retiring include a nurmber of officers high up in the service, and in such cases the pensions AA'hich they "will receive will be substantial. In other instances, however, Avhere the pay is small, and the men joined the service at an advanced age, an effort 'will, it is stated, be made to get 'Parliamentary authority for a contribution to be -made from' the consolidated revenue toAvards such pensions. In fact it is suggested that there will be a pension minimum. 4 Amongst those who have already beeir notified of their retirement are Mr Amelius Smith, secretary of the Superannuation Board, and Mr D. R. Piwdy, second clerk of the income branch of the Tax Department. Mr Amelius M. Smith is one of - the best-knoAvn officers in the public service of NeAV Zealand. Prior to coming to the colony in 1866 he Avas in the Imperial Army, 18th Hussars. On arrival here he was appointed A. D.C to the Governor, Sir George Grey, and on the retirement of Sir George Grey, Captain Smith joined the staff of the neAV. Governor, Sir George BoAven, as A. D.C, which office he held until October, 1870, Avhen he entered the Colonial Secretary's office. . He has seen many changes in public life during his long career, notably the abolition of the provinces and the institution of the education system. It is likely that the Lands and Public Works Department will soon be controlled by neAV under-secretaries, as a result of the application •of the rule.