D.—l

DEPARTMENTAL. Mr. W. H. Hales, who had held the positions of Engineer-in-Chief of the Colony and Colonial Marine Engineer for many years, retired from the public service on a well-earned pension on the 31st March last. Mr. Peter Seton Hay, M.A., M.lnst.C.E., who has been in the service of the Public Works Department for over thirty-one years, and in the position of Superintending Engineer for nearly ten years, has been appointed to succeed him. The vacancy in the Superintending Engineership has been filled by the p omotion of Mr. R. W. Holmes, M.lnst.C.E., who was for some time previously the Department's Inspecting Engineer, and who has been in the service for over thirty-four years. CONCLUSION. My task this year in dealing with and determining the merits of the innumerable applications for grants which have been received has been no less onerous than in previous years. It is impossible to meet the demands of all, and it is inevitable, therefore, that a certain amount of disappointment must be experienced that particular works have not been provided for, but honourable members may rest assured that in allocating the amounts provided for the various works and purposes the fullest consideration and most careful attention has been devoted to the requirements of the different parts of the colony. My chief endeavour has been to treat all fairly and in accordance with the necessities, so far as ways and means will permit, while at the same time serving the best interest of the people as a whole.

iii—D. 1.

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