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ter is of an equally sterling nature. He is now under medical treatment in Sydney, and the sympathies of the Department are extended towards him in earnest wishes that be may recover, as his withdrawal from the Government service is deplored by all who know him. Following upon the death of Mr. John Hay, the Department lost one of its most promising officers by the sudden death of Mr. T. M. Grant, acting Chief Surveyor and Chief Draughtsman of the Nelson Land District. Mr. Grant, whilst inspecting some road surveys in the Buller Valley, met with an accident, caused by the overturning of a vehicle, which resulted in a broken leg. He was under medical treatment at Murchison, when unfavourable symptoms set in, terminating in his death on the 7th December. The late Mr. Grant entered the Department in 1877, but resigned shortly after, joining again in 1887 as a member of the Head Office staff. After passing his examination as a licensed surveyor he was appointed Chief Draughtsman in the Hokitika office in February, 1902, being transferred to Nelson in a similar capacity on the Ist July, 1906. He was .in energetic and painstaking officer of high character, and was universally respected. Mr. E. H. Wilmot (Chief Draughtsman, Hokitika) was promoted to the vacant position of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for Southland, and Mr. H. G. Price (Land Transfer Draughtsman, Wellington) to the Chief Draughtsmanship at Napier, whilst Mr. H. M. Skiet (District Surveyor, Taranaki) filled Mr. Wilmot's place as Chief Draughtsman at Hokitika The following officers voluntarily retired from the Department during the last year, viz. : Messrs. C. W. McFarland, G. H. Davis, and W. C. Wall (staff surveyors), and R. Mitchell (draughtsman), who leave the Department with its best wishes for their future success. In addition to the foregoing, and ere this report is laid before Parliament, a number of old and valued officers will come under the operation of "The Public Service Superannuation Act, 1907," having reached the age of sixty-five years or upwards, and retire from the active list of the New Zealand Civil Service. Among those whose names call for special mention, and who, besides their long and zealous service under the General Government, were formerly in the employ of different Provincial Governments before the abolition of provinces, are Messrs. J. E. March (Superintendent of Village Settlements and Inspector of Workers' Dwellings), Llewellyn Smith (Chief Draughtsman, Wellington District office), and C. B. Shanks (Chief Draughtsman, Christ church District office), who have given the best years of their lives to the work of settlement, both in " the field " and in the office. Another valued officer is Mr. G. E. Reade (Receiver of Land Revenue, Dunedin), who has served well and faithfully under both the General and Provincial Governments; and the same may be said of Mr. Francis Kilfoyle, who has been in charge of the preparation of titles in the Auckland office for many years; whilst long and faithful service has been rendered by Crown Lands Rangers John Barron (Taranaki), George Mackenzie (Otago), Duncan Campbell (Southland), and W. H. Williams (Canterbury), who have all reached the age of retirement, but who can look back with pleasure and pride to the high standing which they, with other Rangers, have always occupied both in the Department of Lands and in the eyes of the general public. I can only say that personally I am very thankful that the Superannuation Act of last session became law before these officers retired from the service. # I also regret to have to record the voluntary retirement, through ill-health, of Mr. Frederic Samuel, for many years Clerk of Titles in the Head Office. Although not of a robust constitution of late years, Mr. Samuel did his work manfully and well, and it is hoped that he may be spared to enjoy a well-merited superannuation allowance for a long time to come. Another officer with long service who similarly retired (but on compensation) was Mr. Frederick Bull, Receiver of Land Revenue, Napier. Mr. Bull had previously filled the position of Chief Accountant at the Head Office, and always attended to his duties in an assiduous manner, earning the respect of all with whom he had been associated. The work of the Head Office has necessitated the most unremitting attention by all the officers. I have to thank the Chief Clerk and all the staff for the loyalty and zeal with which they have carried out their duties. In addition to the work of Chief Clerk, Mr. O'Neill has dealt with a large amount of immigration details, which is largely increasing. Amongst other officers, I feel it is only just to mention Messrs. Jourdain (also secretary to the Scenery Preservation Board), upon whom has devolved a good deal of the work in connection with the preparation and gazetting of the new land regulations, <fee.; Hawthorne, who has now taken over the duties of Clerk of Titles; Hardy, who supervises all the details in connection with the opening of lands for selection, made doubly arduous owing to the new land legislation : and last, but not least, Messrs. Gambrill and Verschaffelt, respectively in charge of revenue returns and records.