H.—l4

6

34. The following is a summary of possible savings : — Per Annum. £ Cessation of expansion of Service, at least during the war 35,000 Travelling-expenses should be reduced by . . . . 40,000 Amalgamation of Departments and branches of Departments could be undertaken now at a saving of about 19,000 Cohen. Education Commission recommendations, referred to under " Inspection of Education Department " . . 40,000 Abolition of stamp commissions bo private persons, and reduction of commissions to vendors . . . . 4,000 Ditto in Land and Deeds and Justice Departments .. 1,000 Lands and Survey Department: Staff, &c, could bo reduced by . . .. . . . . 5,000 Examination fees, Public Service Examination, should be resumed . . . . . . . . . . 2,000 Other savings by close attention by Permanent Heads to details .. .. .. .. .. 5,000 £151,000 35. A further estimated amount of £16,000 in improved methods in regard to dealing with imprest accounts is not included in the above. Inspection of Education Department. 36. An inspection in detail of the Education Department, occupying a considerable time, was made by the Commissioners during the year, and a report furnished to the Minister of Education, in December last. It would be desirable to publish the report, but the necessity for economy in printing and paper at the present time precludes this. Sufficient was brought under the notice of the Minister to warrant his taking action in the direction of reorganization which will lead to economy and efficiency. 37. It was found, amongst other things, that more than one officer described as an Inspector did practically no inspecting, and that two other Head Office Inspectors would, be redundant if the recommendations made by the Commissioners were carried out. The Minister has dealt with three of these cases, but has, so far, been unable to agree about a fourth. 38. Other recommendations were — (1.) The reorganization of the Head Office staff. (2.) A reduction in the number of branches of the Head Office. (3.) Closing of one of the industrial schools for girls. (4.) More businesslike management of the commercial operations of the industrial schools. (5.) The necessity for departmental inspection of the industrial schools, including the accounts, &c. (6.) Production of proper balance-sheets of such trading concerns as industrial-school farms. (7.) Proper stock-taking, writing-off, &c. (8.) Centralization of purchase of supplies for all institutions. The present method of local purchasing is unbusinesslike and unsatisfactory. (9.) The abolition of special Inspectors of Native Schools, and the handingover of the work to local Inspectors. (10.) Simplification of returns. (11.) That a committee of departmental officers examine every item of work in the Head Office, with a view to eliminating any work not really necessary. The Commissioners are satisfied that there is enough superfluous and duplicated work to warrant this. (12.) That travelling-expenses be reduced by making special arrangements for horse-hire and the purchase of horses for Inspectors. (13.) That unnecessary book-keeping in the Head Office be eliminated.