H.—l4

7

(14.) That the Education Department store be closed, and that the few articles handled be turned over to the general Government Stationery Store. (15.) That arrangements be made for the purchase of requisites for all schools throughout the Dominion by a central authority. 39. Some of these recommendations have been carried out at a saving of £1,100 per annum in the Head Office, and under the new arrangements for the purchase of supplies for the industrial schools it is stated by the Department that £250 has been saved in two months. These economies are useful, but are only a trifling proportion of the total which might be attained in the administration of the educational expenditure, if centralization of all supplies were arrranged. 40. It may be of interest to call attention here to the report of the Cohen Education Commission of 1912, which recommended the supply of all school requisites to the Education Boards direct from the manufacturers, on the order of the Council of Education. This, and other improvements mentioned by the Commission, were estimated to result in a saving of £50,000 per annum. Public Service Act. 41. Experience has shown that some amendment in the Public Service Act is desirable, but owing to the war Government has not been able to consider the introduction of legislation for the purpose. The matter will be brought under notice again on a, suitable opportunity arising. Board of Appeal. 42. The Board of Appeal, held four sessions during the year, the business dealt with being as follows : —

43. The nature of the appeals was : (1) Against non-promotion, 43 ; (2) against penalties imposed, 7 ; (3) for regrading of position, 25 : total, 75. No appeals under the first two heads were allowed, and of the eleven allowed under the third head six were by consent. In one case in which the appeal was disallowed the appellant was ordered to pay costs (£1). Classification. 44. In the Third Report full reasons were given why it was considered that mental hospital officers, and others on a similar footing, should be credited for superannuation purposes with the full value of emoluments received by them and not on the cash salary only. It was hoped that Government would be able to introduce legislation last year to secure this desirable improvement in the condition of the officers concerned, but it was not possible to do so. As the matter is One of considerable urgency, representations have again been made to Government that, if at all possible, some provision should be made this year which would remove a disability under which a body of deserving officers is suffering. 45. The attendants and nurses of the Mental Hospitals have been reclassified. Deputations from Officers' Associations. 46. During the year the Commissioners have received deputations from the Public Service, Post and Telegraph, and Printing and Stationery Officers' Associations. Many matters of importance have been discussed. New Books and Forms. 47. Reference was made in the previous report of the Commissioners to the good work which had been done in some Departments as the result of the appoint-

ti i i mi i. General Postal. Telegraph.; ice L_ i Total. Appeals lodged Appeals withdrawn Appeals allowed Appeals disallowed 19 3 16 18 1 3 14 38 8 5 30 75 4 11 60