H.—l4

10

of value in his profession. This is being recognized by public servants to some extent, but, either from want of advice or the desire to take up studies which are congenial, far more officers take up the arts or law course than can hope to be provided for in the Professional Division, while there is a marked shortage of officers who pass the examination for professional accountant. The other professions principally concerned are those of civil engineer, telegraph engineer, chemist, and bacteriologist; but these are now provided for by arranging facilities for officers to attend special courses which have been provided by the University. A profession which appears to be entirely neglected is that of actuary, and if some effort is not made by officers mostly concerned it is regretted that future actuaries will have to be looked for beyond New Zealand. 53. While the present is not a suitable time to make plans for the future, it may be of use to remark that the time should have gone by for relying upon other countries for junior medical officers for the Mental Hospitals and Public Health Departments. The difficulty in the past has been that the salaries offered in the Mental Hospitals Department did not appear to induce young medical practitioners to take up mental-hospital work as a career. This has been remedied, but as graduates of the Medical School almost invariably look upon the first two or three years after obtaining their degree as a time to save money to visit Great Britain for the purpose of taking a post-graduate course, it will be necessary to arrange, as part of the agreement with officers, to grant a year's leave for this purpose after a service of two or three years. The difficulty which existed in regard to the Public Health Department should disappear, as the New Zealand University is now granting a diploma of public health. Examinations held during the Year. 54. The examinations conducted during the year under the Public Service Regulations have been the Public Service Entrance Examination, the Public Service Senior Examination, the efficiency examinations in the Post and Telegraph Department, efficiency examinations in two Departments for promotion of officers, and examinations for admission of shorthand-writers and typists. Senior and Entrance Examinations. 55. The Public Service Senior Examination, held between the sth and 19th January last, was conducted under regulations which came into force on the Ist April, 1915. The number of entrants was 794, as compared with 876 for the previous year. Of the 794 admitted at the last examination, 653 actually presented themselves in the examination-room, and 399 were successful in improving their status and are now recorded, in conjunction with earlier successes (if any), as having passed as follows : Passed the whole examination, 82, of whom 1 passed with distinction; passed in five or more subjects, 59; passed in four, 68; passed in three, 74; passed in two, 116. 56. The Public Service Entrance Examination was conducted at fifty-two centres between the 22nd and 29th November, 1916, under regulations which came into force on the Ist April, 1914. The number of candidates entered was 1,222, as compared with 1,232 for the previous year. Of the total, 1,198 were present at the examination, and 695 passed. The examination was open to all candidates, both boys and girls, who expressed their intention of entering the Public Service if successful. As the total number of candidates was practically the same as that for the previous year, when only boys were admitted to the examination, the number of male candidates examined this year must have been considerably less. The fact that a fee of £1 was charged evidently affected the candidature. The fee, in accordance with the regulations, is refunded to each candidate who passes the examination and actually becomes a member of the Public Service. 57. Both the Senior and the Entrance Examinations were conducted by the Education Department by arrangement. The cost was as follows : Public Service Senior, £797; Public Service Entrance, £892.